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Now here's today's news, discerned differently.

The first coronavirus death in the U.S. occurred on Saturday, the second last night.

Both patients were in Washington State and had underlying health conditions.

Two dozen new cases of the virus were reported over the weekend, bringing the total in the

U.S. to 89, up from 65 on Friday night.

As I will explain today, this is an unprecedented challenge in our nation and world,

and it is therefore an unprecedented opportunity for the gospel.

This virus presents a global challenge unprecedented in my lifetime, because it shows the following

three facts to be true.

One, wealth cannot protect us.

The stock market just finished its worst week since the Great Recession of 2008, losing $3.6 trillion

in value.

According to one analyst, this crash may have created a once-in-a-lifetime

buying opportunity. By contrast, a CDC official warned that disruption to everyday life may be severe

as the virus spreads in the U.S. If people are afraid to see other people, imagine the impact on churches, schools, offices, manufacturing, and retail.

Two, medical science cannot stop the virus so far. A Harvard professor warns that if a pandemic happens, 40 to 70% of people worldwide are likely to be infected in the coming year.

On the other hand, some think the virus will burn itself out in the summer heat.

A middle position is that it becomes like the seasonal flu, only with a higher mortality rate.

Three, the epidemic knows no borders.

The World Health Organization warns that the virus could soon reach every nation in the world.

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