Easter is definitely different this year.
With more than 220 million Americans now ordered to stay home, we aren’t all dressing up in our best Easter outfits. Community Easter egg hunts won’t be happening. And photos with the Easter Bunny? Maybe next year.
Even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
Although you may not be sitting on plush pews surrounded by stained glass windows today, you can take comfort that the church is still alive and well. After all, the church is the body of believers … not the building.
Watch the video below for some Easter encouragement as you celebrate from home this year:
Thankfully, living in 2020 means plenty of technology. Many churches have started streaming their services online over the past few weeks during this period of “social distancing.” Some are even holding drive-in services.
So, you may be watching your church’s Easter service through Facebook Live this morning. Does that make it any less meaningful? Less important?
Absolutely not.
The Greek word ekklesia was originally used to describe the church throughout the Bible. It means “an assembly” or “congregation.” And if you think about it, Christ never mentioned a particular building when He spoke about the church. It was always a location or group of people.
Yes, Easter will be different this year. But the church hasn’t gone anywhere.
Paul the Apostle wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (NIV)
As you watch your pastor on your phone or computer screen, remember Paul’s words. Each one of us is a member of the church, faithfully doing our part by tuning in.
We’re still connected. Still one body of believers.
The coronavirus has spread around the globe and is seeping into every aspect of life: Health. Jobs. Food supplies. Education.
It’s even affecting the way we worship.
But this season of uncertainty can also be a season of thanksgiving. As you gather in your living room this Easter Sunday, thank the Lord for the opportunity to still hear His Word preached.
Thank Him for the technology that connects us. Thank Him for your home, a safe place to escape the virus. Most of all, thank Him for the hope of the Resurrection.
Christ died on the cross 2,000 years ago and rose again three days later. This Easter, remember that same power — the power that conquered death — is also able to defeat the coronavirus.
The times are definitely changing, but we serve an unchanging God. He knows all about the coronavirus, and none of this is taking Him by surprise.
If you’d like to help rescue someone affected by this deadly virus, you can give to the coronavirus emergency fund. When you do, you’ll provide lifesaving aid to people living in poverty around the world, emergency food to families here in the U.S. who are out of work, and hygiene kits to the elderly.
Although this Easter will look a bit different than all the others, remember how blessed you are. Remember the church is inside each and every believer.
And remember God is still in control.
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