Holistic: A Definition in Action
Scripture Reading — Matthew 4:23-25
Jesus went throughout Galilee . . . healing every disease and sickness among the people.
This week let’s reflect on a word we might not hear very often: holistic. In mission work we generally define holistic in terms of people’s whole lives. We minister with our whole lives, and we care about the whole lives of the people we minister with.
It’s one thing to think about a definition. It’s a whole other thing to see it in action. That’s what we read about as Matthew 4 describes the ministry of Jesus. Imagine what it would have been like to experience Jesus’ work for yourself. No wonder the good news of Jesus spread everywhere!
All of the mission concepts we have been reflecting on this month show up in this passage: gospel (good news), witness, and holistic. Jesus proclaims the good news of the kingdom of God. People who experience Jesus witness to his goodness and bring others to meet him. And we see the holistic ministry of Jesus “healing every disease and sickness.” People are set free in every part of their lives.
Our theme verse for this month says: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3). This is what holistic mission is all about.
What does it look like to introduce hurting people to Jesus and his marvelous deeds? We live in a world that desperately needs to experience the loving and healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus, thank you for caring about every part of our lives. Please bring healing to the broken areas of my life, and help me to be a channel of your healing presence to others. Amen.
About the author — Kevin DeRaaf
Kevin DeRaaf is the director of Resonate Global Mission, the Christian Reformed mission agency working in more than 40 countries around the world. With a focus on encouraging others to join in God’s mission where they are, Kevin believes that God’s purpose for the local church is to shine as a community of love and grace, showing in tangible ways that Jesus is the hope of the world. He and his wife, Jacquie, have three children and four grandchildren and live in Burlington, Ontario.
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