A Beautiful Death

The unthinkable has happened.

The Godfather has just been surpassed as my favorite, defining movie of all time.

Having watched the Frank Miller adaptation of 300 once again, it became apparent with each viewing that the unflinching, near suicidal courage of the brave Spartan warriors resonated within me far beyond just another two hour excursion from daily life.

For the unfamiliar, this epic tale centers on the Battle of Thermopylae which took place around 480 BC. Persian ruler Xerxes leads a force of millions, consolidates power by cutting a swath of destruction across the known world. Those nations who refuse to submit to the ‘god-king’ were annihilated.

Sparta, led by King Leonidas, refuses to bow their knee to this foreign invader. Spartans were known not only for their contributions to Greek civilization but for their warrior ethos. Young boys were taught to fight and survive from birth, with the bravest elite becoming soldiers worthy of defending their homeland.

In the face of overwhelming odds and without support from the political and religious culture of Sparta, Leonidas chooses three hundred troops to go out and face the Persian onslaught. They are joined eventually by the Arcadians, who had the bravery to join the Spartans in defense of Greece but who obviously have a different mindset in the ways of war.

Without spoiling the ending for those unfortunate few who haven’t seen the film, there are some incredible parallels to the Christian life that can be gleaned from this account.

The distinction between the Spartans and the Arcadians struck me the deepest. Both were in danger of attack and annihilation from a devastating invasion. They both came together to do what was required of them by duty.

However, where the Arcadians looked at the massive Persian juggernaut and saw certain death, Spartans looked at the battlefield and saw the chance for glory.  

Within the Body of Christ, we all are at different places on our journey of discipleship. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He began with throngs of people who sought Him for the miracle sideshow. This Man not only taught with authority, but could heal their diseases, feed them when they were hungry, and drive out the demonic forces they seemed to fear the most.

Then Jesus threw down the gauntlet.

He went on, “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.”

Then He told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with Me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when He arrives in all His splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:22-27, the Message

Other places in the Bible, such as Matthew 24:9-10, Luke 8:13, and 2 Thessalonians 2:3, clearly state that there are those who merely give lip service to Jesus Christ and those who give their lives to Him.

 There is the fan club, and then there are the foot soldiers. There are people who attend church, and then there is the church.

Jesus promised us that trials, suffering, persecution, and temptations would come to each of us. Many see the opposing forces bent on our destruction and claim that following Christ is a suicide mission.

It is.

Arcadians drink deep of the moment’s fear; their heads swimming with the noxious odor of cowardice and compromise.

Spartans laugh in the face of their mortal enemy and are grateful for the opportunity to courageously die for their leader and cause.

What is your profession?

Brothers, fathers, sons, we march. For honor’s sake, for duty’s sake, for glory’s sake, we march. Into hell’s mouth, we march.