For those of you who are not familiar with this show, Lost is about a group of people stranded on an island after their flight Oceanic 815 crashed. However, this crash was not coincidental, for there was a purpose they were on this island. The show goes through the story of why the plane crashed on the island and what the purpose is for each of the main characters on the island.
It's a bit farfetched, but this show is definitely one that makes you think. This most recent season, I've been opened up to several biblical parallels in the story line, one specifically pertaining to the character Jack Shephard. I recently decided to analyze Jack's leadership abilities for my Values Leadership class. During this analysis, I've realized a key biblical tie into Jack's spiritual journey on and off the island.
Jack has an intentional leadership style. He is a spinal surgeon so he strives for excellence and perfection. He does not cope well with loss or failure, because when you're a spinal surgeon, failure means fatality. Jack likes to be able to control his surroundings and be completely knowledgeable about anything and everything. If he can't grasp it, then he rubs it off as impossible to obtain as to cover up any signs of weakness. Later on in the progression of the show (I can't remember what season), Jack and some of the other people on the island find a way to go back home. Jack makes it back home successfully only to see his life go downhill. He has problems with drinking, loss of relationships, and depression begins to sink in. However, during his time back home, he realizes that there was a purpose for him on the island. After him and the rest of the crew found a way back to the island, his attitude changed. Suddenly, Jack believed in destiny and a purpose that was greater than himself. In the most recent episode, Jack confronted Richard Alpert about his destiny on this island, stating that his purpose wasn't fulfilled yet and therefore his time to die has not yet come- a dramatic difference from the old Jack.
Looking back on Jack during his transformational outlook on life, I am reminded of the prodigal son story from Luke 15. The prodigal son takes his father's inheritance and runs away from home, squandering all of his money on things for his own pleasure. Once he runs out of money, he is left in a state of depravity, falling as low as eating out of a pig's trough. The prodigal son comes to the realization that his life back at home was much better for him and decides to return home. As he is approaching home, all he can think about is the punishment and scolding he will get from his father. However, he was completely mistaken. The father sees his son from a long way off and is overjoyed. He can't contain his excitement, and begins to run towards to son and take him into his arms. The father prepares a party for his son and kills the fattened calf- which is not something to take lightly. The fattened calf is usually only prepared for extremely special occasions. The fattened calf symbolizes for me just how happy the father was to see his son. The father stated, "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
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