The Yarnell Hill Fire was a wildfire near Yarnell, Arizona that was ignited by dry lightning on June 28, 2013. On June 30th, it overran and killed 19 members of the “Granite Mountain Hotshots” wildland firefighting crew. It was the most firefighters killed in one instance since the attacks on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Eric March was the superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew who died on June 30th along with 18 of his crew members. He had a saying that he shared with his crew in Latin which was, “Esse Quam Videri”. Translated into English is means “to be rather than to seem.”
The Granite Mountain Hotshots practiced their firefighting skills and rehearsed situations that prepared them for the worst. When the situation presented itself, they put themselves on the line to protect others and keep a nearby city from going up in flames. When the fire blazed all around them, they fulfilled their duty to the death. They did not simply seem to be firefighters, they were firefighters.
In John 10:11-13 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” Jesus did not only appear to love us, He truly loved us to the point of death on a cross. He died in our place for the forgiveness of our sins, paying the penalty that we deserve. He put it all on the line for us and bore the flames so that we did not have to. Thank God that He not only appeared to be a savior, but He truly is our Savior.
Each of who follow Jesus are called to an authentic relationship with God. Our Savior does not want us to merely appear to follow Him, but for us to truly follow Him in spirit and in truth. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day saying, “on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 27:28). God wants us to be honest before Him, walking in integrity, genuine love, and obedience. He is not interested in religious performance or simply playing the part. Get honest with God and endeavor to be a genuine follower of Jesus, just as Jesus is a genuine Savior. The call to follow Jesus Christ is the call to “Esse Quam Videri”. It is the call “to be rather than to seem.”