“BIBLE EMERGENCY NUMBERS”
John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Not long ago, Sgt. Ken Salas reached out to our chaplaincy with a gift. He told us he wanted to thank the chaplains for all they do for the Sheriff’s Office and for the community. What he gave us were cups, each printed with “Bible Emergency Numbers”—Scriptures to turn to in times of need.
On those cups is a verse for when you are feeling sad: John 14. It is no coincidence that Ken chose to share that with us. Today, as we grieve his passing, we need those words of Jesus more than ever. The disciples were anxious when Jesus spoke these words. They knew He would soon be leaving them. Yet Jesus told them not to let their hearts be troubled, because He was preparing a place for them.
Sgt. Salas lived his life serving others. He was a veteran, a husband, a public servant, and a faithful protector of our community for 34 years. He died as he lived, selflessly, while helping another person on the highway. His legacy is one of service and gratitude, a reminder to all of us of the power of quiet faithfulness.
Now, in our sadness, we hear again the comfort of Jesus’ promise. Our hope is not in this world alone. As Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, “We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you 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.”
This is our assurance. Ken is now with his Savior. And for us who remain, the words of Jesus still speak: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the life and service of Sgt. Ken Salas. Thank You for the gift of his kindness, his faithfulness, and his reminder to hold tightly to Your Word in our times of need. We appreciate the opportunity to have worked alongside him. Today, as we mourn, we ask for Your comfort. Lift our hearts with the promises of John 14, that in Christ there is a place prepared for us, and that sadness does not have the final word.
Give peace to Ken’s family, his brothers and sisters in uniform, and to all who loved him. May his legacy of service inspire us to serve with the same humility and courage.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.