Medical Missionary Work: From Luke's Seventy to Madison Ministries

Luke 10

1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Jesus did commission the Seventy to go before His face into every city and place where He was about to come, charging them to heal the sick and announce the advent of the Redeemer Luke 10:1CT 465.2. While Luke was a physician, the historical record indicates he was a companion of the apostles rather than one of the original Seventy commissioned in this specific eventCH 557.1. The work of the Madison school was indeed established upon the same divine principles of self-support and medical evangelism seen in Christ’s commission to the Seventy, serving as a modern-day example of the right arm of the gospel message20MR 100.4+1.

The Commission of the Seventy

The Seventy were sent forth as medical missionary evangelists to provide a message of spiritual life and physical restorationCT 465.2. Their work followed the example of the Master Teacher, who ministered to both the soul and the body Luke 10:9CT 465.2. This commission was not limited to that specific group but includes all believers to the end of time who receive the life of ChristCT 465.2. The purpose of this work is to reach the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, compelling them to come in so that God's house may be full Luke 14:21-2312LtMs, Ms 18, 1897, par. 1.

Madison Ministries and the 20th Century Application

The Madison school was established to provide an all-round education that would fit students for efficient work in foreign and home fieldsSpM 425.4. This system of education, which blends mental work with physical labor such as building and agriculture, is exactly what the Lord directed to be introduced into our training centers11MR 195.3+1.

• A Self-Supporting Model: The Madison order focuses on training missionaries to be self-supporting, teaching them how to build simply, cultivate land, and treat the sick without being a burden on conference fundsSpM 422.3+1.

• The Right Arm of the Message: This work is the "right arm" or "helping hand" of the third angel's message, intended to break down prejudice and open doors for the truthMTC 125.2+1.

• Direct Biblical Foundation: The Madison school was specifically designed to follow the Lord's directions, acting as a spectacle to the world and a means to quickly carry the message to every country20MR 100.4+1.

The Biblical Standard of Missionary Work

True missionary work is characterized by an inseparable union between the gospel ministry and medical missionary labor, just as the arm is joined to the bodyCH 516.1+1.

• Health Reform: Following Christ’s example means teaching the principles of healthful living and using nature’s remedies—such as pure water, air, and diet—to prevent diseaseCT 519.2+1.

• Simplicity and Self-Sacrifice: Workers are to labor in simplicity and meekness, avoiding display or worldly policy, and practicing the self-denial seen in the life of Christ Matthew 16:24KC 91.3+1.

• Reaching the Cities: Medical missionary work is the pioneer work that finds entrance into large cities where the truth has not yet been proclaimedSpTB08 24.3+1.

• Character Building: The highest missionary work involves personal labor, visiting families, and sympathizing with the sorrowing to win their hearts for the Savior9T 41.2+1.

If all will wear Christ's yoke and learn in His school, there will be sufficient means to establish this gospel medical missionary work in many places Matthew 11:28-30CH 319.2. Every church member is called to take hold of this work, as the world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease7T 62.1. By following the pattern of the Seventy, we glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which belong to Him 1 Corinthians 6:19-20MMis May 1, 1899, par. 4.