A year from now, or maybe two, we’ll look back on this moment with a lot more clarity. We’ll know who the heroes were. We’ll understand some of the mistakes. We will be coming to terms with how COVID 19 changed us and settling into the new normal it wrought. It won’t be as inconsequential as Y2K was back in 1999. I don’t think it will be as world altering as September 11, 2001. Wherever it falls on that continuum, we’re going to be OK. How do I know that?
History, for one thing. We haven’t been exactly here before, but we’ve been in places a lot like it. Between 165 – 180 A.D., a plague swept Asia Minor, Greece and Italy. The Antonine plague, so named for the emperor at the time, Marcus Aurelias Antoninus, probably originated in China. Historians suspect the plague was either smallpox or measles. At its worst, it was killing 2,000 citizens a day just in the city of Rome itself. Up to 10 percent of the empire’s population perished. The Roman military, which had carried the disease back from its campaigns, was devastated.
Rome was rich with diverse religions, but none of them had a response to human suffering. Christians, having been schooled by Jesus on the Golden Rule, did. They countered human suffering with compassion; caring for those who had been abandoned, nursing the sick and burying the dead. Rich or poor, slave or free, pagan or disciple, Christians practiced non-partisan kindness.
This pandemic was not sent by an angry god; it was the backwash of a broken creation.
Other than, “The gods are punishing us,” religious Romans had no answer for why the plague had fallen on the world. Christians, having believed the Gospel, had a different explanation. This pandemic was not sent by an angry god; it was the backwash of a broken creation. When sin entered the world, it brought with it suffering, sickness and death. In Christ, God was redeeming humanity and restoring creation to its intended beauty, health and life.
The Christians’ offer of practical compassion amid such suffering and their message of persistent hope in that dark season were two reasons the message of Christ spread quickly throughout the Roman empire in the ensuing decades.
That same narrative – compassion and confidence in the face of suffering and fear – is repeated throughout history. In the third century, an Ebola-like plague again swept the Roman empire. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage in northern Africa, urged Christians to care for the living. They did. The Bubonic Plague struck Wittenberg, Germany in 1527. Led by their pastor Martin Luther, Christians again leaned in to provide help and hope. In 1854, London was ravaged by Cholera. Charles Spurgeon, just 20 years old, noted “how anxiously people listened to the Gospel.”
The church, and yes, the world itself, not only survived those pandemics, but has continued to thrive. But it isn’t just history that gives me the confidence to say we’re going to be OK.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul bluntly described his circumstances: “We are afflicted . . . perplexed . . . persecuted . . . struck down.” But his gruff honesty did not give way to gloom. “We are . . . not crushed . . . not driven to despair . . . not forsaken . . . not destroyed.” How was he able to find hope?
Just before he writes of affliction, perplexity and persecution, he speaks of a treasure that has been stored in jars of clay. The treasure is “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” The jars of clay are . . . us. God has poured the light of Jesus into human hearts. Close your eyes and imagine how that might look – a fragile jar brimming over with brilliant light!
Everyone on the planet is now more keenly aware of how very brittle we are. Like ancient clay jars we are easily broken. But you and I know more. If the jar is shattered, the light breaks out and shines more brightly.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18 NIV)
That doesn’t mean that you can stop social distancing or washing your hands or everything else you are doing to keep yourself and others safe. But it does mean we’re going to be OK.
More on 2 Corinthians 4 and hope in the next post.
Thank you so much for this ❤️
Thank you Melinda. Hang in there.
Thanks, Jody. This was very helpful to me.
Thank you old friend.
Jody, so glad you’re back. We have missed your articles. And thanks for the encouragement. This is a scary time in history and it’s important we believe we are going to be O.K.
Thank you Prathers. Good to be back to the blog and to know we are not in this alone.
I’m so glad to see you’re back! I’ve been missing your posts. We’re going to be OK!
Thank you Terri. It’s good to be back. And, yes, we’re going to be ok!
Great Biblical and historical perspective, Jody. Susan and I have missed your blog, but we’ve enjoyed Twickenham services and your sermons on-line the past few weeks.
Thank you Bill. Good to be back.
Right on the money! Thanks for the thoughts. It really helped me make it through today.
Thank you Brett. Hope you make it through today as well. Hang in there.
Thanks so much Jody for this blog! I cherish all the notes I have from ur sermons!! So happy U are writing these great blogs and we are able to see & read them. God bless U & Lisa & ur ministry!!
Thank you Carol.
Jody, my brother! It is so good to receive your post! Thank you.
Thank you Kerry.
Wonderful message, Jody! So encouraging. Great to have your blogs back.
Marsy Thomas
Thank you Marsy. Good to be back.
Brilliant narrative Jody, clarity at a time most needed. Love you brother!
Thanks brother.
Good to see the Blog again. You always make us think, reflect, ponder, and grow a little more. Thanks for your thoughts, encouragement, and challenge. We all need that.
Thanks Bill. Blessings to you and your tenacious family.
I’m very glad to know you are back on! It has also been so good to listen to you online. As I’ve studied with my older Bible, I’ve seen so many notes from your lessons in the past. Give our love to Lisa!
Thank you Eudene. I’ll pass on your love.
Jody as always the calm in the storm.
Thank you, Yvonne. When God is in charge, panic has no place.
Thanks for those encouraging words. Glad to have your writings back!
Thanks, Amy. Hey to J.
I have missed your messages and was concerned I had lost the connection somehow. I am so glad to receive this one and look forward to more messages. This one was very encouraging!
Thank you Judy. Good to be back.
Jody! It’s so good to hear your voice again. This is so good…and comforting. Big hugs to you and Lisa from me and Tim.
Thanks, Kim. Blessing on all of you.
Thank you Jody! Love your thoughts and teachings! Mostly we love you!
Thank you Becky. Much love to all of you.
Jody, thanks for these wise words! Good for us to hear.
Thank you, Paul. And thanks for the RT.
“…the backwash of a broken creation.” Thank you for making words breathe, Jody. So glad you’re back on your blog. I’ve missed your messages.
Thank you, Amy. God is good.
Jody I have missed reading your messages! I still hear your voice when I read the Bible. You have always made His words come alive for me!
Thank you, Teresa. The word of God is living and active!
Hello my friend. Such a nice surprise to see your blog again. As always, you said it so well. Love to you and Lisa.
Thank you friend. Love to you guys back.
Jody, I was so encouraged by your message. It lifted my spirits. I have missed your blogs. Thank you so much. You mean a lot to me.
Loretta Brown-Pigg
Thank you, Loretta. Blessings.
Thanks Jody for your encouraging words. There certainly are better days ahead.
Amen Kim.
It’s good to see you back up! Just discovered it today! Blessings, Doris
Thanks Doris. Hey to Wayne.