Should you wear a mask or not?
It’s the Coronavirus conversation guaranteed to generate as much heat as it does light. But I wonder—would Jesus wear a mask?
Note that I’m not asking if masks are effective. I’m asking if Jesus would wear a mask.
The short answer is yes. I think it's clear Jesus would wear a mask—whenever it was either required by ordinances or by His desire to "look out for the interests of others." On what basis do I make such a claim?
When officials questioned whether or not Jesus paid the temple tax, He paid by producing a shekel coin in the mouth of a fish. In other words—He submitted to authority.
Romans 13: 1-2 urges,
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Not a lot of wiggle room there, right?
In I Peter 2:13,14, we're commanded,
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”
We miss the moral mark if we presume our “informed opinion” on an issue outweighs our need to obey the law—or allows us to set aside the conscience of another believer. But this is precisely what's happening in many churches. People who think masks are unnecessary are flaunting their "freedom." Those who feel the need to wear masks are enormously offended. I've known some to leave a church over the issue.
Personally, I can't stand wearing a mask. I dislike the feeling of not being able to breathe as easily. And the heat is no fun, either. But this is where our American individualism needs the corrective of God's Holy Word, like Titus 3:1,2:
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
That last phrase tells us where our hearts should be on this issue: "to be gentle and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."
Jesus never asked for my opinion.
But He does ask for my obedience.