(Jesus said) "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap." Luke 21:34
I never met Roy McConnell. I never met his 24-year-old son, Nathan, nor Elroy, age 28, nor Kelly who had just celebrated his 19th birthday.
I never will meet these fellows -- at least not in this life.
That's because late on a Saturday night a drunken man named Demetrius Jordan drove through a red light and killed all four men in the McConnell family.
The McConnell's were in the midst of a family reunion.
Their widows went on TV holding pictures of their fellas. They said they hoped their sharing would make other people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking.
I hope so, too.
But I'd like to take that one step further. So often today we hear about individual rights. All too often we forget we are not islands. The things we do directly touch others -- positively and negatively.
Nowhere will we find a better example of that fact than in the life and death of Jesus. His entire life was lived for others. He healed lepers when nobody else would come near them; He reached out to prostitutes and publicans when everyone else shunned them; He even gave His life so some sad sinners -- sinners like you and me -- might be saved.
Now, a risen Redeemer asks His people to live their lives for others, thinking of others, helping others, witnessing to others.
We do this not as an obligation, but because these "others" are brothers and sisters. You see, Jesus gave His life for them, too. They just may not know it.
So, today, as you live your life, live it, but don't forget the other guy or gal. You will touch them for the Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, today I pray You will be with this family and so many other families that mourn a sad and sorrowful situation. Comfort them with a future reunion in heaven. And for us, we pray that You will allow us to be Your witnesses as we go about living our lives. In Your Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 73, 85 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
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