Cross Bearing During COVID-19
As I continue to make crosses out of these palm branches to prepare for Palm Sunday, I can’t help but think what Jesus did on the cross for the salvation of mankind! Think about it..., As Jesus was carrying the very wood beam that his hands would be nailed to just to save us for all of eternity, what a magnificent reminder of what Jesus calls his own disciples to pick up in their own life. When Jesus said to pick up your cross and follow him, He’s not asking you to pick up convenience, comfortability, or self-gratification. No! Jesus is asking you to identify with Him in His own agony! He’s asking you to pick up suffering, He’s asking you to pick up sacrifice, He’s asking you to pick up persecution, and He’s even asking you to pick up risking your own life for the sake of Himself and for the sake of others just like the disciples! That’s exactly what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 20:28, “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Jesus didn’t wait for a convenient time to sacrifice His life, but did it during a time where capital punishment was the most vile! And when I think about the current times we are facing with COVID-19, what greater opportunity is there to pick up your cross, to follow Jesus, to be the light of the world, and to serve others than such a time as this...?!
So, let your lamp shine in the midst of darkness and go in the Spirit of the Lord knowing that He will not give you more than what you can bear! Cast all of your anxiety on Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light! Go in peace wherever the Lord sends you and share that peace with those you have the opportunity to minister unto during these uncertain times! Remind them of God’s Word that these trials are going to happen and to not be afraid! And remember this, there is no greater service in all the world than serving our God of all creation!
Let’s pray that the people of God will “encourage” and not tear down anyone who chooses to remain at home or go to church! Even if you decide to stay at home as the government mandates, your own health and safety is still not guaranteed, let alone being able control whether you wake up to see another day! We must remember that life and eternity rests in the hands of the Lord, not ours! Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, and John 12:25, which all speak about what will happen to a person who tries to save/love their own life, they will ultimately lose it anyways! But, he who loses their life and picks up their cross and follow me (Jesus) will save their life for all of eternity! The Lord orders all of our steps, and when it’s time to depart this earth, whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord! We can never forget that death is a GREAT thing for those who are in Christ Jesus!! To live is Christ and to die is gain!! For in my Father’s house there are many mansions, and He goes to prepare a place for us, that where He is, we shall also be!
Praise God that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, not even death, and that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him! And when you really think about the magnitude of what we are up against, as mentioned previously, I can’t think of a greater opportunity to be a lamp in the midst of darkness! I can’t think of a greater opportunity to be the salt of the world in unseasoned places! I can’t think of a greater opportunity to be a city on the hill where the light can shine for everyone to see! And I can’t think of a greater opportunity to exercise that power and authority Jesus granted his disciples to heal, to proclaim the Good News, to encourage the feeble, to serve the needs of the community, to step out of the boat in faith, and to be led by the Holy Spirit than such a time as this! 🔥🕊✝️”
Blessings to all the Lord’s people and may we continue to lift up everyone affected by this virus, may we pray for God’s comfort for all who are grieving, and may we continue to lift up the global church and the nation of Israel, in Jesus Christ name,
AMEN!!