The church & the covid-19 crisis

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

How do we - as Christians - obey the Scriptural mandate set forth in Hebrews 10:24-25 when a pandemic crisis such as COVID-19 occurs?

As Christians, Sundays aren’t easy during this COVID-19 crisis. We enjoy ... & even, love ... Sundays when we gather together to worship the risen LORD Jesus. We look forward to gathering around the Word of God to mine the richness and the depth of such a priceless treasure. For my home church, we gather around the LORD’s communion table every week.
COVID-19 has broken this routine for us. As we seek to follow other biblical mandates, such as “love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39),” we are socially distancing ourselves from one another in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve’ of this pandemic. Across America (& around the world), churches are utilizing different media platforms to be able to assemble remotely. Facebook Live, YouTube, ZOOM, FaceTime....and others. We rejoice in the provision of God to allow us to meet around the Scriptures. Although meeting online isn’t the model we should normally choose, these aren’t normal times. By His grace, God has been (& continues to be) our Jehovah-jireh ... the LORD our Provider. He has met us at our point of need ... and He’s provided ... AGAIN.
Remotely gathered, we will mine the treasure of God’s Word. We will seek the face of our great God ... We will rest in His amazing grace ... together.

When we do gather together under the same roof again, we will be changed. Refined in the Refiner’s fire. We will come together renewed. We will have a deeper appreciation and love for one another, for the gifts each one brings to our local church. We will have a deeper appreciation for the LORD’s communion table as we remember the sacrifice Christ made for us at Calvary. We will have a greater love for the songs of our faith, for the Word of God. Most importantly, though, we will come back together with a deeper love for the One we celebrate and remember ... the LORD Jesus Christ.

May the Lamb receive the full reward of His suffering!