I know that if you’re preaching or teaching this Sunday you’re thinking through how the virus will factor into your sermon/lesson. I wanted to tell you my angle headed into the weekend in light of what I’m reading and hearing from faith-family members.

First, I will certainly be finding statistics on Good Friday about how many people have died world-wide, in the U.S., and in PA, my home state. The resurrection of Jesus Christ will be framed within the context of this deadly pandemic that today, for instance, has taken over 500 lives in NYC alone (to put it in perspective for me, my whole town, Weeks Mills, Maine, where I was born and raised has less than 500 people in it!).

Second, I am currently reading a short article on COVID-19’s other casualties. A friend of mine who works for a non-profit was telling me how much more difficult these times are for children in abusive situations because of isolation. That got me thinking of how many other deaths will occur as a result of the strain the virus is putting on societies and individuals (think suicides, for example).

Finally–and I know you know this–the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead has defeated the supernatural powers that are the driving force behind ungodly anxiety and fear. These two emotions keep cropping up like aggressive weeds in the garden of faith.

I want to make sure our folks realize that what they’re facing each day is a result of the battle that is still raging. My Psalm for Sunday, 110, records the words of Yahweh to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, “Rule in the midst of your enemies” (v. 2).

Our fight for faith is real and victory is possible because Christ our risen Lord is ruling in the midst of our enemies.

May our Lord receive glory in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21) as you announce the facts and implications of His resurrection from the dead.

Randal