What Would Jesus Do?

Remember how popular WWJD bracelets were? Thousands of Christians wore them. I thought it might be fun to ask the question "What would Jesus do"? in relation to some of the social issues that plague our politicians these days. To answer these questions we will look to the words and/or deeds of Jesus according to the Bible (New King James edition).

Social welfare is a big concern - especially the cost of social programs, many of which have been cut. Some of them are very fundamental and involve feeding people who are hungry (school kids from homes below the poverty level, single parent families, etc).

What would Jesus do with the hungry?

Would He tell them to get a job and fend for themselves?
Not according to the Book:

John 6:11

"And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted."

Matthew 15:32-39
"Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”
34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”
35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala."

Even the "Lords Prayer", which is said by almost every splinter of Christianity contains the phrase "Give us day by day our daily bread." (Luke 11:3) Jesus is asking God for something to eat every day and asks Him to "give" the bread, not sell it or trade for something.

What about healthcare?

Did Jesus recommend that people quit complaining, save up their money and go to the doctors? Nope - according to the Bible, He seems to be an advocate of free healthcare for all:
Matthew 15:29-31
"Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. ³⁰ Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. ³¹ So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel."

Jesus had somewhat of a low opinion of lawyers and the wealthy according to Scripture. It almost sounds as if He was an advocate of CLASS WARFARE:

Luke 11:46
^"And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers."

Matthew 19:24

"And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Oh yeah, the thing about rich guys made it in the Book 3 times! (See Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25)

He also advocated the re-distribution of wealth:

Mark 10:21

"Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”  (see Luke 18:22 as well)

According to the Book, the early Christians took heed of this message and SHARED what they had with those who were in need:
Acts 2:44-45:
"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."