Beyond the Healing Pool: Jesus as the Ultimate Equalizer in a Broken and Unjust Healthcare System
Makala Carrington, MPH, Duke Divinity School Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative (Fellow), Durham, NC
The pursuit of 'wholeness' has become a central theme for both medicine and religion. Drawing inspiration from the Biblical narrative in the Gospel of John (John 5:1-15), wherein Jesus restores wholeness to a man paralyzed for 38 years, I will here explore the parallels between the healing pool at Bethesda and American healthcare. In this exploration, I aim to reimagine conversations about American healthcare systemic inequities, seeking insights through an exegetical reflection of this Scriptural passage.
Though intended as a beacon of hope, the healing pool inadvertently highlights systemic inequities. The healing pool, like our American healthcare system, excludes those who lack access and perpetuates a cycle of neglect and mistrust. The paralyzed man's prolonged anguish is symbolic of the many in today’s society who likewise are seen as invalid, treated as invalid, and labeled as invalid; their needs are overlooked in a system that was not designed with them in mind.
In the story Jesus identifies systemic flaws in the "healing system" and rather than guiding the man to the pool, Jesus restores him holistically – from the inside out. This act transcends mere physical healing to restore wholeness. For those who have eyes to see, this biblical narrative calls for social responsibility. Any system, no matter how advanced, will fail if it fails to consider the intricacies of its diverse users. As stewards of healing, whether through faith or medicine, Christians must work to ensure that systems like the healing pool do not become instruments of furthering disparities but serve as agents of genuine restoration.
The essence of social responsibility lies in recognizing our neighbors' needs as our own. A considerable number of Americans, including Christians, remain oblivious to the inequities within contemporary systems of care. Such disparities perpetuate injustice, hindering the realization of a society where everyone has a just and fair opportunity to achieve wholeness. An equitable system, where everyone can access opportunities justly, brings true healing and wholeness. As portrayed in "The Equalizer," Denzel Washington’s character embodies the essence of social responsibility – asserting that justice is not optional but essential. His actions underscore that it should be instinctive to fight for justice and equity for all.
Jesus’ work on the cross becomes a living beacon of hope and an emblem of equity and justice. He offers grace unconditionally, comforting those wearied by unending struggles and systemic injustices across America. With Jesus as our ultimate ‘equalizer’, we are empowered to challenge and change flawed systems, ensuring that those on the margins are no longer labeled 'invalid.'
The pursuit of healing, however, must transcend beyond physical health. The story of the paralyzed man underscores the importance of community in the healing process. While medical interventions are crucial, they are but one facet of healing. Restoration is multi-dimensional, requiring not just medical intervention but also a reintegration into one's community. Here, the crux of Jesus' question, "Do you want to be healed/made whole?" asserts itself. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, the onus is on us, as caregivers, to create space for individuals’ unique needs and respond accordingly, as Jesus did.
America's healthcare system, like the healing pool, is in dire need of critique and renewal. It cannot operate in isolation, detached from the social-ecological and cultural determinants that play a pivotal role in an individual's health. A paradigm shift is needed: from treating symptoms to addressing root causes, from isolated interventions to holistic approaches, from mere healthcare to wholesome healing.
This presentation will underscore the symbiotic relationship between faith and medicine, highlighting the pressing need for an American healthcare system that embodies social responsibility and inclusivity. By emphasizing the importance of community and challenging existing “healing” systems, I will adopt Jesus’ framework and meet these systems with an equity and justice lens, where medicine is not just about curing ailments, but recognizing inequities that perpetuate harm and working alongside individuals to restore them to their communities and to themselves.
Keywords: Wholeness, Equity, Religion, Social Responsibility, Systemic, American Healthcare.
Though intended as a beacon of hope, the healing pool inadvertently highlights systemic inequities. The healing pool, like our American healthcare system, excludes those who lack access and perpetuates a cycle of neglect and mistrust. The paralyzed man's prolonged anguish is symbolic of the many in today’s society who likewise are seen as invalid, treated as invalid, and labeled as invalid; their needs are overlooked in a system that was not designed with them in mind.
In the story Jesus identifies systemic flaws in the "healing system" and rather than guiding the man to the pool, Jesus restores him holistically – from the inside out. This act transcends mere physical healing to restore wholeness. For those who have eyes to see, this biblical narrative calls for social responsibility. Any system, no matter how advanced, will fail if it fails to consider the intricacies of its diverse users. As stewards of healing, whether through faith or medicine, Christians must work to ensure that systems like the healing pool do not become instruments of furthering disparities but serve as agents of genuine restoration.
The essence of social responsibility lies in recognizing our neighbors' needs as our own. A considerable number of Americans, including Christians, remain oblivious to the inequities within contemporary systems of care. Such disparities perpetuate injustice, hindering the realization of a society where everyone has a just and fair opportunity to achieve wholeness. An equitable system, where everyone can access opportunities justly, brings true healing and wholeness. As portrayed in "The Equalizer," Denzel Washington’s character embodies the essence of social responsibility – asserting that justice is not optional but essential. His actions underscore that it should be instinctive to fight for justice and equity for all.
Jesus’ work on the cross becomes a living beacon of hope and an emblem of equity and justice. He offers grace unconditionally, comforting those wearied by unending struggles and systemic injustices across America. With Jesus as our ultimate ‘equalizer’, we are empowered to challenge and change flawed systems, ensuring that those on the margins are no longer labeled 'invalid.'
The pursuit of healing, however, must transcend beyond physical health. The story of the paralyzed man underscores the importance of community in the healing process. While medical interventions are crucial, they are but one facet of healing. Restoration is multi-dimensional, requiring not just medical intervention but also a reintegration into one's community. Here, the crux of Jesus' question, "Do you want to be healed/made whole?" asserts itself. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, the onus is on us, as caregivers, to create space for individuals’ unique needs and respond accordingly, as Jesus did.
America's healthcare system, like the healing pool, is in dire need of critique and renewal. It cannot operate in isolation, detached from the social-ecological and cultural determinants that play a pivotal role in an individual's health. A paradigm shift is needed: from treating symptoms to addressing root causes, from isolated interventions to holistic approaches, from mere healthcare to wholesome healing.
This presentation will underscore the symbiotic relationship between faith and medicine, highlighting the pressing need for an American healthcare system that embodies social responsibility and inclusivity. By emphasizing the importance of community and challenging existing “healing” systems, I will adopt Jesus’ framework and meet these systems with an equity and justice lens, where medicine is not just about curing ailments, but recognizing inequities that perpetuate harm and working alongside individuals to restore them to their communities and to themselves.
Keywords: Wholeness, Equity, Religion, Social Responsibility, Systemic, American Healthcare.