2015—CrossTraining
We often focus, and for good reason, on the healing ministry of Jesus. Many were drawn to Him as the Great Physician throughout His ministry on earth. But the most important aspect of His healing ministry was His willingness to become the cure for humanity’s sin problem. The cross is where He worked out the antidote to the destructive disease of self-interest. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NKJV.
“And I, if I be lifted up…will draw all men unto me,”
This promise that Jesus gave in John 12:32 points us to the essence of our cross-training as students of the Great Physician. If we are to effectively incorporate His ministry into our practice, we must learn to focus our attention and the attention of our patients to God’s heart of love as revealed in the Cross of Christ. As physicians and dentists apply the lessons learned here, they become cross-trained as effective ministers of the gospel. As pastors and laity minister in health evangelism, they also are cross-trained, as the power of the “right arm” is revealed through a unique opportunity to introduce people to the Great Physician’s curative sacrifice for them.