The Case of The Disappearing Friend

 If you’ve ever felt like you’re "drifting" from your community or faith, this story proves you aren't alone. Here is a fascinating deep dive into history that ends with a powerful reminder to check in on the people you miss. Just like the mystery of Amelia Earhart, one of Jesus’ inner circle—Simon the Zealot—completely vanished from the pages of history. 

• From Rebel to Ghost: Simon started as a "Zealot" (potentially a radical political rebel) but after the "spectacular" event of Pentecost, he goes into "radio silence." 
• Gruesome Legends: Did he preach in Britain? Was he sawn in half in Persia? 🪚 Legend says he was martyred in some of the most intense ways imaginable. 
• The "Why" of Disappearing: We all have friends who stop replying to social media or "disappear" from our lives. Usually, it’s not because they don't care—it's just that life, timing, and energy changed. 
• The Search: Just as a shepherd looks for one lost sheep, we’re reminded that it’s never too late to reconnect with old friends or our own faith. 

Transcript

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On july fourth, nineteen thirty seven, America heard terrible news radioed from the Pacific Ocean. Amelia Earhart was missing. The greatest woman pilot in history, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross, was missing. A few weeks before the nation had listened in wonder as she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, had left Miami to fly around the world. They traveled to South America, Africa, India, and New Guinea. But as they flew from New Guinea to a tiny Pacific island, something happened. They radioed, they could not find the island. Then silence. President Roosevelt launched a massive search with Navy ships. The world waited to find out where these courageous explorers might be found. What could be more terrible for the victim and the families than disappearing? One of the disciples of Jesus disappeared. Let's find out what happened to Simon the Zealot and what it might mean for our friendships and faith. The scripture background is simple. Simon the Zealot is listed among the disciples in all four Gospels. Most scholars believe he had the tag of zealot because of his passion for following the laws of Judaism. There may have been more, however. At the time of Jesus, a political and military group called the Zealots were active, focused on resistance against Roman occupation. Thousands of them had already been killed by the Romans for their rebellion. Could Simon have been so passionate because he was a part of this radical group? Simon had followed Jesus and listened to him for many months. He fled like all the others when Jesus was arrested and crucified. But he was present on Easter when the incredible news of Jesus reappearing sent shock waves through the disconsolate group. We read in Acts that he was present for the spectacular Pentecost event that supercharged the faith of all those present. What an amazing experience for Simon the Zealot. Then, nothing more. Radio silence. Simon the Zealot disappears from the pages of the Bible. Have you ever known someone who dropped out of your sight? Maybe a friend that you had known for years, but well, time wore on and the contacts became less and less. You sent a social media birthday wish but didn't hear anything back. People disappear from church life as well. Think of the man who sat in a certain pew but hadn't been showing up lately. Someone said they had heard he had been laid off from work, so we should pray for him. Or could it have been after the pastor preached about some culture war issue and the man didn't like the message? And you know, there are lots of churches to choose from. In America today, more than ninety million people don't have any active connection to a religious group. They have disappeared, not from God necessarily, but from the crowd who talks about God. Well what happened to Simon the Zealot? The traditions have offered many speculations, of course. Tradition says he took his passion for Jesus as a missionary, but can't agree whether he preached in Africa, Britain, or Asia. The stories agree he was martyred for his faith with one gruesome story told in the Middle Ages that he was sawn in half. In Europe today you can see statues on cathedrals with a man and a huge saw beside him. What a way to be remembered. One story connects him to the zealot rebellion that grew more intense after Jesus died. History records that a famous rebel named Simon was executed by the Romans around fifteen years after Jesus died. Could that be the one who had been following Jesus, but grew disillusioned with the pacifism to turn and embrace violent resistance again? It's true the early church was beset by controversy and persecutions. As the years went by, the little house churches ran into trouble from the Roman government and Judaism. More than one New Testament book was written to help people keep the faith. Could Simon have started passionate but committed and then faced disagreement with other church leaders, vicious attacks by officials, or opposition from his family until finally he moved away from religious activity? The book by Mel Robbins entitled The Let Them Theory brings forward some great insight into modern friendships. She says friendship and connection are built on three factors proximity, timing, and energy. The more we are around a person or in the same life situation or have energy to attend to a relationship, the more likely a real connection can grow. When any of these factors change, the connection changes. A coworker may move and we don't keep up with them, or the friend may be forced to care for a sick parent. Keeping in contact requires extra effort, and it's not necessarily our fault if things change and friends disappear. Robbins writes, the connection you have with another person never actually breaks. It's never too late to reconnect. The Old Testament legend of Cain and Abel offers a negative example. When Abel was missing, God asked Cain, Where is your brother? Cain, the murderer, lies with a sarcastic, evasive question back to God, Am I my brother's keeper? It's a good question to act today as well. We're not murderers, but we are connected to hundreds of people. In a sense, we are the keepers of our brothers or sisters who share a humanity that flourishes with deep, rich connections. Keeping a vibrant faith can be very difficult today. I think many churches have lost touch by holding archaic views of God, humanity, and the world, retreating into well worn-out answers of a bygone era. Scandals have revealed the failures of leaders who shattered the trust of the people. Culture wars have magnified polarization in the community and the congregations. People I know have chosen to go their own way because of all these problems. So let me say that is okay for a while. We all need time to pull back and reflect and rebuild our authentic spirituality. You may know that sadly, Earhart and Noonan were never found alive. However, in 2017, bones were recovered on Nikumaro Island that have a 99% match to Earhart. Objects from the era of the 1930s were found there as well. This year a major expedition is planned to investigate the lagoon of the island where images suggest something man-made may lie beneath the surface. The mystery may be close to being solved. For us, it's good to take time to listen to an inner divine tap on the shoulder, which brings a thought about a friend to your mind. At the least, breathe a prayer for God's grace in their lives, and consider reaching out again as a keeper of that person who once shared so much with you. If I've described your faith journey in a season of disappearing, let me encourage you to keep kindling the spark of faith within. Don't just disappear. Your spirituality, defined by your own seeking heart, is just as valid as anyone's. The Bible is clear that God wants to meet you where you are. It's okay to seek due directions. Jesus told of a shepherd who searched everywhere for one lost sheep. That loving shepherd of the Spirit is still searching for all of us and won't give up until we are safe with him.