When the Affordable Healthcare Act was upheld by Chief Justice Roberts and the Supreme Court, it seemed nothing short of miraculous. As expected, the Republicans immediately began their full-throated outrage of “Obamacare,” promising to repeal it every chance they got. Fundamentally, this law is about insuring the uninsurable by creating bigger pools of patients and providing lower cost alternatives. Despite all the rhetoric and hyperbole, the fact is, this law will help a lot of people. That fact alone makes this a moral issue that at least every Christian should care about.
In Jesus day, if you had an ailment, there was a belief that you had somehow brought it on yourself. When asked why a man was blind, Jesus had to explain, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.” (John 9:3) In our ‘modern’ society, most of us don’t subscribe to the notion that victims of cancer or Alzheimer’s somehow had it coming. However, there is a thought that if you’re poor and/or uninsured, you don’t want to work for your bread or your blood work. While that describes a popular belief in our nation, it is not based on anything resembling “Christianity.”
Jesus did not turn anyone away, in spite of the fact that many of those he healed were ungrateful. Never-the-less, he was drawn to the most desperate cases: the lepers, the blind beggars, the cripples. These were the people who didn’t have many options when it came to healthcare. We’re told that the infirmed would go to the pools of Bethesda where the first one to get in after the water was “stirred” would be healed. A crippled man explained that since he didn’t have anyone to help him, he could never get in first. (John 5:7) Even this method was rigged against the sickest in their society.
We have come a long way in medical treatment from the pools of Bethesda, at least for those who have insurance. However, many Americans are deemed too sick for the health industry. Of course, in a cruel twist, these are the very people that need insurance the most. And so, the uninsurable are reduced to wading into emergency rooms and free clinics as if they were the Pools of Bethesda. “The current situation is not sustainable,” said Dr. Thomas Smith, who helped establish a free clinic that visits rural parts of Tennessee. The system is clearly broken, leaving millions to eek out help wherever they can find it.
Perhaps it’s worth stepping back to consider why Jesus chose to heal people in the first place? Sure, it was a good attention getter, but he could have demonstrated his divinity in any number of ways. He could have summoned lightening to smite his enemies or hovered in mid-air over the crowd while he spoke. Yes, he walked on water and cursed a fig tree but, for the most part, he was a teacher and a healer. Why? Well, he seemed to have a great big heart for people who had been condemned to a life of pain and misery, people for whom relief was out of reach.
After Jesus healed the crippled man at Bethesda, the Pharisees were outraged when they learned that he had been healed on the Sabbath. While they were obviously threatened by someone usurping their authority, it’s also apparent they did not have a lot of compassion for the sick. They wanted to squabble about the correct time and place to heal someone rather than simply help them. In a not too dissimilar way, this country has debated healthcare for sixty years without any significant movement until President Obama stepped up and, at great political risk, led the effort.
In the 9th Chapter of John, Jesus heals a blind man by placing mud on his eyes. After the Pharisees criticized this healed man and threw him out of the synagogue, Jesus sought the man out to heal his spiritual sight as well. “I have come into the world so the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” (39) Jesus wanted the blind man to recognize the man before him as the Son of Man and the light of the world. This spiritual awareness is the beginning of every Christian’s journey.
As we progress as Christians, we should begin to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, and having compassion for the sick is a basic character trait of Christ. While we can’t put mud on a blind person’s eyes and expect them to see, we do have other ways to heal a multitude of crippling diseases. To do so may require sacrifice and re-prioritizing our goals. There will always be people who had rather argue about when and where to help than to actually do something about it. However, when we turn a blind eye to the needs around us, we are exposing our own spiritual blindness.
This article was posted on BuzzFlash, The Tennessean, and The Religious Left.
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Tags: Affordable Healthcare Act, blind man, Chief Justice Robert, Christianity, John 9, Obamacare, Pools of Bethesda, President Obama, Supreme Court, uninsured
What’s interesting is that some people think that with Obamacare, they’re somehow going to have to pay for the uninsured’s medical bills. Um, they’re already paying for their medical bills by higher medical costs. The hospitals, etc., charge more because they have to cover the costs of those who come in uninsured.
