Nothing cripples the human spirit more than forced isolation.

Sure, we all need our space from time to time, but our lives are only made complete through physical contact.  Nobody ever had to tell us this.  We practice it instinctively.  If that ability is taken away or forfeited, all that makes living worthwhile soon begins to erode.

That’s a fact based on empirical evidence.  Look around.

If someone would’ve tried to convince me last January that almost every congregation of the Body of Christ would soon choose not to meet on Sundays because some public official said they couldn’t, I would’ve laughed.  I would’ve argued that Jesus Christ’s faithful disciples would never surrender anything to Caesar that wasn’t his.

But apparently I’m wrong.

It appears that there are enough good people in our congregations willing to ignore an obvious Biblical principle not to diminish the value of having regular fellowship even though foolish restrictions are being imposed upon them which have no basis in legitimate public health concerns.

Now I’m willing to bet King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t require face masks.  But when he ordered the ancient prophet Daniel’s three friends to bow down to an idol, their response was typical of men who never doubted that right decisions were usually tough ones:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  [Dan. 3:16-18]

Did these men fear anything?

I’ve always presumed that someday, an attempt would be made to physically force Christ’s people away from their sanctuaries at gunpoint.  But I never thought I’d witness the Lord’s congregation’s allowing fear to consume them.  It’s the Great Deceiver’s weapon of choice, yet some of us are wearing it on our sleeves.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews made no exception for either ignorance or cowardice when he reminded the readers about the importance of their meeting together regularly:

“…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  [Heb. 10:24-25]  [my emphasis]

So, is “having church” a Biblical mandate?  You bet it is.

There’s absolutely no substitute for Jesus Christ’s disciples coming together in the flesh to worship.  If each of us is essential to the function of His Body as a whole, can we accomplish our tasks from six feet away?  Can we pull it off on the internet?  How can we experience [or offer] an encouraging touch or a much needed hug or handshake using Zoom?

How can I comfort a broken heart if I can’t see the tears behind the mask?!!

The physicality of human relationships is what makes them a created miracle.

Who’s willing to suffer to have them again?