In the news today, Jack Dorsey, the CEO and co founder of Twitter and Square, has announced plans to donate $1 billion to fight the coronavirus outbreak. This is the largest pledged gift by a private individual yet during the pandemic. He will contribute roughly 30 percent of his net worth. He notes that all of his gifts donations will be tracked through a public Google Sheet. He explains why now for the timing of his commitment: “The needs are increasingly urgent, and I want to see the impact in my lifetime. I hope this inspires others to do something similar. Life is too short, so let’s do everything we can today to help people now.”
Life is short, then again life with Jesus is eternal. This principle especially applies to Christian community, for we are called to follow the example of the One who gave his life to a lost and hurting world.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:5-11
As we focus on the events of Jesus’ last week of His earthly ministry today is Maundy Thursday (the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper) we are reminded of the example Jesus gave as He washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example to love and serve one another.
5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. John 13:5, 14-15
Lucille Ellson was born on December 30, 1917, just before the Spanish flu pandemic began. Her uncle and father contracted the flu, though neither died. She was a teenager during the Great Depression and a schoolteacher and young wife during World War II.
Now 102 years old, Lucille is reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic.
Her wisdom says to “not get stressed about planning far ahead. You can’t do it. A long time ago, I started making a list every morning of what I had to do. It was the only thing I could control.”
We control tomorrow, but we can control our service today.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Marc
This Blog was great, but when ithink of what our LORD went through, I physically ache. When I hear of people like Mr Dorsey giving a Billion dollrs for the Virus – i can’t help but think about Ssmsritsn’s Purse sthwt is there in the middle of Central pzrk with Tents ready to treat the ill with the Virus – “in Jesus Name” ss Franklan Grahan put it.