The Coronavirus is Real, but Our Future Home is More Real

While I am usually eagerly anticipating a big Easter celebration, today I’ve reduced my expectations to a very small gathering—probably just the two of us.

The Coronavirus has changed everything for the near-term future. For all we know, this year many churches may not even hold services on Easter Sunday. We may have a taste of what persecuted believers feel when they convene in small groups in homes for worship.

But Easter will still arrive on April 12, and this year, the reminder of the Resurrection will mean more to us than many Easters in recent memory. Christ’s victory over death on the cross feels more real and significant as we keep hearing daily death toll reports. 

The nearness of our future home in Heaven, guaranteed by His Resurrection, brings comfort to all who know Him. 

  • Today is the day to begin talking about our security in Jesus if you haven’t yet. 
  • Tell your children or grandchildren why they have nothing to fear because God is sovereign and allows nothing in our lives without His permission.
  • Pray for all those named and unnamed who are infected and sick. 
  • Read the wonderful promises of Scripture in Revelation, the book that promises blessings on those who read it, especially the last two chapters. Your kids need to know as clearly as you do what awaits them one day.

And when you do begin preparations for Easter Sunday, I’d like to suggest you consider wearing white if you don’t already do that annually. In years past, buying new clothes and helping our kids look especially adorable was part of this springtime holiday.

Why wear white?

Is it just an old-fashioned rule, no white or linen before Easter and never after Labor Day? No. Somewhere, someone understood that believers in Christ will one day wear white linen in heaven. 

“…they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4).

A great multitude … from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Revelation 7:9).

“And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses” (Revelation 19:14).

Wearing white for the first time on Easter Sunday has historically symbolized not only our future, but also the dramatic change from the dark drab of winter to the bright newness waiting for us because of the Resurrection. By wearing white on Easter, even this year when few may see us, we declare our identification with Christ, our hope for the future, and our joy in this greatest victory of all history.

So as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday, plan to wear something new, if by Holy Week you get out to shop, to remind you of your new life in Christ. And wear something white, to remember that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). 

Ask God to help your heart be focused on celebrating the Savior, this year more than ever!

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! #EasterPeople

 

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10 thoughts on “The Coronavirus is Real, but Our Future Home is More Real”

  1. I LOVE the idea of wearing white and never thought about it until I read your post! White isn’t really my favorite color to wear . . . but come April 12th, I will be wearing white . . . whether at church with hundreds of others . . . or at home with just the two of us! God’s blessings to you & Dennis for all your great ideas to make family memories and supporting THE FAMILY!!! (Grandkids are already telling the Easter story with the Resurrection Eggs again this year!)

  2. JENNIFER L VIGIL

    I’m crying. I’m just crying. Oh how beautiful a reminder and picture of white linen new garments new life! I came to the Lord Jesus as an adult and many things are still very new to me, so thank you for sharing this. Our future home is more real! Yes and yes!

  3. Thank you, I never thought of wearing white on Easter but that is a really good idea based on the Scripture you shared! Thank you! Bless you.

  4. Thank you! Needed that reminder. Psalm 37 (verse 19 especially) and Psalm 91 have been encouraging me as well.
    God bless

  5. Dear Barbara,

    My husband and I have been so blessed by your and Dennis’s ministries. We have our “Waiting for the Lamb” banner up and will be putting the ‘It is finished’ (in Aramaic) sign up for Easter. We are only celebrating with the two of us this year as well.

    We will pray that the churches reopen on Palm Sunday. Another 15 days will definitely be a long enough quarantine period. I live in Orange County, CA, which has 3.19 million people. Nine people have CO-VID19. We know that 80% have mild cases, so this means that 2 people out of 3.19 million actually have the virus. While I respect caution and regard every life as precious, I believe there is an overreach of caution that is going on. I am 77 and in the high risk group, and have lived through the Hong Kong flu (1968), the Asian flu (1976-77), the H1N1 (swine) flu, and others, I am way more concerned about job loss and the hit on our economy. I regard the extreme fear reaction as evil. God is sovereign! I’m going to pray for His will to be enacted among
    all of our political leaders, and hope other Christians do the same.

  6. Carolyn Parsons

    Barbara,
    I hosted an Anticipating Easter Brunch this past Saturday. Despite the coronavirus and heavy rain, 30 people gathered in my home to begin a conversation around preparing our hearts and preparing our homes for Easter. I sure debated on whether to carry on or not … but decided to go ahead. It was such a sweet time together with my girls and women of all ages from our church.
    You inspired and motivated me two years ago … and this idea has been simmering in my head for two years. Thank you.
    I hope to have this brunch again next year ….

    1. Carolyn,
      I absolutely love your idea of an Anticipating Easter Brunch. I will prayerfully be thinking about how I can implement this next year. I may not be able to invite 30 ladies but would consider 6-8 in my small home. Thank you for sharing!
      Kelly

    2. Is this Anticipation Easter Brunch meant to be on a certain day before Easter? I would love to do that as well.

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