Good Friday. A day set aside by the Christian church to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and to remember the sacrifice that He made on the cross in order to redeem us sinners. For centuries, believers all over the globe have gathered in groups small and large to solemnly celebrate this most significant event. But now, in the midst of a pandemic, believers are not gathering in groups. There are very few church services proceeding according to tradition. But Good Friday is here nonetheless, and this day reminds us that even the darkest of days fall within God's redemptive plan. But beyond that, Covid-19 bears a striking resemblance to the events of Good Friday in one particular regard.
While many of those struck by the Coronavirus have no or few symptoms, others struggle with it for days if not weeks. Still others find themselves hospitalized, and some of those require extreme medical intervention: their lungs are so ravaged by the virus that they need a ventilator to do what they cannot do for themselves: Breathe.
Christ died on the cross in order to save a sin-sick world, doing what we cannot do for ourselves: Pay the penalty for our sin. But while only a small percentage of Coronavirus victims require a ventilator, our sin nature is 100% fatal--for body, soul, and spirit--without the intervention of a Savior.
As we negotiate a "new normal" amidst this pandemic, most sectors of humanity are battling to mitigate suffering and save lives. We do for people what they cannot do for themselves. In the end, though, we will all face death in some form or fashion (unless the Lord returns!). Our sin yields death to our bodies. But thanks be to God! By the death of Christ, He has paid the ransom to rescue us from our sin. Our souls and spirits will be united with Him for eternity, and we can look forward to receiving new, imperishable bodies.
May Good Friday be good indeed in our hearts and prayers on this holy day.
.gif)
