Coronavirus and The Greatest Commandment

I must admit, when all of this COVID19 pandemic talk began, I was pretty skeptical. Most everyone agreed that only a very small percentage of those affected would have serious consequences. The predictions were that something like only 3% would have bad outcomes. I quipped many times, that more people died from the flu every year and nobody got very worked up about it. Why should we all disrupt our lives and routines for this illness that 97% of people would get through with nothing much worse than a light case of the flu?

Then panic set in with many in the country. They ran to the stores to buy toilet paper (oddly enough) and within two days’ time, even in one of the richest nations in the world, our stores simply ran out of it. That wasn’t all, though. Gone was all the hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, disinfectant spray, and many groceries as well.

My friend and I watched in utter amazement as people came in the front doors of a store and grabbed hold of the shopping baskets with panic stricken looks on their faces.  We looked on, astounded to see people pushing carts with more loaves of bread than they could possibly eat, and others with stockpiles of other goods. In a few minutes, we went from poking fun at the stupidity of it all to realizing that whether the virus was bad or not, the reaction of our fellow citizens might well do us in.

Our supply chain seemingly disrupted, and more and more tests coming back positive – the government began shutting things down (or at least strongly suggesting closures), and the people responded with more panic.  Everything began to move faster and faster, schools, sporting events, and even church services all over the country began to be canceled.

By this point, I started paying attention. I realized that of the 3% who were seriously affected – there was a 40% mortality rate. A 40% mortality rate is huge in any group. Imagine taking 10 people (that you know) who are over the age of 65; and/or have underlying conditions; and/or are immunocompromised. It’s really not hard to come up with a list of ten of those people who you probably care a lot about. Now imagine that 4 of them died. That really puts it into perspective. There are also younger healthy people who for whatever reason succumb to the virus and die. Nobody can really figure out why it happens to them. It is also thought that many people will carry the virus and spread it to others and not even exhibit any symptoms. That means that simply having those who are sick stay home will not solve the problem. It is apparent that the guidelines we have been given are the only way to “flatten the curve” – as they say.

I have read and heard all the arguments:  “the media has created this crisis,” “what about the children’s educations” “I don’t want the government telling me what to do,” “cancel church? Where is your faith” I’ve heard all of that, and I even was in that mind-set as recently as late last week. Now, however, I have changed my mind. This is not a joke. This is not a political conspiracy. This is not an election stunt. And nobody should think for one second that pastors, deacons, elders, and other leaders in local churches are anything but heartbroken to feel it necessary to suspend regular services.

Read Matthew 22:34-40. How did the Lord Jesus answer the Pharisees who were trying their best to trip Him up with their questions?

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Read verse 39 again: “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Maybe one way to obey the greatest is to work a little harder on the second. Could it be that the Christian response to the pandemic guidelines set before us is to love our neighbor by not taking chances with the health of others? Considering that we could be carrying the virus without symptoms and could give it to the most vulnerable among us, is it worth the risk for us to do what we want to do without regard for others?  When businesses or government offices offer their services online, by telephone, fax, or mail – should we demand in-person service just because we want it? What if that clerk lives with her mother who is immunocompromised because of cancer treatments? What if that Sunday School teacher is taking care of his elderly father who is diabetic? What if that waitress has a husband with leukemia? Should we really demand in-person service when there are other options available to take care of our business – just because we feel entitled to it?

Or is it just their bad luck to be required to serve us? Or what if they are of a group that you don’t like much, or government servants that you pay with your taxes, or some of the “least of these”? Remember the words of Jesus as He told The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37):

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Samaritans were looked down upon in that society. Yet when someone who was not one of his own fell on trouble, the Samaritan took pity on the person and took care of him… even when the victim’s own people forsook him.

On a larger scale, we must also think of the chance of overwhelming our healthcare systems, running out of hospital rooms and ventilators.  In short, we should each do our part to help starve this thing out.

Now, don’t for one second think that I have no hope in all of this. The Lord tells us in His word that He will never leave nor forsake us. He tells us that He walks through these valleys with us. He has given us tools that we can use to still conduct our business, worship with each other, and get the things that we need.

The building that we call “the church” is not THE Church. God’s people make up the Body of Christ. We ARE the church. God is moving in all of this, and He is showing us ways to reach others that maybe before we either didn’t think of, or were too comfortable to venture out and do. This pandemic can show each of us the difference in mere legalistic religion (such as the Pharisees had) and a true relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His ways are infinitely higher than our ways, and you can be sure that He will take care of us. Historically, God has used some of the greatest tragedies and oddest circumstances to draw His people unto Himself.

God’s people should not be in a snit, or a panic, or at odds with each other over our differences, rather we should pull together and use this time to reconnect and recommit to loving each other as we love ourselves. We should use it to draw closer to the Lord, as we lean on Him for our necessities and desires. We should seek His face in prayer as we pray for those who are so obviously lost and without Him. We should listen to and be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit – as well as repent when we fall under conviction. We should not covet or hoard supplies, but rather rely on His provision and be grateful for His graciousness towards us. We should not sharp-shoot or condemn the hard decisions that some of our leaders make, but rather pray for the Lord’s will in all that they and we do.  We should also use this time to call and check on others and to spread the Gospel to those who are without the hope and peace that only Jesus can give them.

If you have read this far and realize that you are one who is lost without the Lord Jesus, I would love nothing more than for you to contact me or another Christian you may know to talk about it. If you feel too unworthy or like you have done unforgivable things, let me assure us that none of us are worthy or perfect. I can tell you that Jesus has been faithful to me my entire life – despite the times when I was anything but faithful. He loves me, even when I am unlovable. My God has never left me at loose ends, and He has seen me through each and every crisis that has come upon me. He loved me and pursued me, even when I didn’t love or think I needed Him. During times of crisis and strife, I am not adrift nor am I afraid, because He is true, just, and faithful even when I am not. He is love even when I am hateful. Although I was the one deserving of death, He willingly gave up everything to take on MY sin and to suffer and die in MY place, but praise God, He rose again and has conquered sin and death once and for all so that I can live forever with Him where all is well and He wipes away all of our tears. There will be no more pain or sickness or heartaches in our eternal home. You too can have that same peace and assurance of eternal life by believing on Him and trusting Him and surrendering your life to Him.  Don’t wait another second… by His stripes we are healed.