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Heal the Sick, Jesus Told Us
Jesus and health care
Question:
Health-care reform is an economic, political and medical issue. But On Faith panelist and evangelical leader Jim Wallis says it's also a "deeply theological issue, a Biblical issue and a moral issue." Do you agree? Why or why not?
Health care was and is a theological, biblical and moral issue to Jesus. Just read how he related to the sick and who he healed. Matthew 15:30-32 is just one of the many reports of Jesus' encounter with those who needed help:
Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people."
The historian Matthew was one of those who initially suggested that Jesus send away the needy because there were too many to handle. Then he experienced Jesus' compassion for the hurting and changed his mind. He even reported that "Many followed Jesus, and he healed all their sick" (Matthew 12:15). Jesus didn't exclude those with pre-existing conditions or low income or unemployment. "All" was universal--everyone.
OK, we're not Jesus and America's health care system doesn't claim supernatural power and resources. However, as followers of Jesus we are shaped by his compassion for those who need care and his inclusion of everyone. When I hear the debate over politics and economics I listen for these priorities of Jesus.
By
Leith Anderson
|
August 19, 2009; 12:52 PM ET
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Posted by: mark85 | August 31, 2009 5:27 PM
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Then Jesus said, "Extract money by force from other people's pockets to pay for healing the sick."
Posted by: edbyronadams | August 23, 2009 10:47 AM
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Leith and his "people of faith" think Jesus' priority is health care for only those who have worked and earned it. The poor's inability to pay $6,000 per year "free market" premiums with $5,000 deductibles is Christ's punishment for their sloth and, uh, er, us "pre-existing conditions (like being being pregnant with twins).
Posted by: coloradodog | August 22, 2009 8:39 AM
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Jesus taught that we should love one another. He taught that compassion is Godly. He taught that greed and selfishness is UnGodly. He urged us to choose wisely.
Posted by: ppease5 | August 20, 2009 8:35 AM
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Nice of Jesus to be concerned but he didn't clue us in to even natural powers. Wonder why he didn't just remit crippling of children or cancer, or let us know about microbes, sanitary water and sewage, anesthesia, surgical techniques, x-ray, MRI, or ultrasound diagnostic aids. Guess it was more fun to wait a couple thousand years.
Posted by: TomPowell | August 19, 2009 4:24 PM
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not only did Jesus heal, but he did so without social misgivings...there would be healtchcare for everyone if the priority was not to make a profit....