2.19.2009

LOST Theology

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
~John 3:16-18 (The Message)

I don't usually blog about Lost. There is a good reason for that. I really only understand about 50% of what is going on most of the time (and that might be a generous percentage). And, since I don't understand a lot of it, I don't feel the need to subject my readers to my lack of understanding. That being said, we were watching last night and one moment struck me and continues to play over and over again in my mind.


Jack and Ben are in the church, after meeting with Eloise (I am not even going to begin to explain characters or dynamics - that would take a dozen posts and a lot of caffeine) and there is a painting hanging on the wall of Thomas with his hand in the wound on Jesus' side. This is obviously a painting of the moment when Thomas once again believed what Jesus said. The exchange between Ben and Jack went something like this:


Ben told Jack the story of Thomas the Apostle. When Jesus wanted to go back to Judea, knowing that he would probably be murdered there, Thomas said to the others, “Let us also go, that we might die with him.” Ben said Thomas’ claim to fame wouldn’t come from that bravery, but later, when he refused to acknowledge the resurrection. Thomas needed to touch Jesus’ wounds to be convinced.

“Was he,” Jack asked.

“Of course he was,” Ben said. “We’re all convinced sooner or later, Jack.”

Look at that last sentence again: We're all convinced sooner or later.

I can't help but think about God and people when I hear that sentence. No matter what people want to believe, no matter how much they think they're in control and that there is no God, there will come a time when He will reveal Himself to the world. And, at that moment, everyone will be convinced. The time will come, sooner or later.

The key, I think, is to be convinced now - by faith - to simply trust that God is real, God is good, and God is in control. To believe without seeing, to step into a crazy, confusing and chaotic world , trusting that God will never lead you to a place He hasn't already been. That is the key to faith; to be able to trust what you cannot see and love what you cannot touch. And, sooner or later, everyone will be convinced.

The calling of the Christian is to reveal God to a world that doesn't want to see Him. The calling of God on our lives is to be His voice and His light so that we may convince more of His children that He is there and that He loves them more than anyone ever could.

Just a few thoughts - yes, it all started because of Lost last night.

(and does anyone else find it...fitting that the title of the episode was 316? Not just the flight number, but maybe the number of their redemption...what other 316 sticks out in your mind?!?!)

5 comments:

  1. Wow, Em. This is an amazing post.

    Thanks.

    Mind if I link it on my blog?

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  2. Thanks :) was feeling thoughtful for the first time in a long time! Of course I don't mind :) not at all :)

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  3. Anonymous8:14 AM

    Emily, this was great! Thanks for sharing

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  4. I loved that scene SO much. I believe I said, "Wow" aloud. And now I'm saying that about your post. :)

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  5. Anonymous10:59 AM

    Emily,

    Loved this Post. I was brought to the Lord Through the Left Behind Series. It took a lot of Signs for some of the Characters to believe. Someday Know matter how Revelations comes to pass all will know the truth some day. I thank the Lord everyday that I can believe on Just Faith. Once I did I see His hand and his work all the time. Even though I have not asked he shows his Wounds to me in the way he interacts with my everyday life.

    Steve

    PS Found your Blog from Tiffany Pereira face book page

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