I rarely watch much news, but one day I stopped by the house for lunch and turned on the TV for a moment to hear the press conference regarding the successful rescue of the final U.S. airman from the shot-down F-15.
On the first of April, Iranian air defenses shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle. Two airmen parachuted safely into Iran. The pilot was quickly recovered, but the severely wounded weapons system officer spent nearly two days evading capture in treacherous mountain terrain.
The U.S. launched a massive, 50-hour combat search and rescue operation into Iran. This effort featured over 150 U.S. aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and refueling tankers, as well as hundreds of special forces troops. Two Black Hawk helicopters were hit under heavy fire, and two U.S. transport planes were destroyed.
The U.S. military has long been guided by the principle of never leaving an American warfighter behind. That commitment was evident throughout the operation.
More Than a Military Motto
That same spirit, of leaving no one behind, is infused in the culture of His Way.
A few weeks ago, our resident-elected house leader, Jason, was arrested on our campus following a grand jury indictment for actions taken long before he arrived at His Way. Soon after, I raised with the residents whether we should elect a new house leader in Jason’s absence, but they responded, No! We are standing with Jason.
A week later, when it looked like Jason would be gone longer than expected, we asked again about electing a replacement house leader. Again, the sentiment was resoundingly, No!
In contrast to the “Next man up principle” adopted by many organizations, His Way’s culture is every man matters and no brother will be left behind.
Jesus Taught Us to Leave No One Behind
Jesus revealed the nature of God through the parable of the lost sheep,
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that went astray?” (Matthew 18:12).
Apparently, this is a principle held on to strongly by the brothers of His Way.
It reminds me of the “sole-survivor policy” the U.S. military implemented, as depicted in the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” Captain John Miller and his squad of Rangers were ordered to locate and retrieve Private James Francis Ryan behind enemy lines after Ryan’s three brothers were all killed in battle within a single week. Eight men’s lives were put at risk to save just one.
Jesus came as the ultimate rescue mission.
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. … But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6,8)
1 Timothy 2:4 expresses the reason that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
And even as Captain Miller gave his life for Private Ryan, so Jesus, in the full expression of God’s love, gave His life to save yours. Because God desires that “No Man Be Left Behind,” and so does His Way.