Jesus and the Pirates

Hat's off to the U.S. Navy and the SEALs for rescuing the captain of the cargo ship in the Indian Ocean. Way beyond heroic. But the actions of the United States point to a defining moment for the other 200 plus hostages being held captive by other pirates around the world: Who will fight for us when we cannot?

The U.S. took a stand when no one else was. That's the U.S. I know. Although I don't agree with our president mostly, on this one issue I am proud of our military responding to our commander-in-chief.

Jesus took a stand against the religious establishment of the day when no one else would. There were pirates of sorts preying on the vulnerable and defenseless in the form of Pharisees creating laws which were guilt forming and bondage creating among those who tried to do good.

Jesus stepped up, because he alone could. No one could come to our defense. Certainly not us because we try in vain to earn God's favor. No one else could provide the freedom from the laws and traditions of men--even religious men. Like a snap rescue from pirates, Jesus fired the shot that put to death the law of sin, that we might be rescued and radically saved.

I can only imagine how many times the story will be recounted among the rescued Captain and his family, for generations to come.

How many times will our own rescue be recounted by us, and even change us inwardly as well as outwardly? They should be the same. One can't be without the other. Radical rescue. Radical change.

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2