Pandemic Lockdowns and Good News of Great Joy

Does the good news of great joy that God offers the world triumph over the agony of a pandemic lockdown?

Yes.

In fact, does the good news of great joy triumph over the possibility of contracting this virus?

Yes. 

Okay, let’s go further, does the good news of great joy triumph over the possibility of dying from covid-19? 

Yes, absolutely. 

Approximately three thousand years ago one of the most famous songs the world has ever heard was sung for the first time. In this famous song, the writer describes what relationship with the only true God is like using the imagery of sheep cared for by the Good Shepherd. 

After sharing a variety of scenarios in which this Shepherd cared for his sheep, he presents this worst-case scenario: 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me. 

Valley of the shadow of death facing us today? Check. 

Evil all around? Check. 

Hearts in need of comfort? Check. 

What is it that causes a person to “fear no evil”? 

Answer: The shepherd is with us. 

Where does a person get comfort in such a scenario? 

Answer: The shepherd’s rod and staff. 

What do the shepherd’s rod and staff give a sheep so that it would feel comforted? 

They give sheep the promise of leading, rescuing, discipline and protection. 

Jesus promised that he would lead his sheep, they would hear his voice and follow him, and no one would ever snatch them away from him. 

For this reason, that ancient song-writer concluded: 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of Jesus

    forever. 

The reason that the good news of great joy permeates Jesus’ coming into the world is because his death for our sins, and his resurrection from the dead, mean that he can save completely anyone who comes to him in repentance and faith. 

All who trust in Jesus have goodness and mercy following us all through life, every day of our lives, pandemics and lockdowns included. And these days of goodness and mercy will lead us to our Forever Home where we will live in the fullness of Jesus’ joy for eternity. 

Will covid-19 get me there sooner? 

Maybe. Who knows. 

What I do know is that I want you to be just as certain that a Forever Home with Jesus is yours as much as mine, and that Jesus’ goodness and mercy will follow you everywhere you go as Jesus leads us as the Great Shepherd of his sheep.

© 2020 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8

Email: in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)