Lessons from the 737 Max

Three hundred forty-six lives have been lost due to an apparent software glitch on the Boeing 737 Max airliner. The tragic deaths of these unfortunate passengers have produced shock waves throughout the world. Why?

Obviously, when people die in airline crashes, we all take notice. Approximately 4.3 billion passengers used air transportation in 2018. This means, every day literally millions of travelers trust their lives to flight technology and the experts behind the controls.

But aside from our commonplace participation in air travel, we have also developed a high sense of confidence in the industry. Perhaps you have heard a speaker use the redundancy of onboard systems on airliners to illustrate the importance of strategic planning. You have also most certainly heard some say, “flying is still the safest way to travel.”

Indeed, it is, in spite of the 737 Max crashes.

Why then, do these events create such anxiety?

Perhaps we are shocked, not only by the number of those who perished, but also that the things we once believed to be true have been compromised. Why was there no redundancy in the case of the flawed computer program? What was it about the relationship between Boeing and the FFA that led Chesley Sullenberger to say they were too “cozy” with one another? Why were American airline companies so slow to ground the 757 Max when it appeared there might be a systematic problem?

Our trust has been broken. And it is going to take a while to regain it, even after the 737 Max airliners are repaired. In fact, I predict there will be a name change of some sort so passengers feel more secure.

This week, I was contemplating a New Testament verse about Jesus. The writer of Hebrews declared, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow.”

In what ways is Jesus the same yesterday, today and tomorrow?

He hasn’t changed His message. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He took on the form of a servant to pull off the greatest victory in history. Nothing has changed Jesus’ passion for us and His willingness to do whatever is necessary to save us.

Jesus hasn’t changed the “why” behind our redemption. We needed grace because we were sinner destined for hell. The words of Jesus teach us. His love fills us. But His grace cleanses us and makes it possible for us to experience eternal life now and forever.

Jesus is as powerful as ever. He can still move planets, mountains, nations and sinner’s hearts. His influence extends to board rooms and living rooms. On the final day, when all things are brought to a fitting conclusion, He will appear as the indisputable Victor. If Satan protests, it will be the last sound he makes before he is cast into a place of eternal punishment. And he knows his end. The only reason he continues to roar is in the hope he might take others down with him.

Jesus hasn’t been marginalized by our culture. I am aware there are statistics that suggest Jesus’ followers have a smaller imprint in America, relative to population. I am not doubting these facts. But Jesus hasn’t been reduced in His Lordship. It saddens Him that many have traded their devotion to Him for counterfeit gods, and that He has taken a back seat to other priorities. But Jesus is moving powerfully in people’s lives. When someone opens his or her heart to His grace there isn’t a force in the universe that can stop His redemption.

I trust Jesus.

I love people, but I don’t trust them with my soul.

And I work hard at not becoming too cozy with the Adversary.

Thank you, Captain Sully, for that insight!

Jesus is the “Redundancy of Redundancy”. The One who grounds anything that shouldn’t fly.

You can trust Him too.

“Yesterday, today and tomorrow.”