My Jesus: Part 2 - WWJD... About Health Care Reform?

In part two of this week's Holy week series we're going to look at another facet of Jesus, as social reformer.  On Monday, I kicked off some personal reflections of Jesus Christ by looking at Him as King.  You can catch that here if you like.  Today, we'll look at how Jesus dealt with a socioeconomic issue of His time and maybe we can infer something about how He would react to modern debates.

Over the weekend, CNN ran an article entitled "Would Jesus support health care reform?"on their Religion blog.  The article says very little in the end, just right and left wing Christian scholars talking about how Jesus would support their political beliefs.  Admittedly, it's not great journalism.  Mostly it was a way to crank up hits and ignite a flame war through the anonymity of the internet.  However, if we are willing to look at the question long enough to see past our own biases, maybe we can glean something about how Jesus might respond to a variety of social injustices.  

My Jesus: Part 1 - The King

It's Holy Week.  That particular week recognized by some Christian traditions which falls between Palm Sunday and the Saturday before Easter.  I like to take this time of year to focus on the Christ, His life, His work, ultimately His death, and, of course, Resurrection.  

This year, I'm going to offer to take you along with me.  These next few posts (hopefully one each day through Holy Week and Easter) will represent some of my personal musings about Jesus Christ.  They may be a bit different than most Thoughts.  They may tend to be a bit more personal and not as well researched. And, I should add, these Thoughts don't necessarily reflect a particular position held by Acts in Motion as an organization, just in case I say something crazy.

Holy Week kicks off with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' Triumphal Entry.  He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey... and the crowds go wild!  

Artisan God

 

The picture above is just a leaf.  Something that is so ordinary, so temporary.  Right now, you see them everywhere!  Millions, hundreds of millions of leaves, bursting from the trees around us.  They add to the cascade of green which is summertime in the Great Plains.  But it was only a few short weeks ago that our landscape was bare.  Even now (though we hardly want to think of it) each gorgeous summer day marches closer and closer to Autumn.  Then this cacaphony of leaves that surrounds us will change, wither and fall.  And yet while they last, God has arrayed them with an innate beauty, if only we take the time to notice.  

That sort of innate beauty is found in all manner of things around us.  Consider the fragile patterns of an insect's wings, the sinews of a stalking lion, the majestic vista of a mountain stream, the hundreds upon hundreds of stars twinkling above us on a clear night, the sun setting the earth and sky afire with hues of orange, pink, purple, and blue as it slowly melds into the horizon.   

Bringing "Over There" Over Here: How will you respond?

"Nepal is...well, it's poor.  One of the poorest countries in the world, they say.  But it's beautiful!  Where my family lives, Nepal is beautiful.  We have a farm, so there are always things to do.  We don't have much, but I think this is okay.  I love my family very much, and I don't think I would like the city.  I have seen the capital once, and there are so many problems.  Other kids my age just live in the streets.  I am scared for them."

"No.  You are not to work that part of the city anymore.  At least not for awhile.  They are no good!  They're sick and miserable.  And who knows where they've been...or what they've been into; who they've been with?  And besides, virgins are worth more.  No.  Go work somewhere else.  Away from the city altogether.  Make them promises.  Tell them anything; they'll believe it."