What Are You Driven By?
Romans 5:1-11, 8:1-2
Before we go any further let's look at two passages from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Indeed, rarely will one die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us, Much more surely then, now that we have been redeemed and justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death.
Batman and Robin decided to go camping. They set up their tent and are asleep. A couple of hours later, Batman wakes his faithful friend. "Robin, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Robin, who is used to these midnight lessons, replies, "I see millions of stars."
What does that tell you?" asked Batman.
Robin ponders for a minute. Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Chronologically, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, it's evident that God is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What does it tell you Batman?"
Batman is silent for a moment, then speaks: "Robin, you're an idiot, it means somebody stole our tent while we were sleeping."
Almost everyone born before 1960 remembers the 1966 TV series Batman. And there are a bunch of younger folks who remember it as well because of reruns. It literally burst on the scene as a mid-season replacement which aired on two separate nights, Tuesday and Thursday. Tues always ended with the cliffhanger ending which was resolved on Thursday. Will Batman fall victim to the Joker's tricks or will the joke be on the Joker. Tune in Thursday for the exciting conclusion. It became an overnight smash hit and a cultural phenomenon.
It was the "IN" thing to watch. It was a satire of the then popular comic book of the same name. Most Batman fans, especially the aficionados of the comic book Batman, can't stand the TV show. Oh, they don't loathe it, or even hate it but were annoyed Martha by it because it was a parody of their comic book hero and not the real deal.
The Bat-Man was born in issue #27 df Detective Comics, in May 1939. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, The Bat-Man, now simply Batman, was completely different than Superman or any of the imitators of Superman.
Batman's backstory was told in just 12 frames. He and the parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne were coming from the theater when they were accosted by a gunman who attempted to rob them. Thomas Wayne stepped between the gunman and his wife and was shot and then she was shot. Ten year old Brucce stood there, in complete shock and terror. Nobody came
to his rescue. No one scooped him up in caring arms. The only one who showed him any compassion at all was Jim Gordon, the cop who took his statement.
Bruce Wayne only had an empty house and a butler to return to. Bruce Wayne is a rich kid, who had everything but the one thing he wanted most. He grew up an orphan. And he was filled with one obsessive goal, fueled by rage and guilt. No wonder Batman is called the Dark Knight.
Thoughts to Ponder
Do you marvel at God's creation?
Have you ever come to someone's rescue?
Do you need to rescue someone now?
Could anyone call you the Dark Knight?
In His Service,
Terry Phillips
