Dunbar United Church of Christ - June 28, 2009

According to the United States National Academy of Sciences, the United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that doesn’t provide universal health care. Even many developing countries offer universal health care, and the trend is growing. This may not be an important issue to those of us who have medical coverage. I have insurance -- so why should I care about somebody who can’t afford it?
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, this is not even an issue for me. If I am following Jesus, of course I should pay for someone who can’t. Both testaments of our Bible tell us to care for those who can’t care for themselves. “Where is your brother?” God asked Cain. “How should I know?” said Cain, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The Bible answers that question with a loud, “YES.”
We are our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Should we care about what happens to the protesters in Iran? Should we care about the radical Muslims who despise us? How about Governor Sanford -- should we care about the agony he is suffering now -- even though it’s his fault? If we follow Jesus, yes, we should care about him too.
We were put here to be instruments of God’s caring. The moment we said “yes” to Jesus is the moment our hearts opened up to the whole world. Jairus was one of the leaders of the synagogue -- probably one of those who called for Jesus’ arrest and death -- until his little girl became seriously ill. Jesus knew Jairus was an enemy. Did he help him? He didn’t hesitate -- it never entered his mind that he wouldn’t save his enemy’s daughter. The woman who touched Jesus’ clothes spent all her money on doctors and they couldn’t help her. Now she was broke, and still sick -- and she took the healing from Jesus without asking him. She stole the cure from him. Was Jesus angry that she used him that way? No, he called her daughter and sent her away in peace.
Our own leaders fight about who in our country can receive medical attention. What if someone can’t pay? What if someone is in the U.S. illegally? Should poor or unemployed or foreign people get medical attention EVEN IF WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT? Imagine that Jesus is sitting here, and we ask him that question now. With your understanding of the Gospels -- what do you think he’d say?