How the pandemic map reminds me of the gospel

As I watch the news reports of COVID-19 spreading to the ends of the earth, I need to remind myself of the massive hope that we have in Jesus. Our hope is that Jesus will return to earth as king to make everything new, and we will live with him forever. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). We long for the day when COVID-19 and every other disease will be completely eradicated. On that day, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). Our hearts will overflow with joy because we will see the resurrected, exalted Jesus in all of his majesty and power. With thankful hearts we will all sing, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!" (Psalm 72:18-19).

But until that glorious return of Jesus, we have a mission to spread the good news of his kingdom to the end of the earth. In the Old Testament, God promised to send the Messiah, "as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). Then in the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), and they are commanded to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). We have the joyful task of shining the light of Jesus by proclaiming the good news of repentance and salvation and eternal life. The message is simple, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22). Our passion is to see people all over the world believing in Jesus until, "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you" (Psalm 22:27). This is our hope and joy and passion! Even in the midst of a pandemic. Let's pray that God will use this crisis to draw people to himself. Let's use this opportunity to shine the light of the gospel through good works and good news until, "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God" (Psalm 98:3).