Letter to the editor: Drama during Passion Week 20 centuries ago is life and death

Panic is a natural reaction. It can be useful as in suddenly avoiding a viper, but generally panic is a decision based on an overwhelming amount of information that is negative. Since information is at the core of panic, it is important to have one's facts correct. In the case of the current panic in the financial markets, facts are important. One fact is that our national debt is a huge barrier to our financial stability. Another fact is that international trade arrangements have not favored American workers for several decades. Still another fact is that tariff disputes can create volatility in all aspects of market stability. But here is a fact that is being overlooked. Fear of the unknown is a greater driver of instability than any of the issues raised so far.

The last time we saw such instability was during the early months of Covid. We went into that period of time with a strong economy, and in spite of all the news swirling around facts and non-facts, the economy did not collapse, and the markets quickly recovered. Apart from some unexpected event, which could happen, we will see the same thing this time. Once the talking heads on television have sold all the soap they can, reality will settle back into our lives, and we will see those in charge either deal with our deeper problems or ignore them altogether.

Since it is that season of the year we call Easter, we find that panic can revolve around a great challenge to authority and can cause a populace to switch sides with relative ease. One week the crowds can be yelling their cheers, and the next week the same crowd can be slinging their jeers. The crowd did not change, but the information they were receiving did change, and their emotions followed along. Of course this revolved around the main player in the drama, Jesus of Nazareth.

Easter is the time every year we have to decide whether that drama played out 20 centuries ago has any relevance for us. The drama surrounding our retirement plans and bank accounts is real enough, but the drama in Jerusalem that played out during Passion Week is life and death. It is the focus of Western Civilization and the focus of our individual lives if we call ourselves Christians. As that time approaches, we can spend time reflecting on who we are and what destiny we have, or we can worry about what people like us will do in Washington and Beijing. While I have a great interest in what those power-players do and say, I have a much greater interest in what was said from the Cross: "It is finished!" In those words, from the Word made flesh, I am given eternal hope that my transgressions can be and will be forgiven. And, the only real reason for panic is thus passed.

JAMES R. CHANDLER JR.

Daniel Wealth Management

Bethany Baptist Church