Yesterday, it all hit close to home. We have gotten so used to shootings and killings—in other places. This time, the violence hit our city. Five people were killed, including the killer, in a shooting at a hospital complex just six miles from our church. All of us have been to St. Francis Hospital at one time or another. And now this? It’s too close to home. Among the dead were two doctors, a receptionist, and a patient.
But Jesus’ promises are true, even when the pain and heartache of our sinful world impact our own hearts. In fact, that’s what Jesus came to do: Heal our broken hearts. Jesus says, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3).
Even doctors need a Doctor. Even those who work hard to heal us need someone to heal them. Jesus can do what no other doctor can do: He can bind up hearts and mend souls and heal crushed spirits.
If your heart is breaking today, Jesus came for you. If you are mourning today, Jesus came for you. If you are grieving today, Jesus came for you. He came to die to forgive our sins and to rise to win eternal life for us. He came to bind up broken hearts with his love and wipe away tears with his promises of heaven.
Even when violence and tragedy hit close to home, Jesus is with you. Jesus loves you. Jesus has the power to put your heart back together. In fact, that’s his specialty: Jesus binds up the brokenhearted.
Dear Lord Jesus, we don’t understand. We want it all to end. Why does it have to come here? Stop evil everywhere. Destroy the plans of evil people, wherever they are lurking. End the violence that plagues our city and our nation. Use tragedies like this to turn our hearts to you—the true Doctor. Help us to recognize our need for your love and grace and forgiveness, today and every day. Just as you promised, use your Word and promises to bind up the broken hearts of those impacted by yesterday’s shooting here in Tulsa. Comfort those who mourn and provide for those who grieve. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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