Five Years

"Thou shalt not murder," the Pastor read as he began his sermon.

I sort of grunted under my breath, "Oh, good grief."  And Bradley kindly put his arm around me.

I didn't want to hear an entire sermon about murder.  I know how awful it is.  I know it's wrong.  And five years can't erase the sting of that very word.  A lifetime won't erase the pain.

I remember the call as if it was yesterday.  It was my Dad.  It was about 2:30 in the afternoon in CA, 5:30 where my Dad was.  I don't remember the exact words, but something like, "I have some bad news.  Your brother is dead.  He's been killed."

My brother, and his girlfriend, murdered.  No warning, no reasons, no answers, no going back.  They were gone forever.

Forever gone, but forever with Jesus.

Jesus.

Five years can't erase the power that is in this Name.  A lifetime won't remove the peace that comes from His presence.

Jesus, who willingly gave up His life to break the power of sin.

Jesus, who rose again in order that we might have life eternal.

Jesus, who gives grace to walk through life's most challenging days.

Jesus, who will one day come again in power and glory.

And as I sat through a sermon about murder and the sacredness of life, I cried, yes, because I miss my brother and it still hurts to have him gone.

But, I also rejoiced.  Because what is most powerful about death is not the pain that it can bring, but that Jesus has conquered it.


Take five minutes, if you would, and listen to this song, and be reminded of the great truth that Jesus has risen from the dead.