The Power of the Cross and Healing in a Pastor’s Ministry

Introduction

As a Christian youth, the first book I read from cover-to-cover was David Wilkerson’s The Cross and the Switchblade. For my senior paper in college, I wrote about “The Wisdom of the Cross in 1 Corinthians 1:18.” Throughout my life, the theme of the cross of Jesus has appeared in my life and academic studies. My preaching and pastoral ministry became guided by the overarching theme of the cross of Jesus. I believe without the cross, the New Testament contains implausible words with little power. In my research as a pastor-scholar, I have recognized that the central motif of Paul’s message centers on the cross of Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle commenced the correspondence with “the message about the cross” and “power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18, NRSV). This article will consider the power of the cross in a pastor’s ministry with regard to healing. My thesis underscored the need for a robust theology of the cross with the issue of healing. The key thought of this paper is not a new idea for healing is as old as the New Testament. Both the theology and practicality of the cross in healing will be investigated. Salvation overcomes sin through the power of the cross. The apostle’s eschatological doctrine of the cross contains a theology of salvation; subsequently, the preaching of the cross sets the release of the power of God for healing in the church. Therefore, the cross of Christ reveals God’s eternal plan for all people, and that power undergirds his sovereign purposes. As a pastor of a congregation, I believe a firm understanding of the cross remains essential for ministry, especially in the area of healing.

A firm belief in the essential meaning of the cross provides the true authority to liberate healing in the life of the church. In this matter of healing, we read of Jesus ministry in Matt. 8:17 that “this was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.’” Irrefutably, the cross represented Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection; therefore, that is why a pastor must claim the veracity of this scripture in prayer for the sick with a congregation. In his suffering and resurrection, Jesus manifests the power of God in the believer’s life.

 

Relationship between the cross and healing

Jesus’ ministry demonstrates his power in the cross. Matthew 8 and 9 recorded nine healings. In the middle of these miracles the gospel writer revealed a message about the cross. In Matthew 8:17, the evangelist quoted from the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, “this was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases’” (NIV). This prophetic scripture adopts the healing nature of Christ on the cross to our healing ministries.

Tags: cross, healing, ministry, pastors, power

Category: Ministry, Winter 2017