Memorial Day Weekend - Thankful for the Sacrifice of Others, But Angered and Grieving At those who Take Innocent Lives

This weekend the United States celebrates Memorial Day. Most U.S. citizens know that our country observes this holiday to rightfully honor those who cared enough about others, who cared enough about their country, to give the ultimate sacrifice. We honor those who died for others, because their sacrifice has won freedom for our country, freedom for each of us.

However, as our country prepares to honor those who gave their lives, we are again overwhelmed by gut-wrenching news about another person who has taken lives. As I write this devotion, the latest reports are that on Tuesday, May 24, a gunman in Uvalde, Texas, took the lives of 19 elementary school students and the lives of two teachers. This gunman did not give his life. He took lives. Worst, he took the lives of innocent children and teachers. I heard a number of well-known people ask, “Why does this keep happening?” I am sure we all have the same question.

Many public figures shared why they believe our country faces these horrors so often. Some of the reasons given include gun laws, or racism, or open borders, or terrorism. Children of God believe that the taking of the life of another breaks the law of God to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31) In other words, God calls us to love Him, and to love others. Murder is wrong and deserves punishment. But, saying that the random taking of the life of an innocent person is wrong, does not explain why this happens.

The bottom line is that the hearts of these mass murderers are not right. Hearts that love God and love others make our world a better place to live. But, hearts focused only on themselves, hurt others. The hurt faced by the families in Uvalde right now seems unbearable. As a father of 4 children and grandfather of 6, I cannot imagine if one of them were to fall victim to such a horrible senseless crime. We need to speak out against such violence. But, we can also stand with the families who have faced these horrible losses. Paul talks about love within Jesus’ church. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) We suffer and we grieve with the families who have fallen victim to this latest shooting.

How can we change hearts? No matter what public figures say, laws do not change hearts. However, love does change hearts. Listen to God’s Word from 1 John. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:10-11) Our lack of love, our rebellion, our selfishness, and our hatred deserve God’s punishment and deserve death. Instead of giving us what we deserve, God sent His Son who died for our sins. Jesus’ love for us led Him to die and sacrifice His life for us. Because God loves us when we deserve punishment, we are, therefore, called to love others. Jesus also taught us this truth in John 15. “12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13) Knowing the surprising, forgiving love of Jesus changes hard and bitter hearts. Knowing the surprising, forgiving love of Jesus, God’s children can love others, even those who are hard to love. God’s children have learned to trust His love in Jesus. His love changes our hearts.

So, in this current tragedy, we don’t just need to simply hang our heads. In response we want to show love and kindness to those around us. Unexpected love from God changes our hearts. Unexpected kindness from us can also touch and even change the heart of another. Our love and kindness can touch another person, and might even keep them from committing such horrible actions.

As we prepare this weekend to honor the sacrifice of those who selflessly gave themselves for us, we are thankful for their selfless acts of love, and we are furious and angry, we grieve the senseless taking of lives in Texas, again.

Lord, I pray that your undeserved love in Jesus for our sinful world changes hearts. Help each of us, individually, to share your love and kindness. Amen.