"Obamacare", similar to National Health System in Korea, took effect on January 1st, 2014. It is a well-known fact that the hospital bills in America are some of the most expensive in the world. Recently, one of our church members, who is without health insurance, had to have an endoscopy and blood test done. The total cost for all her examinations was $7,000. Usually, the cost of childbirth in US is approximately $10,000.
For this reason, the health insurance premium in US is relatively higher than that of other countries. For example, if the couples in their 30s enroll in a health insurance policy, they have to pay at least $700-800 a month. It is no wonder then, that an estimated 20 percent of the nation's population have are without health insurance.
The situation is far worse for Koreans living in the United States. Recently, a Korean newspaper conducted the poll of Koreans living in Los Angeles. According to poll, about 75 percent of Koreans had no health insurance. It is not easy for them to go to the hospital when they are sick. Even if they get treatment, the bill drives them into bankruptcy.
President Barack Obama spoke on TV about why he created Obamacare: "My mother was diagnosed with a rare cancer, but the treatment was very expensive. For me, the main issue was the cost; not the hope that my mother will recover from her cancer." The intent of Obamacare is to prevent bankruptcy from medical bills, while the government strengthens support for people in lower-income groups.
We may also spiritually fall into sin and evil. Like a cancer cell, sin destroys our soul and mind, and has been increased within us. It has made us frustrated and discouraged. To heal this serious illness, people are looking for money, authority, and pleasure, but they fail to find it, as is no treatment in this world for it.
However, there is only one who can heal this illness; Jesus Christ. He is like a spiritual doctor for us. He can cure all diseases: sin, suffering, and pain. He can also heal not only preexisting conditions, but also the present and future conditions, all of which are free of charge. He also has promised to give us the eternal life as proclaiming the Kingdom of God. This is called "Jesus Care"
By delivering up his only beloved Son on the cross, God paid for "Jesus Care". In order to redeem sinful humanity, God paid for all treatment by delivering up suffering and the death of His Son in the finite grief of love. So, "Jesus Care' is free. The entire cost is free. It is only by God's grace that He gives us this great benefit. "Jesus Care' enrollment is quite simple. If we believe that Jesus Christ died and is rose again for me, we have "Jesus Care.' As Paul put it in Galatians 2:20, "The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Now, while we are spending the Lent season, let us deeply mediate on this great love of God. Let us take part in the suffering of Jesus Christ. Let us proclaim this for the unbeliever: "Listen, enroll the "Jesus Care'. It is free. There is no kind of insurance like this on Earth."
Rev. Dr Jin O, Jeong is an assistant pastor for Korean congregation at Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. He graduated Luther University and got the Ph.D from Yousei University. He was also Research Fellow at Hebrew University and Visiting Scholar at Yale Divinity School. Tel: 618-920-9311 Email : jjeong@zionbelleville.org
