The Coronavirus is Real, but Our Future Home is More Real
While I am usually eagerly anticipating a big Easter celebration, today I’ve reduced my expectations to a very small gathering—probably just the two of us. The Coronavirus has changed everything for the near-term future. For all we know, this year many churches may not even hold services on Easter Sunday. We may have a taste of what persecuted believers feel when they convene in small groups in homes for worship. But Easter will still arrive on April 12, and this year, the reminder of the Resurrection will mean more to us than many Easters in recent memory. Christ’s victory over death on the cross feels more real and significant as we keep hearing daily death toll reports. The nearness of our future home in Heaven, guaranteed by His Resurrection, brings comfort to all who know Him.
Today is the day to begin talking about our security in Jesus if you haven’t yet.
Tell your children or grandchildren why they have nothing to fear because God is sovereign and allows nothing in our lives without His permission.
Pray for all those named and unnamed who are infected and sick.
Read the wonderful promises of Scripture in Revelation, the book that promises blessings on those who read it, especially the last two chapters. Your kids need to know as clearly as you do what awaits them one day.
And when you do begin preparations for Easter Sunday, I’d like to suggest you consider wearing white if you don’t already do that annually. In years past, buying new clothes and helping our kids look especially adorable was part of this springtime holiday. Why wear white? Is it just an old-fashioned rule, no white or linen before Easter and never after Labor Day? No. Somewhere, someone understood that believers in Christ will one day wear white linen in heaven.
“…they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4).
“A great multitude … from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Revelation 7:9).
“And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses” (Revelation 19:14).
Wearing white for the first time on Easter Sunday has historically symbolized not only our future, but also the dramatic change from the dark drab of winter to the bright newness waiting for us because of the Resurrection. By wearing white on Easter, even this year when few may see us, we declare our identification with Christ, our hope for the future, and our joy in this greatest victory of all history. So as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday, plan to wear something new, if by Holy Week you get out to shop, to remind you of your new life in Christ. And wear something white, to remember that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
Ask God to help your heart be focused on celebrating the Savior, this year more than ever! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! #EasterPeople