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Love, The Xtn Response
Between 250 and 271 C.E., a plague, now known as the Cyprian Plague, swept across Egypt and the rest of the Roman Empire, claiming more than 5,000 lives a day in Rome alone. The modern name for the third-century plague is derived from early Christian writer St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage (modern Tunisia). He described the pandemic in a series of accounts. Many fled the city in hopes of escaping the disease but the Christians stayed behind to serve those who were sick and dying; often to their own peril. The letter describing acts of this sacrifice can be found in Eusebius’ record of early church history.
The coronavirus, not quite the Cyprian Plague, should be taken with just as much seriousness. It seems to be all the world can focus on. We as a community should heed all warnings of federal, local authorities and medical professionals. As we do, my prayer is that we learn a lesson from the early church, a lesson to love as Christ did. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
There is also a good chance people are thinking and meditating more on spiritual things during this time. This is a real opportunity as a church to offer hope and direction by living out the second greatest commandment. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I’m not advocating that Christians knowingly put themselves in harm’s way. What I am suggesting is care, love, concern, compassion, and empathy are the hallmarks of the Xtn life. What people need to see in times of crises and challenge is Christ’s love, lived out in kingdom people, every day.
Scott Davis
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