"The Matrix," a science fiction extravaganza starring the laconic yet moving Keanu Reeves, hit the movie theaters in 1999, yet still turns heads and minds to this day.
The symbolic parallels of a world of senses and a world beyond captivated many viewers. Some read Platonic or Neo-Platonic overtones, others pointed out similarities in Kantian or Objectivist philosophies.
One author published a Christian analysis of the movie.
I would like to add another layer of meaning, one that reveals the full power of the Gospel, the grace of God redeeming fallen mankind from the curse of the law and endowing every believer with the Righteousness of God, forever free of the condemnation wrought by the law on all flesh, and the Holy Spirit infusing with everlasting power.
In the final scene, computer hacker Neo -- a mild computer geek in the working world, and a computer hacker by night -- faces Agent Smith, a ruthless villain intent on keeping everyone in the Matrix enslaved to the rule of the Matrix -- read, the World. As rigid, inflexible, and cruel, Smith represents the Law. As Neo and Smith strike at each other, Smith gains the upper hand and defeats Neo, shooting him, watching him fall to his certain death.
Outside the Matrix, Neo's lover Trinity -- representing the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, kisses Neo, symbolizing the unconditional love of God, free of fear, recrimination, and retaliation.
Right away, Neo comes back to life, renewed ("Neo" is the Greek word for "New"), born again. When Agent Smith see Neo revived and fully healed, he and his "legalist" minions fire three bullets. As the bullets race toward Neo, he whispers "No," and with a wave of his hand, the bullets stop in mid-flight and fall powerless to the ground.
The bullets are like the fiery darts of the Enemy, which the shield of faith of every believer quenches. In fact, the visual imagery of the fill suggests a liquid quality to the bullets slowing, stopping, then falling, a grand suggest of the rivers of living water which flow out of every believer by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Terrified at the sudden resurrection of his adversary, Smith (or "Mr. Law") attempts to thwart him again in physical combat. The second time around, though, Neo blocks and parries every punch without any effort, then smoothly kicks Smith clear across the hallway. This exchange illustrates the power of the reborn believer, no longer striving in his own power to keep the law, but by grace through faith working in God's unconditional love, subdues and overcomes all, more than fulfilling the requirements of the law, which is nothing but weak and beggarly elements compared to God's saving grace.
Once Smith has been summarily bested, Neo jumps into Smith and destroys him completely. By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, every believer receives salvation and power, overcoming every obstacle, every hint of condemnation.
Yet many believers, like Neo before his death, try to keep the law in their own strength, much like Neo attempting over and over to defeat Mr. Smith. Yet once we rely on the divine power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we keep the law by grace, without striving in our own flesh. Therefore, the Law no longer has any more power in us.
So, for every believer who faces fearful trials, difficult changes, tense exchanges in the world, he need do no more than rest in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ, by whose death we are forever reconciled to God as the Righteousness of God in Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to overcome all the wiles of the Enemy.
We do not have to dodge the attacks of the Enemy, who uses the Law and condemnation to weaken believers. In His Grace and Love, we do nothing more than stand, face, and watch a defeated enemy flee, resting in the work of the Cross to redeem us and make us the Righteousness of God.
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