Sometimes it’s hard to understand why God does what He does. The crucifixion is perplexing. Why would God need to sacrifice Jesus to atone for the sins of human beings? That question continues to be the subject of debate but this year we finally have the answer to another puzzling question.
“Why did God send Jesus to Earth thousands of years ago rather than today?”
Obviously, if Jesus had been crucified in 2020, he would not be allowed to leave the grave. On resurrection Sunday, Christ would set the example of obedience to worldly authority and remain in the tomb, self quarantined behind a stone. He would not put the rest of us at risk. Rising from the dead could kill a lot of people!
The resurrection story simply wouldn’t work this year. There wouldn’t be any women going to the tomb. Dressing a body isn’t a necessary service. So even if Jesus bothered to resurrect, there wouldn’t be anyone around to notice.
There’s no church services. Some folks in Kentucky thought they had a work-around with “drive-in church” but they were wrong. Responsible Christians don’t trust vehicular isolation. Jesus would certainly understand why we’re staying home rather than flocking to celebrate His victory over death.
Jesus would take reasonable precautions. He’d hold up his hands to show Thomas the nail holes. That’s good enough. Sticking fingers in open wounds is outrageously unsanitary. Besides, all twelve disciples aren’t supposed to be gathering in the same place.
God knew that now is not a good time to redeem all of mankind. We can’t focus on the health of our immortal souls when we’re out of toilet paper. Jesus walking around Wal-Mart would make us uneasy.
Us: He’s filthy! Did he just crawl out from under a rock?
Also Us: And he’s not wearing a mask.
Us: Guess he doesn’t care about people.
Also Us: Quick…Grab those last 6 loaves of bread!
The persecution Jesus suffered prior to the crucifixion would pale in comparison to the criticisms he would receive for contradicting safe practice protocols. “Wherever two or more are gathered, I will be there with them,” is a statement that would raise the ire of Facebook users around the globe. We’re staying home, Jesus. That’s what moral people do.
Without a doubt, God is infinitely wise. His foresight enabled Him to perfectly plan the timing of Jesus’ arrival. Christ came to Earth when we were ignorant. Ancient people didn’t have the knowledge of germs that we modern people use to justify our relentless fear. Ancient people walked by faith. We walk by cautioned computer modeled speculation.
Jesus once suggested that we can’t lengthen our lives by worrying. But there’s a difference between worry and “taking precautions”. It isn’t clear what those differences are but we believe they exist. They must exist. Our faith rests on it!
This Easter, let’s thank God for his wisdom and providence. Be grateful that God does what He does without consulting us. If He had consulted us about when to send Jesus to Earth, we wouldn’t hear Him from our hiding place under the bed.
4 Responses
The whole message of stay home save lives message takes virtue signaling to a new level. So if you go out you obviously hate people and don’t care about the lives of others, or even if you question this line of thinking you are selfish and only care about yourself. There are options to live by that would continue the idea of social distancing without shutting everyone up in their house and causing so many small businesses to go out of business but no one in power is open to those conversations. I think we will look back on all this and mark it as the time America gave up its freedom.
Of course, this would also be all Trump’s fault. 😛
Well said, John!
Funny thing that God doesn’t follow computer-generated models. When I read about plagues being stopped by His Divine Mercy, it’s been when people have worn sackcloth and ashes, crying out in sorrow for their sins; gathering together in large crowds in prayer.
Why not open air, or in car, worship?
As in the 1953 version of the movie “The War of the Worlds”, I know I am safest with God.
(Gene Barry knew to find Ann Robinson in the Cathedral. I feel the same way.)
Granted evil strides into churches, but we shouldn’t abandon worship (“where 2 or more are gathered…”)