“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)

As I reflect upon the ministry of Jesus, my own ministry and the ministry of the church and its pastors I see the balance of his example as a pattern for us today. Teaching, preaching the good news and healing every disease and sickness.

First, teaching. The pastor must be an educator. His subject is the Bible and its treasury of inspired knowledge. From Genesis to Revelation it is a library of truth about God and humanity. The pastor must give priority leading Bible Studies and classes to educate the congregation and make them wise about salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim.3:16) Most people are ignorant or know little about the Scriptures and need to know what they contain. The Bible is the most important book in the world and needs to be studied by everyone not left on the shelf to gather dust. It is the manual for understanding the ways of God and man. It should be read daily as a love letter from God to nourish our spirit and to guide our lives.

Second, preaching. The pastor must be a preacher of the Gospel (good news of the kingdom). The pastor proclaims, heralds, and appeals for us to come to the Savior, Servant, King and Judge for redemption. “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. Do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Tim.4:2,5) The pastor leads the congregation in worship through prayers that reverently edify and instruct. He applies the Gospel to their needs. He takes the doctrines of the Christian faith and shows how relevant they are to the human condition. He deals with the hunger of our hearts for meaning, for purpose, for love, for courage, for hope and for fulfillment.

Third, healing. The pastor must be a healer of every disease and sickness. This requires knowledge of the sickness of our world, our addictions, our idolatries, our self-inflicted wounds, our anger, our guilt, our co-dependencies, our relational conflicts, our disappointments, our despairs, our fears and anxieties. It requires discernment, compassion and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is more than any one person can handle so the pastor must be a person of prayer. Jesus is the healer and the pastor is the one who prays for healing. He deals with every disease and sickness in his preaching and teaching. He makes himself available to those who are harassed and helpless.

All these three aspects of ministry must be present if we are to follow the example of Jesus. May God give us the strength to do so.