Health Care Reform- Jesus Style

Matthew 9:9-13
"Healthcare Reform—Jesus Style"

Once upon a time
There was a king.
A tribal chief.
He was angry about the "white" influence in that region.
He decided that only medical personnel could remain.
Everybody else had to go.
Teachers...missionaries...merchants...
They all had to go.
It was well known that only one white doctor worked the region,
travelling from village to village.
Yet, two men claimed to be doctors.
The King had them both brought to him.
"What do you call this bone?" He asked the first pointing to his forearm.
The man answered correctly.
He offered the next man a list of symptoms and asked how he would treat them.
That man also answered to the King’s satisfaction.
This was getting the Chief no where fast.
So, he had a slave, captured from another tribe, brought before them.
Without a word, the King stepped forward,
pulled his great knife
and slit the man across the chest.
One man drew back, vomiting at the sight of blood.
The other raced forward
instinctively
to stop the bleeding
and save the slave.
Said the King proudly,
"This man is the doctor.
The other is an imposter."

[Read Matthew 9:9-13]

Healthcare reform is a big issue today.
We need healthcare reform in the church.

Our system of assistance is outdated and inefficient.

We are staffed with doctors who won’t treat any sickness
that might be contagious.

Doctors who faint at the sight of blood

Who get nauseous looking at an open, infected wound.

We have "prevention clinics" scattered coast to coast.

Come in an get one of our brochures on how to avoid the consequences of sin

Stop by and talk to one of our spiritual healthcare professionals
to ward off the disgusting effects of
divorce
cussing
drinking
drugs
premarital sex

Of course,
if you’re already broke out with spots
if your marriage is already shattered
your mouth full of poison; every other word beginning with the letter "F"
If you’re trapped in a bottle
or bankrupt and homeless because of a needle
or if your not losing a daughter so much as gaining a grandson...

Go see the government assistance office down the street.

This clinic is only for the healthy.

Imagine going to see your doctor--
As he comes in to examine you
your cough starts in....
He shrinks back, covering his mouth with his hand
You explain that you’ve had the cough ever since you discovered this skin disorder
Pulling back your pant leg
revealing a blackened growth oozing yellowish green...something
surrounded by reddened skin, broken open and bleeding

He begins to sweat as he mumbles something about another patient and runs from the room
not even bothering to pull the door closed.

How long would you keep that doctor?

So you visit your new doctor.
Experiencing your cough first hand and examining your leg he makes lengthy notes on his chart...
He also takes your blood pressure and runs blood tests.
Within in a week you are called back for a follow-up

"Well, overall your not in too bad condition for an overweight, pathetic hypochondriac. Your blood pressure is off the charts and its your own fault. Too much salt and too many Whoppers with King Size fries... Don’t you watch television? You should know better at your age.
Look at your cholesterol...no, don’t bother, it’s at least as large as that belly you’re hauling around.