How much must God love us to send his only son?

Have you ever heard of Perry Harris? I had never heard of him either before May 23. I read about Harris on the Internet while waiting to present an award at the eighth-grade promotion ceremony at Houston Junior Middle School.

Perry Harris was 14-year-old boy, about the same age as some of the students to whom I spoke. Harris was disabled in some way (we don’t know how), and serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln received a telegram from Perry’s father, Col. Thomas Harris, asking for his son to be released from service.

Lincoln responded on the telegram with a handwritten note: “Let this boy be discharged. A. Lincoln.” All this has come to light because this note went on sale last week.

What a poignant story about a father’s love for his son and the mercy and wisdom of a president! This account is especially appropriate near the Memorial Day holiday.

First of all, I hope this story can remind us all of the sacrifices that service people and their families make to serve the rest of us. Especially during Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. But it is not just the service people who sacrifice. Their families also sacrifice time away from each other and in many other ways. Perhaps you recently heard me read in worship the note we received from Peter Isackson. Peter is a member of St. John and serving on his fourth deployment in the Middle East. He is missing his family and they are missing him. We are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice of Peter and his family. Thanks to all who serve and sacrifice so we can experience freedom! (Peter’s note is posted on the military bulletin board in the narthex.)

Please pray for Peter and for all our service people who serve us. God answers prayers. I personally pray for Peter and other service people that God would protect them in body and in spirit.

But this story about Perry Harris also tells me about the love of a father for his son. Imagine a colonel in the army requesting that his son be discharged. It makes perfect sense to me. But in some ways this had to go against the very life of a career military man. Yet, Col. Harris’ love for his son caused a telegram to be sent that ended up in the hands of the president.

Now, think of the fact that Jesus is the son of God, yet God sent Jesus to sacrifice for us. We know that God the father loves his son, Jesus, with a divine godly love. That love is beyond our understanding. So, how much must God love us if he sent his only son to die for us? Colonel Harris asked for his son’s discharge. God loves us so much he sent his son to die and rise for us.

When we know we are loved in this way by our heavenly father, it makes us love him in return and helps us to want to serve him with all our lives.

By the way, Perry Harris was discharged from the Army. That discharge took place on April 15, 1865 — the same day John Wilkes Booth shot and killed President Lincoln.

Lord God, our heavenly father, we pray for all those in the military and for their families. We especially pray for those in places of danger. We pray your loving protection on them in body and spirit. And, heavenly father, help us to know the depth of your love for us that you sent your only son to die for us. Bless us that we might live in your love now and eternally. Amen.

Learn more about Perry Harris online at bit.ly/1474xD1.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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