Jesus Isolated himself for us

In the current pandemic many are being advised, with even the slightest sign of a cold, to self-isolate to prevent the risk of the Coronavirus spreading.

Having a wife as a nurse who has always been very strong on cleanliness and hygiene, I understand the wisdom of self-isolation and protecting ourselves.

However, what is God saying to us through this pandemic?

As I was shopping in Tesco’s last Friday I sneezed rather loudly as I walked down an aisle ( YES I DID PUT A TISSUE OVER MY NOSE) and people in the whole aisle scattered, on walking down other aisles I saw empty shelves where hand soap and toilet tissues should be and empty shelves for basic goods such as rice and tinned spaghetti.

There is, understandably so, an atmosphere of fear and seemingly a lack of faith in God to help us in this difficult time.

I must confess I felt a little like a leper after I have sneezed no one wanted to be near me.

In ‘Bible’ times lepers were not to be touched, people suffering from the skin disease of leprosy were treated as outcasts. There was no cure for the disease, which gradually left a person disfigured through loss of fingers, toes and eventually limbs.

Leprosy sufferers had to leave their homes and families and live together with other sufferers on the outskirts of the town.

They were forbidden to have any contact with people who did not have the disease and they had to ring a bell and shout “unclean” if anyone approached them. They could not go to the marketplace and were forbidden to take part in worship.

If anyone had a skin disease from which they were cured (which was unlikely in the case of leprosy), Jewish Law stated they could not re-enter society unless they first went to the priest to be checked before receiving a certificate to say they were now ‘clean’.

Therefore, when we read in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45 and Luke 5:12-16) that Jesus touched a leper we can understand how counter cultural this was and how he was potentially leaving himself open to criticism for ‘breaking’ the religious law and was he being unwise and putting himself at risk ?

I am not saying we should put ourselves at risk and for those vulnerable people it is common sense and wise to self-isolate, however Jesus immediately healed the leper. Interestingly, we read from Mark 1:35 that Jesus isolated himself from everyone and prayed. Following this he then went and healed a Leper.

My point being in this time of self-isolation we can spend time in prayer that we don’t normally get rather than ‘binge’ watch TV or spend countless hours talking to friends on the telephone.

For someone like myself who values spending time with friends and being out and about, self-isolation can be frustrating and lead my mind to go into overdrive. However, we need to remember that Jesus is always with us Matthew 28:20, how can this be we may ask when we also read from the Bible that Jesus is now in Heaven seated at the right hand of the father (Mark 16:19). Well as Jesus said to his disciples, he had to go away for the Holy Spirit to be sent to us (John 16:7), that is the very Spirit of God. We have God with us and that should be our hope – GOD WITH US.

If he is with us what is he saying by seemingly not intervening in the spread of a deadly unseen virus.

I would like to propose that maybe some of the following are what God would want us to consider.

Have we become complacent in expecting to be able to get what we want and what we need at any time of the day and in that complacency forgotten to cry out to him and regularly commune with God who is with us?

Have we developed an edge of competitiveness rather than togetherness – we think we have the edge if we have more money, more experience, more connections, more ‘charisma’, more wisdom, are more popular and have more toilet roils in our house ( these have been stockpiled).

Jesus gave up all the riches of heaven (2 Corinthians 8:9) became a man, humbling himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

On that cross Jesus (as a man) was separated from God the father (Mark 15:34).

He was alone and isolated on the cross for us, that is so the price of following things our way NOT God’s way (SIN) was paid by Jesus and we could have God with us always.

So, when you are self-isolating can I suggest you remember Jesus was isolated for us NOT only to defeat SIN but so that we would never have to face anything without God with us. The other great news is that the same ‘power’ that raised Jesus to new life that is the person of the Holy Spirit dwells in all who trust in Jesus let us draw on that ‘power’ i.e. the power of life - as we face uncertain times.

Pray powerfully some of the following prayers ( and maybe you will be used as powerfully as Jesus was in healing the Leper):

Jesus is with us always – John 16:7

Eyes of Mercy – as written by Cope by Faith

Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy. May Your healing hand rest upon me, may Your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in Your Kingdom. Amen.

(— Cope by Faith)

Pray that you will not be anxious, God will direct and guide you in helping others and request God to destroy this virus. (the same Spirit who raised Christ to life can come and destroy this virus)

Pray for those who are vulnerable and sick

Pray for God to strengthen you and that you may know how long and how high and how deep His love is for you.

Lots of Love to you all

Guy

Please follow me on guywillcock@guy_willcock

#prayer #Isolation #Jesus #Coronavirus