Pastor's Blog: A ‘New’ Mandate
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We’ve just celebrated the most wonderful season for Christians, the Easter season, and now we face both the privilege and responsibility that comes to us to act like Easter people. If the “old rules” no longer hold because of God’s intervention on Easter morning, then what “new” ones now apply?
One that comes to mind is the “new rule” of love. You’ll remember how in Jesus’ last teaching to his disciples he gave them a “new commandment” – to “love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn. 13:34). That “new rule” invites us to reorder our lives in ways that extend beyond personal privilege and self-interest. It encourages instead a way of life that puts the interests of others ahead of our own, which if everyone who professes Jesus as Risen Lord did, would guarantee abundance for all. But of course, we don’t, not always, and as a result, there is much room for growth in us all.
This “new rule” has been on my mind in recent days as we near the time when Governor Ivey’s “mask mandate” comes to an end. That’s a rule we’re all ready to see ride off into the sunset. I know I am. Yet at the same time, we’re also hearing the need to consider wearing masks a bit longer until more Alabamians are vaccinated and the threat of potential spread lessened even more.
So, here’s how we’ll plan for gatherings at Mountain Brook Baptist Church moving forward, keeping in mind our original strategy of being responsible, gradual, and adaptable. Beginning this Sunday, we’ll change the signs that are posted around the church from “Masks Required” to “Masks Recommended.” As far as church staff goes, we’ll continue to wear masks at all times inside the building, both during the week and in Sunday worship, until further notice.
You choose what you wish to do, but I implore you to choose wisely and faithfully. Above all, there’s no need for us to politicize this matter, as many have done in so many other arenas in life. But there’s every need for us to think theologically about it. In my heart and mind, when we do that, we really don’t have a choice. Jesus has given us our mandate. It’s a mandate that is based on love, the same kind of love that compelled Jesus to choose the cross and suffer its shame. But as we’ve just celebrated this last week, only by doing so has Jesus made abundant life possible and the opportunity for us to join him as Risen Lord in the most holy work of making all things new.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 1:3-5a).