I just recently watched the movie 300. I do not recommend it because of its gore and demonstration of the sexual perversion of the King of Persia, Xerxes, but it was a great story of honor, bravery, integrity and self-sacrifice. There are other movies that have similar character values highlighted and are widely popular e.g., The Patriot, Blackhawk Down, Saving Private Ryan, We Were Soldiers, Gladiator, Braveheart and The Passion to name just a few. What these movies all have in common is men fighting wars against tyranny with the main character demonstrating the previously mentioned highly regarded character traits. These movies are all very violent and show men at their worst and at their best, which is required. To show the men of ultimate honor they must be counter posed with how badly men can act. Wars and killings are usually a common theme.

I thought about the idea of the honor of men being highlighted at their most trying moments as I was reading the account of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, in the book of Acts. There is a poignant passage as he was at the end of his trial and was about to be stoned. “But, Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, ‘Look I see the heavens opened and the Son of God standing at the right hand of God!’” Acts 7:55-56 Skip a few verses and you here Stephen’s last words. “They were stoning Stephen as he called out: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin!’ And saying this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60

It is interesting that Stephen death and final words were very similar to those of the Lord Jesus to whom he was going. They both died a very painful death. Two of the very last statements of Jesus are: “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34 and “Father, into your hands I entrust My spirit.” Acts 23:46

As I look at the main characters of the men represented in the Biblical accounts as well as the movies there is a common theme.

300: King Leonidas and his 299 men fought against a million men and remained brave and steadfast in their commitment to defend freedom even if it meant their death

Gladiator: Maximus was betrayed and his wife and son killed. He died by treachery as he fought for the freedom of Rome from the tyranny of the Caesar

Blackhawk Down; Two Snipers remain on the ground voluntarily while people are being evacuated and voluntarily give their life so others can live. The two snipers ultimately die. Interestingly, “So others may live.” is the motto of the Combat Search and Rescue Squadron

Braveheart: Wallace fought against the tyranny of British Empire for freedom for Scotland and died crying out “Freedom”

The Patriot: Benjamin Martin who loses two sons as He fights for the freedom of the colonies

We Were Soldiers: LTC Hal Moore demonstrates the utmost bravery as he and his men fight against incredible odds to secure a mountain, in a conflict to keep free the South Vietnamese

Saving Private Ryan: The Captain Miller gives his life and the lives of many of his men so one man could return home.

Stephen: He dies for his uncompromising beliefs in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. As he is dying demonstrates no malice towards his killers, but rather asks for their forgiveness.

The Passion: Jesus represents the ultimate example of the best of men. He temporarily leaves heaven to come give His life through a brutal death so those who believe in Him can be with Him for all eternity. As He is being tortured, He has the opportunity to call for help, but He doesn’t say a word, even as He is mocked. If He had been rescued we would not have a Savior.

The stories of the men and movies that depict their acts are very inspiring to me and many others. I am daily talking to men who have risked their lives for the freedom of others and many have lost friends while fighting against tyranny and terror.

As much as I admire these qualities, they come with a price. To show great integrity, there must be great temptation to be dishonest. To demonstrate bravery, there must be a high likelihood of death and fear that would paralyze most. To be considered self-sacrificial you must be willing to give up what is rightly yours even if it means you go without or even die. To have honor that separates you from others you must have faced the most severe difficulties and remained true to ideals of honesty, selflessness, forgiveness, mercy and a willingness to give your life for others.

The other aspect that should not be overlooked is perspective. Stephen who knew what He was dying for. He was dying for pronouncing the truth about freedom through Christ. When men know they are fighting for freedom from tyranny, their character is elevated by the very nobility of their charge. There is no meaning to the height of character without the balance of the depth of treachery that it must overcome. When I dissect it to its most basic element, it seems that using Jesus as the example, freedom is what is most important, “Jesus told them, ’I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 He also said, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 He has set us free from the wages of sin [“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23] by sacrificing himself, being put to shame, dying an agonizing death and remaining silent while he was punished for our crimes. He voluntarily “took the bullet” for us.

The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in Iraq and Afghanistan are risking their lives for the freedom of others. I would hope the fallen are remembered as demonstrating what is best in men and die with the knowledge that they will be regarded as men worthy of great epic stories.

Solis Deo Gloria

More thoughts to come