I was driving to work on Friday, a week ago. Before things really got bad and borders were closed and flights canceled and gates put up and shelves cleared. There were signs that something was coming. There was noticeably less traffic. Not empty to be sure, but an easier trip than usual. The radio was on and the morning team of the local station I listen to was reflecting on the month we’ve had so far. First there was what is now considered to be seven tornadoes through middle Tennessee, causing at least 24 deaths and many injuries and millions of dollars of property damage. The city and area was beginning to recover because of an incredible response of volunteers and donations of all kinds, when the Coronavirus took everyone’s attention away. Schools and universities were closing, or extending spring break, sports leagues were canceling seasons and tournaments, businesses were considering remote working wherever possible, and disinfecting everything. And of course washing hands. Everyone needs to wash their hands. The only debate was what ten to 20 second song do you sing in your head to make sure you are washing enough. Then they got to talking about the fact that a lot of churches were going to go streaming only. And one of them said, “I think that is a good idea, like all the concert and sports venues, you’ve got to be careful. But you know, it seems like right now we all need a little Jesus.”
Far be it from me to argue with such a sentiment. With the world seemingly crashing down around us, and is anyone else also sorry that we watched all those post-apocalyptic movies now? Who would disagree that we need a little Jesus right now? We need Jesus to come and put some sanity to all the craziness right now. We need Jesus to come and give us a sense of peace and maybe even hope. But more than that we need Jesus to come and remind us that what we do isn’t for our own safety and security, but for the whole world, or at least our corner of it. We don’t seclude ourselves just so that we can be kept safe from the virus, we do it so that it isn’t shared.
There were videos on the news about spring breakers who decided that they could still party on the beaches in large crowds. One young college student was even interviewed. “I'm not going to miss the opportunity to party” he declared, “if it get it, I get it. But I’m not worried.” You can blame him really. He’s taking the risk, and he knows that his age group isn’t really in grave danger from the virus. And who can fault him or any of them for wanting to celebrate in his youth? If he gets it, he gets it and will probably shake off the effects after a time. Probably.
Except that with a little Jesus we can be reminded that it isn’t just ourselves that we are trying to protect, it is the hundreds and thousands who might contract the virus, and who might be more vulnerable, because we are too selfish to keep ourselves away from people for a short period of time, because we aren’t willing to sacrifice a little bit of our leisure and our space and our time to keep people safe.
Of course the sacrifice is more than just a bit of our leisure and bit of our ability to go where and when we want to. Some are really suffering right now. Not from the effects of the virus itself, but from businesses shutting down and many being laid off. Some who were living paycheck to paycheck now find themselves in the situation of trying to survive in a fragile economy, that is getting more fragile by the day. Then, of course, there are those on the front lines, our health care workers who aren’t able to self-quarantine because someone has to care for the rising numbers of those who are getting sick. I won’t put the numbers here because by the time I finish and you read this it’ll be different. It’ll be more. Here in Tennessee the number infected rose almost 100 from Thursday to Saturday. Part of that is because of the testing that is not finally taking place, some because the virus is extremely contagious. But there are health care workers out there who aren’t able to protect themselves completely, in part because people who don’t need them have been buying and hoarding medical masks. With a little Jesus, those who are fearful for themselves, might be able to see that there are others who’s need is greater and be able to let go of the things that they think will bring them comfort and safety and lean on the one who really can.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul would certainly agree that we need a little Jesus to help us through this moment of crisis. Actually, he wouldn’t. He would argue we need a lot of Jesus. We need all of Jesus, and to receive all that Jesus has to offer, we need to surrender all of ourselves. We need to not rely on the things of this world, but to focus on the things of the Spirit, the things from above. So, OK, we think, does that mean we shouldn’t self-quarantine? We shouldn’t social distance ourselves? We shouldn’t wash our hands because that is relying on the things of this world, the things I can do to protect myself? And that I should just go about my regular life “trusting in the Spirit”? Suddenly, I’m looking like that guy on the beach. He could have said, I just put my faith in Jesus and if I get it I get it, and we would have applauded him.
No, we wouldn’t have. We shouldn’t applaud anyone who makes that choice. Remember, we aren’t washing our hands and keeping our distance to keep ourselves free from the virus, though it will have that effect. No, we are doing all of this, WE are doing all of this for everyone else. We are trying to keep the nation safe. Sitting on your couch is your patriotic duty! More than that, it is your Christian duty to maintain your distance. So that this virus can die out without enough hosts to keep it thriving and growing and changing. You have heard that the virus has already evolved, and what we’re facing now is different from what originated months ago, right? We need to think of others, particularly the most vulnerable.
So, who would argue that we need a little Jesus right now? Well, I would. First of all, I agree with Paul that a little isn’t enough. Not enough to change hearts and minds and not just temporary behaviors. We need all of Jesus. My other argument against the well meaning statement from the radio host, is the right now part of the phrase. We may feel a more urgent need right now. But we don’t just need Jesus right now. We need Jesus always. Always. Even when we think we’re OK.
The good news is that Paul reminds us that the Lord is near. The need we feel suddenly has already been met. And the peace we require is already offered.
Here’s an idea, when you wash your hands recite Philippians 4:4-7. It’ll take you a little longer than 20 seconds. But why not!
Shalom,
Derek
