A Dangerous Mission!

It seems like the whole world was captivated by the plight of the twelve boys and their soccer coach who were trapped in that cave in Thailand.  I know I was. It was as if we were all sitting on pins and needles, watching a drama unfold that one would have only expected from a fictional movie.  Unfortunately, it was real. 

Thankfully, with the help of an incredibly brave group of divers and all of the rescue workers on hand, all twelve boys and their coach made it out alive and are currently recuperating and doing well.  There was one diver, however, Saman Gunan, who did not make it out alive.  I’m not sure exactly how it happened, but it appears that during his mission to deliver oxygen tanks into the cave for the boys and the other divers, he lost consciousness after not having enough oxygen for himself. 

The most incredible part of it all is that, Saman did not have to be there. He was a former Thai Navy diver who came of his own accord, volunteering to be part of the rescue mission.  He knew the risks were high, yet he willingly offered himself for the sake of those whose lives were in such great danger.  I don’t know much about Saman; I don’t know what kind of faith he had (most likely he was a Buddhist—I’m not sure).  But, I do know that what he did for the sake of those boys and their coach was very much reflective of the heart of God. He modeled the very way Jesus lived his life and taught us to live ours. 

Saman Gunan entering the cave to rescue the boys!

Jesus said of himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 – NIV) Elsewhere he said, “…whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27-28 – NIV) Jesus came on a very dangerous mission, a mission that eventually cost him his life.  Because he did, you and I can know the joy of being rescued from our sins and from an eternity of separation from God. We were once lost in our sin, but because Jesus laid down his life, we have been found!

Let’s ask God to give us his heart for the lost people of our world.  And, let’s live our lives like Jesus did—even a bit like Saman Gunan did—always looking for ways to seek, to serve, and to save those who are lost. 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris