Health Care Cost

From Connie Horn - Editor PageTwo

I am concerned about the cost of health care. I am one of millions of people who cannot afford health insurance. Last week I paid my doctor $65.00 for five minutes of his time so that he could prescribe a medication to clear up an infection. I also paid the costs of lab work and the medication out of pocket. I believe Jesus when he said that a "worker deserves his wages" (Luke 10:7), but the spiraling costs can be overwhelming.

With all that said, there is danger that I could lose sight of one of the most important issues regarding my health. I don't know about you, but it seems to me that I am being "marketed" the idea that health is the absence of a physical or mental ailment. Health, as it is being peddled these days, conjures up the image of a body and mind functioning in a manner that is productive and free of pain. One cannot argue with that. I don't like pain any better than the next person does and I think living a productive life in the service of others is a gift from God. However, good health from the Bible's perspective is much more.

One of the great stories in the Bible is about ten jealous brothers who sold their sibling into slavery. His name was Joseph and he ended up in Egypt. Although Joseph starts out as a slave, he prospers and by the time his brothers reenter the picture, Joseph is in charge of the only food source in that entire region of the world. The reason I mention Joseph is that when he sees his brothers again, he asks about his father's health. "Is he well...good health?" (Genesis 43:27-28).

The Hebrew word translated "well" and "health" in this passage broadens a Christian's concept of health. The word is Shalom. The Jews have used "Shalom" from time immemorial to convey the idea of peace and safety. The father of Joseph was, of course, Jacob. Joseph's inquiry about Jacob's health encompassed much more than a question about physical ailments. He asked about the key ingredients for good health - peace and security.

John repeats this idea in the New Testament. "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers" (3 John 2). The word "health" is also translated "safe and sound" in the story of the prodigal, when the father received the son home "safe and sound" (Luke 15:27).

Peace and security are free to us, but they cost the most precious commodity in the universe - the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He purchased peace and safety for us with His own life and He offers them freely to all. He offers eternal health that is impervious to a physical or mental disease. He offers this health to us even when we have to present ourselves to Him with that age old pre-existing condition, our sinful nature. But there will never be any discussion as to our ability to pay or whether we have the correct type of insurance. There are no policies to buy; there are no premiums to pay.

Steve D. Beyer
www.pagetwo.com