Thoughts from The Dark Knight Rises

Warning: Spoilers below!



Watched "The Dark Knight Rises" yesterday, and it was good, action-packed entertainment. Am saddened to hear about the shooting in Colorado though :(

Towards the end of the movie, there is a real danger that Gotham City will be destroyed by Bane. Batman (Bruce Wayne) is determined to stop him, at the expense of his own life.

Batwoman says to him, "You don't owe these people anymore. You've given them everything."

Batman replies, "Not everything. Not yet."

He goes on to sacrifice his life to save the city.

At that moment in the film, the verse popped into my mind: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

The analogy is not perfect of course. Batman felt like he had an obligation to save Gotham City. God doesn't owe us that obligation. Batman is a creation of Marvel Comics, a fictional superhero. Jesus is Unseen, but as real as life itself.

But there are parallels. Both Jesus and Batman willingly laid down their lives because of love. Both were willing to shed blood that others may live.

Jesus died that we may have life, and to have it abundantly. He died that our sins would be atoned for, and that the burden of our guilt and the punishment that is ours may be rightfully wiped out. He died that we would have the peace and joy that comes from knowing we are forgiven. He died that we may be reconciled to the Father, and be restored to rightstanding with God Himself. He died that we may be adopted into His family, and call God "Abba Father." He died that our names would be written in the Lamb's book of life, and that we would have our citizenship in Heaven. He died that we would have eternal life.

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him." (Psalm 32)

How blessed indeed.

Some days I wonder, why would Jesus die for me? Why would He do that? Why would the Son of God do that? His love confounds me.

Today, if you are reading this, and do not yet know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, please know that He died for you that your sins may be forgiven and that you may be reconciled to Him. He came to give His life as a ransom for many; yes, including for you!