May 28, 2025

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

A Rare Death

A father would give anything for his son. The same is true for a mother and applies equally to daughters.

I would do anything—including give my life—for my sons and daughters. If you are a parent, you know this feeling well. There is nothing you would not do for your children.

As we honor those who have given their lives in service this Memorial Day week, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice the Heavenly Father has made for us.

Although you and I would readily give our lives for our children, the sacrifice made by those we honor this week is on another level altogether. Romans 5:7 puts it this way: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”

It is a stunning thing to consider that the price for your earthly freedom and mine was paid by strangers and involved the laying down of many lives. What a humbling thing to remember that many dared to die in order that you might be free. As Memorial Day fades away for another year, let’s endeavor together to be vocally grateful all year long to those who made this ultimate sacrifice.

Further, while you and I might willingly lay down our lives for our sons and daughters, that is nothing compared to the sacrifice the Father made for you when He allowed His one and only beloved Son to hang, suffer, and die on the cross. Kari Jobe’s song Forever describes that moment this way: “One final breath He gave, as Heaven looked away.”

What an unfathomable sacrifice. The Almighty God didn’t just lay down His own life. No, the Almighty God gave His beloved Son in order that you might live and be free. The Almighty God turned away in that moment in order that you would be free in this moment!

It is a sacrifice no words can fully describe or do justice.

It is a sacrifice too large to even fully comprehend.

Most important, it is a sacrifice that goes far beyond daring to die for a good man! No, this sacrifice was made in order that you—a sinner—would be moved from certain death to eternal life (Jn. 3:16)!

If you know this transformative truth this week—and as you intentionally express your gratitude for those who laid down their life in service for you—share it with someone who needs it.

If you don’t yet know this truth—if you haven’t yet had a personal encounter with Jesus—make today the day. He came and died in order that you could be free from sin and death (Rom. 6:8-14). The Father didn’t just die for His Son. No, the Father allowed His Son to die so you could know Him.

It was the ultimate sacrifice. It was made and intended for you. Accept it today.

U.S.

Murder in DC

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC are dead after a gunman targeted them at the conclusion of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The victims are Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, a young couple who planned to soon be engaged. Lischinshy was an Israel citizen and Milgrim an American. The gunman was taken into custody while saying, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

Analysis and eternal perspective: Antisemitism is pure evil. It has been rearing its ugly head since Old Testament times, but it is alive and as evil as ever in our world today, and the slaying of Yaron and Sarah is the most recent stark reminder of it.

We as The Equipped family should respond in at least two ways:

First, we should continue to apply our biblical lens to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, including this offshoot of horrific violence that occurred on the other side of the globe. This lens reminds us, a) Every person is made and loved by God (Gen. 1:26), and b) Jesus followers are charged with recognizing the special covenant God has with the Jewish people (Gen. 12:3; Deut. 7:6-9).

These two truths are absolute, but they sometimes strain against each other in the present day. The evil of antisemitism is intense, and our efforts to stand against it appropriately prioritized. It can be difficult against that backdrop to persist in the pursuit of peace (Ps. 34:14) and the recognition of eternal value that exists within every soul. We, as followers of Jesus, should not grow weary in continuing to hold firmly to both truths.

Next, there is power in prayer. It can at times feel trite to lean heavily on prayer for the grieving families, but it is in reality the best way for us to lift them up and invite the arms of the Almighty to comfort them.

Evil in our world is very, very real. But the power and goodness of our God is much, much greater. May the families of Yaron and Sarah know and feel that truth today.

Entertainment

Happy, Happy, Happy

Phil Robertson, best known for his starring role in the long running TV show Duck Dynasty that documented his family’s life, business, and adventures, has died at the age of 79. Robertson had been suffering from a cancer-like blood disorder and is survived by his wife, Kay Robertson, and numerous children and grandchildren.

Analysis and eternal perspective:“Happy, happy, happy.” Go ahead—click on the 13-second compilation video of Robertson’s famous phrase. It is the first thing that came to my mind when I heard of his passing, which is itself a testament to the fact that Robertson lived a surrendered life.

Robertson was very open about the struggles he encountered in life, and equally clear that it was only the redemptive power of Jesus Christ that gave him victory over those struggles. It was the love, power, and yes, the dependence on Jesus that made Phil Robertson “happy, happy, happy.” If you didn’t already, click on the video now and smile along with Phil.

The Robertson family is widely recognized now after more than a decade of the popular TV show. But Phil’s passing is a wonderful reminder of how to provide a firm foundation for your family. It is not the tv show, the successful business, or any level of financial achievement that the Robertson family leans on now, but rather the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which promises that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

Phil Robertson is with Jesus. He is certainly “happy, happy, happy.” Happier than ever, in fact!

If you are in Christ, the same glorious and eternal reality awaits you!

World

Victory Celebration Turns Tragic

Nearly 50 people are injured after a minivan plowed through crowded streets in Liverpool, England this week. Hundreds of thousands of revelers were gathered to celebrate the Liverpool Football Club’s Premiere League championship, but the celebration quickly turned to panic as the attack unfolded. Authorities have detained a local man believed to be responsible and are continuing their investigation.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Life is short, and evil is real. It is a recurring theme this week in The Equipped, and really a recurring theme every week in our world. It is a central reason we gather as The Equipped community—to bring the life-giving power and perspective of the Gospel to otherwise hopeless and tragic circumstances.

As you pray for the injured and their families, root yourself anew in the promise of eternity. Nothing in this world can touch or threaten the security you have if you are found in Christ.

You should not walk in fear, because the evil of this world cannot reach the source or the destination of your hope.

To the contrary, you have great power, the ability to love deeply, and a clarity of mind that can only be attributed to the One who lives in you (2 Tim. 1:7).

As you reflect on this story and on a broader world that breeds chaos, take heart because your God has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33)!

The Beautiful

Life from Death

We have reflected on a lot of death this week. But the character of our Creator includes a rhythm of bringing life from death! In nature, life comes from that which falls to the ground. In your world, true life—and true beauty—comes from a death of the flesh. The fading away of your temporary being is but a sign that your eternity is real!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor. 5:17)!