JAMES BOND IS DEAD

One of the things that audiences have been able to count on for decades is that no matter what kind of trouble James Bond gets in, he always escapes. 007 never dies.  Well, something happened in real life that’s put a hole in that picture. 

Probably one of the greatest actors to ever play the character James Bond passed away. Sean Connery was 90 years old.  He starred in 6 films across 20 years as the man with a license to kill.  Sure, other actors have helped keep the franchise alive, but not with near the same iconic status. Saying that Sean Connery is dead is like saying, James Bond is dead. How can that be?

The entertainment world has made a fortune on the simple premise of good overcoming evil.  Here’s the hitch though, Hollywood gets the editorial privilege of defining what, and who is good.  Depending on which side of the bed they wake up on, and that’s probably more actual than metaphoric, good is what they tell us it is.  Imagine that, somebody far smarter than you or me will calibrate our moral code. 

As the world was teetering on a second World War in the late 1930’s a man by the name of Joseph Goebbels took over the entertainment industry in Germany.  As one of the close associates of Hitler he used his role as Propaganda Minister to exert control over the news media, radio, art, and film.  Not only did he promote the beliefs of the Nazi party along with a false sense of wellbeing among the German people, at the same time he corrupted their minds with anti-Semitic poison and a hatred for Christian churches.  How did he do this?  He gave the people a media hero.  Not only did he sell the population Hitler in staged events, film and other propaganda pieces, but he gave them other film hero’s that enforced the Nazi creed.  The films didn’t die, but the lie did.  Sadly, so did many, many people because of the lie. 

Lies can entertain but they are very dangerous. Take for example James Bond.  He is another one of the entertainment world’s creations, a flawed hero, who is good at overcoming evil.  The problem is Bond’s version of good is not very good.  He’s immoral, selfish, narcissistic, misogynistic, not respectful of other people’s property, and that’s just the beginning.  So, what makes him a hero?  He’s good in a fight, good with a car, and deadly with a gun.  After that we’re sold on a subjective morality that tells us the end justifies the means.  We like that no matter how impossible the situation looks, our secret agent, with some dry wit of course, will defeat the global terrorist who’s about to blow up the world.  Therefore, he’s good.

The problem is none of that stuff is true.  That version of good isn’t true.  And the glaring problem today is this, Bond is dead.  We need a hero who conquerers death, someone who never dies.  Not a media invention to support a good bad guy narrative.    

Jesus said this in Revelation 1:17-18: “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, And the Ever-living One. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and the realm of the dead.”  Now that’s a true hero who doesn’t need a media machine distracting us from reality, but Jesus grabs death boldly and defeats it for us.  He opens up His arms willingly for you and me, then dares torture to take its best shot.  They crucified the Savior in our place and every demon has been regretting it ever since. Bond may be dead but Jesus is alive!  Jesus is triumphant!  Jesus is worthy and Jesus is Lord!

Pray the Word:

Jesus You truly are a hero worthy of praise and honor.  You deserve the glory and majesty due unto Your Name.  Demons tremble at the sound of Your Name.  The world may try to distract from the Truth of who You are, but when You’re holding the universe and earth up by the power of your greatness, that’s a fool’s errand.  Jesus because you died and are a live forevermore, you’ve made a way for me to have eternal life.  I believe in You.  You are my Savior.  I put all my confidence in Your amazing grace to save the world.  Jesus You are the hero of all heroes.  Amen. 

P.S.  We all need a hero in our life.  We all need a Savior because we all have sinned.  If you’d like someone to pray with you please make sure to reach out. We’d really like to hear from you and get to know how we can pray for you better.  You’re important to us.  God bless you!