I have friends in other countries that have Universal health care and they love it. They get the medical care that they need. Granted, they sometimes have to wait to have certain non-emergency procedures done, but how long do we have to wait to get appointments? I needed to have my knee checked once and I had to wait three months.
Most people who have insurance provided by the companies they work for or have the money to buy health insurance, don’t have a clue what it’s like NOT to have insurance; therefore, not being able to get the medical attention they need. Some people die because they can’t afford to get medical attention. I have an idea… Why don’t those who don’t want everyone to be covered give their health insurance over to those who need it? Once you don’t have insurance, you will learn really quick what it’s like not to have it.
As Americans, we’re better than this. In tragedies, whether in our country or others, we immediately put aside all hate and bigotries and come to the aide of our fellow beings. We care. Some even put their own lives at risk to help people. So, why can’t we have the love and compassion to come to the aide of those here who need healthcare? It’s not such a stretch.
Love. Compassion. That’s what Jesus taught, and personally, I’m getting tired of hearing people say they’re Christians and that they follow the teachings of Jesus, and then turn their backs on our fellow beings who need help. They say they don’t want government in their business, but when it comes to them taking responsibility to help someone, they say that’s the government’s responsibility. Huh?
Great article!
Another Great Article from the hometownprophet. You speak the truth and I always enjoy reading and learning what you have to say. The GOP attitude towards healthcare is one of many dissapointments coming from that party. They are too rich and blind to see the needs of the people, especially the poor and the sick. I always knew that a good true Christian should be compassionate towards the sick, the poor & needy, the homeless, etc. while I see the GOP to be the opposite. “It would be easier for a Camel to walk through the eye of a needle than it would be for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God…” has more and more meaning to me when I watch the way the GOP and the Tea Party run on so much hatred and mis-information towards healthcare.
Keep Writing Jeff – and never stop!!!
If it was only true that this bill would open up larger pools for everyone to choose from and make healthcare more affordable. The truth of the matter is, the Goal of President Obama, and he has said this himself, is in a few years put insurance companies out of business and have the government control everyones health care. The IRS will be monitoring our bank accounts and if someone has not purchased insurance a fine will be levied. This hurts the poor or middle class more than anyone else. By eliminating insurance companies we lessen the pool and make finding affordable health care more difficult. This also takes the care needed out of the hands of the patient and doctor and places it in the hand of beaurocrats in Washington DC. President Obama himself taked about this when he was pushing his paln so hard. If grandma in her 80s has chest pains and needs heart surgery to fix the problem, she should just be given pain medicine and made to be comfortable. What kind of healtcare is this? I agree that every American should have health care but not a plan that is going to completely bankrupt the country and lessen the quality of healthcare for everyone like Obama Care does. There are 21 embedded taxes in the plan and this amounts to the largest middle class tax increase in the past 70 years
Um, no, I’m pretty sure President Obama did not say his goal was to put insurance companies out of business (although they should be held more accountable.) If you are below the poverty line, you’re exempt from the tax. It’s really for people who can afford to pay for insurance and choose not to – causing rates to go up when they do get sick and we have to pay for them anyway. This is the mandate that was originally a Republican idea (Nixon and Newt and Romney). But because Obama is for it, now it’s suddenly horrible. Please provide the Obama quote about Grandma only getting pain medication when she needs surgery (Sean Hannity saying Obama said it doesn’t count.) By the way, you might enjoy my article, ‘How Liberal Bias is Brainwashing America.’
Larry, you might want to check out your facts at:
http://www.politifact.com/subjects/health-care/
Seriously, where do you hear this stuff??? Always fact-check!
It would be helpful if you let me know what facts are you disputing…
I am so excited at finding your site. Read “As A Christian Why the GOP doesnt Speak for Me” yesterday while waiting for a haircut and discussed issues you address w/those there. Left a page so others can find you!
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the book and that it fostered conversation! Hope it also resulted in a good haircut.