A Corona We Desire

Guest post by Tyler Hoitsma

Corona. The word that everybody knows about these days. But what does the word really mean? From Spanish to English, corona translates to crown. The corona that everyone knows about is deadly. A virus that is disrupting the whole world and the way it functions. This crown I talk about is life giving! It is the crown of righteousness that we receive from Christ, when we believe and live a faithful life. Paul testifies about this in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

Here are some observations of these verses:

In verse 6, Paul has poured out his life. Like a drink is poured out, every last drop is dispensed and there is nothing left; he gave it his all. A drink offering was wine or some liquid poured onto or in front of an offering as a symbol, the rising of the sacrifice as a pleasant aroma. Paul committed his life to sharing Jesus and sacrificed all, even his life, to do so.

In verse 7, Paul has lived his life as a faithful servant of Christ. It was not easy, he had to fight. Neither was it short; it was a race requiring endurance, but he kept the faith through it all. Paul looked back on his life and it seems he has no regrets. Like a warrior fights in battle, Paul fought and suffered for the sake of Jesus. His whole life was dedicated to this.

The word “fought” comes from the Greek word “agon” or agony which we are familiar with as extreme pain. He experienced pain and suffering but persevered through it all. He finished until the very end. Paul kept the faith. The word “kept” here is saying here that he attended it carefully or guarded it. The faith that Paul had could not be taken from him.

In verse 8, Paul talks about the “crown of righteousness” that is laid up for him in heaven. It is safely waiting for him until he gets there. He is certain that when he gets to heaven, he will be awarded that crown. The life we live will not be perfect but because of Jesus, we are seen as righteous and can receive a crown. We will have victory on that day.

This “Corona” or crown of righteousness is something that we, as believers, have to look forward too. It is laid up for us in heaven and we will be crowned with it someday, because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He stood in our place and took the wrath of God for us. Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus!

Our job, and our joy, here on earth is not to sit around and wait for that crown, but to go and fight for the faith. It is not easy and includes suffering as Paul explained. It is all worth it for the reward that we receive in Heaven. How we may live this out will look different for everyone of us. But let us go, let us fight, and let us finish the race. For the crown that does not perish is waiting for us at the finish line.

Even in these difficult times brought about by a coronavirus, how is it we can live faithfully and sacrificially for Jesus as Paul did? Let’s look to the “Corona” waiting for us in heaven.

I thought of this song while writing this post and then we sang it Sunday in our order of worship. It seemed an appropriate way to take our hearts and minds beyond this leg of the journey and to the finish line.

CityAlight - Christ Is Mine Forevermore (Lyric Video)