We have been discussing the movie The Matrix, a story that some Christian folks have noticed over the years because the protagonist, Neo, is “the one who comes to save the world.” But there is much greater, and much deeper, symbolism in this story that was created by two brothers who would never consider themselves confessing believers. Further proof of my hypothesis, we all know the real story -- we just don’t know we know it.

As the story progresses, Neo joins the rebels (the only humans not lost and living in the Matrix virtual reality) and begins to focus on their greatest enemy, the Agents. These agents appear in the Matrix world as men, but they are digital creations that the AI have given supernatural power, far beyond what anyone else has in that reality. No one has ever beaten an agent in a fight, as a matter of fact, every rebel who has stood their ground against them, has died. But the rebel leader, Morpheus, has prophesied that Neo will be the first one to learn how to defeat them, and in so doing, blaze a path that others can follow. Sound familiar?

In a fight training sequence within the Matrix, Morpheus explains to Neo that the Matrix may seem as compelling as any other “world,” but it is based on computer code, and therefore it’s possible to “bend the rules.” Neo finally asks him, “What do you think I’ll be able to do, dodge bullets?” And Morpheus tells him, “When you’re ready, you won’t need to.” We can watch this movie and believe that the rules Morpheus is talking about are the just the code that the machines used to create that virtual reality. But think about this.

Before Christ came, no one had been able to live beyond the constraints of this fallen world. Since Adam and Eve fell in the Garden, our enemies have been tri-fold: our own flesh/sin, the values of this fallen world, and the Devil. All three conspire together to speak to our minds and hearts that God is not real and that we can find our greatest fulfillment and happiness in this life, our only life, by pursuing the things this life has to offer. This is our Matrix, and if Jesus had never come, we would all still be trapped in it, lying asleep, dreaming, not even aware that anything else could ever exist  --  just like Neo at the beginning of this story.

And to be more candid, many people, and even many believers -- believe God exists (although their definition of Him may be quite vague), that evil exists, and believe they are not perfect. But for the most part, many people believe real evil is out there in the world. If we can just figure out a way to counter the Hitler’s and Stalin’s of this world, the serial killers, the chronic criminals, and our worst faults and selfishness -- this life might not be perfect, but it would be okay.

But this is NOT the message that Jesus brought. The kingdom of God is on hand, because Jesus ushered in a new age in which the Holy Spirit wants to convict each and every one of us that our hearts are the real problem. Others are a problem as well, but they are not our

concern. Come Judgement Day, God is only going to be talking to you, not to anyone else.

Heaven could finally begin to more fully come back to earth -- if each and every one of us was convicted that the biggest charge of our lives is to deal with . . . our own fallen heart. The whole world would finally change if, every person, with true repentance and humility, confessed their sinful heart and pledged a life of allegiance to the Lord. In this way, over and over again, one heart and one life at a time, all the evil “out there” in the world would finally be taken care of.

Jesus only came for one person. That one person is me, and you, and every other person in this world. And the battle that is waiting (if you haven’t already started) is the internal battle, to more significantly turn away from all the things you worship in this world instead of God, to finally step off of your throne, and begin to let God be God. This is the most significant battle you will ever face, the battle you will have with your own fallen heart.

And so, I hope you can begin to see what this movie is really about, not just that there are evil actors or agents in this world we need to stand up to. That may happen from time to time, but that is not the real problem. There are sirens calling to your fallen heart, telling you that you can find your greatest fulfillment in this world, you just need to listen to yourself. And as innocuous as that may sound, it is the most evil thing that’s ever been. No less evil, than once upon a time, Satan whispering the very same lie into Eve’s ear.

Next time we will try to bring our discussion of this story to a conclusion. There is so much.

If you haven’t, please also read my piece on the Matrix. You can find it with the link just below.

Next time,

Sam