By Paul Watching films with the children is nearly always a great treat because when they start laughing then they set everyone laughing. Last night we watched Despicable Me which has some very funny moments in it, mainly provided by the little yellow tic-tac minions, who are hilarious.
The main idea in the film is the changing of a despicable man into a loving father and it does this in an entertaining and engaging way. I don’t want to ruin the film for you so no more plot spoilers. (even though I may well have given away the biggest)
I think there is something compelling about seeing someone changed from bad to good and perhaps that’s what makes the account of the Apostle Paul and others in the Bible who undergo such a radical change so inspiring. It’s hard to believe that a change is possible in some people, maybe even in ourselves but the gospel is good news about a change of life because of a change of heart. Perhaps we continue behaving like we do because we have convinced ourselves there is no hope but Jesus offers hope because he has power to change. That doesn’t in any way mean that Christians are perfect but it does mean that an irresistible principle of transformation begins in the soul and works it’s way out over time.
I’m not at all sure that the makers of Despicable Me had the gospel in mind when they wrote the film but in an unexpected way the film reminds me of the gospel hope of a new life through Christ.
Ephesians 2:12-13
remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.