Last night on Lost I heard a redemption song (to use Bob Marley's words).
Desmond is talking to Charlie on a lonely beach. If you follow the show you'll know that Desmond gets glimpses of the future and usually they involve Charlie's death, Desmond uses these visions to save Charlie's life over and over again - a handy friend to have around ,no?
In this case Desmond tells Charlie, "I see Claire, the woman you love boarding a helicopter and escaping this island that we are stranded on". Charlie is relieved to know that the vision isn't another premonition of his horrendous death. Desmond tells Charlie that for Claire and her baby to escape the island that Charlie must die in an underwater hatch to fulfill the vision.
Desmond tells Charlie "unless you die Charlie, there can be no rescue".
Redemption song. The cost of Claire's rescue is the cost of Charlie's life and Charlie willingly chooses to give his life for Claire's rescue from the Island; to purchase her freedom. The redemption song of Jesus is that Jesus gives his life to accomplish our rescue from the island called Earth, we are separated from eternal life by an ocean of sinful actions, thoughts and inclinations; He willingly buys our freedom at the cost of His life because of His great passion for us plane-crashed survivors of the Fall.
This might preach... if so go to download the clip from iTunes you could show it as an illustration, it can be shown in the iTunes player on a video projector or on an iPod for a small group in a coffee shop or???. You can also view last night's episode for free HERE.
Culturally contextual redemption songs are playing all around us, exposing ourselves to them, recognizing them and utilizing them to tell the Old Old Story is missional.
OTHER: Today I'm on a plane to my old stompin' grounds: Southern California to do some ministry consulting. Luckily LOST didn't show that gnarly plane crash scene last night, yikes! I don't mind dying but the whole piss your pants screaming as the plane comes screaming out of the sky seems rather unpleasant.
On The iPod: Wilco -Sky Blue Sky - this is a great great album!
