Christ is risen! This week's devotional was written by Earl Fashbaugh:
It was an Easter that we will not forget. There was not the usual fanfare of Easter egg hunts, beautiful flowers, springtime aromas everywhere, shoulder-to-shoulder worship, and buffets at our favorite restaurants. Instead, we endured snow, sometimes crabby children, and maybe a sense of isolation. But we have great confidence and hope that the daily reports of death from COVID-19 and social distancing will end.
It was a dark day in Egypt when the first born was struck down and death was everywhere (Ex 12:28-39). Only those who had sprinkled the blood of the sacrificial lamb were spared. Indeed, New York City residents must identify with this feeling of hopelessness and isolation, wondering who will be next and if the torment of death will ever end. We feel that pain and only have to look at the losses in our own congregation to realize how finite our lives are.
But the first born, Jesus, did not stay in the tomb. The plan was set in motion long before the plague of death was felt in Egypt. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that “as in Adam all die so in Christ all will be made alive.” The resurrected Christ infuses exceeding joy because the blood of Jesus is on the doorposts of our hearts. The Psalmist writes (Psalm 98:7-8), “Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy.” Whether we are in a valley or a mountain top, we can be joyous and are assured of God’s love in all circumstances (Rom 8:39). We can rest in confidence that there is one relationship that is not subject to social distancing; we can commune freely with the Spirit of God.
~ Earl Fashbaugh