I am sure that many politicians and medical practitioners would say that there are many lessons to be learned. Lessons about our physical and mental health. Lessons about the right balance between health and the economy. But what are we learning from lockdown? Are we sitting down to consider the lessons that we should draw from the pandemic? Has there been a purpose to the last 12 months? Let me suggest a few lessons for us all to consider: 1. The brevity of life It might seem obvious, but have we ignored it. The Bible reminds us, ‘you do not know what will happen tomorrow’.[1] All of us have been made aware of how short life can be when we may have witnessed family, friends, neighbours or personalities stricken with the virus and their lives taken.
2. That death is real
Whilst there is a certain inevitability about death, none of us would expect people in their twenties, thirties, or forties to die, unless there was some underlying medical condition. This year has challenged so many of our ideas regarding death – it can strike anyone and at any time! The Bible has always stated, ‘it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment’.[2]
3. We all need help from others to survive
We would all acknowledge that NHS and care home workers have been fantastic. Others have volunteered to help the vulnerable in their communities or are now administering vaccines to protect us all. We owe a significant debt to the selfless labours of many.
What about my spiritual need? What about a relationship with God? If I am to find peace with God and be assured of a home in heaven, I need help from another – Jesus Christ. No amount of personal sacrifice or human effort can overcome the barrier of my sin and failure. My only chance of survival is to place my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, ‘He . . . appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself’.[3] That is why He was born and that is what He came to do, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’.[4]
The recent offer of a 1% pay rise for NHS staff angered many – why have those who sacrificed so much been offered so little? I wonder what recognition you have given to the supreme sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, who gave His life to save you and to bring you forgiveness. He gave His life so that you could find peace and a relationship with Him. What has been your response?