Last week I shared a video blog from Chris Seay, author of “The Gospel According to Lost.” You can find that post here. Chris was discussing last week’s episode, Dr. Linus, and made the comment up front that this was perhaps his favorite episode of the entire show. The reason I agree is this clip.
For years we’ve watched Ben wiggle his way out of every jam. We’ve watched him manipulate others for his own gain treating everyone around him like some pawn in his attempt to maintain and grow his power. It’s reminiscent of another character we read about in Genesis named Jacob [unrelated to the Jacob in this series in my opinion].
The Jacob of Genesis spends much of his life conniving and even goes so far as to steal his brother’s birthright. Jacob’s brother Esau can’t forgive his brother for what he has done and vows to kill Jacob. Jacob flees his home to save himself from that possibility.
Years later, Jacob has to face his brother Esau but on the night before that reunion, Jacob wrestles with God. [Gen. 32:22-32] All night Jacob wrestles with this divine figure and neither is able to conquer the other one. Near morning, as the conflict comes to conclusion, Jacob asks for his adversary to “bless him.” Before receiving that blessing, the question is posed to Jacob, “what is your name?”
It’s the angel’s way of saying, who are you?
And in this moment, Jacob is faced with the realization of who he really is… Jacob… a conniving thief who had wronged his brother and jeapordized everything he held dear. When the angel blessed Jacob, he also changes his name.
“Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.”
Your old life is gone. Your new life has begun.
Benjamin Linus, the character we’ve grown to respect and fear, is at a similar crossroads. He’s lost everything, and much of the damage that he is experienced is a consequence of his own actions… and he knows it.
“Why will you go to Locke?” Illana asks.
“Because he is the only one that would have me.” Ben replies.
Forgiveness creates a new path in Ben’s life, and perhaps for him, a corner has been turned.