In the movie “Batman Begins” the
Batman’s nemesis, Henri Ducard aka “Ra's al Ghul” has tricked the police into
closing off the Narrows which helps him as he prepares his assault on Gotham
City. Now the Narrows is an island in the middle of the Gotham River, situated
between Midtown and Downtown Gotham City.
It is hoe to a poor, decaying and rundown neighborhood, it is also the
place in which the infamous Arkham Asylum is located. Once the island has been isolated from access,
Ra's al Ghul and his followers began
to release a psychotropic hallucinogen into the air. This hallucinogen will cause the people in
the narrows to act out in a panic-inducing state. His starting point is the escaping patients
of the Arkham Asylum and then the panic will soon overcome the residents of the
Narrows as the gas engulfs the town as a fog.
In the midst of all of this is
the Batman. He is there to battle Ra’s
al Ghul in an attempt to thwart his evil plan for Gotham City. In the beginning of the attack Batman rescues
Rachel Dawes and a small boy from a surrounding mob, by taking them off the
streets and lifting them onto a nearby roof top where they should be safe. Before the Batman can leave he is confronted
by Rachel. It is here that Rachel calls
out, “Wait! You could die. At least tell me your name. After a short pause, the Batman answers her “It's
not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.” Rachel is noticeably stunned by his answer and
calls out, “Bruce?” Just as the Batman
turns and leaps off the roof.
This scene from the movie “Batman
Begins” has always been one of my favorites of the Christopher Nolan “Batman”
Trilogy because it gives us a glimpse of the Batman that we have not seen
before, it gives us Batman’s definition of himself. I believe that this one line from the movie
is a line that we as believers should learn from. “It's not who I am underneath... but what I
‘do’... that defines me.” I say
this because it somewhat parallels a passage of Scripture in which Jesus taught
in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” It is the good works that we do that
glorifies the Father. It is our good
works that we do that should define the relationship with the Lord that we
have. Our good works should outshine all
that we are and all that we do. But this
is not so, especially in the common Christian community. Sadly, all too often it is the selfishness of
man “I did this” that over shadows
the good works that are done for Christ.
When it comes to the Christian
walk many fail to understand that it is to be a way of life it is to be one
that is constantly representing the Lord Jesus here on earth. While writing his second epistle to the
Corinthians, we find that Paul compares his own calling to that of an ambassador. With that being said, he urges all Believers
to consider the fact that they too, are ambassadors for Christ. Note what he says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” The apostle was referring to his role of
ministry in general but we can see that the application to all is evident. He is encouraging all believers to do the
same. When we identified our lives with
Christ we died to self and were made alive in Him. As believers our role and responsibility to
those around us is to present Christ to them.
We are to do so in both word and deed.
Others should see a difference in both the works that we do and in that
which proceeds out of our mouths.
When we are around others, no
matter where we are they should see a difference, not just a veneer that we put
on for show but an actual difference that Christ has made within us. If there is anything that this world teaches
us it is that a server of self is opposite of what the Word teaches. We are called to serve others first (Galatians 5:13-14, “For you, brethren, have been
called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but
through love serve one another.
(14) For all the law is fulfilled
in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
NKJV). One thing that I have observed over the years
is that the average church is at best comprised of mostly church attenders. They are not interested in serving, but they
are quite prominent in noticing when they are not properly served. They have heard that surrendering to Christ is
important but are not willing to fully surrender to Him. It is as if they are always weighing their
options if you will. The truth is that
with Jesus it is all or nothing; He is an option that we can take or leave on a
whim’s notice.
Once again the Batman said, “It's
not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.” And this is what I see as relevant for
believers. It's not who I am underneath
(this is the “old” me underneath, it is the old sinful nature that waits for
every opportunity to come out. I do not
want others to see that side of me.) but
what I ‘do’ (I want others to see in my actions that I am an ambassador
for Christ. I would like for others to
experience that I am a servant of Christ.)
that defines me” (and
this is what should really defines me). For
this to be real in my life there needs to be a change and that change has to be
drastic, the same is true of and for all believers.
The most common thread that runs
throughout the church today is the thread or theme of selfishness. The common cry, the drastic plea within the
church is for its people to step up and serve other church members. We are to step up and serve the
“church.” If I were to honestly look at
the church in the light of the Batman’s statement I would have to say shame on
us all. For that which is underneath is
still defining us if the church does not have enough people to serve. Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find the
commandment that calls us to sit back and be served. If believers today would grasp a hold of
Christ as He has of them life in the church would be radically different. I am greatly disappointed in the church today
as the majority of believers have a “me first,” “serve me” or worse yet, an
“I
did this” attitude. This is
evident in every church bulletin you find the leadership pleading for more
volunteers.
Serving in the church is not a
gift, it is not a call it is a definition of who we are. Matthew
23:11-12, “But he that is greatest among
you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” If this is true with you then you can clearly
say, “It's
not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.”
