Masks and the Christian: Matt B. Redmond
Matt B. Redmond posted this on Facebook and I’m reprinting it with his permission. I do so because this is an example of how we live as exiles in the nation…
re: Masks and the Christian
“How should a Christian respond when the authorities ask us to wear a mask?”
We actually have an answer from Jesus and it has nothing to do with any political opinion or even scientific opinion.
“And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”
Almost all commentators interpret this verse in light of a Roman soldier’s prerogative of conscripting a Jew to assist him for up to a mile. It was the law of the promised land unfortunately. And it was a pretty unjust law. Certainly inconvenient.
We can only assume that when this happened, a Jew might hope for the Messiah, who would overthrow Rome and do away with these unjust and inconvenient laws.
Along comes Jesus claiming to be the Messiah and what does he do? In his magnum opus sermon, he says, “In my kingdom, not only will you do the one mile but you’ll then ask, ‘Anything else I can do for you?’”
That had to be confusing.
It would be fair to say they did not yet understand how Jesus’ kingdom worked.
Do we?
Regardless of how inconvenient wearing a mask is and regardless of the debate over how effective they are and regardless of our civil rights being infringed upon, when told to wear a mask, I can only assume I am not called to fight, protest, or complain.
I assume my response and the response of my fellow brothers and sisters who follow Jesus should be, “What else can I do for you?”
And if this is what our disposition should be toward the secular authorities then it should be even easier when our pastors and elders ask us to do this.
Not protest.
Not fight them.
And for the love, not find another church.
Jesus is not merely asking us to suffer here. He is putting us on a path of joyful submission leading to real life.
Jesus knows better than anyone how to live in a world in which the governing authorities will use their power to their advantage without caring about the weak.
He also knows this is the best way to live.
This is how we become like him.
And it’s how we display our hope in our King and his kingdom among the promises of power made by the kingdoms of this world.
Amen!!!
Wear a mask?
Of course, one never knows, but it more than likely helps….
So very good.
If someone asks you to wear a mask wear two.
What!?! Base our conduct on the words of Christ!?! Getting pretty radical around here…😁
Interesting comment on “putting us in a path of joyful submission”! As an attendee of Calvary Chapel I heard over and over that joyful submission to male authority would make me a blessed and happy Christian woman. There is some truth to this, as Jesus asks us to ” submit one to another in Christian love”. He is telling us that we will be blessed with harmony in all our relationships if we can ALL just ” give in” once in a while and let others have their way. But look when happens when Christian men and Christian church leaders are asked to “joyfully submit” to authority – they act like a two-year-old having a tantrum! Shameful, and it shows that they aren’t really interested in what Jesus has to say to them personally; they have instead weaponized the Gospel and use it as a club to keep others in line.
Duane,
It seems to me that Christ himself was considered at least slightly radical… 😉
Thanks for posting this, Michael. I’m amazed how some have reacted in their refusal to follow government mandates, as they see it as their right to do what they wish. Some goes as far as to say a “God given right;” bad theology, BTW.
I don’t think many of us define freedom in the same way that Jesus does.
We are seeing a societal shift in how government cares for its citizenry, and while I’m not comfortable with more governmental intrusions into our lives, I am more concerned with keeping others and myself safe from a virus that is killing people.
It appears that for some, their idea of personal freedom is of greater value to them than to follow the mandates of Christ as given to us in the Holy Scriptures. No one can serve two masters.
I think both in society and within the church, we are seeing a level of individualism that is undermining both–‘I’ll comply with what I agree with, ignore or defy what I don’t–it is my right.’ When it serves his purpose, one will trot out Bible verses to support his claims, when Bible verses counter his claims, he will conveniently ignore them. It is a lose-lose gambit.