Saving the Universe

When they were younger, my sons loved playing with Legos; these days, they enjoy watching the Avenger movies.  So when I saw that Lego sells Avenger's Infinity War Toys, I bought a few sets as gifts.  

One of the sets includes a minifigure of Thanos, a complicated and intriguing antihero.  In his twisted mind, Thanos believes that by destroying half of all life, he'll return balance to the universe and save it.


I love characters with depth, and Thanos is an environmentalist on steroids.  He fascinates me.

And just like the world in the movie, our world isn't right.   We're always looking for a solution or a hero to make things better, to win the day, to undo what sin has done.

But, at the end of the day, all the stories, all the heroes, all the "saving the universe" - they all point to the greatest story ever told, the greatest hero who ever lived, the only hero who matters - Jesus.

Sometimes, the comparisons and contrasts to Jesus are so obvious that I think the author must have been inspired by the Bible's savior.  

For instance, Thanos sees himself as the savior of humanity, but he's actually an anti-savior who "shows mercy" by killing lots of people. 

But Jesus...

Jesus came into this suffering world as a baby in a manger.  He lived among us, working as a carpenter, teaching people, feeding them, healing them. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

And Jesus's solution to our suffering, to sin, to death, to Satan...Jesus offered Himself up; He died for us and rose again to give us new life.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4–5

Of course, all the "stories" we love to read and watch - they're just stories.  But Jesus is our God, and He's history; He's real.  He really lived, really died, rose again and ascended.

In many ways, but especially by the testimony of witnesses and by the Spirit Who lives within us, we Christians know this to be so.   

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.  Acts 5:32

That's our hope.  It's a hope that's sure and true. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:16–17