"And the king (David) was much moved and went up to the chamber
over the gate and wept; and as he went, this he said, O my son, Absalom,
my son, my son, Absalom! would God I had died for thee,
O Absalom, my son, my son!"
(II Samuel 18:33)
Many in Israel could not understand why king David mourned over the
death of his son, the handsome Absalom, who had turned against his father
and had sought to kill him. Yet, David, a man after God's own heart, and
as a type of Christ, exhibited qualities which are perfected in Christ.
This story reminds me of the heart-shattering grief and remorse
experienced by a parent after learning that their son or daughter
is the perpetrator of an unspeakable and heinous crime.
I cannot imagine how the father of accused murderer Tyler Robinson felt
after his son confessed to him that he had murdered Charlie Kirk and then,
having to turn his son over to the police. Although the father did the right
thing, the fact that his son is now the number one suspect in the assassination
of Charlie Kirk must be a devastating blow to him and his family.
The Reverend Franklin Graham recently posted on X: "According to court
documents, Tyler Robinson's parents said they asked their son why he shot
Charlie Kirk, to which he replied, "there is too much evil
and the guy spreads too much hate."
But was Charlie Kirk a hater? Indeed he was! Charlie hated sin.
He had the conviction to stand up and confront the rebelliousness against God
which is plaguing and destroying our nation, not because he thought himself
better than anyone else, but, because he knew, as a sinner saved by grace, that
it is sin which ultimately destroys people and keeps them separated from God.
The question which should now be asked is, "Will Tyler Robinson's parents stand
by their son, the murderer, who might face the death penalty for his crime?"
Parents who have stood by their children, certainly not condoning the crimes they
have committed, but supporting them with love and prayer, is a picture of God's
love for mankind, something this lost and fallen world will never understand.
God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to die for the sins of
all human beings on the cross. And the world crucified Him. Yet, even while He
was in agony dying on the cross, the Lord forgave the criminal hanging next to Him.
"Then he (the thief) said: "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom."
And Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
(Luke 23: 42-43)
The forgiveness shown to the wicked, yet repentant criminal on the cross beside
Jesus might be hard to understand, but, it serves to reminds us of God's eternal
and abiding love for sinners and of the redemption available through Christ.
The horrible crime committed by Tyler Robinson is inexcusable. And yet, even this
young man, swept up in the satanic rebelliousness of this age, who willingly bowed
his knee to the spirit of murder and death... Jesus died for him too.
Please pray for him and his family in the difficult days ahead.
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