Matrix

I watched the movie "The Matrix" for the first time last week. In this movie, Keanu Reeves is a computer programmer by day, and a computer hack by night. Like all men, Reeves supposes himself to be free to do as his pleases, but he is beginning to wonder. If he is free, why does he spend most of his waking hours at work? Free men do what THEY want to do, not work to please others. So one night, hacking away on his computer (an old dinosaur- this was 1999), someone from a place called "Zion" contacts him. He is invited to take a red pill that will transform his mind. When he does, he is taken into a vision of reality. No, Mr. Anderson, you are NOT free. In fact, you are hooked up to a computer program, and you will do exactly what you are programmed to do.

When he comes to, his mind is freed, because he now sees reality for what it is. After a period of training, he works now to free others from The Matrix. In the end, Reeves' character dies, but is resurrected by a kiss from his new love, Trinity.And then they are on to the next adventure.

The parellels to the Christian walk are numerous. Men DO suppose that they are free, but Jesus Christ says this is NOT so: Men will serve either God or Mammon. Men are not free because, in fact, they are slaves to sin. Like Reeves' Mr. Anderson, Jesus dies at the hand of sinners, but is resurrected by the Holy Spirit (Trinity). And now He invites those for whom He has died to die with him, be buried with him, and be raised up to a NEW LIFE with him.

As I shared tonight with the brothers, Jesus Christ has set us free, no longer bound to the law of sin and death found in Romans seven. We are crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20), baptized into His death (Romans 6:3) and raised up with Him to a New Life. Our lives are a complete identification with Jesus Christ, if he is in us, and we be in Him. Not only has He paid for our sins, he has set us free from the law of sin and death.