If Jesus Came For The Sick, Why Does Everyone Look So Healthy?

sick

By Laura Hairston

Last month, my middle school girls neighborhood group wrapped up a series of 6 weeks watching The Bible. Over 13 million people viewed the first of the miniseries on The History Channel. Of course, it’s a bit ‘Hollywood’, but that’s probably one reason for the number of viewers. One of the beautiful things for me was watching my girls, many for the first time, hearing the stories of the Bible. After an episode, I asked the girls what they noticed about the people Jesus was surrounded by, and their response was

“the sick, the sinners, the prostitutes & tax collectors – not the ‘church people’ like you would think”.

This was interesting insight from these teenage girls.

Jesus Loves The Sick

The following day I came across a book online with a chapter title, ‘How To Be a Healthy Church Member”. First of all there’s so much wrong with this statement, I’m not even sure where to begin but, instead of chasing a rabbit, I’ll stick to the ‘healthy’ connotation. In my humble opinion, I think we are all a bit unhealthy and dysfunctional at times. As we watched who Jesus called to follow him, it was not the religious people of the day (known as the Pharisees) or the ones we would define as ‘healthy’. On the contrary, it was people like Matthew, a tax collector that was known for being corrupt and taking more than what was owed from the people. In the movie Jesus walks to the table where Matthew is collecting money as the religious condemn him for his sin and Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. As tears stream down his face because for the first time he felt someone saw something of good or value in him, he stands up, leaves the table and follows.

Who else did Jesus choose to spread the word about himself and the kingdom of God? Peter, the zealot, James & John called “sons of thunder” known for their temper & Judas who betrayed Jesus handing him over to the chief Sanhedrin to ultimately be crucified. Clearly he was not healthy to do something so hateful & destructive. How can we forget Saul, later to become Paul who persecuted people of The Way because of their devotion to Jesus? And, he wrote half of The New Testament! You probably see a pattern here. But, look at the greatness that came from these men & women who knew they didn’t have it all together, drawing near to Jesus as He showed them the Way and changed their lives. They then began spreading his message everywhere, which is how The Church was formed.

What Are We Communicating?

I believe as the Church, we need to be very careful in what we are conveying to the world. Are we communicating that Jesus came for the sick or for those who are already healthy? If we’re communicating the latter, we need to take a step back and re-read the Gospels where Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Now, I am not saying that through the work of God we are not all to become increasingly healthier individuals, understanding we are striving to be like Jesus, but the only way we can do this is by realizing we are sick & receiving his grace! We all need Jesus, the Great Healer and Physician. Don’t you think it may turn those who have yet to experience Jesus away when they hear ‘healthy vs. unhealthy’ and really, who decides that for us? Does the pastor tell me whether I’m healthy or not or Jesus? I’d be out, I promise! Remember, our medium is our message, so ask yourself, “What am I conveying to the world through my words & actions?”

I hope we are conveying that all are welcome and we are all, as Brennan Manning says, “ragamuffins – dirty, bedgraggled, and beat-up” in need of a Savior. Church leaders, please be careful about raising yourselves above anyone and don’t raise the bar so high, no one feels they can attain it. I’d add a better way. Be honest about your community and yourselves and let’s write our articles about how to be authentic Christ followers & create a culture where we allow people to need the Physician. I promise, you will feel better as well as the people in the midst of your faith communities & those to whom you’re trying to reach.