Thoughts on Lost

Last night, I finished my long-time favorite television drama, Lost. I wasn't able to watch it when it was originally broadcast because we do not have cable or satellite and our antenna does not bring in ABC. This past school year, when Season 6 became available on Netflix, I chose not to watch it, desiring instead to save it for summer when I could give it my full attention.

In the interim, many people have shared with me their disappointment about the way the show finished up. Someone even told me that the last episode would turn me against the entire series. With full confidence in the show's writers, I did not heed the warnings and set off on that final journey.

In just under a week, I have watched the entire sixth season. As true blue Lost fans will understand, my mind is absolutely reeling from what I've seen. Far from being a disappointment, I felt the ending of Lost was absolutely brilliant. I could probably write a book on my thoughts, but instead I will discuss just one element that I found particularly meaningful.

I must begin my discussion by stating that I do NOT believe that Lost is a parallel to the Christian faith. I know that the writers intended to brought out religious themes, some of which were crucial to the show's meaning, but Christianity is not where the show begins or ends.

Still, I believe that great literature (and I do believe Lost to be an example of great literature) invites the reader to draw his or her own conclusions apart from the writers' intent. The best writers are willing to take that risk; they are willing to give the reader some ownership of the literature because they know that the archetypes they use belong to humanity.

Although Jack has at times been a disappointing character, I love the moment when Jacob "passes the cup" to him. He is to be the new guardian of the island's light. After Jack drinks the water in the cup, Jacob states, "Now you're like me." When Jack later passes the leadership role on to Hurley, he tells Hurley the same thing. These particular scenes sent chills up and down my spine because I saw Christ in them.

When we invite Christ to rule in our hearts, he invites us to his table. He offers us the bread and wine that are his body and blood. Essentially, he invites us to fill ourselves with him. He does this because he desires to make us like him, to carve his image on our hearts.

Whether the writers intended it or not, their "passing of the cup" gave me a fresh perspective on my relationship with Christ. I desire to daily drink of his living water and to hear him whisper gently, "Now you're like me."