Roger Olson Service

The New Revised Standard Version Jesus the Way to the Father

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

I didn’t get to know Roger very well.

In fact every time I went to visit him in either the hospital or in his home these last few weeks, it seemed like he was trying to break out.

I don’t know if it was me, or the hospital food...

But I heard stories!

You can’t spend too much time around this family and not hear these incredible stories.

Roger served our nation with honor in the army.

In fact, I learned just yesterday that Roger was a prisoner of war, which is absolutely remarkable.

Jesus tells us in John 15 that there is no greater love than when someone is willing to lay down his life for his friends.

Anyone who would willingly take up the call to protect our nation, protect our freedom, and absolutely lay their life on the line has the greatest of loves.

Roger was no exception there.

Roger was the guy you called!

This was a phrase that I’ve heard a thousand times these past few weeks.

Having a problem with the heater? Roger was the guy you called.

Car trouble? Roger was the guy you called.

Need some advice or some perspective on the world? Roger was the guy you called.

And he was the guy you called because he was the guy that showed up.

Roger was always there for the people that needed him the most.

Up to, and especially including, his deep love for his family.

Roger was just fun to be around.

It seems a universal truth that everyone thought Roger was just the best for hanging around with.

Due to the COVID rules, when Roger was in AGH he was only allowed one visitor at a time.

And because this family loves each other, they couldn’t really get by with that.

So as I approached one day in the parking garage, I was excited to see camp Roger.

There were lawn chairs, and snacks, and stories, and laughter.

It was like an odd little tailgate sitting out there.

And at some point while we were all waiting our turn to go in, someone said “Boy, Roger would have loved this wouldn’t he?”

Those stories are going to live on, long beyond this day.

In a few moments Roger’s family will share some of those stories with us better than I ever could.

But I do know Jesus.

Jesus was always looking out for troubled hearts.

All throughout scripture, Jesus is always moved when he comes across someone with a troubled heart.

He would spend time with them

He would work to heal them.

He would try his best to reassure them.

That’s what we see Jesus doing in this scripture we read tonight. He’s staring at a room of trouble hearted disciples, and trying to bring them comfort.

And that, I am confident, is what Jesus is doing tonight.

Here in this room with troubled hearted souls, as we’re trying to make sense of and mourn a life that was lost way too soon, Jesus wants to speak a word of assurance over us.

He says to his disciples and to us that there is a place that Jesus has personally gone to prepare just for you, just for me, and just for Roger.

A place of peace, healing, grace, forgiveness, and love.

Jesus told us that if we were like him, we would have a place in the kingdom.

If we selflessly served those we loved.

If we are willing to put the needs of others above the needs of ourselves.

If we are willing to work hard to make the world a better place.

If we love first, and ask questions later.

If we look after those who need to be looked after.

If we could be the guy you called when you need something.

If we could always be the one who shows up when people need us most.

If we are the kind of people that would be willing to drop everything for those closest to us.

If we are people who are full of joy and delight.

Jesus was the kind of guy who I’m sure had a few good stories of his own.

When he was around, people were happy.

Jesus wasn’t interested in lame and boring and cranky Christians.

He wanted us to be a people of joy.

Am I nuts, or does that sound like Roger?

In just about every story I hear about this man, he reminds me of Jesus.

And those of us who are somehow able to be like Jesus, those are people who have a place in the Kingdom of God.

Roger, please rest assured my friends, has a place in that kingdom tonight.

Jesus is looking out for us too.

I’m guessing that there are more than a few troubled hearts in the room tonight, and those are the folks that Jesus most wants to look out for.

As I look around, I see that Jesus has given us a few gifts tonight to help us with our own troubled hearts.

He’s given us so many stories.

Like I said, it’s been a joy and a privledge to get to listen to all the stories that have come these last few weeks meeting with Roger and his family.

And I am willing to bet that I only got the tip of the iceberg.

In this room right now are probably thousands and thousands of stories, memories, cherished moments, and shared dreams.

Today, tomorrow, next week, and in years to come, never ever be afraid to share those stories with each other.

They are a profound gift from God, and they have a habit of keeping alive the pieces and memories of Roger that we hold so dear.

He’s given us each other.

Look around the room together tonight.

Each of us is here because on some level, sometime, Roger made a lasting and deep impression on us.

And that means that each of us in here can be a tremendous resource and source of healing and comfort for each other in this time.

I hope, and I pray, that each of us can lean on each other in the coming days and weeks, so that we can work through our grief together.

A burden that is shared is always made lighter.

He’s given us a promise.

Through Jesus, we are assured that death is not the last word for anyone.

As one writer put it, death is swallowed up in victory.

So Jesus has left us with a promise, that this is not the last time we will see Roger.

We will gather together in a time to come.

We will share stories again.

We will enjoy laughter and joy.

And we will bask in the everlasting love of God our Father.

When times are tough, we lean in to the promise of God.

Out

So friends, do not let your hearts be troubled.

We will meet together with Roger again.