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For we know that the whole creation has been groaning
together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the
creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. -Romans 8:22-23 It's difficult to fathom what recently occurred in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. I can't imagine the profound sense of loss to something so senseless that many families are now dealing with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. Despite the horrific violence of one deranged man, stories are emerging of sacrificial love that is of the highest order...the giving of your life for another. Here's a LINK to a story of three men who did just that for the women they loved. It deserves a read.
How do you explain this kind of evil and suffering? It's impossible on this side of heaven. But one thing is clear. This is an utterly broken and fallen world and we are living in some crazy times. Economic uncertainty, social unrest,
political upheaval, random acts of senseless violence - everything seems to be in disarray - even the
natural world; from earthquakes, to hurricanes, to tsunamis - the
frequency is dizzying and intensity is frightening.Not to get all "doomsday" on you, but even the general public seems to recognize that we may be approaching a final climax in which mankind will find a way to destroy themselves if some higher power does not intervene. Just look at all the movies Hollywood is churning out with that same dark apocalyptic theme whether it's about superheroes, natural disasters, a contagious disease, terrorist attack, or a war to end all wars. We are living in fear that something big and bad is going to happen and we are searching for a superhero that will save us from ourselves and until we find that hero the Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and Ironman movies are sure to continue. G.K. Chesterton once said:
"Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."Given that comic book hero movies are essentially fairy tales for men, I think Chesterton's quote applies to this genre as well. These movies are more than true; not because they tell us that these comic book heroes exist, but because they tell us that a superhero does exist and justice will one day prevail and evil one day will be conquered and there will be a "happily ever after". This is why Bonnie Tyler's song "I Need a Hero" later parodied by Shrek in the video below was such a big hit. We are all searching for a hero. We all seek salvation even if we have to settle for a big green monster to fill that role - be it Shrek or the Incredible Hulk.
But the world searches in vain because the real superhero is not found in a fictitious person who is part mutant and part man trying to reconcile his vast mutant powers for good or for evil. He is a real person who is fully God and fully man who has come to reconcile the world to himself from evil. And with each passing day in which more lives are lost and more heinous crimes are committed we are left groaning for redemption and longing for justice. We are left waiting for a superhero to end all superheros. But he has already come and he has already demonstrated a love of the absolute highest order in giving his life for those who refused his love - and best of all he has promised to return. Therefore, no matter how hopeless things are in this world, hope still lives. Hope is alive and well and his name is Jesus Christ.
Maranatha.
Peter & Kim
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