In these days of enforced social distancing, or even self isolation, with empty churches, cafes, sports grounds, bars, and restaurants, where fleeting glances, or nervous smiles, are the often greeting as you venture bravely outdoors to exercise or shop for the ‘essentials’, the sense for many is that of loneliness. This COVID-19 pandemic, with a name that leaves you cold, has struck this world, leaving streets empty, and so to the feelings of many. Perhaps this is not a new emotion, rather a reminder of what life has become.
And yet, as our world is turned upside down, waiting in between the blink of tired eyes, within waking dreams, or the corner of your mind’s eye, you catch a glimpse of the One who promises to never leave you. For some He is an ever present rock, but for many, at best, a fleeting thought easily rejected. But that doesn’t stop Him waiting there to be found. He knows better than most, if not all, what it is to be alone on earth.
In His days here many were only with family and friends, but then came the time when He was showcased to the world. For three years perfect power, words, and love emanated through Him like no other, and the crowds followed with the inevitable hunger for all that He carried. And yet, in what was the pinnacle of His time here on earth, the lauding crowds turned against Him, His closest friends abandoned Him, and His best friend even disowned Him..three times! And on top of all that, as He hung upon a cross, breaths away from death, even His Father could not look upon Him for the sins of the world He now carried.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
But….He waits for you. Not afraid of the neglect, or fearful of the rejection, He waits with loving patience for you with His outstretched hand. He rose from the dead that you may truly live, enter in to family, and the heart of a true Father….to never be alone.
His words to you are simple, “You are not alone. I will never leave you or forsake you. My name is Jesus, come let Me fill your lonely life.”
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3-5)
But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. (Matthew 26:56)
And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:73-75)
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