A Better Healthcare Plan
Based on Matthew 9:2-11 where Jesus heals a paralytic man.
Today’s sermon is titled "A Better Healthcare Plan." This topic feels especially relevant as we enter the time of year when many of us think about next year’s healthcare coverage. For most insurance plans, this is renewal season. Decisions have to be made about new coverage, and with so many options, it can often feel overwhelming.
For example, deadlines like December 15th loom for Medicare and other plans. To ensure coverage begins on January 1st, we have to make choices before then. These options come in all sorts of packages: short-term plans, medical care, dental, vision—you name it. It’s easy to get confused.
Sometimes, you need help from professionals, like agents or advisors, to navigate it all. But here’s the truth: anything involving government processes or bureaucracy tends to get complicated. Even something that should be simple is often made more complex. Ronald Reagan once famously said, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” This statement might also apply to insurance companies! They often promise to help but instead complicate things further. Many insurance companies have become profit-driven, leaving us unsure of whom to trust or what options to follow.
Still, medical insurance is essential. None of us is immune to sickness. If anyone here believes they don’t need it, it’s likely because someone else is covering them. However, even with insurance, we also need good doctors. Here’s the challenge: sometimes you find a great doctor, but they don’t accept your insurance. Or you have an excellent insurance plan, but it doesn’t cover your doctor. Navigating these issues is tricky, and finding comprehensive, quality healthcare seems impossible, no matter where you live.
Finding a good physician
The best doctors are not just those who treat symptoms; they delve deeper to address the root causes of sickness. Let me share a story: A woman in her late 60s visited a new doctor’s office. She had been dealing with persistent hiccups for weeks and was desperate for relief. After only a few minutes with the young doctor, she suddenly ran out of the office screaming. Another doctor in the practice saw her and calmed her down. Curious, he asked the young doctor what had happened. The young doctor explained, “She told me about her hiccups. So, I checked her heart, listened to her symptoms, and told her she was pregnant. Her hiccups stopped immediately!” While his diagnosis wasn’t true, it addressed the immediate issue in a way she never expected!
This story highlights that while some doctors only address surface symptoms, the best doctors take the time to provide deeper care. They don’t just treat what’s visible—they aim to heal what’s hidden. Where can we find a doctor who truly understands and heals? The options may be overwhelming, but today’s scripture in Matthew 9 introduces us to the greatest healer: Jesus Christ.
In the story, Jesus heals a paralyzed man, not just physically but also spiritually. He doesn’t just focus on the symptoms of suffering but addresses the man’s deeper need for forgiveness and restoration. When we seek healing in our lives, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, the ultimate care we need comes from Christ. He sees beyond our symptoms to the heart of our struggles, offering true and lasting healing.
The Challenges of Finding Good Healthcare
As we approach the season for renewing health insurance and making decisions about coverage for the coming year, many of us are reminded of just how complicated and frustrating the healthcare system can be. Whether it’s Medicare enrollment deadlines or choosing between PPOs, HMOs, group plans, or self-insured options, the process can feel overwhelming. Even the simplest decisions seem to come with layers of confusion, and just when you think you understand, new terms like premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance crop up. Ronald Reagan once famously quipped: “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” We might as well extend that sentiment to insurance companies! How many of us trust when an insurance company says they’re here to help? For many of us, the experience has become so focused on profits and red tape that we’re left questioning whether anyone is truly advocating for our well-being.
Navigating the healthcare system reveals a sobering truth: finding both good coverage and good care is almost impossible. You need a good doctor, but sometimes your insurance doesn’t cover the doctor you trust. Or, you have good insurance, but it doesn’t include the treatments you need. The hyper-specialization of medicine today only complicates matters. Every part of our body seems to have its own specialist. If it’s your foot, you go to a podiatrist. But wait—if it’s your toe, do you see a toe specialist? Which toe? Left or right? This absurdity highlights just how fragmented care has become.
And don’t even start with the rising costs. Have you ever seen premiums go down? I haven’t. Yet, despite these rising costs, the quality of care doesn’t always rise in proportion. Despite all its shortcomings, it’s important to recognize that healthcare in the United States remains among the best in the world. People from across the globe seek care here, even when it’s expensive. And one thing we can be grateful for is that, in emergencies, care is accessible. When you call 911, they come. In some other countries, you’re asked to pay upfront—even for the ambulance.
