“Jesus Saves.” That was the bumper sticker I saw on my way back from lunch today, and it got me thing about what Jesus would do were he a US legislator. Honestly, I think he would be flummoxed about the hold up to pass the funding bill. The Obamacare legislation already passed into law, so now all that’s left is to pass a measure that funds the law along with the other programs the legislators have agreed upon. Majorities in the house and senate already passed the law, which (theoretically) means that the people represented by these majorities support the law. So, why the hold up?
Republicans should be in support of this bill from a moral standpoint, especially because they tend to clothe themselves in the mantle of religion. The essential message behind “Jesus Saves” is really a metaphor that “Love Saves” in my humble opinion. Jesus loved humanity in all its wild variety of shapes and forms (although He didn’t agree with all of their behaviors). His life was a message of love, giving to those in need, healing and helping wherever and whenever he could. His words spoke of forgiveness, peace, and tolerance – all couched in love. One example of this message comes from 1 Corinthians 13, 4-8a:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (NIV)
Legislators that espouse the teachings of Jesus should recognize that this law makes the system fairer and grants people access to something they may not have been able to otherwise afford without subsidies. Those changes to our healthcare system are good – and dare I say – showing the willingness of people to love one another by setting up a better healthcare system. (In my opinion, Jesus would have even gone a lot farther and demanded a low-cost nonprofit healthcare industry, but that’s for another post).
Some legislators claim they believe in God, but words without action are just words. Thirst can never be quenched on words alone – Hunger can never be satiated on words alone – And belief can never be validated on words alone. Pity that all these useless words aren’t used to lift up humanity, for we have but a momentary breath to act on this pale blue dot.
“Love Saves.” It is the universal message that must be heard to save us now and from the trials to come later this century. Such a simple message. Pray with love. Speak with love. Act with Love. Legislate with love. Be the embodiment of love while you are here. Everything else will fall into place.
