Nine people died Sunday, November 1, when a Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County, Florida. Cockpit audio appears to capture the captain, Jeff Gregory, 55, reciting the Lord’s Prayer as the jet went down. Charisma reports his church, Limerick Chapel in Pennsylvania, told members he “went home to be with the Lord.”
My take
This one is heavy. Nine families are grieving, including the family of his 20-year-old co-pilot. I don’t want to turn anyone’s worst day into a sermon illustration.
But I can’t get past this: in the last seconds, with no time left for anything, what came out of him was “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). That’s what was in him. It makes me ask what’s in me, and what would come out if I had a minute left.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). For those in Christ, the crash isn’t the end of the story.
Lord, comfort every family that lost someone on that plane and on the ground. Holy Spirit, be the Comforter You are (John 14:16). Draw near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). In Jesus’ name, amen.
God Bless, and May the Source Be with You!
