I am typing this letter on Palm Sunday, the day that we commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. A huge crowd of people welcomed their Messiah and King, crying out, “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” Matthew 21:9 With great pomp and circumstance the people celebrated the coronation of their King. How quickly things change! Just a few days later the same crowd that praised Jesus, cried out “Crucify Him!”
How quickly things change! Just a couple of months ago, most of us had never considered phrases like social-distancing, self-quarantine, or flattening the curve. While most of us were preparing to ring in the new year, the first case of novel coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. By January 30, the World Health Organization had declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. What appeared at first to be media hype over a localized virus has now turned into a full-blown worldwide pandemic, COVID-19. How quickly things change!
While listening to our preacher speak this morning about the Triumphal Entry and describe the “coronation” scene, my mind immediately went to the term “coronavirus.” The name comes from the Latin word “corona,” meaning crown, which refers to their round shape with protruding spikes similar to a crown. I thought to myself, “COVID-19 isn’t King, Jesus is King!” Yes, some things change, but He never changes!
Isaac Watts, known as “the father of English hymnody,” wrote “Jesus Shall Reign,” in the early 1700s a hymn that is considered one of the earliest missionary hymns. It is based on Psalm 72 and envisions a day when Jesus reigns throughout the world – wherever the sun shines, from shore to shore. His original verses envisioned a time when all people – princes, savage tribes, people of all languages, even infants – would praise Jesus’ name.
If Watts were alive today, I imagine that he would be amazed that on this Palm Sunday, Christians in every time zone awoke with the purpose of praising the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This year, our worship took a different form as many had to worship in front of a screen, distanced from the gathering of God’s people. Nonetheless, Jesus still reigns.
EMU International missionaries serve in ten different countries, each one affected in some way by COVID-19. The virus has brought significant disruption, but each of our families seems to be doing well. We praise the Lord for His protection upon our missionaries and their families. We rejoice in the many opportunities that are afforded because of this crisis. As fear dominates people’s thinking, hearts are tender to the message of the gospel. It is our prayer God would use this to draw many to Himself.
JD Crowley commented in his recent update about the “Christ is Lord” COVID Radio Program. “Last night (Sunday) Kim and I listened to a special broadcast of the local Christian radio ministry. The normal every-evening format provides 20 minutes of gospel songs, testimonies, and teaching in each of four languages: Tampuan, Krung/Brao, Jarai, and Khmer, the national language. But last night was different. Concerned about the need to encourage believers during a time when they could not meet together, the radio team crafted a special worship service for the thousands of believers in our province who weren’t able to meet because of the restrictions. They wove together an hour and a half of songs, testimonies and pastoral encouragements in all four languages, ending with a short sermon from Isaiah 8:12 entitled ‘Do Not Fear What They Fear’ – also in four languages! It was a powerful testimony to what God has done through His gospel in Ratanakiri”
Because of gifts like yours, all around the world, God is using His missionaries even in these tough times to proclaim the gospel message. Thank you for your faithfulness and your partnership. While the coronavirus may be the lead story on every news outlet and be named for a crown, remember that nothing will supplant the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16). Jesus shall reign!