There is nothing new about living a new normal. An earlier article I wrote showed instances during Old Testament times when the Israelites were forced into living under new conditions not of their choosing. We continue this series, and look at what new normal situations the early Christians faced and how God spoke to them about it.
Change is coming
We all know that the arrival of Jesus represented good news. In fact, Jesus represented a totally new way of God revealing Himself to man. The changes in mindset and in belief and in teachings that Jesus professed during His ministry are not exactly new-normal-ish, but it’s inspiring to see how Christ preached that “change is coming”.
Look at the way that Jesus challenged the scribes and Pharisees questioning their interpretation and practice of the laws of Moses. Not to mention the authority with which He Himself taught, with skill and mastery, and His power over nature, and over every kind of disease, to heal, to drive out demons, even to raise from the dead. While His followers were anticipating a new kingdom overpowering Roman rule and tyranny, Jesus surprised them by taking up the cross without argument to be executed like a common criminal. Game over! Then while His disciples were pondering the new normal that they would face without Jesus, He appears to them, risen from the dead!
The New Normal Early Christians
But let’s fast forward a few years to the time of the early Christians. We see them loving and serving one another and living in their newly formed community and doing everything that Jesus commanded them, and spreading the news about Him, the risen Lord. And news spreads fast, and disciples and communities are formed in Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, and all the way to Rome.
But their lives are not all about flowing milk and honey. We see these early Christians cast out, living in fear of imprisonment, persecution, and death because of their new belief. And here we might see similarities between the new normal in the lives of those persecuted Christian commuities and the new normal we endure now. Here is a list of similarities between then and now:
- We are in constant fear of death.
- We don’t know when the enemy will strike and hold us hostage.
- We have to continue with life despite the danger.
- Escaping death is not up to us.
What was Christ’s message to His followers while He was preaching in their midst? It sounded like He was preparing them for such a time as this. Jesus said:
- In this world you will have trouble.
- But do not be afraid. I have prepared a place for you. No longer a “promised land” that you have to fight and get from your enemies.
- I myself will pay for your entry into the promised land: by dying for your sins.
- Love one another. Take care of the needy. Do everything I commanded you. Abide in me.
- Be ready. I will come again.
And to the early Christians who were persecuted for their belief, Jesus spoke through Paul and through Peter these words:
- In all things, God works for good.
- This is how God loves you: not as the world loves. Jesus has taken upon himself the punishment due you. Nothing will separate you from the love of God. Therefore, rejoice always.
- Be holy and live differently
- Do not be afraid of death. Death has no sting. You will live again.
- Be ready. Jesus will return.
New Normal a la 21st Century
And so, having seen how the message of Jesus was an encouragement for the early believers who were facing persecution and torture and death, we come to reflect on what Jesus is saying to us now who face the likelihood of infection and the uncertainty of cure and who desire security and to move freely. What is God saying to us now? Might these same messages to the early persecuted Christians be relevant to us today?
I believe the same message applies to us now, as it did then. It cannot be any different. God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This message of Jesus is for all time, and all seasons. “I say it again: Rejoice!”
Watch what you are becoming
As we reflect on the message that God conveyed to the Israelites during the wandering in the desert and to the early Christians under persecution, and now to all Christians in pandemic times, we see that God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts, with our faith and trust in Him and only in Him, and our obedience to all that He commands. God focuses on giving us a new heart, and transforming us and our character into the image of His son, Jesus. God wills that our aspiration is to declare “It is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me.”
Surely God expresses fatherly love and cares for our comfort and our health. But more than anything else, Jesus speaks of a place reserved for us when He returns. The kingdom of Jesus is “not of this world”. He has “chosen us out of this world”. And we should “not be conformed to this world”. And all we need to do is remain firm and faithful, be prepared to explain to others the hope that is in us through Christ, and be ready. Jesus will come again, and when He does He shall proclaim: “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev 21:5)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Phil 3:20-21
TO DO
Read either of the following passages (at least one, preferably all)
- Romans 12
- Phil 4: 1-8
- 1 Peter 1 & 2
Listen to God speak to you through these verses, and write down what you hear:
- What renewal of your mind must you go through, and how can you persevere in trial?
- How can a focus on eternity change the way you look at the situation today (and everyday of your life)?
- Why should you focus on what you’re becoming, rather than just on how to deal with what is happening?
- What does God want to transform in your character at this time?
Leave a Reply