Yesterday I had the honor of giving the message for a fallen hero. Chad was killed in Iraq by an insurgents bullet about 10 days ago. I remember three things in particular about the day. 1. Riding in the lead car during the procession to the cemetery and seeing Main Street lined with people holding American flags. 2. Following the benediction a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace." During the second verse, he slowly walked away and the music softly faded. 3. And by far the most poignant moment was when the flag was removed from the casket, ceremonially folded and a soldier got down on one knee and presented it to Chad's widow.
I guess I'm not ready to let the day go yet. So I decided to post the message I delivered. I pray that it offered and will continue to offer Chad's family and friends comfort, peace and hope.
Remembering a Fallen Hero
We have gathered today in honor of Chad Groepper, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a classmate, a friend, a brother in arms, and most importantly a child of God. Your presence here testifies to the many connections that were a part of
It’s true that we will never again in this life see his smile, hear his laughter, or feel the touch of his hand, but by faith he remains a part of our lives.
In the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews, we find what has been called the Hall of Fame of faith. There is listed the names of men and women who lived by faith. People like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, individuals who are the heroes of our faith. At the end of this roll, we read these words:
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, (who with 300 soldiers defeated the army of the Midianites) Barak, (who with Deborah’s encouragement lead the vastly inferior Israelite army to victory over the Sisera & his 900 chariots) Samson (who single-handedly routed the Philistines ) , Jephthah, (who the Bible says was a mighty warrior), David, (Israel’s greatest warrior king) Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Hebrews 11:32-35
These stories of heroic victories are the stories we normally associate with great faith. But there’s another side to faith. The writer continues
Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith. Hebrews 11:35-39
Faith in God doesn’t guarantee safety and victory in this life. It does however guarantee an eternal victory and an everlasting connection. The writer to the Hebrews says,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Chad's basic and combat training there were times when he had to navigate an obstacle course. I’m sure that Chad would have relished the challenge. He liked showing that he could do things that others said he couldn’t do. I can easily imagine, Chad having finished the course, standing at the finish line cheering on his comrades, encouraging them to finish the course.
Life can feel very much like a obstacle course. Indeed for those who loved Chad best, his death will be one of the biggest obstacles you will face in your life. It causes us grief knowing that Clarissa will only know her daddy though pictures. It causes us grief knowing that Stephanie will not have Chad to walk through life together as husband and wife. It causes us knowing that Chad won’t be home for holidays ever again. Still by faith we can run with perseverance the race God has set before us, knowing that Chad is among the great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on.
Chad would not want you to be overwhelmed with sorrow or bitterness. He was well aware of the risks that were involved in serving his country and he choose to accept those risks. He paid the ultimate price for that choice.
We may wonder how this happened, why it happened. I don’t have answers to all those questions, but this I do know, this was not of God. It was not God’s will. The God of the Bible is a compassionate God. He is the Father to the fatherless. He would not have wanted Clarrissa to be without her father.
The reality is that we live in a world where evil exists, where evil men strive to destroy that which is good.
Edmund Burke said, “All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Albert Einstein said similarly, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
Chad wasn’t willing to simply look on and do nothing. He was unwilling to allow evil to triumph unchallenged. He wanted the world to be a less dangerous place for his family and his country. He died defending those beliefs.
Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
While we can readily see how these words apply to Chad’s life, Jesus was in actuality referring to himself. It is Jesus who gives us the example of self-sacrificing love.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans. At just the right time Christ died for ungodly people. He died for us when we had no power of our own. It is unusual for anyone to die for a godly person. Maybe someone would be willing to die for a good person. But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The blood of Christ has made us right with God. So we are even more sure that Jesus will save us from God's anger. Romans 5:6-9
Jesus died and rose again for you, for me, for Chad. This is what gives us hope even in the face of death. In 1 Thessalonians 5 we find these words, And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 1 Thessalonians 5:13-14
We grieve this day and will for days to come, but we need not grieve like people who have no hope. Those who believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again can take comfort in the knowledge that when Jesus returns God will bring back with him those who have died in the faith.
This is a gift of God’s grace, offered to us without condition. Like any gift that is of real value however, it must be accepted, unwrapped and used. The promise and hope of resurrection and final victory over death only give us comfort when we receive them for ourselves.
So while today we grieve for our human loss, we take hope in our faith and in the promises of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior
Thanks for posting this. What an incredible tribute!
Posted by: Margaret | February 28, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Powerful...it brought back memories of my dad's funeral. He flew 8 missions in a B-17.
Whenever I meet vets, I thank them for their service.
Posted by: Mark Winter | March 15, 2008 at 01:28 PM