The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few... or the one
October 29, 2008
[Spock, having saved the ship, is dying]
Kirk: Spock.
Spock: Ship... out of danger?
Kirk: Yes.
Spock: Don't grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh...
Kirk: ...the needs of the few.
Spock: ...Or the one. I never took the Kobayashi Maru test until now. What do you think of my solution?
Kirk: Spock...
Spock: I have been and always shall be your friend.
[Holds up his hand in the Vulcan salute]
Spock: Live long and prosper.
So says Spock in what I consider (but some may argue) was the best of the Star Trek movie series, Star Trek 2:The Wrath of Kahn. In it, Kahn has destroyed the Enterprise and the only hope is for someone to sacrifice themselves to get the reactor under control. Kirk forbids anyone to do it but Spock does it anyway. And in this touching ending scene Spock dies.
The sentiment is Biblical, but not in the same way.
John 11:50 BBE
50 You do not see that it is in your interest for one man to be put to death for the people, so that all the nation may not come to destruction.
Caiaphas is speaking here. Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead. Some unbelieving Jews have reported to the priest council that this is going on and that Jesus is gaining popularity among the Jews. So Caiaphas speaks what seems to be a logical thing. The needs of the many (the Jewish race that will destroyed if Rome sees this happening) outweighs the needs of the few (the council) or the one (Jesus).
It really does sound noble doesn't it? Jesus will die so that the people will live. And in a way, Caiaphas was prophetic. Jesus would die so that all would live, just not in the same way. Look behind the words though.
Why did Jesus have to die. Jesus was becoming so popular that they feared the Rome would notice and sell an army to quell the rebellion. They would loose their authority. It was not the many that they were really concerned about, it was the few, themselves. If you remember, Jesus stood in front of Pilate about a week later and Pilate said that he could find no fault in Jesus. Rome was happy with Jesus. He told the people to give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar.
When you start to rationalize things, do you look at what God needs, or what you need? Do not be like Caiaphas. Look at the picture the way that God does.
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