This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.
Lent is about identity. Like Jesus, the choices and sacrifices we make tend to reveal our true identity. This is doubly true in Wreck-it Ralph!
The Good Bad Guy?
Yea, Ralph is the bad guy in Fix-it Felix, Jr. But by his actions – by his sacrifice – Ralph shows himself to truly be the hero!
His position did not define him, his choices and sacrifice did.
You’ve seen this, I’m sure.
Leaders lead. Just because someone has the word leader in their title or position does not make them a leader. Conversely, we all know people who lead well, even without position or title.
The same is true for pastors, right? Just because someone is a pastor doesn’t mean they are a pastor or a shepherd. At the same time, you probably know someone who is a true pastor – a real shepherd – even though they are not one by trade or title.
The same goes for Ralph. He is the hero – the savior – because of what he did, not because of who he is.
The Real Princess
One of my favorite parts of Wreck-it Ralph is when we find out that Vanellope is really a princess!
(Watch before you continue.)
As I’ve written before, Sugar Rush is under the control of a counterfeit king, King Candy. Sugar Rush is “fallen.” King Candy has reprogrammed Sugar Rush so that no one knows how it used to be or how it should be.
When Vanellope crosses the finish line, something miraculous – something biblical – happens; Sugar Rush is restored and transformed! The curse is lifted and Sugar Rush is restored to its original creation. When this happens we find out that Vanellope is really a princess, the daughter of the true king!
Ralph’s sacrifice saved Vanellope and revealed to her her true identity. Vanellope, the sweet little “glitch,” is really the daughter of the true king!
That’s us!
We are the sweet little “glitches” that, when we trust Jesus, become children of the true King!
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) — Romans 8:15-17
Because Jesus emptied and humbled himself to the point of death on the cross – and rose again! – we can be adopted into God’s family!
Because of that sacrifice, we know our true identity – we are God’s adopted children!
Lent is about our adoption into God’s family. Lent is about our true identity.
Today, take the time to consider that if you have trusted in Jesus, you are one of God’s kids and a fellow heir with his only begotten son, Jesus.
If you have not yet trusted Jesus, then today is the day!
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! (Acts 16:31)
Jesus loves you.
If you have questions about Jesus, the faith, or Lent, please reach out to me.
This is part of Emptied & Humbled, a movie based Lenten devotional. The whole devotional can be found here.
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Until next time, God bless.
Simon L Smith