We still have a job to do – irrespective of the associated fee

Jesus told the disciples to inform John the Baptist who was in prison, “Blessed is the one who is just not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6).

John the Baptist had stood for truth. He stood against Herod who had taken his brother, Philip’s wife, as his wife. Mark 6:18 records it, “For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is just not lawful so that you can have your brother’s wife.’”

John the Baptist stood against the political leadership of the day, and it cost him his freedom and eventually his life, as well. Herod arrested him and placed him in jail for opposing him and his immoral marriage. Yet, Herod didn’t wish to put John the Baptist to death because he perceived him to be a holy man. However, Herodias, his wife by an immoral marriage, had a grudge against John the Baptist and searched for every opportunity she could find to have John the Baptist killed. She eventually succeeded with having him beheaded.

Twenty-four years ago, the best terrorist plot was unleashed on our nation’s history. The terrorists planned to crash two planes into the World Trade Center, one plane into the Pentagon, and one into the House of Congress. Flight 93 was planned for the House of Congress, but, in midair, the passengers found out what was happening. A gaggle of passengers led by Todd Beamer began to plan at the back of the plane to take down the plane on the expense of their very own lives. They selected to face against the political tyranny of the day on the expense of their lives. 

In 2017, our family of seven were traveling across the United States for a “big trip” as our children liked to call it. We were coming from Virginia to Cleveland, Ohio to talk at a campground on the bottom of Lake Erie called “Beulah Beach”. Along the way in which, we passed the sacred field where Flight 93 crashed, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 

The site looks like it’s in the midst of nowhere. As we drove on the grounds, we felt the hallowed ground this place had develop into. My wife Tosha and I immediately felt the load of grief and glory. Walking this sacred site was truly life changing, and we relived the ultimate tragic moments of those American heroes who sacrificed their life to face against the political tyranny of our day. 

We will always remember the recorded calls made by passengers leaving messages on their answering machines to their family members telling them, “I like you!” During all this fear, pain, and sorrow, Todd Beamer, who had studied at Wheaton College and was a follower of Jesus Christ, made the clarion call to the opposite passengers after they’d solidified their plan. His words still echo today: “Let’s Roll!”

With that shout, like a William Wallace shout on the battlefield, the passengers charged the cockpit and wrestled the control of the plane away from the terrorists. They crashed the plane into the sector near Shanksville and their courageous plan ended the political tyranny and the fear plan of the ultimate plane of that dreadful day on 9/11 in 2001. 

Fast forward to now and now we have just marked the twenty-fourth anniversary of 9/11. Tragically this anniversary has coincided with yet more senseless violence with the fatal shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk.

Just hours before his death, Charlie’s wife Erika posted to social media the words of Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a really present assist in trouble.” Yes, He is. It seems as if the Lord was preparing Erika for what would soon lie ahead. The brutality of the death of her husband will remain a mental image of destruction beyond words, I’m sure, for her and her family members. 

Just days before his death, Charlie had posted a social media post that declared, “Jesus defeated death so you can live.” Charlie was known for his robust faith in Jesus and his willingness to face for the Truth of God’s Word. Yet again, one other hero who lost his life by the hands of the political tyranny of their day. 

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

John the Baptist lost his life due to truth of God’s Word and his willingness to face against the political injustice and tyranny of his day in the primary century. Todd Beamer and all the opposite passengers on Flight 93 stood against the political tyranny of their day in 2001 and it cost them their lives. And now, here we’re again today, 2025, as Charlie Kirk stood against the political tyranny of our day.

Even though we don’t yet know the gunman’s motive, we do know what Charlie stood for and now we all know where he stands, within the presence of Jesus Christ, who Charlie gave his life to and for as much as his final moment. 

Acts 6 records the story of Stephen being stoned by Saul, the person who would eventually develop into probably the best missionary to ever live. In this text, we see that Jesus was standing at the best hand of the Father welcoming Stephen home. I can’t help but consider the identical was true for Charlie. 

As Jim Elliott said, “A person isn’t any idiot to provide what he cannot keep, to realize what he cannot lose.” 

John the Baptist, Todd Beamer, and now Charlie Kirk’s journeys at the moment are complete. But ours is just not. At least, not yet! We still have a job to do for Jesus.

We still have a calling and purpose for being here that will probably be rewarded at some point in eternity.

The people of Jesus’ own town were offended by him and thus he was unable to do many miracles for and amongst them. It is my prayer that every of those three men mentioned in this text together with Stephen will encourage each of us to say to Jesus like Jesus said on the hour of his great sacrifice, “Father, not my will but yours be done.”

As God spoke to Erika Kirk, “God is our fortress in times of troubles.”

Yes, He is!