MetroReach

I admit it. I am a movie buff. Majored in Radio/TV/Film at Baylor. I tend to view film a bit differently than most. I guess it’s all that time critiquing film and studying it from a different perspective.  I tend to look for redemptive elements in film-that which is beautiful, noble and true. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

            I had an epiphany today. My son and I saw the third installment of the Bourne movies (The Bourne Ultimatum) last night, by far the best of the three installments. It was an incredible film: fantastic plot, great acting, stunning visuals, well written, great action and a great story. O.K.-I also enjoyed the incredibly choreographed fight scenes and car chases…for me it was the best action film I’ve seen in years.

            But it struck me tonight this was more than an action film-in a way it is a metaphor for us all. We are all Jason Bourne. In case you have not read Ludlum’s books, or seen the movies (the movies deviate from the books somewhat), I don’t want to confuse you-and if you have been following the series and haven’t seen the third movie, I don’t want to spoil it for you. As such, I will tread lightly.

            The premise: We first encounter Jason Bourne floating near death at sea. He is a mystery.  We do not know who he is or what he is about. He is rescued and cared for by some fishermen who find his near lifeless body floating in the ocean at night. The journey begins.

            Bourne does not know who he is. It goes beyond amnesia. Not only does he not know his name or why he was out at sea near death, as his story unfolds, he discovers that he does know MANY things-such as several languages not to mention an incredible knowledgeof weapons and hand to hand combat (at which he is extremely effective).  But his name…his identity…who he is-all escape him.  He wonders why he knows so many things and is trained to do so many things (and do them exceedingly well), and yet has no knowledge of his true identity.

            The movie unfolds. We discover that Bourne was a part of a secret government experiment-a project.  He is now a loose cannon and it seems everyone from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />France to Morocco to the US wants him dead. He does not know why. As the series develops, Bourne continues to find clues, brief flashbacks burst into his memory. He is trying to piece together the puzzle that is his life while at the same time trying to stay alive.  He is living, walking, breathing-but for all practical purposes, is a lost soul searching for “home.” Ultimately, even though the series might be categorized as a spy/action thriller/drama-it is the story of a man who is simplytrying to go home, wherever that is and discover his true identity. He does not like what he is and no longer wants to do the things he has done.  He wants to be free. He wants to know his true identity. He wants to live a meaningful life. He is tired of living in the darkness and running for his life.

            As I watched the movie last night, I thought about how horrific that would be, not knowing who you are, what you are meant to be, to not know your true identity, your real name-for life to be so confusing….and to only want to be free. To experience peace…but not know where to turn to find that peace.

            Tonight it hit me. We are all Jason Bourne until we come to Christ. Not that we are highly trained government operatives who have “gone black.”  Rather, apart from Christ, we are all spiritually dead, do not know our identity, do not know “home,” and are restless, desiring a peace that we can sense but do not know how to find. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until we find our rest in thee.”  How true. Jesus came to give us life and to set us free. To give us meaning and purpose. To bring us into the family of God-out of the darkness and into the glorious light of fellowship with our Father and into the community of faith.

            In the movies, Bourne gets help along the way as he tries to piece together the mystery that is his life, the pain that is his life.  We too, when we are lost, are blessed to have people (sent by God) who enter our lives, speaking grace, truth and love to us, that we might come to know Christ. That we might “come home,” that we might discover the life God intended for us-our true identity.

            Bourne is tormented by assassins and a kingdom (government) of darkness that desires nothing more than to snuff out his life. Apart from Christ, we are spiritually dead, and as the Scriptures say, we are not only in bondage, but we are captives to the Enemy. Yet there is, as Lewis pointed out, a “God-shaped hole” in our lives-and we want to know what or who will fill that-so we spend our lives trying to fill that hole.

            Some turn to themselves (man as master of his own universe), only to discover that effort is futile. Others turn to “success,” “materialism,” alcohol, drugs, sex, amusements, WHATEVER to try to fill that hole, to try to “find home.” Of course, none of these satisfies. We were created for fellowship with God and it is only through relationship with Him that we can find that wholeness, that peace.

            So, without spoiling the third installment-let me just say this: We are all Jason Bourne apart from Christ. For those of us who have been saved by God’s amazing grace, we should continually praise the God above all Creation for being so merciful to us. Not only this-but we must, because we have been commissioned, commanded to do so, go out into this world of darkness to help the billions of “Jason Bourne’s” “come home.”

            Watch the movies (start sequentially)-and perhaps engage your mind and heart in the process…in other words, don’t just sit back for the ride (though it is an incredible ride!), but think about the movie as a metaphor for life.

            Eugene Peterson says the “Gospel plays in a million places.” I was pleasantly surprised and blessed to discover today (Praise you Lord Jesus!) that the Gospel (even if Ludlum or the movie writers/directors did not intend) played out in this movie.

            Lost no more. Identity found in Christ. Home. Peace. How can we keep this to ourselves?

Grace and Peace,

Kevin

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• #1 Comment from sbf1964 
  8/25/07 11:22 AM | Permalink

  Great application.  I plan on taking some kids in my bible study class to the movie, then discuss the metaphor.
  
  What a privilege it is to be found, not lost!