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Lessons From Spider-Man: No Way Home

(View the trailer here)

This past weekend, I finally got around to seeing the much anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home. While I am not a comic geek, I do enjoy a good Marvel Cinematic Universe movie every now and again. And I’d say that this most recent movie certainly lived up to the hype. But as I was watching my friendly neighborhood Spider-Man(s), I couldn’t help but notice the resounding theme of second chances strewn all throughout the movie.

Without getting into too many spoilers… Spider-Man: No Way Home focuses on the heroes AND the villains of the story getting a second chance. A do-over. And this second-chance opportunity comes at the expense of Spider-Man himself because “With great power comes great responsibility.”

This got me thinking about the second (and third and fourth, etc.) chances… that we receive from the greatest superhero of all. The One who actually saved the world. (That would be Jesus. He’s the BEST). “And while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Do us villains deserve this chance of restoration? Of course not. But are we thankful? Um, yes!

But it’s what we do with our second chance that really counts. Second chances (that can only be granted from the One who has the power) provide reconciliation - a chance to repair our relationship with the Father, to walk with Him again, and to live as free people like we were called to (1 Peter 2:16). And honestly, I think you could change the old adage to say that “with freedom, comes great responsibility.”

Sunday’s message highlighted the fact that as a free person, I have the ultimate power to choose whatever I want to do. I can either choose to serve others humbly in love or I can choose to indulge the flesh (Galatians 5:13).

Reflecting on the themes of restoration, freedom, and responsibility seen in the movie, these are the lessons I’m taking away from Spider-Man: No Way Home (combined with my own Bible-based perspective of course).

  1. Recognize your second chances. Believe in the forgiveness you receive from God and the power He holds to reconcile you to Him. (1 John 1:9)
  2. Make the most of your second chance. How will you use your freedom? (Romans 6; Romans 7:14-25)
  3. Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed/save the world. Sometimes we may need some friendly neighborhood Christians in our corner to help us choose love over indulgence of the flesh.
  4. Consider giving others an opportunity to choose right. Forgive just as the Savior has forgiven you. (Colossians 3:13)