Category: hope

Jesus suffered and died because sin spread like a Pandemic across His world, leaving it in need of a cure – a Savior!

The Corona COVID-19 Virus has become a Pandemic spreading across our world leaving it once again scrambling for a cure, a vaccine, a definitive end as people are sick and some are dying. Jesus is still that cure. He will provide healing. Has His world turned to Him fervently in prayer? I haven’t seen it yet, not really, not like they ought to be doing.

When Jesus was arrested, the disciples hid, isolating themselves from the crowds in fear. Though they loved Jesus they lived in fear that they too would suffer his fate, just for being identified as having been close to Him. They prayed and worried.

We are isolating ourselves from each other, family, and friends in fear of catching the virus or spreading it to others unknowingly. We are worrying, but are we praying? Really praying?

Currently our faces are covered to help prevent the spread of the virus from us to others, even if we don’t seem to have it. Unfortunately these coverings do not prevent us from receiving the virus from the uncovered mouths or places where it lingers or floats.

The spreading of God’s word by us should be the same. Our faces may be covered, but it should not prevent the spreading of the Word or sharing of prayer. We have phones, computers, tablets, I pads and countless apps and abilities for texting, videoing, talking and sharing the Good News! It is Easter! We should be spreading the story faster than the virus is spreading. Cover the virus not the Word of God. The world needs it now and always.

What have you done to spread the word and share hope during these trying times?

The disciples and many of Jesus’ followers stayed in isolation after Jesus’ crucifixion, still fearing for their safety as well as feeling lost and confused about what to do without Jesus. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to Jesus’ tomb to do what was necessary and customary because these things were essential for a proper burial. They risked everything to do what was right and needed to be done.

Because they buried their fear and continued to do what was necessary and essential, they were the first to receive the Good News that Christ had risen. Along their way, they were the first to see Jesus the risen Lord!

Today as many follow instructions, staying home in isolation and practicing social distancing in order to quell the spread, many, called “Essential Services Workers” are required to work on the front lines to help the sick and to keep all necessary and essential things operating the best they can for the good of all. They are the first to see all the bad as well as the good that happens.

When the storm quells, they will be the first to know that it is real and feel the joy and relief as they spread the news! They will be the first to show true hope for others. They are called upon to put themselves out there for all of us. They need our support and prayer.

Jesus observed the Passover meal and dined with His disciples before His time of trial began, knowing full well what was happening. He took the time and sat around the table with those that had become his students and family.

Our lives had become a crazy, fast paced ordeal before this virus struck. Most families did not even see each other enough to spend an evening once a week at the dinner table together. Granted it may go back to that again when this ends. For now, though, you are isolated at home with your families. You are teaching them, playing with them, watching TV and movies with them, and sharing activities that you may not have done together for a long time. Hopefully, you are sitting with them to eat around the dinner table.


How many times did Jesus tell his disciples and followers, that he would suffer, die, be laid in a tomb, rise again in three days and then go to be seated to rule his kingdom? They never really got it until it was over.

Time with family no matter the circumstances is precious. They will remember this time spent. The question is how will they remember it? That is for you to decide.

Be a witness of God’s love to your families in this time, whether parent or child After all, it is the faith of children and its doubtless strength and belief that Jesus tells us all to aspire to have.

Now is the time! This Easter may not be the big event with your larger groups of family and friends that you had originally planned. Do something to make your family’s Easter special. Next make a video of your Easter fun. Share that video online and tag all your missing family and friends in it so they can see how your family celebrated Easter and the Risen Lord. Then encourage your friends and family to do something and post their fun. Then as this goes on you could turn this exercise into a family fun time weekly.

This is not the worst of times, but only a difficult and different time. Christ is still with us and He will lead us through this. The events that created these circumstances are not good but that does not mean we cannot make good out of the bad.

We will remember this Pandemic and that there was illness and death and fear. We will also remember that there was family, community, new opportunities, and new ways of worship that may have reached even more people. We will remember that for every bad aspect of this, there was also good. Remember those things and work to make more good come out of it.

After all, Christ has Died, Christ has Risen, and Christ will come again! That is what Easter is really all about! And we are Easter people!