by Victoria Heinecke
The churches are closed, but the Church is open.
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14b English Standard Version (ESV)
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, many people are complying with their state’s orders to stay at home. Many businesses have shuttered, or have reduced hours and services. Most churches have made the difficult decision to close just before Holy Week. This choice was not made lightly; Holy Week marks the time when Christians remember the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. For many Christians, their faith and connection to Jesus as their Lord and Savior is anchored to the events of this week.
Some people have commented that, for the first time in America’s history, Easter will not be celebrated.
So, church is closed…. or is it?
Last weekend was Palm Sunday. Thanks to the internet and social media, it was possible to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem all day long! Not only can people worship with their home church online, but chances are they saw links to worship at their friends’ churches. For the unchurched, this is a potentially exciting moment. They have an invitation to visit a church from their home. The good news of Christ Jesus – who suffered and died so that we are saved from our sinful ways – is reaching millions of people.
God is saving souls in the midst of isolation, quarantine and separation. It’s as if he took the church – the building where Christians gathered inside – and turned it inside out.
“To those outside the law I became as one outside the law … that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:21-23 ESV
God is still open and is working through each of us by the power of the Holy Spirit!
We may feel separated because we cannot be in communion and fellowship with the believers, but perhaps this was God’s plan all along, and not the work of the enemy?
What a wonderful time to see and hear the joy of the Resurrection!
Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
“It’s as if he took the church … and turned it inside out.” — Such a powerful statement. One of hope and grace. God is so good, using even what we see as bad for His ultimate glory.
You are right on point, my friend! I feel like this period of time has made me more bold as a Christian and I’ve felt more comfortable sharing the Word and sharing what God has done in my life to anyone who will listen.