Life on this earth is always fraught with difficulties, crises, uncertainty. This is nothing new, and wars (whether nation against nation or against a virus) will continue until Jesus comes again. As we shelter-in-place, we do not need to be afraid. While we practice social distancing, we can stay in touch through social media, telephone calls, letters and cards.
Remember — Jesus lived thirty-three years in a human body; fully human and fully divine. He had to deal with the same things we are dealing with today. Diseases, government regulations and taxes, people in need of shelter and food, people afraid, longing for answers, a timeline. People were crying out then, too, “How long, O Lord, must we wait?” Remember that Satan didn’t just attack Jesus in the wilderness. The devil sought to kill Jesus from the manger to the cross. He actively looked for opportune times to destroy the Son of God. Jesus had to overcome every temptation known to man, including fear and death. Remember his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane when He sweated blood? Jesus was locked in a constant moment-by-moment physical, emotional and spiritual battle against all the evil forces at work in our world. In the ultimate act of love, Jesus took upon Himself every sin ever committed – past, present and future — and death itself in order to be the holy sacrifice atoning for our sins.
But that wasn’t the end of history, was it? Jesus overcame the world. He conquered death. He tore the veil that separated us from God the Father. Jesus said, “No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded.” And He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through Me.”
When Jesus rose from death and walked out of the tomb, He proved He is God the Son. He is life. He is trustworthy, the promise keeper. He sent us the Holy Spirit to indwell us and seal us forever in Christ through faith in Him. That Spirit instructs us and guides us through this temporary, earth bound life. He can make our path straight through this crisis. We read the word to draw closer to THE WORD — Jesus. He is our comfort and strength in times of trouble.
We don’t have to be afraid of anything! In this time of uncertainty, we can be certain of our life and future. Paul said and I, too, am convinced “that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing (like a corona virus) shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Easter is coming. Remember Jesus arose. He is alive. Through faith in Jesus, we have life everlasting. Raise your hands and hearts to the God who is and who was and who is to come. God loves and understands us. He knows or needs. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are heavy burdened.” As Easter approaches and then passes, remember to shelter in Him.