We Need The Savior

Read Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 7:54-8:8

            The last time our church met together before the quarantine, just as we were beginning to realize how serious this COVID 19 was, we sang an old hymn with the first line, “In times like these, you need a Savior.” Its appropriateness continues to echo in my mind.

            The problem is, most of the world seems to have forgotten or have never known the Savior. And they put their hope in lesser contenders. Where is that getting us?

            Some have trusted in science. I read a very funny tongue-in-cheek article last night. It concerned the contradictory rules the experts are expressing concerning behavior during the Corona lockdown. Don’t go out unless you need to, then it’s okay. Masks are useless but make sure you wear one. And on and on. Now we’re getting information that social distancing isn’t effective. So much for putting our faith in science. (As a side note, meteorology is a science, and we all know what weather forecasts are good for!)

            Many are looking to the government to solve problems. Perhaps the stimulus checks that should be coming out will provide relief for some.  Could the ever-increasing nastiness between political parties help anyone? I doubt it, because the personal attacks have nothing to do with what will actually happen or the policies behind those actions. But there does seem to be an escalating dependency on elected officials to take care of all our needs.

            This frightens me. I don’t want any group of rulers to govern how I live. God has made His will plain in His Word, and that’s what I desire to follow.

            When people choose the wrong Savior, they end up heading – and leading others – in the wrong direction. That’s what I see happening. First, a concern, like this virus, comes up. Then it gets so much attention and information multiplies – some factual, some not. And panic results and is fed. People become desperate for someone or something to save them from what they don’t understand. And the real solution, the God who made us and wants to direct us, has been so marginalized and rejected that no one knows or wants to turn to Him.

            It’s time for those of us who know Jesus to make Him known. Of course, that’s always been His plan. Remember in the early church, when the disciples stuck close to Jerusalem instead of heeding Jesus’ command to go to the ends of the earth? Persecution forced them to scatter.

            In times like these, we have a Savior. Let’s make Him known!