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(Don't) Fear the Reaper
Get the discussion questions for (Don't) Fear the Reaper
So what do you think the worst job in the world might be? In my mind, there are so many I wouldn't know where to begin. It would start somewhere in the realm of security at a rap concert and spiral down to a Mexico City sewer diver (no, really, this is an occupation...con mucho gusto!)
But one job that really isn't a job but rather a pretend job on TV is an occupation I really wouldn't want to have. The one I'm talking about is held by an unfortunate young man named Sam on a popular CW show called Reaper. The long and short of it is that Sam's folks were essentially tricked into selling his soul to the devil (what they call a major parental 'oops'), so when he turned 21 his fate was cast to being a soul collector for Satan.
Yes, the devil really is making him do it. Not only does he have to track down escapees from hell, the worst part is that he has to drop them off at the local DMV office. (For those blissfully unaware of the horror that is called 'visits to the Department of Motor Vehicles', take the show's word for it: anywhere that seems like hell on Earth is hell on Earth.").
There are probably many reasons why Reaper is such a widely viewed show - I mean any time you take a Ghostbusters/Buffy/Scooby Doo scenario and throw in clever writing and interesting camera work, you generally do well. Yet I think there's a deeper connection here...one that really revolves around purpose. Bottom line is that Sam's parents failed to give him one, so now he has to give you know who his due.
So what's your purpose? I'm guessing that you aren't employed by Beelzebub Inc. collecting souls with an enchanted Dirt Devil, but you probably do think about that question from time to time. If so, I have some great news for you...your parents didn't sell your soul to the Devil! In fact, your heavenly Father purchased your soul through the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. What does this have to do with purpose? Well, because we were "bought with a price" (I Corinthians 7:22) when we trusted Christ, God gave us an amazing calling. Here's what it is:
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
This is the last and lasting marching order that Jesus gave his disciples, and it applies to us as well. All Christians are called in the power of Christ to share the gospel with everyone we know, and if they trust Christ, we are then called to help them know God and grow in their faith. What is really interesting to me is that these words of Jesus are actually the 'anti- Reaper' formula. Think about it- Sam is in the service of Satan capturing escaped souls from hell, and Christians are in the service of Christ winning souls away from hell. Here's the way the Jesus explained it to the Apostle Paul:
I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.' (Acts 26: 17-18)
Just as Jesus sent Paul out to help people turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, He sends us as well. He bought our souls with His own blood, now we have the incredible privilege and purpose of helping others escape from hell by giving them the ultimate message of freedom: the gospel of Jesus Christ. You don't need a Dirt Devil or demonic supernatural powers, just a broken heart for those who don't know Jesus and a willing attitude to tell people who are interested.
So as you go through this week, keep this thought in mind:
Don't fear the Reaper...serve the Master!
Head: What you need to know about this truth
Christians are the 'anti-reapers' because Jesus purchased our souls on the Cross, and now we are called to share the gospel and help people grow in their relationship with God.
Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
Do you have a broken heart for those who don't know Christ? If not, be sure and try out the 'hands' section in this Soul Fuel.
Hands: What you need to do about this truth
This week, go to a busy mall on a Friday night. Sit alone and silent for thirty minutes and just watch people while you imagine a small sign on their foreheads that reads "bound for hell." Imagine the hell those people are going through without Jesus and the hell they will go to if they die without trusting in Christ. Another option is to start a conversation about Reaper using the Culture Commission for this week.
