March 19, 2020
Life is not business as usual. The bubble of normalcy has been pricked. And an uncomfortable anxiety is left in its wake. Our many questions cannot be answered. When will this virus go away? When can the children go back to school? When can I spend an hour reading at Starbucks? Will I or any of my loved ones get sick?
Last Sunday, during our first ever live-stream worship, Pastor Abe preached on the courage that we have in Christ. Acts 22:30-23:11 recounts Paul’s no good very bad day. Yet he does not crumble in fear. He abides by the words of Jesus in verse 11 to take courage. And therefore, we can too. There’s no need for us to crumble in fear. We can wash our hands and our neighbor’s feet in Jesus Name. In this way we live with wisdom. We live as servants pointing to the One who served us in the gospel.
There is an important gospel analogy here that I would like to draw out. Our attention has been captured by a formidable opponent. The coronavirus is unseen. It is highly contagious. It can destroy our body. And so there have been many PSAs on how to confine it. This is the best we can do. There is no cure. Our minds have been dominated by this task. Many are prioritizing great effort and deliberation. And rightly so.
But I want you to consider the analogy of a greater opponent. It too is unseen. It is more than highly contagious. Everyone is born in it. And it can not only destroy our bodies but also our souls. It’s called sin. We are all infected. What terrible news! But this only paves the way for the good news! The good news of the gospel reveals the cure. The cure has been bought by the very life of Jesus Christ. I pray that we can wash our hands and the feet of others for the purpose of this most important PSA. Let us pray that people will prioritize and consider this most important issue. There is a cure for the worst of disease, sin, by means of the gospel, by faith in Jesus alone.
I pray that our minds will be filled with the love of Jesus for us displayed on the cross. Our eternal inheritance is assured. So let us love our neighbors boldly and wisely during these difficult days. And let me leave you with an essay from C.S. Lewis who puts difficult days into perspective. And remember the gospel words of Jesus for you no matter what no good very bad day confronts you- take courage!