the missionaries in rambo had a bad idea

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

I just finished the movie Rambo. It was about a group of medical missionaries who went into Burma to help heal people and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They, by the persuasion of the lone woman, were taken in to the interior by John Rambo.

They were captured and some were killed. The minister of the church that sent them out came and spoke to Rambo. Rambo and a group of mercenaries went in and rescued what was left of their group.

That brings up a question. The missionaries went into a country that is known at the time (the movie was made in 2008) throughout the world to have the worst civil rights record towards Christians of any country in the world. Were they stupid or faithful?

They had the best of intentions, but quite frankly, even to me as a minister who dearly loves both the Lord and the church, their rationale sounded lame. “If people were to lay down their weapons, everything would be okay.”

Yes. And if your grandmother had wheels, she would be a teacart.

Things are what they are. Which brings me to the point. Jesus himself said be careful. Don’t do things that are foolish. Be harmless, but also be shrewd. In other words, think about what you are doing before you do it.

I greatly admire people who are missionaries, especially those who go to hard places. But if you go to a place that you know will probably kill you, are you smart, or are you committing suicide?

These people came into conflict immediately. Government forces came in and shot everybody in the town and took them prisoner. If they had researched Burma (or Myanmar as it is also known), they would have known that Christians are killed as a matter of course.

Were they devoted to God or were they foolish? To do something that is that dangerous and then expect God to take care of you: is that truly being wise?

These people were noble, yes, and of course they were portrayed in counterpoint to the battle-hardened and world weary Rambo. And, of course, as this was his movie, he had to go in and rescue them.

They suffered and they died, but to what end? Did they really accomplish anything other than a good movie?

I do not know. But I think they should have used more sense. And the sponsoring congregation should have used more sense and discernment in sending them. The pastor was worried when he came and talked to Rambo. But he should have thought about it beforehand. It was a bad idea.

Sometimes missionaries are so full of their mission that they need someone objective to point out difficulties and, if necessary, stop them by, if nothing else, not giving them funds.

A good movie, but one that should not have happened.