No Story About Christ Is Complete Without Grace

by Eric Elkin

“When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”

— Matthew 25:39

Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota spoke to the people of his state last Friday afternoon. The message was not going to be popular regardless of who was hearing it. The governor announced a change in the states’ approach to COVID-19 control. After months of encouraging voluntary mask-wearing, he was now making masks mandatory.

The responses to his decision were typical of other similar mandates. The anti-mask crowd was mad about government interference. The pro-mask group was exhausted the declaration took so long. Reading the report about the governor’s decision made me feel sad for him. I have grown to appreciate Governor Burgum’s sincere care for people.

Back in May, Governor Burgum called upon the people of his great state “to try to dial up your empathy and your understanding” for each other. He did not want a political divide to interfere with the state’s response to a public health crisis. His speech went viral. If you listen to it, you will hear him asking people to see their neighbors. Not the clothes they are wearing, but the condition behind the exterior.

Unfortunately, the governor’s words fell on deaf ears. Despite a valiant effort by the state to encourage appropriate behavior, the people did not listen. By Friday, North Dakota had the highest rate of infection in the country. They learned what a surge does to its support services. The hospitals, doctors, and nurse staff are taxed to the max

“(People might wear a face mask) because they’ve got a 5-year-old child who’s been going through cancer treatments. They might have vulnerable adults in their life who currently have COVID, and they’re fighting.”

— Governor Doug Burgum

The coronavirus pandemic has shone a light into the reality of the human condition. Faced with a national crisis, how we respond is as diverse as the faces of people. Some easily accept the lifestyle change. Others fight the restrictions tooth and nail. Even if all the elected leaders agreed on how to respond, getting people to comply would be difficult.

Our story today speaks directly to the condition of the day. Some people see the needs of others, and some people do not. The people who care for the needs of the weak are blessed for their work. Those who never saw and never cared are cursed. It is a harsh lesson. One that leaves us feeling empty and insecure.

In practical terms, the story makes good sense. One could argue some of the greatest nations on the earth collapsed because they did not care for the poor. On the flip side, psychologists will tell you, people who care for others are happier. They find joy in compassion. Selfish people tend to be perpetually lacking in satisfaction. Put this way, we don’t need Jesus to see the blessings and the curses.

The problem with the story is nothing in life is ever so clear-cut. People who wear masks out of empathy can be just as blind about other needs as those who do not see. Likewise, some who refuse to wear masks can be more compassionate than their counterparts. What is missing from our story is grace. And, you cannot tell the story of Jesus without it. We are forgiven for our faults, and so are our neighbors. Grace is essential for good vision.

Click to read Matthew 25: 31-46