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Opinion

What would Jesus do during COVID-19? Your responses

We asked, and many readers answered.

Recently in the Living Our Faith feature, we asked readers to respond to the question: What would Jesus do during the coronavirus pandemic? The following are some of the thoughtful responses.

This column is part of our ongoing opinion commentary on faith, called Living Our Faith. Find this week’s reader question and get weekly roundups of the project in your email inbox by signing up for the Living Our Faith newsletter.

Jesus didn’t break the law

The New Testament tells us Jesus was never arrested for violating any Roman or Jewish law. His arrest came under false pretenses from a Jewish hierarchy seeking his demise. In the end he was crucified in place of a murderer, Barabbas. Therefore, one can conclude Jesus would have complied with orders to social distance, wear a mask and shelter in place when required.

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Jesus came to restore a right relationship between God and man. He never sought the overthrow of the Roman government, but rather condemned religious authorities that were spiritually bankrupt. Jesus summarized all the law and the prophets by telling us to love God and love our neighbor. And when you get the first one right, the second comes naturally. It follows that Christians should wear masks to protect our neighbors.

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Bradley Plank, Dallas

Live for today

I am a speaker who hopefully in my presentations motivates, educates and amuses my audiences. I’ve been doing this for years for women’s clubs, church groups, service organizations, etc. I am out of business. No one can gather to hear me.

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I sincerely believe with all my heart that Christ Jesus sent this pandemic to test us to see if we can obey the Scriptures that tell us to live one day at a time. Matthew 6:34. “Do not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Philippians 4:6. “Be anxious for nothing, but pray.” Or if you wish to go back to God’s creation, there is Genesis 1:5, “God made the day and God made the night.” We live each day for itself. That’s living as Jesus commands.

I made my last speech on Friday, March 13, for the Arlington Women's Club, thinking I would be speaking Saturday evening at a church. The very next day, March 14, that church and the whole country shut down. It was then, thinking of God's word, I accepted the fact that we really have only one day, today.

Rose-Mary Rumbley, Dallas

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Outcome based on faith

During his time of earthly ministry, Jesus encountered many desperate people seeking his help, and the outcome was based on their faith in him and God’s ability to cure them of the condition. Their belief produced tangible results of God’s supernatural power over sickness, disease and death.

Today, we acknowledge that COVID-19 is real and it has been devastating to nations and their residents physically, spiritually, financially, emotionally and relationally. However, those of us who are Christians believe that God is sovereign and he can and will bring us through this pandemic. We seek his wisdom and discernment to navigate during this outbreak. It may require wearing a mask at times when necessary, improving your hygiene, and being vigilant and prayerful about your environment at all times.

We live in a fallen world, which makes us susceptible to diseases and sickness while the sovereign God isn’t. We might have to wear a mask, but Jesus doesn’t.

Rhenechia Y. Jones, Dallas

Jesus healed the sick

If Jesus can calm the winds and the waves, heal the servant without seeing him, raise a man that had been dead for four days back alive by just speaking, then Jesus would not need to wear a mask. He could command that the virus be gone and it would be. He could command that all who are sick with the virus be healed and they would be. And yes, he could raise all who have died from the virus if he so commanded. But he isn’t here, so we must do what is best for our fellow man, even if it is something that most detest doing. Wear a mask.

Kevin Loyd, Grand Prairie