There once lived a sincere and devout monk. In his search to gain clarity he entered the woods
and lived as a hermit for a couple years. During that time he read scriptures, philosophies, and
theologies about life, God and man’s place in the world. After spending so much time apart he
realized that true spirituality cannot be obtained alone, for the body is not just the head, or the
foot, or arm. True spirituality is the body together glorifying God. So with this epiphany he left
his hut and carried his books and few other belongings back to the city from whence he came.
Upon reaching the city it did not take long for him to realize that much had changed in the
years he had been absent from civilization. First of all, people seemed to be wary of making
eye contact. Then he noticed that people seemed to be very suspicious of him and move
away when he tried to shake hands or talk. Finally, he noticed that they seemed to cover their
faces, perform ritualistic hand ceremonies, and demand to see evidence that he had performed
a blood ritual. Confused by the this new world that he had stumbled upon he struggled to
make sense of what he beheld. Had he been gone that long? What was the meaning of the
customs he witnessed? Surely, clarity could be found among the people of God, after all this is
why he had returned, to be a part of the Body.
Slowly walking the streets he took inventory of his surroundings. The traffic seemed to be the
same, the houses similar, and the dogs barked with the same incessant excitement as always.
What was the reason for the customs he had observed among the people he encountered?
Finally, he arrived at his old residence. There he engaged with a brother who welcomed him
back, although he remained far off, resisted an embrace, and he too hid his face and glared at
the hermit-monk incredulously. The words seemed genuine although the behaviour betrayed
the positive remarks.
“Well then, shall gather with the church?” inquired the hermit-monk.
“Certainly!” was the reply. “However, much has changed since you wandered off, and it would
be appreciated if you followed the protocols now established.”
“I shall do my best, although I have noticed several things I do not understand and if you’d be
so kind to enlighten me on the why each custom is done I would be truly grateful.”
“Certainly.”
The two started out but right off the civilized monk informed the hermit monk that he must
cover his face before they could proceed together. Confused why he should partake in such a
custom the hermit-monk – whose name in fact was Joshua – puzzled “do not be offended my
dear fellow, but why is it that I must adorn this article upon my face?’
The civilized monk – whose name in fact was Eli – patiently explained that since he had
abandoned society, a great and terrible virus had come upon not only their city but the entire
world. Fearing to accidentally contract or transmit this disease required many reasonable
measures such as covering their face.
“So it is our of fear of this virus that we must do this? What is the disease’s name?” Joshua
wondered.
“The virus’s name is SARS-CoV-2, but we simply refer to it by its disease name COVID,”
responded Eli, quite happy to bring his ignorant friend up to speed.
“So it is for the fear of Covid then, that we wear the mask?” Joshua summarized.
“In a simplified way, sure,’ retorted Eli.
When they arrived at the place of worship, many changes were in place. The sign out front
said the all welcome for the first service, although very limited numbers would be allowed, but
the second service would have no such limitations on numbers, as long as you could prove a
blood ritual had been performed. But why the blood ritual?
“It is to ensure you do not pass the virus.”
“But I thought the face coverings did that?”
“This is better.”
“Then you haven’t had the ritual, since you still cover your face?”
“Of course I have done the blood ritual, I love my neighbour. But you can still transmit the virus
even with the blood ritual, so you must still cover your face.”
“Hmm”, mused Joshua. “Well then I am glad we are at the first meeting for I am unfamiliar with
this sacrifice.”
“Present your fore-head or hand,” instructed the greeter pointing a temperature gun at Joshua.
“Is this for fear of Covid as well?” the hermit-monk surmised.
“Certainly.”
“Greetings brother!” Shouted Joshua as tried to embrace an old friend.
“Six feet!” came the rebuke.
“For the fear of Covid?”
“Certainly.”
Finally it was time to for the music to begin. Joshua was so excited to participate in corporate
worship having spent so much time in isolation. He jumped to his feet and belted out the
chorus.
“Quiet!” Eli scolded. “You are not allowed to sing any longer.”
“For the fear of COVID I presume?”
“Certainly.”
The message repeated strange concepts hypnotically repeating terms like “new normal”,
“pandemic” and the “greater good” with a duty of compliance to these concepts as a form of
rendering unto Caesar. The justification for all this was the fear of COVID. After the message
the breaking of bread was mentioned but not partaken for, the fear of COVID. Finally, all
attendants ensured little conversation was undertaken indoors for, the fear of COVID.
The walk back to the house Joshua remained very silent (something he was accustomed to
doing but was surprised to find that even after not speaking with someone for so long he could
not engage in much discourse with his friend). Later that evening he sombrely approached his
friend.
“Who is it you serve and dedicate your life too?” Joshua asked the civilized monk.
“Why God alone, of course,” Eli replied.
“Your lips honour him, but your heart is far from him. You are a white-washed tomb, you are
sterile and serene but I see death and decay inside. You claim to serve God alone, but I ask
you. All the actions you did or didn’t do today that once were, they were for the fear of COVID
were they not?” Implored Joshua.
“Yes, in a manner of speaking I suppose so,” Eli conceded.
“Well then, Deuteronomy 32:17 says ‘They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to
gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors
had never feared.’ You fear this, recently arrived god. You cover your face, distance yourself,
refuse to embrace, segregate the congregation, restrict singing in the congregation, demand
proof of blood rituals, don’t partake in the Lord’s supper, and on-and-on, for the fear of COVID.
I assure you had the body of Christ’s Fear of the Lord been a fraction of its Fear of COVID the
great commission would have been accomplished many times over. Deuteronomy 32:5-6
declares ““But they have acted corruptly toward him when they act so perversely, are they
really his children? They are a deceitful and twisted generation. Is this the way you repay the
LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you? Has he not
made you and established you?’ Also, Isaiah 10:1,2 “Woe to those who enact unjust statutes
And to those who constantly record harmful decisions, So as to deprive the needy of justice
And rob the poor among My people of their rights,’. Proverbs 10:27 ‘The fear of the LORD
prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.’”
Eli clearly appalled by the anti-science and ignorant tone, answered with the mantra he had
been taught for such occasions. “You’re a conspiracy theorists and cannot be trusted!”
“‘Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor
be in dread.’ Isaiah 8:12. You are not to dread and fear what they fear, for ‘For God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7’ You
think by complying you will attain your freedom, do you not know these are “promising them
freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by
this he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19 ‘Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He
Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who
has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death were
subject to slavery all their lives.’ Hebrews 2:14-15 Why do you return to your vomit when Christ
has destroyed the power of death you choose to return to Egypt and be subject to slavery all
your life through the fear of death? “Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape
from the snares of death.’ Proverbs 14:27. Where is this live-giving fountain? It is the only
escape from the snare of death, Fear of the Lord and not fear of the this recently arrived god.
But I do no say these things to accuse rather it is Christ who says ‘These things I have spoken
to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I
have overcome the world.’ John 16:33”. ‘To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.’
Jude 1:25
