The Hope of Easter

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Easter reminds us that there is Fantastic News in the midst of our fears, struggles, sickness, and pain. We can face our fears of dying from this deadly virus with FAITH that Jesus, who is risen from the dead, will save us from eternal death. This Fantastic News was especially reassuring for me as I lay in pain weeks ago in the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery while breathing through a ventilator, not sure if I would remain alive.

Fear of Suffering and Death

Many of us sit at home, scared of what will happen if we were to catch the virus. Some have caught it. Thousands have died. Many have recovered. Our lives have been turned upside down. Jobs lost or furloughed. Our investments have suffered. No more sports, restaurant gatherings, movies, and in-person school. Is God trying to get YOUR attention?

He sure did get mine when I was told that my chances of dying were increased if I wouldn’t have a particular surgery. My heart literally was stopped as a machine breathed for me and pumped my oxygen for me so my body could be repaired. But that was only half the battle. I woke up in excruciating pain with all sorts of tubes, IV’s and electrical cables on me. I had to rely on a ventilator to breathe for me. I couldn’t move on my own. Isn’t that what we fear, not having our health or losing our life during this time of the coronavirus?

Fantastic News of Jesus

Well, I have Fantastic News. News and facts from the Bible that kept me hopeful, calmed my fears, and continues to heal me. This Fantastic News comes from the revelation God gives through the Bible. God loved us so much that He gave Jesus, His Son, to live, suffer, and die on this earth to give us life with God after we die plus life in the present filled with His love and not fear.

God’s Life, Not Death

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” The “whoever” means YOU! If you believe in Him, that is, if you rely and trust in Him, and what He’s done for you, you will not perish. You will not perish, which means to be forever apart from God because of the consequences of the sometimes fatal virus or any other cause of death. This is Fantastic News in the age of the coronavirus for those who believe that Jesus died for us and rose again to bring us to God, forever.

You’re Invited

When I was on the operating table and ICU, I had to rely on the doctor to fix me and machines to keep me alive. Likewise, without Jesus to repair our heart and give us life, we can not live eternally without Him. When I was in the ICU, and no one was physically present, Jesus, in His Spirit, was there with me. Won’t you invite Him by asking Him to repair your spiritual sinful heart, give you eternal life and be with you too, both now and for eternity?