At 10:18 a.m.

As we were sitting in church services this morning, my wife showed me the time. It was a quarter after ten. I noticed a tear running down my wife's face. On June 17th, Joses was born at 10:18 a.m. but had already lost his life. We were three minutes away from the time Joses would have been two months old. A flood of emotions rushed at me. I miss my son. Instead of holding a two month old to care for, we got a phone call that his grave marker was placed above his grave this past week.

When 10:18 appeared on my phone, we were singing the hymn "Hallelujah! What a Savior!" written by Philip P. Bliss. That hymn focuses on how amazing it is that Jesus came to die for an unworthy people.

Man of Sorrows! what a name

For the Son of God, who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood;

Sealed my pardon with His blood.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;

Spotless Lamb of God was He;

“Full atonement!” can it be?

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;

“It is finished!” was His cry;

Now in Heaven exalted high.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

No one could have imagined the Son of God would willing take the title "Man of Sorrows" on behalf of unworthy sinners. But that is exactly who Jesus is. While thinking about these words and how unworthy of Jesus' death I am, I als
o thought of the hope I have of seeing Joses and thanking Jesus in person. At this point, tears were streaming down my face. I cannot wait to see Jesus face to face. Then I realized it was time for me to stand up and preach.

At 10:22, I stood up before my church family and told them the significance of the time. I would like to share with you those opening remarks and a few points from the sermon this morning. Below is an summation of what I said.

As of four minutes ago, my son Joses would have been two months old today. I miss him so much. While it is true that death, by definition, is a separation, it can also unite people. My family is closer now than we ever have been. I am closer to each of my siblings and siblings-in-law and I am certain that each of us are much closer to God because of our short time with Joses. Not only has the death of Joses united my family, it has brought us closer to our church family in Clearwater, Florida.

My past few sermons have been on the importance of unity among Christians. After all, how we treat each other is how people of the world know if we are Christians (John 13.35) and the standard by which we are judged (Matthew 25.44-46). The single most important commonality among Christians is based upon the death, burial, resurrect, ascension, and return of Jesus. One of the most important way we celebrate this unity is in the weekly memorial instituted by Jesus long ago. One of the purposes of the Lord's supper is to remind Christians of this unity and is the reason Paul calls it a "communion" (1 Corinthians 10.16-17). 

We are united and forgiven sinners who all desperately need Jesus. When gathered around the table, there is no room for selfishness, bitterness, or jealousy. It has been said by many people that we are all "equal at the foot of the cross." As Paul reminds us that when we eat and drink of the supper, "we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11.26). We equally proclaim and preach our faith that Jesus is reigning as Lord and will return again. It is so vitally important that Christians serve together in unity until that day.

When He comes, our glorious King,

All His ransomed home to bring,

Then anew His song we’ll sing:

Hallelujah! What a Savior!