Media, political and economic leaders study, comment and offer opinions on how to stop the spread of COVID-19; how to bring short and long term solutions to our nations; they offer blame to those responsible for the outbreak; and many other discourses and narratives have been given. However, few have addressed the elephant in the room–the reason why the world has shut down. The underlying reason for a global shutdown has been the underlying fear of death. Modern medicine has extended life for many. Our technologies have improved life for millions. Yet most have fallen under the illusion that we can control life: when we are born and when we die. The fact that 56 million babies are aborted globally every year is proof of that. People have demonstrated some real power over the process of life, but that power is incomplete. It is incomplete because God is the author of life. People know this implicitly, but do not want to bring it out into public discourse. Also implicit in peoples’ thinking is the underlying fear of death. That fear is alleviated if we put our hope in Jesus Christ: “He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8) In this current global crisis where economies are shut down, considering the hope offered by Jesus Christ brings comfort and peace.
The Fear Beneath Pandemic
