Like everyone else, I am ready for COVID-19 to be over. My reasons, however, probably differ from most other people’s. Introverted as I am, I don’t mind the lock-downs, social distancing, and remote meetings. Masks don’t bother me. They’re just another article of clothing that offers me the opportunity to express myself while protecting others. I feel the vaccine is a no-brainer. A little discomfort and inconvenience is a small price to pay to stay healthy enough to continue to do God’s work, including caring for my wife and children. What I don’t like about COVID is all the division that has arisen around it, mostly driven by politicians and organizations who have absolutely no more ability to control the virus than they do a hurricane that is about to slam into the east coast. But the main reason I’m ready for COVID to move on, at least in regard to this blog, is that I really want to write about something else. No matter how hard I try to think of a fun, interesting article, my mind keeps bringing me back to the current health crisis.

Speaking of the whole division thing, it’s not just confined to politics. It’s occurring within the family of Christ, as well. It’s unfortunate that people God has brought together for the purpose of loving, supporting, and caring for each other can also be the most antagonistic toward each other. (I admit to being guilty of this, as you will soon see.) A recent example of this are posts from intentionally unvaccinated Christians shaming those who promote and receive the vaccine.  The argument is, if you support the vaccine, then you are living in fear and have no faith in God to protect you. When I heard this, I nearly took the bait. As someone who believes God works all things for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28), I was ready to fire back and shame the anti-vaccer’s for their lack of faith. I was ready to cite numerous examples from scripture where God uses common people, objects, and nature to lead his people, protect and care for them, and even perform some miracles. (The 5,000 were going hungry if it weren’t for those loaves of bread and a few fish.)

Fortunately, while gathering my ammo . . . uh, I mean doing research for my post, God led me to the best article I could have read at that moment. Written by a Christian disease researcher, the article did answer many questions about the vaccine, both practical and spiritual, but more importantly, it addressed the division within the body of Christ that has arisen over questions about the vaccine. It reminded me that our Christian witness to the world is damaged when we are seen condemning each other instead of loving those with whom we disagree. 

So, I didn’t post a scathing rebuttal on Facebook. Instead, I retreated to my bedroom, pulled out my journal, and wrote out a prayer asking God to extend his protection over people I know who have made the choice to forgo being vaccinated. 

Really, I did. I have the pages to prove it.

Before continuing, I would highly recommend that you read the article yourself.

The COVID Vaccine and Christian Unity (posted on The Gospel Coalition)

Seriously, stop. Go back and read it.

Ok. That’s better. 

While Kauffman (the author) is correct when he writes “we must not let such decisions divide us,” that doesn’t mean we need to avoid the conversation altogether. In fact, the Bible tells us to encourage and teach each other in a loving way. (Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16; Heb. 3:13; 1 Thes. 4:18) And whenever our conversation leads us back to the scriptures, that’s even better. (2 Tim. 3:16) Which, finally, brings me to the point of this article: the story of Naaman the leper.

We are introduced to Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, in 2 Kings. (5: 1-14)  Naaman was a great soldier and mighty leader whom the LORD had blessed with many victories. Unfortunately, the commander also suffered from leprosy. 

Upon the suggestion of a young servant girl, Naaman travels to Israel and finds God’s prophet Elisha, hoping that he might be healed. While he waited outside Elisha’s home (yes, social distancing was a thing back then), the prophet sent out a messenger with instructions. Naaman was told to wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Apparently, this angered Naaman. He had expected Elisha to simply call upon God to heal him on the spot. Besides, if all he had to do was bathe he could have done that back home. In fact, Damascus had better, cleaner rivers than the Jordan. The soldier was having none of it and started off home.

Luckily, Naaman’s servants were a bit more level-headed. They implored him to reconsider. Eventually, he relented and did what Elisha instructed, dipping himself in the waters of the Jordan seven times. When he emerged from the river, his flesh was restored — the Bible actually compares it to the flesh of a little child — and he was cured of leprosy. 

I believe the story of Naaman offers insight into our current situation and would suggest Christians at least consider it when contemplating their trust in God and the COVID vaccine. Personally, I take away three principles from this tale.

Faith in God Doesn’t Guarantee Specific Protections or Healing

While scripture does say Naaman’s victories were from God, it doesn’t tell us much about the commander’s personal faith. He must have had enough faith to travel over 200 miles to seek out Elisha. Furthermore, his response to Elisha’s instruction, negative as it was, reveals that he expected a belief in God alone was enough to heal him. Despite this, God chose to withhold healing from the commander, for He had another plan.

God Works Through the Objects and Actions of His Creation

That plan was to heal Naaman using the waters of the Jordan river. Specifically, God required Naaman to bathe, not just once, but seven times. There’s nothing to indicate that Naaman’s willingness to do this displayed any greater level of faith. In fact, it was just the opposite. He was skeptical, claiming the Jordan wasn’t any more special than the rivers in Damascus, and in that sense, he was correct. God may have used the ordinary waters of the Jordan as His vehicle, but the healing came fully from Him.  Finally, there is nothing recorded in 2 Kings that leads us to believe that, had Naaman chose not to bathe, God would have healed him anyway. Which leads us to the last point.

Limiting God’s Ability to Bless May Lead to a Loss of Faith

Had Naaman stuck to his narrow assumptions about God and His powers to heal, he would have returned home a leper. He would have remained angry at a god that had wasted his time and would probably have ridiculed anyone who worshipped such an impotent deity. Instead of proclaiming, “There is no God in all the earth but in Israel (2 Kings 5:15),” he would have stopped at, “There is no God.”

Take what you will from this story, but personally, I see a parallel between Naaman’s situation and today’s pandemic. We are facing a crippling, sometimes fatal disease. As Christians, we know that the end to this pandemic ultimately comes from God. To that end, I believe God has given researchers the wisdom (Psalm 2: 6) to study the virus, understand how it works, and develop strategies and medicines to combat it. Furthermore, the COVID vaccine demonstrates God’s additional kindness to us, for, unlike the water offered to Naaman, the vaccine has undergone extensive testing and has a positive track record to assure us of its effectiveness.

Still, Naaman received instruction directly from God through His chosen prophet. We have no prophets today. Can we even know if the vaccine is part of God’s plan? That’s a good question, but I believe the Bible speaks to this, as well. The first four verses of Romans 13 instruct Christians to be subject to those in authority, for they have been appointed by God. While this most commonly refers to government officials, it also applies to those to hold positions that affect guidelines and policies, such as scientists and doctors. Furthermore, several times the Bible refers to the healing abilities of doctors and medicines. One example is when Jesus explains his ministry to the Pharisees and affirms that physicians are God’s instrument of healing. (Mark 2:17) Yes, I am aware there is dissension and uncertainly among those working in healthcare. Still, I feel it’s safe to say that the message coming from those directly involved in COVID research and patient care is overwhelming. “Get vaccinated.”

I received the vaccine as soon as it was available to me. Today, with infections on the rise and hospitals overflowing with COVID patients, I have decided to continue to wear a mask when out in public [1].  I do this because I have faith that God has given me the knowledge and means to protect myself.  I do this to obey God’s command to love others and protect them. I do this so I can care for my family. I do this because, apart from prayer, it is all that I can do. 

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[1] Even being fully vaccinated, I have still have the potential to carry the virus and spread it to others. Wearing a mask reduces that threat and offers additional protection for myself.