Anticipation

TITLE: Anticipation
DATE: August 30, 2019
TEXT:. 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 – ESV -. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
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It was January of 1967 when Bryan Knight saw his father depart Dallas Love Field Airport for Vietnam.

Bryan was 5 years old.

For the next four months Col. Roy Knight flew almost daily combat missions into Vietnam. Then, on May 19, 1967, the 36-year-old aviator was shot down.  Witnesses reported that Colonel Knight ejected from his aircraft, but no parachute was seen deployed. Searches made afterword proved to be fruitless.

There was a military funeral, and a flag was presented to the Pilot’s widow and son with the thanks of a grateful country. And then, everybody did their best to carry on and lead normal lives. So it was that more than 50 years passed.

Then, one day, Bryan Knight, now commercial pilot for Southwest Airlines touched down in Love Field in Dallas to a big reception. No the reception was not for Bryan, it was for his father. Earlier this year, the crash location and the remains of Colonel Knight had been found near Laos.

The body was flown to Hawaii and then to Oakland, California. It was there, in Oakland, Bryan Knight was asked to bring his father home to Dallas, Love Field. As the jet, carrying the two Knights taxied to its gate, the Public Address system told the story I am telling you.

A reporter who just come from covering the shooting in El Paso, and accidentally happened to be at the airport said, “We all watched silently as the flag-draped casket was unloaded... It was peaceful, it was beautiful, and it was a privilege to watch."

And what was the reaction of the no-longer-so young Bryan? He said, “I really didn't think it would ever happen.”

The idea of a reunion, of someone returning to where he belongs, of a family being reunited after a long time is heart-warming. That is, in part, because it feels “right.” The only problem with a story like this is death still spoils the re-gathering of the family.

That, my friends, is not going to be the case on Judgment Day when the Savior returns to reunite His blood--bought family of believers.  Scripture is clear, death will be destroyed, and those who are gone will come back. There will be no 50-year searches for our loved ones... they will be there.

More than that, we will all be healthy and whole. The ravages of time and illness will be wiped from our faces. Fears, worries, sorrow and sadness will be set aside and joy in Jesus will reign supreme. How could it be otherwise, for He has done it all and made it all possible. 

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I be prepared for the unknown hour when Jesus returns. May my mood be one of joyful anticipation for our unending reunion. This I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.newser.com/story/278920/he-saw-dad-off-to-war-then-carried-him-home.html and the article written by Arden Dier.
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html