The Latin word corona is translated crown and these days the coronavirus appears to be ruling the world. But this weekend, let me take a moment to tell you about my King, who continues to sit on His throne. Twenty-five years ago Jesus changed my life forever. At that time, I had made the world and the riches of this world my king. I had been pursuing worldly gain and worldly pleasures and I found myself empty (see here for more). While I was a messed up sinner, Jesus met me right where I was. After meeting a girl at a late-night party, I found myself in a church pew the next morning beginning a journey into the arms of my savior. In January 1995, I surrendered my life to the King of Kings. I personally answered the question, “Who do you say He is?” He is the Son of the living God and He is my King.
What changed? Did I just start being religious? Did everything in my life get better and all my problems go away? Was I “born again”? Before I get into my transformation, let me explain why Jesus’ death and resurrection is the greatest news ever.
Hebrews 2:14–18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus stepped out of heaven to share in our humanity. He knows how it feels to suffer, be rejected and be tempted. He came into the world to show us how to live counter to the culture. The creator of the universe came as a servant who welcomed the outcasts and loved the sinners. The Bible says we have all sinned and we fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23) and the just wage or penalty for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). But the sinless Jesus died in our place, and more importantly, He rose from the dead so that he might destroy him who holds the power of death and to free us who have been held in slavery by our fear of death.
These verses in Ephesians describe the grace Jesus showed to me and offers to us all:
Ephesians 2:1–5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
I was dead, empty and on a very destructive path in my drinking. The world offered me no hope, no stability, lots of stress and its only reliable promise was physical death in the end. Thankfully, God, by His grace, gave me a new life (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus describes being born again this way:
John 3:5–6 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
God put His Spirit in me and began to conform me into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 3:16-18). My desires began to align with His desires. My fears were overshadowed by God himself (Psalm 91:1). My physical body might die, but my spirit, my very being will live eternally with Christ. The night I surrendered to Jesus as my King was the last night I drank a drop of alcohol. I began to experience a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). I’m not perfect, but rather a work-in-progress. Jesus is not just my friend, but He is my King and that means I want to be obedient to what he wants and set aside my own personal gratification. Fortunately, His burden is light (Matt 11:30). Jesus does not expect me to obey a strict set of rules and live a sinless life. He walks alongside me, sometimes carrying me, the weight of my guilt is removed, and His foremost command is this: “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
What has the coronavirus shown us? We cannot depend on the things of this world. Finances are unstable, health is at risk, jobs are disappearing, pleasures are fleeting, many in the world are filled with fear. Corona has taken away many of our freedoms, we have no more sports, theaters are shut down, we can’t hang out with friends or go out to eat. Yet, for me, I don’t put my trust in this world. I put my hope and trust in Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
This Easter weekend, consider what the King of Kings has done for you. Not everyone submits to this King, but He is the one on the throne and He is crowned with glory (Hebrews 2:7–9) and He gave His life for you so that you may truly live.
