One for Many

I, like many the world over, have been reading about the release of the one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in return for the release of 477 Palestinian prisoners.  Here if you haven't read it.

It reminded me of the bible story in Luke Ch 15 of when the Shepherd goes looking for the one lost sheep 

 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I looked at the photo of that young soldier, so thin and pale, held against his will for 1941 days......and the photos of the jubilation of his people all across Israel at his release.  It mirrors the story above and although the stories both likely happened in the very same area, the subtext of this one is so political, fraught with so many agendas.  These "prisoners" from both sides are mere pawns in a process so much bigger than themselves. A sad and violent story. 

Will this exchange of the 1 for 477 make for any positive change in that whole situation?

What a price was paid....... not just the inequality in the numbers but Mr. Shalit lost 5 years of his life.....

I just wonder what it must feel like to be "the one" vs the 477?  How can a person be worthy of that?

And yet Luke 15 applies to me, there was rejoicing when "little old me" who was lost, was found.

I know I am not worthy of that.  Thank goodness for Grace.

I hope Gilad Shalit and 477 experience Grace.