In a meeting recently, a fellow pastor said that they believed three guiding principles of Jesus were “humility, selflessness, and sacrifice.”  I agree.  You may too.  Sure, there are probably others, and if pressed we could come up with a list.  What would be on your list?  I think this is an important question to ask.  We are invited to emulate Jesus.  Isn’t that part of being a Christian—to try to be like Jesus? 

We are left to consider how Jesus might act during a pandemic. 

Would Jesus storm the gates of Jerusalem?  He did march on Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  He did feed 5000 men at what could be considered a rally—after all, they were all excited to see Jesus and hear what he might say on that day. He did go into the Temple and overturn the tables.  I know I am quick to preach how Jesus was a rabble rouser against an unjust imperial domination system.  

Would Jesus heal all the Covid-19 victims?  He did touch the untouchable.  He did reach out to the marginalized.  He broke away from social norms.  He taught alternative ideas to the conservative way of thinking and believing.  He posed a threat to the economic well being of the well-to-do.  It should be no surprise that Jesus mostly healed and taught in the rural countryside and avoided cities.   It was the poor and oppressed that heard the message and took his teachings to heart.  It was the wealthy that were threatened by the itinerant preacher prophet. 

You are a theologian.  You believe something.  Perhaps you are a Christian (or are trying really hard to be a Christian).  Maybe you are not quite sure about Jesus as the Christ, but are open to Jesus of Nazareth being a master teacher, philosopher and healer.   So, whether you think that Jesus is the divine Son of God, or the human son of Mary and Joseph—you are thinking.  That means that you are putting words (or at least thoughts) into the world.  You are a theologian. 

What would Jesus do and how would Jesus act are questions that drive a Christian response.  So, in a time of pandemic do we really know how Jesus would act or really what he would do.  In order to answer those questions we need to evaluate our theology.   What do you believe?  Who is Jesus?  What are the guiding principles, for you, concerning Jesus?

Would Jesus trust the government? 

Would Jesus wear a mask and shelter in place? 

Would Jesus feel bad for his fellow citizens and tribe members and storm the Temple to reopen the economy?  

I apologize if I am oversimplifying and incredibly difficult topic—and this isn’t meant to put people into boxes.  However, I believe that your belief system and well-constructed systematic theology should shape your appropriate response. 

I believe that ‘humility, selflessness, and sacrifice’ are wonderful principles to guide us all in this time.

I believe that prophets, teachers, and healers are alive and on the job today.