Biscuit Bombers

I am in the middle of reading Kokoda by Paul Ham, a comprehensive overview of the Australian involvement in New Guinea during World War II.  Facing obstacles of all kinds, the Japanese, Australians, and native carriers braved unthinkable suffering from the boggy jungle, difficult terrain, disease, and starvation - not to mention fighting a war through it all.  One common problem which plagued both sides was the inability to adequately supply the fighting men.  The Allies had control over the air and employed transport planes the Aussie troops nicknamed "biscuit bombers" to supply the troops.  But there was a huge logistical problem:  most of the time parachutes were not used and the contents of the drop were severely damaged or rendered unusable.  Sometimes mortars would fuse from the impact and later detonate in the tubes, killing the Aussies who tried to use them.

Ham writes concerning the "biscuit bombers" on page 337:  "Radio signals were meant to guide in the planes and, at the appointed time, bags of food would hurtle to earth.  The pilots were instructed to aim for burnt patches of ground, or logs arranged as markings.  Their maps were as good as useless.  Where the planes missed the marked clearings, hundreds of bags came crashing through the canopy and free fell to the jungle floor.  Occasionally they struck the men below - biscuit bombs killed or wounded several Australian soldiers.  Most airdrops still lacked parachutes, and a large percentage of supplies were lost.  Virtually all the bags split open, biscuits were reduced to powder and sugar scattered over the jungle floor."  Isn't it ironic the careless method of deploying supply drops to save lives actually caused the death of people they intended to save?  How unspeakably awful, and what a gross waste!  Had parachutes been used, much of the precious supplies could have been useable.  I can almost see the relief and satisfaction on the face of the pilot after completing his drop and banking to return to base for another load - completely unaware that a mere fraction of the load was salvageable.  He had done his duty, braving enemy fire, successfully locating the drop zone in the misty jungle, and unwittingly ended up killing his mates by dropping supplies on them.  The lack of parachutes was a tragic oversight.

It occurred to me that this is a great object lesson concerning a Christian's presentation of the Gospel.  Jesus has committed unto us the words of life.  God is not willing that any should perish but that all should repent and be born again.  Though the Gospel saves souls for eternity, if it is deployed like a load from a biscuit bomber - without the parachute of love - it is an insult and a disgrace.  Harsh, judgmental tones in presenting the Gospel do much more harm than good.  Spiteful words mingled with pride from the mouths of Christians have greatly injured the cause of Christ.  A discussion without love can degrade into vicious debate.  I have witnessed an unbeliever stomp off angrily while the believer laughs and shrugs it off.  Happy he has done his duty by quashing the spirit of another sinner, the self-assured Gospel bomber seeks his next victim.  Of course the opposite is the fearful pilot who would not risk a drop because of the potential of offense.  The bright light of scriptural truth can hurt the eyes and wound the pride of those long in darkness.  But when delivered with the love of Christ, it causes sorrow which produces repentance not to be repented of and brings ultimate joy.

We should be faithful to share the Gospel with others, seeking to save the lost.  Always be sure to be led by the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the love of Christ through compassion, grace, mercy, and kindness.  Unlike those pilots without specific guidance to drop sites or parachutes for their loads, God has given us a most comprehensive map in His Word to help and guide us to abide in Him.  He has provided us love we are to demonstrate faithfully so others might be drawn to love God too.  People will know we are Christians by our love.