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High noon at the hospitalSaturday, February 25, 2012
Luke 5:31 Now I agree that's not such a great attitude when I might be dying. The problem is, how do I know when I'm dying? A doctor might be able to tell me more about that than I know myself. And she might have ways to help me live a little longer. So in this metaphor Jesus may be telling me to consult with him on a regular basis, so he can give me some expert input on the "state of David." How am I doing, Jesus? Jesus may give me a prescription. Now there's another problem. I gag on pills. But if I can get them down, they often help me feel better. Can I at least stop taking them if I feel better? How long should I take this anti-biotic, anti-sin potion? If my symptoms are gone, am I well? Another problem I have is keeping my return appointment with the doctor after I feel better. Why go back then? Jesus says I need a doctor when I'm sick, not when I'm healthy. But the Pharisees thought they were just fine, and they weren't. Maybe that's true of me too. My church is a community of people who are pretty much like me. None of us like to be sick; we don't like to admit it to each other if we are. But the Bible tells us over and over that we should. Paul, Jesus, James, and others teach us to share our burdens, confess our sin. Don't keep the bad stuff to ourselves. It's all good, man. I'm cool. Jesus knows me better than that. His touch, and yours, softens pain and cools fever. Sin has no place to hide. The doctor's in town. Lord, thank you for giving us earthy metaphors to help us see your strength and our weakness in the light of your love. |
Ok ... yeah, I hate going to the doctor. Our medical cost sharing plan helps us with any substantial expense, but we're expected to cover our own preventive "maintenance." I don't want to be sick, I don't admit being sick until I have to, and I want to get over being sick as quickly as possible.