A Resurrection Miracle

When I went to bed last night the preparations for the rescue were in the final stage. By the time I awoke this morning 7 miners had been pulled to safety.

By any measure this is truly an incredible story. Thirty-three miners, ranging in age from 19 to 64 have been trapped over 2,000 feet beneath the earth since the mine in which they were working collapsed on August 5. That was before the first day of school, before the first football game, back when the Braves were in first place. So much has happened since then—above ground. But for these 33 men, day and night have been eerily similar. They survived the first few days by sharing the meager rations they had. Over the past months (yes that is months) they have survived by rations and news and medicines that have been lowered through a small hole. The fact that we have gotten to this point is a miracle.

And we do say “we.” As the miners emerged from their tombs they have been greeted by media from literally around the world. North Korea, that most reclusive of nations, has sent its media to cover this story.

Why? What about this event has captured the imagination and attention of the world?

It is a human-interest story. 33 men trapped underground, their families waiting for news, for something—it is the story of movies (and more than a few have already been pitched.

It is a story of nations working together. This mine in Chile has pulled on the hearts of other countries where everyday men go into the earth to get the resources that modern society needs to operate. That international bond has pulled an international team together to rescue “their brothers.”

It is a story that rarely ends well. How often do we hear about a mine disaster? How often do we hear about rescues? In our country we are well acquainted with the recent disasters in WV, where some bodies still are entombed, never to be recovered.

And so this time, we hoped. We hoped that maybe, just maybe THIS time there would be great news! And there is!

But as I watched these individuals emerge from the ground, I had to ask again, “What makes this rescue different?” When people were pulled from the top of their homes after the flooding of Katrina, in Nashville, in Pakistan, there wasn’t this kind of international outpouring. When a family is rescued from a fire it quickly leaves the front page—if it ever makes it.

But being pulled out of the ground…

Remember Jessica McClure, who as a 2 year old fell into an abandoned well? National networks interrupted their programs to show her rescued after 2 days. Yes, she was a baby, but how many times are children rescued from horrible situations and yet never get that coverage?

It seems to me that it is something about being buried. There is something about being underground that makes this story so mesmerizing. In many ways it is our ultimate fear—being buried alive. (Ironically, NCIS LA had a story last night, as the rescue was getting started about a young girl buried alive.)

But I think it is deeper. I think that this story pulls up our hope—even if not conscious, even if not religious, for resurrection. For over 2 months have been buried! And today they are hugging their families. For over 2 months they were in total and complete darkness and today they face the bright light of the sun and cameras.

For over 2 months they were lost, but today are rescued.

Somewhere it is the coming back from the ground, from that place where we first emerged, from that place where we will ultimately return. On Ash Wednesday we are reminded, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Just not today.

And for that, we join in the celebration! And pray that their story might ultimately be ours.