It was Father’s Day, June 18, 2023, and I was visiting Dad (Stanley Jerome Opseth) who was bed-ridden and in his last days/weeks of life here on earth. I asked if I could read Scripture to him and he shook his head in agreement.

I started with John 1:1 and read through chapter six. I offered a few comments, but mostly just read the written Word of God. My voice was getting tired, but now I wish I had kept reading. I encouraged others who visited to continue reading to Dad from the book of John.

When I started reading, his face transformed as the Word washed over him. He’s always loved Scripture. His eyes looked upward and I even saw some tears well up. This from a man who I’ve never seen cry in my life.

I wrapped up my visit with Dad and went home.

Later that day, I got a call from my sister, Dawn. She relayed to me a comment from Dad, “You’ve got to listen to Mark’s sermon. it was the greatest sermon I ever heard!”

That sermon was me simply reading the Word of God, John 1-6. That is the power of the Word, the Word that my Dad loved so much.

One week later, on June 25, Dad slipped into eternity and into the very presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.