I just watched the final episodes of this season’s 24.
I know that 24 has come in for a lot of criticism for its portrayal of torture (plus its violence etc) and I too would have significant problems with this aspect of the series. Despite this, however, I have to admit to enjoying this kind of edge-of-your-seat action and I think the ethical issues it raises are worth discussing.
Also, in watching this series I find significant connections between Jack Bauer’s “sense of call” and his passion “to do whatever it takes” (within certain boundaries) and the call to follow Jesus. When I was a pastor there were more than a few times when I found myself in a difficult situation and wanted simply to run away… but knew that I was called by Jesus to do whatever it took to follow his call and his lead and practice/show the Gospel – which often mean entering into conflict and so as to be able speak/practice truth in love. At these time I often thought of Jack Bauer. Was I willing to take the risks he took – but for the sake of good news of Jesus. Was I willing to bear the cost that he bore – but for the sake of the good news of Jesus? Did I have the courage that Jack Bauer had – but for the sake of the good news of Jesus? Was I as steadfast in my sense as call – but for the sake of the good news of Jesus? Was I (am I?) willing to do whatever it takes to show/practice Christ’s love for the world and for others?
Anyways, this present series seems to have been a lot more reflective than previous series and asking a lot more questions regarding the justification of torture and violence. (Jack in fact is on trial before a Senate Committee.) And in the final episode series there’s a very moving “death bed scene” in involving Jack. After being infected with a virus it seems as though he has come to the end of his life. And Jack is reflecting on what he has done and how he has lived, and asking whether he had always done the right thing. (His job/calling had cost the life of his wife and had also caused alientation between him and his daughter.)
And in this scene, on the basis of a phone call from Jack, a Muslim cleric comes to visit him. (This man had met Jack a few hours earlier and had been inpressed with his lack of prejudice and his search for truth and justice.)
(Jack) I am dying.
(Cleric) I know.
(Jack) I’ve made so many mistakes, and I always thought that I would have time to crack them.
(Cleric) You have the time right now.
(Jack) You don’t know what I’ve done.
(Cleric) We live in complex times Mr. Bauer. Nothing is black and white. But I do know this. I see before me a man, with all his flaws, and all his goodness. Simply a man. Let us both forgive ourselves for all the wrongs that we have done.
At this point Jack closes his eyes, as if in prayer, and experiences a sense of forgiveness… and thus the peace that will enable him to die well.
It was a moving scene. I was actually in tears (which is not that uncommon). Jack faces up to his own humanity… his limitations… his mistakes. But in doing that there is also the need to experience forgiveness. I loved the fact that the Muslim cleric talked in “we” langauge. Forgiveness is something we all need – no matter how big or small our regrets are.
Over the past weekend I was reminded that most of us want to run from our mistakes. But it is there we can experience the grace and blessing of forgiveness. This is the place of growth. Yes, in many ways the real challenge, as we look back on our lives, is to forgive ourselves.
Yes… Jesus’ followers can do so because we have first been forgiven by God in Jesus Christ. But it still seems to me that this is an unspoken issue for many of us – dealing with our regrets, limitations, brokeness… and in doing so celebrating our own forgiveness.
