Meditation for the Week of May 4, 2020

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
 
The devil can do a lot of damage, but he can’t go back and change this fact. Jesus won. Death remains defeated. Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. 
 
As I write this, in mid-April, Covid-19 is the only thing on the news.  It is the only thing on TV, it is the only constant topic of conversation on social media, it is the only thing discussed on radio news channels.  The president, many governors, and many mayors are holding daily press conferences.
 
The reasons for this coverage is obvious – In a very short time, Coronavirus has changed the way everything is done throughout the world.  People “shelter in place,” stay 6 feet apart, and are confined to small spaces (away from loved ones) to preserve lives.
 
Life is to be honored and respected.  I write this with absolutely no qualifications.  And at the same time, this life we are now living is not the most important thing in creation.  Above all other things is the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we have the promise of life everlasting and salvation from death.
 
One way or another, we are all going to die.  Paul writes that “the wages of sin is death.”  We have all sinned, therefore we all die.  And yet, Jesus has done away with your sin in his blood.  His resurrection to eternal life guarantees your resurrection to live eternally with him.  Death is defeated (just as the Devil is) and it cannot hurt you forever.
 
Dearest Jesus, where there is the forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.  Keep me steadfast in this Christian faith that I may have comfort all my days and finally attain to the hope of life everlasting with you.  In your precious name I pray.  Amen