In The Midst Of Coronavirus Series

In the Midst of Coronavirus

Matthew 14:22-27

Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. Matthew 14:22 (NLT)

Father, we want to give thank you today for your mercies. We thank you today that you do not leave us nor forsake us. We thank you for you are with us. You have not abandoned us. So, give your children hope, and we pray that this might be a great time in which we demonstrate the difference between those who believe in Christ and those who don’t have that hope. Dear Lord, now we pray that you might help us to know how to encourage your people. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

The church of Jesus Christ has been here before for us. Covid-19 has changed everything and for us it is new. But throughout the centuries’ churches they have often dealt with plagues.

The plague of Cyprian erupted in North Africa during the 3rd century (250 AD). The plague lasted nearly 20 years and reportedly killed as many as 5,000 people per day in Rome. St. Cyprian (200-258 CD) bishop of Carthage, said that Christians showed and lived differently than others. They had a hope of resurrection, hope of eternity, hope of life forever, and it was their victory. The pagans (gentile) said of them they would carry their dead with a hope of victory.

It is because of that hope that Christians have, the pandemic we have today is a great opportunity for us to show our faith and hope of Christian life.

Let us meditate in Matthew 14, Jesus said to the disciples from verse 22. He said get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake. Very critically notice that when they were going across to the other side of the lake, they encountered one of the greatest storms they ever encountered in Galilee. As a matter of fact, we might even say they went into this storm deliberately under the hand of God in obedience. So, if you’re in a storm today, it doesn’t mean that you’re out of God’s will.

We are in God’s Will:

It means that God is going to be with us. The path of Holiness oftentimes is not lined with beautiful flowers on each side. It is not a straight path. That’s no smooth path. This does not mean that we’re out of God’s will. The disciples had listened carefully to the words of Jesus, they could have enjoyed that storm because Jesus actually told them to go to the other side of the lake.

Hebrews 3:14 “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end”

We need to be constantly reminded of a few things:

1. GOD is still, on the throne

2. We are a people of strength, and adaptability

3. We are at our best when we are in unity with God and with each other.

You are not alone in all of this. Share your fears and concerns with others. It is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of trust and faith.

The Promise of God is with us:

So, if the creator of the winds and the waves and oceans tells you to go to the other side of the lake, I can assure you that you will get there. And so, in the midst of this they need to heed the promises of God. It is important for us to realize some of the promises of God and hear one from Hebrews 13: 5b where it says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Did you know that in the Greek texts there are actually five negatives in that one verse: I will know not leave you nor forsake you five times. God says never, never, never, never, never. So, he with you there in the nursing home, he is with you there in the in the hospital, he is with you there in your home. He is with you there as you perhaps are filled with fear in your home. He is with you even though you have lost your job. He is with you always.

There’s something else about this story that really interested me. It is the fact that even though the disciples couldn’t see Jesus, Jesus could see them. If you’ve been to Galilee, you can see that there are a number of different mountains. The scripture tells us that Jesus was on a mountain praying.

Jesus is watching You:

Now, in the darkness, there was no possibility that the disciples could see Jesus but even though they could not see Jesus, Jesus could see them. He knew the longitude and latitude of their little boat. He knew the strength of the boat. He knew the depth of the water. He knew the strength of everybody. He knew exactly the speed of the wind. And he didn’t need a GPS. Because as God, he saw exactly where they were and how they were struggling.