Jesus' take on Preventative Care

In what will be an ongoing battle with the Pharisees and other teachers of the law, Jesus makes a statement about, well, healthcare.  Jesus responds to a question about why he eats and drinks with “such scum” by declaring, 

“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”  (Luke 5:31) 

Well, now, time out Jesus!  I have been told that preventative medicine is the way to go.  I mean, after all, we need to have our yearly check-ups and we need to periodically come to understand the condition of our health so that we can adjust things, like diet and exercise, as we age and go through life.  But it seems like Jesus just avoids any discussion of preventative medicine in his declaration.  This is, until we read the next line.  

Luke 5:32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Ohhhhhh!! Now we have something - don’t we.  What does the word “healthy” mean, Jesus?  If that time was anything like this time, then healthy is a comparison game.  Well, I’m not as heavy as he is… I’m not in a wheelchair like that one friend I know… It’s sad that she can’t take care of herself… and we make a list of persons who are more unhealthy than we are, and so we look healthy!  

And that describes the Pharisees and teachers’ approach to everything spiritual.  Thus, they didn’t need a doctor or a savior, because they were healthy!  Jesus, however, knowing that they hadn’t been in for their spiritual check-ups and had no idea the reality of their spiritual condition does not try to convince them of their unrighteousness.  Jesus simply asserts that he goes to dine with “scum” because they need cleaned up, and they know it!  

The Pharisees are the “poster children” for spiritual preventative care.  Do you know anyone who “thinks they are righteous” and no longer needs to practice preventative care?  Are you one of those people?  Notice that Jesus doesn’t call those people, but those who know they are spiritually sick without him!  Here is a preventative appointment you need to make and some questions to ask of yourself: 

• What sin do I have in my life that hinders my relationship with God?
• What passages in God’s Word do I find difficult to understand and live out? 
• What do I believe God is asking me to do for Him that is hard for me? 
• Do I consider myself “active” in my church community? 
• Do I love my neighbors and family the way God asks me to love? 
• Who do I serve on a regular basis? 
• Am I growing in thankfulness and gratitude for God’s influence on my life? 

Remember: “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.”  (2 Corinthian 13:5)