(1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and Romans 14, for starters)
Pastoral ministry is the most blessed “job” I’ve ever had and also the most difficult. God calls pastors to shepherd the flock of God as an example, never lording to role of elder over the people. The word shepherd implies responsibility and authority. It includes danger and safety. Sheep in the ancient near east, and even today, are nervous, fragile creatures that are a challenge to care for. They are easy pray for predators. They also harm themselves. Occasionally, they harm the shepherd as well as other sheep. I guess that’s why God uses them as a metaphor for people, the people of God, in particular.
All of which brings us to today’s political climate, today’s pandemic, and the matter of masks. Why do I, as a pastor, wear a mask? To be clear, I don’t believe masks do any good. I suppose there is a special type of mask that perfectly filters the air one breaths in and breaths out. I sincerely doubt that most people have access to these. I’ve seen one healthcare professional describe it this way.
Think of a virus as a 6 foot tall man. In relation to the fabric and the gaps between threads in your mask, a virus is a 6 foot tall man walking through a 60 foot tall and nearly 60 foot wide doorway.
You don’t have to be an interpretative whiz or scientist to see the implications of this statement. I’ve spoken to a number of health care professionals, scientists, and at least one PhD in micro-biology. I’ve spoken to an individual who wrote the infectious disease protocols for a hospital and research facility. Talk to 15 experts and you get 8-10 different opinions, all based on “science.” But when it comes to actual prevention, I’m told that a mask is like a “lucky rabbit’s foot.” If it makes you feel safe, then take it and wear it.
At our outdoor services, we ask people to wear masks. Why? Numbers of reasons. The reality is should you have a cold or a cough it does restrain the distance you can expectorate bodily fluids. That said, we do ask people who are sick, who may be sick, regardless of what they are sick with, not to come. But there are others to consider—namely those who believe in masks. And so we seek to ally their fears. Biblically, we, as Christians, are always to place the concern or concerns of others above ourselves—doing nothing from selfish ambition (Philippians 2: 3-4). Paul writes elsewhere:
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Once again, you don’t have to be an interpretive genius or a Greek scholar to understand the meaning, implications, significance, and applications of this text. It’s the same idea Paul communicates in Romans 14:
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:1-12)
Do I think that the government has over-reached in this pandemic? I do. Does it bother me? It does. Do I think the government is using the pandemic to extend its reach (and over-reach)? Yes. Will all this affect my vote? You bet it will. Will that matter in California? Probably not; the state is too far gone already.
But…
I never confuse my politics, my patriotism, or any ideology for my Christianity. Such idols only get in the way and rob God of worship. I am, first and foremost a citizen of heaven, a follower of Christ. I love my country. It is the greatest country on God’s green earth. But… as Paul writes:
4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.( 2 Timothy 2:4-10)
And so, I wear a mask at outdoor services until I preach out of respect for either the needs or fears of others. Then it comes off. I do it for the sake of others who might be “the weaker brother or sister.” This is no slight at them, or you—should you disagree with me. Wearing a mask in such circumstances is a small sacrifice. I have no nail prints in my hands or feet. Do you? What are you willing to do for the sake of the Gospel? Wear a mask? So, let’s be mindful of the fears and needs of others for the sake of the gospel.