“Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out . . .” –Acts 3:19
We watched Will Smith’s movie “Seven Pounds” last night on DVD. I suppose it was only a coincidence that my sermon title this week is “The God of Second Chances”.
Will Smith in "Seven Pounds"
In the movie, Smith plays a man responsible for a terrible accident in which seven people die, but he survives unscathed. (One of my worst fears, by the way–may God be merciful enough to only let me die when I do something stupid.) Smith begins to methodically plot his suicide, choosing the potential recipients of his organs based on whether or not they are good people.
I actually liked the movie, even if I disagree violently with the theology. I ached for Smith’s character, with no apparent knowledge of a God who forgives even when we’re unable to forgive ourselves. And I ache for a world that dispenses mercy only to the “deserving”, only to those who prove themselves worthy.
It’s important to know the background behind Acts 3. Peter seems to come down hard on the crowd for their participation in Jesus’s death. Some called for Jesus to be crucified. Many more, probably, were good people who did nothing. Good people who decided not to get involved.
But the real reason Peter’s sermon has impact is because he bears a greater burden for Jesus’s death than they do. They acted out of ignorance, he tells them, unaware that Jesus is the Son of God who fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah. But Peter? Peter knew Jesus. Broke bread with him every day. Personally heard his teaching. Swore he’d defend him–right up to the time the soldiers drew their swords to arrest Jesus. Then he and the other disciples fled like scared puppies. Peter denied knowing Jesus–three times.
But God came back for Peter. Peter didn’t deserve a second chance. Turning your back on the Son of God is pretty unforgivable. (And don’t forget the Apostle Paul’s second chance, who, in a former life took great pride in persecuting Christians.)
The world might demand a pound of flesh in exchange for our wrongs. Jesus offered all of his flesh on behalf of the wrongs we’ve wrought. God doesn’t show up to condemn anyone–God only shows up to offer us a second chance.
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June 18, 2009 at 6:27 am
highofseventyfive
hey cool! stumbled across your blog, looking for a picture to put on MY blog about the same movie.
its neat because after watching it, i felt so much more in love with Jesus. and for different reasons than you listed!
my take on it was, sure, this guy was way off in committing suicide, very unstable dude. but, what was SO beautiful, was how REAL and COMPELLING it was that he would give up his life so that others could truly live it, giving them wholeness and well being. i loved how Emily just breaks down and cries after hearing that her heart was his. what a moment of awesome gratefulness! and to break down in awe of the selflessness of a person!
and its kinda cool that the Lord puts in us new hearts (i frequently tell people i’ve had a heart transplant).
also, i liked the idea that those 7 people who have parts of Tim in them, (eyes, heart, lung, etc) all have this common bond together, now that he’s gone, with each other, because they share a life-giving part of someone else. I think about how if in real life this were to occur, those people would probably meet up regularly and have an extraordinary vulnerability and love for each other, because of their common gratitude. from their common experience of having seen love and sacrifice so beautifully given to them. a bond that no one else could share but them, something special, almost sacred.
and i think about how the body of believers is like that.
i think this is a great thought-provoking movie that could be a very good dorm talk or seeker gathering. to bring up spiritual conversation afterwards.
any other thoughts since your post?
August 8, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Blake
Fascinating way of taking scripture and applying it, not only to our modern world, but to Hollywood’s tale of our modern world. Thank you for adding perspective to this movie in a way that I had not considered before. Well done.