Everyone keeps talking about how we need to fix our eyes on Jesus during this time, especially today, and I couldn’t agree more. But there’s something I heard this past week that has clung to my heart.
The time that we are in right now closely mirrors the first Holy Week. During the week of Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection, people didn’t know who to believe or what to have faith in. The government leaders were saying one thing while the disciples were saying another, and then religious leaders even joined forces with the government. Heck, even the disciples didn’t agree. Some of them remained steadfast in their faith, but some doubted, and one blatantly betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Early in the week, there was Palm Sunday. People welcomed Jesus with applause and praise. John cites that many of the people who welcomed him were there because they had heard about his miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead. A few days later, many people started to lose faith as the Pharisees got more aggressive and Jesus warned that his death was drawing near. It became more and more aberrant to remain a believer, at least a vocal one: “many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it” (John 12:42).
There was so much unknown. People were petrified. Comfort zones were rocked or completely obliterated. Yet, Jesus’ promises were consistent. He told them how he was going to die, why he was going to die, why he needed to die, and what was going to happen afterwards.
We must cling to this in our present circumstances. Jesus promises resurrection. Jesus promises he will do good to those who love him. Jesus promises a hope and future. Jesus promises salvation through faith. Jesus promises that there is a plan, and it is good.
If we look to the disciples, we can also find alignment. Even though comfort levels were shattered, personal preferences were (seemingly) ignored, and their leader was going to be publicly humiliated and crucified, they remained faithful. Something that I have learned through this simultaneous Holy Week and pandemic is that unknown does not equal unfaithful. I’ve heard myself and so many others verbalize statements like “I don’t know what’s going to happen” or even “this can’t end well”. We don’t have to lose faith just because we lose a predictable future. Remain steadfast. Verbalize your faith. We will be resurrected. It has been promised.
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