True Healing: What the Bible Teaches
The Bible has a lot to say about healing—both physical and spiritual. From the beginning to the end of Scripture, healing is woven into God’s promise for his people. However, the Bible teaches that true healing addresses not just the symptoms of our physical ailments but the root cause: the condition of our souls. Jesus is often referred to as the Great Physician. During his earthly ministry, he healed countless people—not just their bodies but their hearts and souls. His healing was not just a show of power but an invitation to deeper faith and transformation.
Misconceptions About Faith Healing
There’s a lot of confusion about faith healing today. Many televangelists and so-called “faith healers” promise miracles that often seem more about money than ministry. If faith healing were as simple as what some claim, we wouldn’t need hospitals or insurance. But healing, as Jesus demonstrated, is about much more than curing a disease—it’s about restoring a relationship with God.
A Better Healthcare System
The healthcare plan offered by Scripture surpasses any insurance policy. It’s not about co-pays, premiums, or networks. It’s about the healing that Jesus offers—a healing that addresses our deepest needs and brokenness. When Jesus healed the paralytic in Matthew 9:2-11, his first words were not about the man’s physical condition. Instead, he said, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Only after addressing the man’s spiritual condition did Jesus tell him to rise and walk. This demonstrates that our spiritual health is foundational to everything else.
Gratitude in Imperfect Systems
While we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, let’s not forget to be thankful for what we have. Yes, there is room for improvement, but we are blessed to have access to care when we need it. And beyond that, we have a Savior who offers perfect healing for both body and soul.
As we reflect on the challenges of healthcare and the hope we have in Christ, may we turn to him for the ultimate care plan—one that offers eternal life and restoration. God’s healthcare plan is unparalleled. There’s no deductible, no in-network or out-of-network confusion—only one network under the care of a living God. No matter how skilled your doctor or how advanced the treatments, it is God who ultimately heals. He may use doctors, nurses, or medication, but His hand is always at work. Unlike the quick fixes and gimmicks some televangelists promise, true healing comes from God’s direction. The tools and technology of modern medicine are part of His provision. But we must remember that the healing of our bodies is intricately connected to the healing of our souls.
The Healing Power of Jesus
In Matthew 9:2-11, we see a beautiful example of God’s holistic healthcare plan. When a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, the first thing Jesus did was address the man’s spiritual condition. “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” Jesus said. Only after healing the man’s soul did He say, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.” This story reminds us that true healing begins with the soul. Without addressing the sickness of sin, any physical healing is incomplete. Jesus, the Great Physician, doesn’t wait for us to come to Him. He meets us where we are—whether in our homes, our pain, or our brokenness.
God Heals the Brokenhearted
No cardiologist can mend a broken heart, but God can. As Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we face devastating diagnoses or physical suffering, our first reaction is often emotional and spiritual. This is where God’s care begins—strengthening our souls and renewing our faith.
Matthew: From Tax Collector to Gospel Writer
In the same passage from Matthew’s Gospel, we see the calling of Matthew, a tax collector. Tax collectors were despised for their corruption and greed, yet Jesus saw potential in Matthew and called him to follow Him. This baffled the Pharisees, who questioned how Jesus could associate with sinners. Jesus replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” This response encapsulates the heart of the Gospel. Jesus’ mission was—and is—for the broken, the hurting, and the sinners. His healing is for those who recognize their need for Him, just as His calling of Matthew shows that no one is beyond redemption.
We Are God’s Agents of Healing
As followers of Christ, we are called to extend God’s healthcare plan to others. We are His agents—not insurance agents bound by policies, but agents of love and compassion who bring healing to the lives of others. Just as Jesus went to the homes and lives of the sick and broken, we too must go beyond the walls of the church. The Gospel is not confined to a building; it is carried to people where they are, meeting their physical and spiritual needs.
A Call to Action
Today, as we reflect on the challenges of earthly healthcare, let us remember the perfect care offered by God. There’s no premium, no co-pay, and no hidden fees—just His grace, freely given. And just as Jesus drafted Matthew to serve, He has drafted each of us to be His witnesses and caregivers. Let us bring His message of healing and hope to a world that desperately needs it.
Conclusion
While healthcare plans and doctors are important, no earthly system can match the care of our Heavenly Physician. Jesus offers us healing not just for the body but for the soul. His healthcare plan doesn’t come with confusing terms, high premiums, or endless bureaucracy—it comes with grace, mercy, and eternal hope.
Let us turn to Him today for the healing we need, trusting in His perfect plan for our lives. May we trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He is the ultimate provider of health and life. Let us go forth, ready to share His love, His care, and His healing touch with those around us.
Amen.
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