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12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:12-19 NRSV)
There is a long line for face masks in South Korea where fears of the dreaded coronavirus are high. Italy has more than its share of affected people with the disease. Fears of travel have a lot of usually filled planes are empty. My daughter who travels from Austin to Dallas often last week had an empty plane on Southwest and all passengers were told they could have a row to themselves if they wanted. Cruise passengers have found themselves quarantined for days and the number of infected passengers who died from the disease was alarmingly high. Friend, all it takes is one person to bring the disease here. And, if we look at the passage above again, that's all it took for sin to gain the hold it has on our sins. The first Adam introduced sin to the world, and with it the full consequences of sin, death. Through the second Adam, Jesus, we were introduced to life and the grace of God. Are we as afraid of sin as we are of the coronavirus? Many think that illness it "over there," and "not here." But sin and death are right here, right now. What are we doing about it?
Lent is the proper time to help us realize the contagiousness of sin and its consequences. As I have been preaching in the past few weeks, God acted in the fullness of time by sending Jesus to share hope from sin and despair. Instead of the darkness of the realities of life, Christ offered light and hope. And He came so that the Church would also engage in that offering, not follow the example of the religious leaders whose sole purpose of existence seemed to be to "feather their nests," and protect their self-interests. And that means that all who are baptized have to share in that responsibility; that God is love and God cares enough to have sent Jesus to live out His life, share His teachings, and suffer much for our sins and then die for us. As we fast may it be for our strength and energy so that we can be the hands and feet of Jesus as the world hungers to hear there is hope.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, fill us with Your grace and shower us with Your hope. May we reach the world for Jesus on His behalf and with His joy. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a beacon of hope today.
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
PERSONAL PRIVILEGE: Dear friends, today is the 25th day of February and it was on this day, 42 years ago that the most beautiful bride in history walked down the aisle of El Mesias United Methodist Church in Mission, Texas. It was the most wonderful day of my life knowing that God had richly blessed my life with this outstanding woman of prayer and faith as my wife. It seems like only yesterday that his blessed event took place and I cherish all days because of my partner in love, Maria Nellie Valverde. Happy Anniversary to you my dear! May God grant us many more! I love you!
