Contagious humour. Infectious laughter. Contagious kindness.
An outbreak of networking by phone to ensure nobody is too lonely, or without
vital supplies. Not everything infectious is to be avoided.
We don’t yet know for sure how Covid-19 is transmitted so we
are instructed to avoid all contact. Social distancing. Self-isolation.
Quarantine. All that may protect us from the virus but it can make us vulnerable
to fear and depression.
Jesus taught that we are to love each other like he loves
us. The difference between normal human love and his divine love is the degree
of self-sacrifice: he was willing to be quarantined from his beloved Father’s
presence on the cross and until his resurrection because he loves us – unworthy
sinners – so much.
In these days we are experiencing so many instances of
people reaching out to one another. Not all loving kindness springs from love
for Jesus. There is an innate goodness in each of us, created from the beginning.
When God made humans, he looked and saw that what he made was good.
But when we love Jesus, we should demonstrate an even
greater willingness to go the extra mile – make the extra phone call – pick up
the extra supplies for others. Jesus said that people will see that we love
Jesus through the demonstration of selfless love for one another.
2020 is the year of evangelism. We never expected it to
arrive in this challenging form. But we have opportunity to spread contagious
faith. To present infectious love for Jesus. To impact our world as we pray
earnestly, and are ready to give the reason for our unshakeable hope for the
future: Jesus in us. Jesus yesterday, today and forever. Praise him.
