If you think for one second that the capital will ever treat us fairly, then you’re lying to yourselves.
People get emotional watching the scene – hearing this line spoken in front of all the devastation wrought by the capital.
And it’s not just the people in the movie – it’s also us, watching the movie.
If it didn’t do anything to you – are you alive?
It was an incredible scene of hope.
Just in case you don’t recognize the line, it’s from Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1.
What apparently used to be a peaceful world at some time in the distant past, is now ruled by a truly evil person – ruling by fear and terror from the capital. Out of the Hunger Games comes a hero. One who didn’t want to be a hero. The role was cast upon her by circumstances – by her own natural instincts (although not “hero” instincts) – and the people.
Her life – like everyone else in the districts – really sucked.
She – like everyone else – just wanted something better.
She was turned into a hero.
By people that needed a hero.
If you think for one second that the thief will ever treat us fairly, then you’re lying to yourselves.
People generally do not get emotional watching the scene – hearing this line spoken in front of all the devastation wrought by the capital the thief.
And it’s not just the people in the movie directly hearing those words – it’s also us, watching the movie reading and hearing about it later .
If it didn’t do anything to you – are you alive?
It is an incredible scene of hope.
Just in case you don’t recognize the line, it’s from Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1.
What apparently used to be a peaceful world at some time in the distant past, is now ruled by a truly evil person Thief – ruling by fear and terror from the capital. Out of the Hunger Games world comes a hero. One who didn’t did want to be a hero. The role was cast upon him / her not by circumstances – but by his / her own natural instincts (although not “hero” instincts) to manipulate – and the people who were manipulated.
Her / his life – like everyone else in the districts really sucked.
She / he – like everyone else – just wanted something better power.
He / she was turned into a hero.
By people that needed a hero.
Did you notice the difference?
Very similar – but very different.
And it shows the problem with human heroes.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I believe it’s safe to say that anyone – yes, anyone – who comes in their own name – either is, or will become – a thief. Who has come to steal, kill, and destroy.
The world wants – and needs a hero.
The world wants a hero. That why we watch movies like The Hunger Games – and get all emotional as Katniss speaks to gather the people together to save themselves with her as leader.
The world needs a hero. Just look around. Is there anyone who doesn’t think that things could – and indeed should – be better? But we feel like we can’t do it by ourselves. We need a leader. We need a hero.
The world has a hero – but doesn’t recognize him.
People as heroes are fine in the movies. The movie starts. Maybe has some sequels. And eventually ends. And if the hero succeeds – life is good after that. Yes – the hero probably takes a beating – emotional and physical – during the movie. That’s part of why we root for that person as the hero. We can identify – but we also know we don’t measure up to what they can do.
But the reality is – at the end of the movie – it’s over. The “hero” goes back to being whoever they were in “real” life. And in “real” life – absolutely nothing has changed.
People as heroes in the real world – that doesn’t really work either. We’re all affected by “The Thief”. No one – by themselves – in their own name – can truly be the hero that we all want and need. No matter how good and benevolent we may start out to be – The Thief is just too much for us. The Thief will eventually turn any one of us into “a thief” when we act on our own.
There is one real hero though. The one who said that line about the thief coming to steal, kill, and destroy. Here’s more of what this real hero said –
Jn 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Jn 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jn 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Jn 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
How is it that we can hear Katniss Everdeen – and other movie heroes / political “heroes” – and get emotional?
But when we read the Words of The Real Hero – we don’t feel anything?
The Real Hero speaks – and we ignore Him.
The Real Hero speaks – and we call Him a liar.
The real Hero speaks – and we don’t even notice.
All of those things do happen.
He is the greatest hero the world has ever or will ever see –
and so many – who really need – and really want – a hero –
don’t recognize that He’s calling out to us –
inviting us to be saved by Him?
And when we go to so many churches –
we hear the words of this Real Hero –
but we get put to sleep by the person saying them?
And that’s making the huge assumption that we even bother to go to church.
People –
This is the best news you will ever hear!
This is the best offer you will ever receive!
This is the only person who can save you from this world that you aren’t satisfied with!
This is the hero you need!
This is the hero you want!
This is the hero you’ve been waiting for!
Where are you?