2012

There is a new movie out called 2012, in which the world as we know it comes to an end on December 21st 2012. As dissatisfied as I am with most of the movies being churned out of Hollywood for its promotion of moral relativism and violence, at least this movie has some religious symbolism and overtones.

And this movie may make many people think...

In the past, I remember a few Christian evangelists stirring up fear that there were all these signs that the end of the world was near on a specific date. Well, if have read your bible well, you will remember what Christ said about this, that even Christ himself doesn't know the day or hour:

• Mark 13:31-32: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

The premise of the movie 2012 is not bad if it causes one to look at their own mortality. December 21st 2012 is only 25 months away. If we all had 25 months left to live, how would you live it? What is most important to you now? Would they be as important to you if you knew you had 25 months to live?

Since the world as we know it comes to an end in the plot of 2012, I can see how this coming Sunday's gospel from John Chapter 18 relates. When Jesus Christ's life is on the line and he comes before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate to face charges against him, Jesus Christ says to Pilate (John 18:36):

"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

There are two key points I want to make in this scripture. The first, Christ says his kingdom is "not of this world." Have you made things "of this world" too important?

We all like money but have you made money your God?

• Luke 16:13: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Is working long hours in order to afford a nicer home and nicer car more important than your relationship with God, your spouse and children?

• Matthew 16:26: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Is your career and perceived success more important than God and your family? Are you trying to climb the corporate ladder instead of climbing the long stairway to heaven and eternal life? And are you living by the standards of this world?

• Colossians 2:20: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules

The second point I want to raise in the John 18:36 scripture, why did Christ say his Kingdom was not of this world?

"If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews."

This quote gives rise to some important questions:

Are you fighting to build and be apart of Christ's Kingdom today to those around you and those who serve you politically?

Or are you silent and ashamed of your faith?

• Luke 9:26: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

Have you left Christ handcuffed, preventing his open arms of love?

• John 14:13-14: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Have you held Christ captive and at a distance in your life when the reality is that you are being held captive by this world?

• Galatians 5:1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What the Movie 2012 Should Teach Us

It should teach us the real value of material possessions, that will someday end up being recycled or buried in a junkyard.

• Matthew 6:19-21: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  

It may show you where your heart has been.

It should teach us the most important things in life are relationships, our relationship with God, Christ and those closest to us.

It should also teach us the most important thing we leave behind on this earth are memories, both good and bad. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and with Christ's great example of love he left behind on this earth, may you always leave behind good memories and a legacy of love.

What the Movie 2012 Didn't Teach Us

The movie 2012 didn't teach us a few things but these three verses sum it up best:

• 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Peace be with you,
© Michael J. Cox