Late yesterday afternoon I finally got my newest Sports Illustrated from the mail. On the cover, one sees Coach Ed Thomas intensely looking back at you. The column: "A Good Man Down: The Murder of a Beloved High School Coach".
Tragedy always strikes when we least expect it. This is a saying that has been amongst us and is said often. Often times, this is very true. For instance, a man in is late twenties in the best shape of his life who shortly will be on his way to a second duty for the service oversees, when suddenly he has a freak accident falling out of the back of a pickup. He lands on his skull, which fractures, and this man will eventually die. This man who served his country and had been shot at dies in a way any one on this earth could.
Often times, tragedy strikes and we should have expected it. The man who students (not just people, these kids were freshman and sophomores in high school) saw kill Ed Thomas had just been let out of psychiatric care four days earlier. This man had lead police on a wild chase after trying to demolish a house. This man's family knew he had troubles for some time, anywhere from drug use to psychiatric problems that may or may not have been a result of the drugs. Man or woman, it doesnt matter, the reality is stories like this are becoming headlines more often than not. Troubled young people with no ability to deal with these ever growing problems finding the ability to blame someone else. Then, with a specific target(s) in mind, he or she will go out with a gun and start shooting. Tragedy strikes. But we should have expected it. We could not have known the target, but we damn well should have known there was going to be a target.
From a theological perspective, the town Thomas lived in could not be handling the situation better. People are supporting this loved coach and they may be asking why, but they are not blaming God. The town is also, for the most part, even forgiving the family of the one who murdered Thomas, which is a prime example of what Jesus meant when he said forgive and love your enemies.
Theologically speaking, God did not intend for Thomas to die. We can debate all we want about whether or not God knew Thomas was going to die, but God did not send the killer. This boy was troubled and did something rash. God sent Jesus to heal, comfort, forgive, and ultimately die for us. Jesus, who now watches from afar is weeping. Jesus weeps. He cries for a life taken unjustly. He cries because one of his own, the allegid killer who had gone to Wartburg, a Lutheran School, has gone astray to vices of this world that will only bring about pain. Jesus weeps for a nation that is unable to control the next person who will go crazy, find a gun, and shoot. So, Jesus weeps.
Ed Thomas, you were an amazing coach who did not deserve to die. You were an example. You are sitting at the right hand of Jesus. You had faith that rebuilt cities and formed football teams. In terms of vocation, you took your faith and affected those around you. We who are left, will take note. We who are left, must do the same. We who are left, must take the initiative to try to show peace and grace to those who are on the verge of going crazy, finding a gun, and shooting. God help us, for we are an ever sinful nation.
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