One of my favorite movies is called "Midnight Special". There is a good possibility that you have neither seen it, or even heard of it. It is not the most well-known movie, but it has some amazing points that underlie its basic message. I do not want to give too much away (because I am hoping that some of you will see it), but the plot of the story focuses on a father and his (strangely powerful) young son who are running from the law. It is not a "Christian story", but it is filled with a distinctly Christian message in a beautiful allegorical form.
The cult that the father and son recently escaped from has no idea who the boy really is; the police have no idea who the boy is; the federal government have no idea who the boy is; even his parents are unsure of what is exactly going on. The beauty of the picture is not as much in these details (though they are quite powerful), but rather in a deeper layer of the message itself. I do not know much about the writer/director but he made a clear point in this story (his other movie, "Take Shelter", is just as powerful).
It is a remarkable experience watching the movie and seeing the National Security Agency and the FBI chasing their respective tails. The American federal government has the idea that they are the strongest force on Earth, and yet this movie makes them out to be mere pawns in the grand scheme of things (something like ancient Rome at the birth of Christ). The members of the religious cult want to be holy, but they too are merely pursuing their own ends.
The underlying message that can easily be missed is that there are powers and forces that are above and beyond what any of us fully grasp. Another realm that is everywhere around us is revealed. The story has a very subdued feeling to it, that might be too heavy for many to appreciate. As I watch it tonight on DVD, I can see a significant parallel between the boy's parents and the martyrs of Christ. They knew that there was something going on that was beyond the regular pattern of events; a higher power, a higher law. They are seeking to serve that higher power, regardless of the fact that everyone seems to be against them.
How do you think of the authority of Christ? Do you consider it to be just different from the authorities of this world? Do you think of it as a higher authority? Maybe your concept is that the authority of Christ is merely spiritual and therefore it never really has any conflict with the world's authority (I hope not)? Or, worse, maybe you think that the authority of Christ is either the same as, or submissive to, the authorities of this world. How you view this one issue, will determine exactly how you will respond when the world tells you to disobey Him. What will you do when that time comes (and, trust me, it will come--and possibly soon)?
Will you acknowledge the higher authority of Christ? Will you submit to the fact that sometimes you have to do something that is completely against what the world says; even to the point of sacrificing yourself in the process? That is what you are called to do. The martyrs of the first century were told "deny Christ" and they said "no". They knew that God never promised that life would be smooth, but He did promise that you would be called upon to to follow Him and reject the world.
The added bonus to the story that is so important for God's sons and daughters in every age, is that we do not always know all the details of why we are going through our particular experiences. Sometimes we find out in this life, and sometimes we do not. Yet, we do not need to understand, we just need to obey; obey what God has commanded, regardless of how challenging it may be or what the consequences are to ourselves. Those who know the authority of Christ (while the world denies it) find it easier to obey Him. This is why Jesus says at times that if we are not willing to give up everything we are not worthy to be His followers.
Can you commit yourself to doing what is right? Can you accept that there very well may be a task for you that goes completely against what everyone in the world says is right? For that is a hard thing to swallow, and many balk at it merely because they cannot endure the pressure. Seeing the "good guys" in the movie realize that they did what was right, in spite of their own suffering, is compelling. My brothers and sisters, remain obedient to the Lord, in whatever circumstances He sends you, and he will let you see you have done what is right; maybe not in this life, but definitely in the next.
How will each of us fare in the coming trials? One of the final lines from the movie that stays with me so powerfully is when one of the "good guys" is being questioned by the federal government. He tells them "I can tell it to you as many times as you want, my story's not changing 'cause its true". That is the testimony of the martyrs. That needs to be our testimony to the world, as well.
