Would Jesus Get The Vaccine?

Now there’s an interesting question, don’t you think? Why would we be so compelled to know the answer? It could be for a variety of reasons: Perhaps you’ve been holding off getting the vaccine and you’re still not sure if you should, but maybe if Jesus did, you would too. Perhaps you’ve already gotten the vaccine and you’re not sure you should have, but if Jesus got it too, maybe you can breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps a more honest reason for most of us would be this: If you found out Jesus agrees with you (i.e. is on your side), you’d have some heavy ammunition to use against all those people who think you’re an idiot for making the choice to take or not take the vaccine. And, at the very least, you’d feel more comfort in your decision.   Why am I even bringing up vaccines? Because there will always (and I mean ALWAYS) be issues that arise in the world to divide and polarize us and this one is a doozy right now, tearing at the fabric of families, churches and workplaces. I doubt there are many reading this who haven’t been personally facing the sadness of a relationship that’s strained or disconnected altogether over this issue. This polarization (which looks like “us” vs. “them” and finding a bad guy to blame) is the fruit of eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This looks like coming to conclusions of what each one of us “knows” to be true over and above loving and honoring each other in the way Jesus demonstrated.   So, back to the question. If you were to ask Jesus, “Did YOU get the vaccine?”, what response would you get? Have you ever noticed Jesus rarely gave a direct answer to a direct question? He understood life involves complexity and mystery and he was so aware of his Father’s focus on the deeper issues of the heart to help his children grow in the ways of love.  I rather suspect Jesus would answer your question with another question:   “Where are you choosing to place your trust?”   Or even more to the point: “Where is fear clouding your ability to trust your heavenly Father who holds your life in his hands?”   Then the internal dialogue in your head begins: Wait, are you saying that if I get the vaccine, I’m not trusting God but if I don’t then I am?? Or are you saying that if I don’t get the vaccine, then I’m not trusting God, but if I do, then I am??  Our mind is truly dizzying at times and Jesus will let the wrestle-mania battle within continue until it wears us out. Why? Because it’s part of our human condition that we must come to the end of ourselves before we’ll surrender to the simplicity and beauty of Christ in us. In other words, God is allowing us to clearly see the outcomes of our independent thinking so we’ll repent and turn back to eating the fruit of the Tree of Life—Jesus himself.   If you get the vaccine, God is with you! If you don’t get the vaccine, God is with you! The world is screaming at us that this issue (and the next one that’s inevitably coming) is the issue where you must make a stand and stake your life on. No, your life is in Christ alone. The issues our flesh gets so wrapped up in cloud the simple instruction given to us by Jesus: I want you to love each other in the same way I have loved you.   Friends, if the issue of vaccines/no vaccines has been straining relationships, I encourage you to give up your right to be right and choose the ways of love that can only emerge from your union with Jesus. What does this look like? I plan to share much more about this on Saturday at Blazing Fire because there is a way through this. You won’t be able to successfully navigate this minefield by thinking your own way through it. Remember, it’s not by your own might, nor by your own power, but only by God’s Spirit that you will walk in freedom and rest he has promised.   Praying God’s peace and rest and love to fill your hearts!   Brent