Scripture:  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19:10

Something to think about:  Modern day search and rescue operations, such as those mounted by Coast Guard, Mountain Rescue, or other hazardous terrain rescue teams,  are organized  to aid people who are in distress or imminent danger.  In all cases, of course, the rescuers have to be committed both to search effectively and then to affect a rescue.

It is a fundamental aspect of Christian belief that God did not just announce a rescue option for those who might wish to respond, but that the Son of God came to actively seek out those needing help (all of us!).  The life and death of Christ was the ultimate search and rescue operation as it sought every human being who ever lived or will yet live, and also provided the possibility of rescue from the danger of eternal death.  

But the search and rescue story does not end there. Jesus specifically commissioned his disciples to continue his work and we, as Christians, must remember that we are also in the search and rescue business by virtue of our calling.   People often ask themselves and others “What are you looking for in life?” But for the Christian the question is not “what,” but whom.  We are called to follow in the steps of the One who came to seek and save, and we must all ask ourselves occasionally: “How much prayer, effort, support and involvement are we putting into search and rescue work?”

The idea of a fountain of life or rejuvenation has captivated humanity for a long time.  Stories of such a fountain are known from around the world and dating across many centuries.  

The idea is mentioned in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, and others. It was common in many areas of Europe and Asia, and among the native peoples of the New World when it was discovered in the 16th century of our own era.  It was at that time that the legend became particularly prominent in the quest of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, who sought the fountain of life or youth in Florida in 1513. 

Many other individuals have tirelessly hunted for such a fountain over the centuries –some spending fortunes and lifetimes searching – but the  fountain has remained as elusive as it is legendary.  Today we may view the stories as quaint relics of bygone ages, but they are also sad testaments to the fact that human beings so often search for their deepest desires in all the wrong directions.

Unlike the many disenchanted explorers who admitted defeat in looking for the elusive fountain, David, king of ancient Israel, felt that he had found it. Speaking of the God of Israel, David wrote: “For with you is the fountain of life” (Psalm 36:9).   His son, the wise king Solomon – who spent much of his reign searching for what brought happiness and life – speaks repeatedly of the fountain of life in his proverbs, showing different aspects or ways in which it is experienced:

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life …” (Proverbs 10:11).

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life…” (Proverbs 13:14).

“Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent …” (Proverbs 16:22).

Other biblical verses equate the flowing water of life with wisdom, knowledge, and truth, and these verses all show that the fountain of life can at least be approached by walking in the way of God.  But these aspects  are all, admittedly, a reflection (or perhaps more accurately a “trickle-down”) of the true fountain of life itself.  In his teaching, Jesus showed how that fountain can actually be gained:  “… whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14 NKJV).

That fountain which flows from God Himself will not disappear like a myth in the mists of time. The Book of Revelation shows it will be there beyond this age in the new heaven and earth:  “.. the Lamb who is in the midst … will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters…”  (Revelation 7:17 NKJV). That is the true fountain of life that exists and lasts far beyond humanity’s wildest dreams or hopes. 

It is sad indeed that, over the centuries, many have spent great fortunes and much of their lives looking for this world’s imaginary  living fountain.  But it’s worth asking ourselves – what are we, who have found the only true fountain of life, spending of our time, energy, and resources to hold on to it and to lead others to it?

The star that appeared to the wise men in the East announcing the birth of Christ and which led them to Him (Matthew 2:1-9) shone brightly till its purpose was fulfilled, then it disappeared from view.  In a similar manner, John the Baptist, who was called the “greatest of those born of women” (Matthew 11:11), accomplished a short intense ministry aimed also at announcing and pointing to the Christ, then likewise faded from view.  

The star that heralded Jesus’ birth, bright as it appeared, was to be obscured by the One to whom it pointed – the Messiah himself.  Here we also see a parallel with John the Baptist.  As Christ affirmed, “He was a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35), but John nevertheless  came only as a witness because “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:8-9). Once Jesus’ ministry began,  John’s  “light”was dimmed by the rising of his successor.  As John himself said using this very analogy, “He must wax, but I must wane” (John 3:30).  But like the heavenly star that also preceded the Messiah’s birth,  John the Baptist’s job was fully accomplished in the short but intense work which God intended for him. Both were powerful witnesses to the coming of the Messiah.

How does this apply to us?  Although we may not live in the age which saw a heavenly light or a great prophetic “light” like John the Baptist pointing to Christ, the apostle Peter reminds us that “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).  That “morning star”  is Christ himself (Revelation 22:16); and the “prophetic message” is not so much all of prophecy as it is the prophetic message regarding the meaning and purpose of the coming of Christ.

The star of the nativity, the “lamp” of John the Baptist, and the “light shining in a dark place” were different announcements made available to different groups of people: the first to only a select few, the second to all who heard John, the third to all who come in contact with the word of God throughout the whole world.    The three forms of announcement also increased in the level of understanding they provided those to whom they were given.  Bright as the heavenly star may have appeared, and powerful as John’s testimony may have been, we can be thankful that the announcement that has come to us is the fullest, clearest and most profound of all. 

“Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest … But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome” (Matthew 26:57-59).

The description of Peter – who had only recently insisted that he would follow Jesus to the death if necessary (John 13:37) – as following at a safe distance after Jesus’ arrest is one of the most unflattering stories in the New Testament.  When the “chips were down,” Peter did not stick with the One he acknowledged as the Christ; though later, after his empowerment by the Spirit of God, he did, of course, follow Jesus to the end.

There are two aspects of what Matthew says about this event that we can apply to ourselves – two ways that we too can fail in following. First, we see that Peter “followed him at a distance.”  Do we do this in our lives?  If we are only partially involved in our religious beliefs, if we think of our religion  as only what we do in church, and not in our everyday lives, we are certainly following Him at a distance.

But there is also another type of distance following. We can fail to follow closely in time as well as in space. Notice that when Peter followed Jesus to the high priest’s courtyard he then “sat down ..to see the outcome.”  Do we wait to see the outcome of things before committing ourselves to following more closely?  That is the attitude of millions of people through history who have attempted to strike a bargain with God: “If you will do this – rescue me, heal me, help me or whatever – I will do better, follow you more closely.”  Although God may sometimes intervene to answer sincere prayers of this type, we must beware of putting off obedience until God has “done His side of the deal.” We can do this, for example,  by waiting till we feel our finances are in order before helping others, or in countless other ways.  Although we may feel we are sincere in these things, it’s really just following at a safe distance. We need to be following in the here and now.

It helps to remember that “Follow me” was Jesus’ first command to his disciples (Mark 1:17), and it is also his last recorded command in the Gospel of John (John 21:19). Significantly, it was to Peter that Jesus addressed that command, and repeated it, after His resurrection (John 21:21), though it clearly applies to every disciple.  Peter had to learn, and be reminded, that following Jesus  and saying we are following Jesus are not the same – and that following at a distance is not really following at all.

It’s a lesson we all need to remember at times, because God wants real followers rather than those of the “distant” or “eventual” type.   We see this in the Old Testament where God says:  “Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised …” (Numbers 32:11).  We see it throughout the New Testament where numerous people failed to follow because they wanted to follow later, or at a distance: “[Jesus] said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father’ …. Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family’ ” (Luke 9:59-61).

The whole point of following is really to follow as closely as possible. Jesus was explicit about this, saying: “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be” (John 12:26).  That clearly implies following by walking with Him rather than following at a safe distance.