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My Takeaway from American Sniper

The American Sniper movie continues to draw crowds to theaters several weeks after its release. It’s not surprising that people are drawn to the story of military dominance in Chris Kyle’s career. Part of this draw is the continued prevalence of terror in the news coupled with the fact that the Iraq war was such recent memory. It feels like the ongoing struggle, which is so often tragic, is being played out before our eyes. It is like we have a reserved seat for the action.

But there was something more at play for me—and I will admit that it took me off guard—it was the realized gravity of the film.

At the end of the movie, just like every other movie, the credits began to roll. However, unlike other movies, there was no music playing or chatter in the theater. It was just silent. The credits rolled quietly. People sat quietly. When they were ready, people slowly began to get up and file out. It was a remarkable sobriety in a room that frequently displays frivolity. It was fascinating.

When you consider what caused this it is even more fascinating. The star of the film, Chris Kyle, repeatedly demonstrates his love by protecting the weak, even to the point of his own self-sacrifice. He has a love for his country and a declared hatred for evil. What’s more, the viewer’s emotional heartstrings are tugged as the tough veteran endures hardship and appears to be coming out on the positive side after getting his mind and life right. Then the movie tragically ends with the death of the hero. To make matters worse, he was killed, ironically, by someone he tried to help, even a fellow veteran.

Then the credits roll and nobody moves or talks.

Let’s observe this from a Christian perspective. As much as we bemoan the cultural frivolity, lack of depth, and obsession with vanity, we have to observe the obvious truth that sacrificial love and compassion can still move the meter. I don’t know what you do with this, but it is nevertheless very interesting.

Further—and this is my big takeaway—there is no need to distract us from the weightiness of the moment. We are meant to reckon with it. The producers wanted us to. There is a lesson here for us as Christians. Each week we gather together to celebrate and remind ourselves of the truth of the gospel. We read the Scriptures and take the Lord’s Table which refresh our minds of the fact that Christ Jesus is the Lord who is a Servant. He has lovingly sacrificed himself for his weak, helpless, hurting people. What’s more, this sacrifice was not for the the lovely or those who are loving him, but rather, the unlovely, rebels, sinners—in short: enemies (Rom. 5:12). He gave his life for those who refused his help. This is God’s drama. It is God’s story. And, it is the story of stories, the drama of dramas.

But what are so often quick to do? In moments where the weight of glory is present and we are truly grappling with the reality of Christ’s death for us, often we play some music, or start talking, or anything else. I know there have been times when I have heard or preached a sermon about a particular aspect of the glory of Christ only to hear people begin talking about anything but what is so evidently in the room, like humidity on a summer day. Some of this is cultural and traditional—I know—but perhaps some of this tradition is unwittingly distracting from the gravity of things. Is this helpful?

This cultural observation reinforces my conviction that sometimes we do best when we get out of the way and allow the moment to affect us. It’s powerful.

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