No Quarantine with God
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus the pandemic has quickly spread to many places. In order to prevent large-scale infections, many quarantine measures have been announced. Many countries have closed their national borders, sealed off cities, and quarantined sick or suspected persons. Even family members and friends have to maintain social distance.
In ancient times, leprosy was a terrible infectious disease. Those who were infected had bad rashes and sometimes severe facial deformities. When a person got leprosy, he was discriminated against and isolated by society.
One day a leper came to Jesus. He worshiped Him and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can cleanse me.” Jesus held out His hand, touched the leper, and said, “I am willing; be cleansed!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:2-3).
Nobody dared to approach the leper, who was regarded by everyone as an impure person who must be separated from society. However, the Lord Jesus was willing to approach him and even reached out to touch him.
The Lord Jesus was not afraid of the disease. Although Jesus only needed to speak to heal the leper, nevertheless He touched him. What consolation for this leper who suffered from pain, was isolated, and desperate from panic!
Dear friend, God is merciful and compassionate. Even if fear of infection and isolation arises again today, please remember:
Jesus Christ can and wants to come to you. He is ready to shake your hand. He loves you and gave His life for you. As soon as you come to the Lord Jesus, believe into Him and receive Him, you will have His eternal life. This life connects you with Him forever. Nothing can separate you from Him because He loves you with eternal love.
Something More Dangerous than the Coronavirus?
According to the Bible, the world situation is like a four-horse race with a white horse (good news from God), a red horse (war), a black horse (hunger), and a gray horse (plague, death). Looking back at the 20th century, we see that human society is indeed full of war, hunger, plague, and death. Two world wars caused heavy losses. Wars have continued in recent years. People attacked people and countries attacked countries.
Furthermore, a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says that more than 800 million people suffer from hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition and that the growth of more than 150 million children is therefore retarded.
Fatal epidemics abound. In the 14th century the so-called “black death” hit Europe and more than half of the European population died. SARS, Ebola, MERS, bird flu, the new coronaviruses, etc.—all kinds of epidemics have spread quickly, causing great fear, unrest, and death.
In these chaotic situations, however, there is another horse running – the white horse – that symbolizes the preaching of the gospel, the good news. Part of this good news is Jesus’ words in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” The development of the world situation serves to shake people so that they turn to God and accept His gospel, His good news.
Dear friends, however disturbing and frightening today’s news may be, let us take the opportunity to open ourselves to the Lord Jesus, to call on His name, and to confess our sins.
Christ died for us while we were still sinners, we have been justified in His blood shed on the cross and thus have been reconciled to God, and we will be saved much more in His life (Romans 5:8-10). “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). And “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).