Please note, this post discusses a movie rated PG-13. Captain America: Civil War has a special place in my heart for many reasons. The first is that I was working across the street from where they shot the opening scene for the movie in Atlanta during the summer of 2015. Another is my love of the Civil War storyline from the original Marvel Comics. A major reason this movie has a special place in my heart is my love of T'Challa, the Black Panther, who was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in this film. I remember, after seeing the movie with my parents, asking my dad, "so what team are you? Team Cap or Team Iron Man?" He shook his head and said, No. Team Black Panther. I just love that! My dad was completely right on with his choice, as we will see in T'Challa's story during the film. For most of the movie, T'Challa believes Bucky, friend of Steve Rogers (a.k.a. Captain America), planted the bomb that killed his father. After the explosion happens, Natasha Romanova (a.k.a. Black Widow), goes to check on T'Challa. He tells her about his father's belief in an afterlife where he will run with the ancestors (see more here). Romanova states that this sounds peaceful. T'Challa responds by telling her he's not his father and that he'll kill Bucky himself. Laying aside concerns for the afterlife and T'Challa's understanding of it, what he has done is rejected the peaceful part of his beliefs and instead turned towards revenge. From this moment on, T'Challa's thirst for vengeance will influence everything that he does in the film. In the final part of the movie, it is revealed that it was another man, Zemo, who set off the bomb that killed T'Challa's father. Zemo tells Captain America (Cap) and Iron Man that he is the reason behind their fighting for the entire movie. He then reveals a secret that causes Iron Man to attack Cap and Bucky in their last fight of the film. Zemo tries to escape, but T'Challa catches up to him. It turns out Zemo lost his entire family in the Avengers' conflict during Avengers: Age of Ultron and has been looking for vengeance against Cap, Iron Man, and the other heroes ever since. It's here that T'Challa says the most compelling line of the entire movie: Vengeance has consumed you. It's consuming them. I am done letting it consume me. Here we see a great example of forgiveness. T'Challa has been searching for revenge the entire film. He is finally face-to-face with the person who actually killed his father. On hearing Zemo's story, T'Challa finally sees the cycle of violence that the quest for vengeance has brought about. Instead of giving in, T'Challa seeks to find another way. He decides not to kill Zemo. He just says, "Justice will come soon enough." Zemo, however has other plans. "Tell that to the dead", he says, before attempting to shoot himself. T'Challa stops him, delivering the chilling line, "The living are not done with you yet." The Forgiveness T'Challa illustrates is the forgiveness Jesus calls us to. Jesus calls us to put aside our anger and wrath, as just as those feelings may be, and end the cycle of sin and despair in the world. Like T'Challa, we are called to follow a better way. It's important to note that T'Challa's forgiveness doesn't justify Nemo's actions. He tells Nemo that justice will come. It's just that T'Challa won't be the one to enact that justice. He has let go of his anger and moved on. T'Challa, after Captain American: Civil War, follows a new and better path, as seen in his own film, Black Panther. It is not always an easy or safe journey, but it does help T'Challa to be a better person. My hope is that T'Challa can be an example to you in helping you to practice the forgiveness of Jesus. Scripture Passages to Consider: Matthew 18:21-35: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Disclaimer: unless otherwise stated, the majority of images produced here are not owned or created by me. Commenting is encouraged. Please use discretion leaving comments below, letting the love of God guide you.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Please note, there maybe Spoilers in the Posts below!
The Rev. Trey KennedyHere is my take on how Superheroes and other characters can help us know God better. Categories
All
Archives
June 2024
|