Three Pandemics and the Great Physician

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash

The mainstream media is giving us an endless stream of information about the pandemic caused by COVID-19—the number of cases, the number of deaths, what governments are doing, what is happening around the world, how individuals ought to behave, and the progress of vaccine research.

The alternative media passionately exposes the pandemic of fear caused by this terrifying news and its disastrous economic and social consequences, pointing to the value of supporting the immune system with sleep, fresh air, sunlight, vitamin C and D, zinc, physical activity, relationships, and calm.

But very few voices discuss the greatest pandemic of all, the pandemic caused by sin.  This infectious agent is transmitted to newborns at a rate of 100% and has a mortality rate of 100%, but we have gotten so used to it that people rarely discuss it.  We just live with it.  And that’s probably why very few people are talking about the Great Physician who has the cure for this pandemic.  He never runs out of medication, he never runs out of energy or compassion, he never gets ill, and he never charges for his work.  Instead, he says,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  (Matt 11:28)

Dear reader, don’t be blinded by the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and fear.  Instead, look to Jesus who came to destroy the devil’s work.  The devil’s work includes the coronavirus;  it includes fear; in fact, it includes all illness, all terror—whether of death or of Satan accusing us before God or of anything else.  Jesus came to destroy all of this, and to restore humankind and the entire universe to its blissful, God-honoring perfection.

So do not be anxious, child of God.  Do not fear what these people fear; instead honor the Lord. (Isaiah 8:12,13)

And if you are not yet a child of God, do not fear what the media is discussing; fear God! Turn to him and prepare for the rest of your journey.

This Good Friday and Easter, we can celebrate that Jesus destroyed the devil’s works.  We no longer need to be terrified of God, because Jesus has paid the all the prison sentences, fines, and capital punishments we deserved for all the times we did not truly love all those around us, and for all the times we did not passionately love the God who made us.  Jesus has paid for it all and has written his perfect goodness over our criminal records.

We no longer need to fear death, because for those who love God it is the portal to always being with him.  We no longer need to fear that God will reject us when we slip into sin, as we still so often do to our great dismay, because we know Jesus has paid for those sins, too.  We no longer need to fear anything, because nothing can separate us from his love! (Rom 8:38,39)

Once we know these amazing things, we are no longer are aimless and wandering in this world, tossed about by conflicting bits of media.  No, we have a worthwhile life goal—to tell people how good our great God is, and to be joyfully close to him forever.

Is there still a dangerous virus going around? Are there still disastrous social and economic consequences?  Do we still need to wash our hands and keep away from others?  Yes, yes, and yes!  But we do not need to panic and, rather than focusing only on COVID-19 news, we and our families can pay attention to the Good News about Jesus.

Dear reader, may God bless you and your family this Easter weekend.  Above all, may he save you from sin, the greatest pandemic of all, and give you a way to tell others about the Great Physician and his most undeserved, unexpected, and miraculous cure.

Happy Easter!

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