Coronavirus is, of course, now synonymous with a global pandemic. But it’s much more than that to nearly half of Americans—it’s also a wake-up call from God. According to a recent poll, 44% of Americans responded that the COVID-19 coronavirus is a “wake-up call for us to turn back to faith in God.” So is this a wake-up call from God?
Well, I want share what Luke 13:4–5 says. Jesus here is responding to a question about why certain people died, and he refers to 18 people who were killed in a tragic accident. Why did they die—why did that accident happen? It’s the same question people are asking today—why did that person get the coronavirus? Why is this pandemic happening now, to us? Here was Jesus’ response in Luke 13:
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
God’s call to us is the same today as it was to the people of that time—repent! Death is a constant, ever-present reality that reminds us of sin and its horrible consequence.
God’s call to us is the same today as it was to the people of that time—repent! Death is a constant, ever-present reality that reminds us of sin and its horrible consequence. It’s a constant reminder that we need to repent—today!—and turn to Christ. Pandemics and other catastrophes are “in-your-face” reminders of our frailty and the assurance of death. That prompts many today to consider their own mortality.
Sadly, many people will consider their mortality and, when this threat is past, return to their normal lives, forgetting their brush with disease and death. Don’t let that be you! Death comes to ten out of ten people. The death rate from sin is 100%. And when you die, you will stand before God and face his judgment. But you don’t have to take the wrath (which we all deserve) for your sin—God is merciful and, in his mercy, sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die in our—in your—place. If you repent and trust in him, you will receive eternal life with him in place of the second death (eternal separation from God) you deserve. Come to Christ today!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
If you know someone who is searching (or you yourself are) for hope and answers in the midst of this crisis, I encourage you to give them a copy of a book called Begin. This book contains selected excerpts of Scripture, giving the “big picture” of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, a clear gospel presentation, answers to common questions, and more. It’s a wonderful resource to pass along to someone who is seeking or just looking into the Bible for the first time. You can find Begin on our online store.
This item was discussed today on Answers News with cohosts Avery Foley, Dr. Gabriela Haynes, and Bryan Osborne. Answers News is our weekly news program conducted here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on my Facebook page and the Answers in Genesis Facebook page. We also covered the following topics:
Be sure to join us each Monday at 2 p.m. (ET) for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken
This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.
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