The Love of Jesus

Editorial by John Sackett

When members of our community seek healing at Adventist HealthCare, they are hoping to have their medical issues resolved. During Christ’s ministry, many people came to Him for the same reason. With no strings attached, Jesus healed people by the thousands because He could see that they were hurting. He demonstrated the love and compassion of God by renewing their health. Jesus also talked to people in many forums about who God is and what He is like. He explained that God cared enough to fix the immediate problems but also explained how it was possible to have the much more important gift of eternal life.

Following the example of Jesus, it is a worthy and noble work to deploy the most advanced forms of medicine to treat people who are sick or injured. Patients are grateful when this work is done with excellence – and such work fulfills our Adventist HealthCare mission and reflects positively on the global mission of our church. As a result, some people become interested in learning more about the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

When responding to their questions, Adventist HealthCare has the opportunity to share that Seventh-day Adventists, using the Bible as their source of truth, believe that there is a God who loves every person. Additionally, Adventists want everyone to understand that death on earth is temporary and eternal life is offered to everyone. That is, Adventists want people to know that everyone who accepts God’s love will live forever after the second coming of Jesus. This understanding of God’s unconditional love and the gift of salvation is reinforced throughout Jesus’ words and actions as described in the Bible.

For example, Jesus often used stories or parables to illustrate that God’s love is assured and anyone who is willing can accept it. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus makes it clear through the father’s love of both his sons that God loves all people – regardless of the merits of their actions or the length of their commitment – and people are free to reject God and His love. Salvation is shown to be a gift freely given – not earned – and acceptance is not forced.

Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated His full acceptance of humanity by meaningfully engaging with everyone – whether a fisherman from His own Jewish faith or a centurion’s servant from another faith. Jesus extended redemption to both a rich man who went away troubled as well as the thief on the cross next to Him who acknowledged Jesus’ sovereignty. He responded to both the powerful Pharisees and Sadducees who questioned Him, as well as the marginalized tax collectors and lepers in need of healing.

Just as there were many varied people who sought out Jesus, the people who come to Adventist HealthCare suffer from a wide variety of circumstances – including injury, cancer, drug addiction, heart disease, stroke, rape and mental illness. Many times our high-quality, compassionate care restores their health, but sometimes it does not, despite all efforts. However, in all cases, Seventh-day Adventist hospitals and care sites – through their actions, words, prayers and practices – are living testimonies to the news that God loves all people and invites everyone who wants to accept God’s love to live forever.

I will never forget a particular patient who asked to speak to the hospital president. I was serving in that role at the time and, as I got to know this patient, I discovered that, as he was facing end-of-life medical circumstances, the one question that was concerning him the most was, “What happens to me after I die?” I was able to listen to his story and share my belief that yes, there is the promise of eternal life after death on this earth, and it is free for the asking!

This interaction is an example of the life-changing opportunities we have here at Adventist HealthCare to provide hope and healing for this life and the life to come.

John Sackett is the president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare.