It's Not About "Deserve"

Since its release on June 2, I have had the opportunity to see "Wonder Woman" three times.

The first was at the Portage 16 in Portage, Indiana. (They should name one of the sixteen screens after our family for all the movies we saw and popcorn I ate there over the years.)

The second was in Houston at the Studio Movie Grill near our home. (I'm working on earning my dedication plaque at this theater, also.)

The third viewing was in Panama City Beach, Florida, on a visit to our newly married daughter and son-in-law. (Yeah, it's been a well-traveled and eventful summer.)

Aside from finally viewing a DC superhero movie that didn't disappoint, I also appreciated a message in "Wonder Woman" that communicates the clear message of the Gospel.

This message revolves around the theme of "deserving."

In one scene, WWI soldier Steve Trevor and his two friends offer this toast: May we always get what we need. May we always get what we want. May we never get what we deserve.

One might think that this is just a throwaway dialogue to lighten the mood, but there may be more to it than that.

Later in the movie, a conversation between Steve and Diana (aka Wonder Woman) revisits the theme of "deserving". When Diana questions why Steve is so determined to help people who don't deserve it, he responds, "Maybe it's not about deserving. Maybe it's about what you believe."

Diana, who is still trying to make sense of a world that she has only recently entered, ponders that thought.

Then, in the lead-up to the climactic battle scene against Ares, the god of war explains that he doesn't cause mankind to be warlike. He merely whispers ideas and then allows people to respond as they will. His argument is that people tend to choose the evil over the good.

And in the final battle, he punctuates that point when he shouts at Diana, "They don't deserve to be saved!"

In response, Diana echoes Steve's words, "It's not about deserve. It's about what you believe. And I believe in love."

I can hear the voice of Satan, the Accuser, in Ares' words. Satan levels the same accusations against humanity as Ares did. The devil doesn't make us do anything, although he certainly whispers his lies into our willing ears. We, however, choose how to respond. Because of our inclination to choose the evil over the good, we don't deserve to be saved.

Nevertheless, Jesus responds that it's not about deserve. It's about love, His divine love for us undeserving ones.

In the church, we call that grace, when we get what we don't deserve.

We didn't deserve a Savior who would suffer and die for us on the cross. We don't deserve Jesus' forgiveness when one of His followers assures us that we are absolved of our sins. We don't deserve a place at the altar to receive the body and blood of Jesus for the remission of our sins.

But it's not about deserve. It's about love. Only through Jesus' undeserved love can we have a new life with Him.

In a sense, Steve's toast with his friends echoes the prayer Jesus taught us: Give us this day our daily bread. (May we get what we need. May we get what we want.) And  forgive us our trespasses. (May we never get what we deserve.) Amen.