Living in Unity

From the beginning, the television series, Lost, confronted its viewers with steady stream of questions: What caused Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 to crash? Where is this mysterious tropical island on which they find themselves? Who are these people?

One of the central characters was Dr. Jack Shephard. As the only physician to survive the crash, he quickly becomes a leader of the group as he is called upon to treat the injuries of his fellow castaways and direct their continuing care. Like the others, he initially believes someone will come to rescue them in a few days.  

As the days pass and the supplies from the plane begin to run out, tensions among the survivors begin to flare up. Hesitantly, Jack steps forward to challenge the group to ask themselves a few key questions:

It’s been six days. We’re all still waiting—waiting for someone to come; but what if they don’t? We have to stop waiting. We need to start figuring things out.

A woman died this morning just going for a swim and he tried to save her and now you’re about to crucify him.

We can’t do this. ‘Every man for himself’ is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here….

Last week most of us were strangers, but we’re all here now and God knows how long we’re gonna be here; but if we can’t live together, we’re gonna die alone.

“Live together or die alone” becomes a recurring theme for the rest of the six seasons. In one situation after another, cooperation leads to better relationships and improved living conditions; competition produces calamitous results.

When you read the New Testament you discover every one of the leaders of the early church—Peter, James, John and Paul—warned the members of the faith community about the dangers of pursuing their own selfish motives. They lived in a dangerous environment and they needed to care for one another, serve one another, encourage one another, love one another. Paul counsels the Romans, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (12:18).

Jesus prays that the community of the faithful may not only live in peace, but also discover the power of authentic unity: “I pray that they will all be one” (John 17:21). That is the power that will convince the world of the love of God and lead them to believe in the one who can give them life.

May the world see that power demonstrated in the community of believers.