A Fire Will Rise
A fire rises is such an appropriate subject for what I am about to say. Now we all know, and yes, I’m going nerd mode for a bit, we all know how much I love Batman, The Dark Knight Rises is an amazingly made cinematic work of art. I am a huge Batman fan and could talk about it for days, but I would rather talk about something that is more amazing. God. Now there are points in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, well just the whole story of Batman itself, that have actually spoke to me very well for my whole life growing up and I am able to fit into my life to glorify God.
First there’s tragedy, like Bruce Wayne’s parents being murdered right in front of his eyes. Being Christians, we’ve all experienced tragedies, but none are more tragic than the tragedy of being separated from God. Sin is what blocks us from Him. It is obviously the most tragic flaw we have as being human beings and living of the flesh. I love what Thomas Wayne says to Bruce when he falls into the cave, “Why do we fall, so we can pick ourselves up.” For us it’s God who picks us up.
So then Bruce gets some training, and then he becomes more than a man, a symbol, Batman. For us, we are a symbol of Christ. Of course we don’t dress up in bat suites and drive Tumbler’s around and kicking butt, but we glorify the Creator of universe with our lives. I think that’s a little more EPIC. Actually, it’s the most epic thing you could ever do as a human.
Then there are some sacrifices that have to be made in order to be Batman. We see some many ways Bruce Wayne saves the day by sacrificing himself to become this symbol. Fellow believers, as Christ followers, we are called to be sacrifices. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Will you sacrifice yourself to become a symbol of hope for people so your life can glorify God in any means possible?
Finally there’s this concept of a fire rising. In The Dark Knight trilogy, it’s hope and light. In our world, it’s even more than that! It’s a fire of passion that cries out for God, which turns into hope and light for the whole world, not just Gotham City. Be that symbol for Christ, sacrifice yourself, and then rise up to make this fire rise! Whether that means doing your job at work, helping a neighbor, go and be a missionary in a dark place, or just down the street, making disciples at home, work, church, or just praising God publicly, not just during the storm, but even in the calm of things. Rise. Now’s the time. Set ablaze to the nations in glory of God.