The idea of abandonment includes many implications. The word usually stirs up a wealth of images in one's head. My mind, for example, currently conjures up the image of a lonely old shack. Since the word implies that of an "utter forsaking," something, or even someone, is usually left deserted.
Last night on Lost, the lives of Jin and Sun Kwon were detailed in dramatic fashion. Since this is the last season, many questions are being answered, but the Kwon's still remain clouded in mystery. There was one scene, however, that demonstrated the possibility that this couple represents a sort of Adam and Eve. They discussed a decision to abandon an important figure in their live by directly disobeying him.
Adam and Eve have seemingly transcended the realm of Christianity and have entered into a sort of timeless fairytale for children. No longer are they the first man and woman in God's creation but instead a fun story to tell children when they are young. While it is indeed a very important message to share with children, (and adults for that matter), it is more than a simple fairytale, but, in the very least, a story of both God's image in man and the fall from the image. Essentially, Adam and Eve specifically disobeyed God and made a decision to ignore His command.
Jin and Sun had a dialogue last night which consisted of Sun enticing Jin to "run away" with her, in order to get away from her father. At this point, Jin and Sun were not married so running away together would be considered especially immoral. Jin responded to Sun saying, "What you speak of is forbidden." The idea was; This decision is forbidden, for it is a decision to abandon your father and his will in our lives.
I thought that it was interesting that Jin used the word "forbidden." It simply means "prohibited" or "not allowed." Jin was "not allowed" to run away because he worked for Sun's father. Sun was "now allowed" to run away because she was her father's daughter. Any decision to leave was forbidden because it was a direct disobedience against the will of Sun's father. Ultimately, it was a decision to abandon him.
Thousands of years ago, Adam and Eve had a decision to make as well. God had told Adam, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). In Genesis 3, when the serpent persuaded Eve that it was okay to eat the fruit, she and Adam made a decision that they would do the forbidden, and abandon the Lord. After providing them with a shelter, food, and love, they still wanted more, and were willing to forsake the Lord in order to obtain it.
Each day, we are all faced with decisions. These decisions can be as insignificant as choosing which type of ice cream cone to eat, (as one of the school children contemplated this morning), and at other times, these decisions are significant and involve obedience to God. Will I tell this lie to get me out of trouble? Will I forgive this person for wronging me? Will I lust after this person to appease my desires? These types of decisions deal with sin, and the wrong decision forsakes, or abandons, the will God has in our lives. Ultimately, these decision necessitate in us telling God, "I want to run away from you." Like Jin and Sun from her father, we desire to run away from God.
The final scene on Lost last night illustrated Jack showing a piece of fruit that had grown from Sun's garden. It was the only fruit that had bloomed. I am not sure that I know exactly what message the producers were trying to convey, but Jack used the word "stubborn" to characterize the fruit. He said, "I guess this piece was too stubborn and didn't know that it wasn't supposed to make it." Perhaps the idea is that Adam and Eve were stubborn in their obedience to God. If this is the case, then it, in my opinion, correctly represents the stubbornness we express on a daily basis towards our Father. Thankfully, He is the type of God who comes down "walking in the garden in the cool of the day," searching for His bride.
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