By Robin G. Jordan
How many people must suffer and how many people must die before the lunacy stops? Lunacy is a strong word but it describes what we have been observing since the first outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States. Other countries are amazed at the United States because its number of new COVID cases is skyrocketing and the country is doing so little to check the spread of the virus and to mitigate its effects.
The lunacy is not confined to the Christian community albeit it is well-represented in that community. Churches refuse to comply with necessary public measures intended to reduce transmission risks. One West Coast pastor is making a name for himself encouraging other church leaders to follow his lead and to expose their congregations to danger. A worship leader who is associated with a church whose orthodoxy has been questioned is holding large outdoor gatherings where people from different parts of the country mingle together, come in close contact with each other, and engage in activities such as vigorous singing that have been implicated in the spread of the virus.
Now this segment of the Christian community believes that God will protect them from the virus. A number of churches took that view and became the epicenter of fresh outbreaks of the virus. Have they considered the possibility that the virus might be a judgement against them? One of the reasons that we have epidemics is that we live in a fallen world. Sin brought with it disease and death. What this segment of the Christian community sees as a test of their faith in God’s protection may actually be a test of their obedience to live in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and to show mercy and compassion for their fellow human beings. They are failing that test.
The arguments marshalled in support of conducting worship services regardless of the consequences are reminiscent of the reaction of the Pharisees and scribes to Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. They accused Jesus of breaking the commandment not to labor on the Sabbath. They were sticklers for the letter of the Law. But Jesus draws to their attention that God desires mercy above all else. They may observe the minutiae of the Law. However, if they do not show compassion towards others, to their neighbors and to the strangers in their midst, they are not obeying God. In fact their hearts are far from God.
Worshiping God is more than singing hymns and worship songs and listening to a sermon on Sunday. We show our love for God by showing our love for Jesus. We show our love for Jesus by keeping his word and obeying his commandments. In other words, we frame our lives around his teaching. If anyone doubts what I am saying, I urge him to read the Gospel of John and John’s First Epistle.
The lunacy extends beyond the Christian community. The town of Sturges is hosting a motorcycle rally that is attracting bikers from across the country and these bikers are crowding into bars and restaurants without any regard for social distancing or other precautionary measures. 60 % of the population of Sturges was opposed to the event but the town council authorized it.
A number of states reopened prematurely. They did not follow the CDC guidelines. Those states are now experiencing high numbers of new COVID-19 cases.
My county is experiencing a spike in new COVID-19 cases. The main reason for the growing number of new cases is that a segment of the local population is not complying with state and local public health measures intended to reduce the spread of the virus. They do not observe social distancing, wear face masks, avoid non-essential trips, or wash their hands. They travel out state to virus hot spots and they do not self-quarantine when they return to the state.
The grocery store where I shop has special hours for older people like myself and for those with pre-existing conditions. The store has a big sign at its front entrance warning customers that it is complying with the governor’s executive order regarding wearing face masks. Every time I shop at the store, I see a customer who is not wearing a face mask. The store does nothing about these customers. I gather from friends that the situation is worse at the other grocery stores in town.
The town is a college town. The university is beginning classes next week and the local health authorities are concerned that the return of the students to the university will boost the number of new cases. The county hospital is concerned that it will be overwhelmed. While the university has implemented a number of precautionary measures, the success of these measures is dependent upon the cooperation of the students. Based upon little regard that the students have shown for their own health and the health of others in the past during flu and cold season, I am not optimistic.
While the Bible does not have a lot to say about epidemics beyond that God uses them to fulfill his purposes, it does have a good deal to say about fools and their folly. A number of proverbs in the Book of Proverbs are devoted to the subject. We are warned against their foolishness—their lack of common sense and good judgement. We are also warned to steer clear of fools lest we should be drawn into their folly to our own undoing. I believe that we would be wise to heed this warning.
The Bible tells us that it is pointless to argue with a fool because he will never listen to wisdom. He will persist in his folly even if he endangers himself and others. He will continue on his reckless course and drag others down with him. The Bible also tells us that the fool believes that he is wise when he is not and sets great store in his own judgement. He does not listen to those who are wiser than himself.
The Bible’s warning against fools and their folly is a warning not just against keeping company with fools but also becoming a fool ourselves. While it is tempting to see others as fools, particularly those with whom we disagree, we are also quite capable of foolishness. The Bible counsels us to pursue wisdom, the wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord.
Jesus told both his critics and his disciples that the words he spoke were not his but what he heard from the Father. They were God’s words. Those who truly fear the Lord, heed Jesus’ words. They obey his commandments to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love each other as Jesus loves us, and to love our enemies.
Love of God and love of others are inseparable. One cannot claim to love God and turn his back on his fellow human beings and ignore their health, safety, and well being. That was the point Jesus was making to the Pharisees and the scribes. They were not honoring God as they may have thought that they were. God desires mercy and they were not showing the mercy that he desires.
The wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord is also the wisdom that begins with the love of others. As Christians we should not allow our political convictions or anything else come between us and that love. It would be a critical step toward ending the lunacy.
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