Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:4-6
In the midst of one of Isaiah’s prophecies of a coming savior, Isaiah sees one who is coming to take away the diseases and the infirmities of the world. For Isaiah, the disease is people’s disregard for the Lord’s commandments. Yet, the one who will take them away will do so by taking on the wounds and punishment meant for the afflicted, and it is by his wounds that we are healed.
As we enter a new week of staying at home to keep others safe, and as we hear that these mandates from the government have been extended to the end of April, I am feeling a little more the exile we are experiencing from the church. I miss being with our church, yet I know that this is best to protect us all.
My heart is also sinking as I hear the escalating number of confirmed cases, and even more so with the escalating number of deaths.
The ones trying to save us, the healthcare professionals, are making due without some much needed supplies. They are working long hard hours, and many of them are now starting to show symptoms of the very disease they have been treating. They are exemplifying Isaiah’s words of the obedient servant. Those who have dedicated their lives to working to bring healing to people are experiencing something like they have never seen before, like all of us, each day they are facing new realities, and are doing the very best that they can to bring healing and wholeness to those who they see.
Today, let us join our hearts in prayer for them. Let us pray that all who serve, in such a time as this, may be protected, may have the supplies they need, may have the God of the universe by their side.
Lord, we ask your grace, and strength to those who have dedicated their lives for the saving of the lives of others. We ask that you provisions would make a way from them to be protected. We pray your healing mercy on all, and even more we pray for a path of healing to be complete, that new medicines, vaccines, and treatments would put an end to this virus. in the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
May the God of peace, protect and comfort you today,
Pastor Sam