I was relaxing on my day off this week and decided to watch a movie. “The Martian” is a movie about NASA sending astronauts to Mars to work in the Mars Habitat facility that had been built for living on, as well as, exploration of Mars. During a chaotic emergency evacuation from Mars because of a severe storm, one astronaut was injured and presumed dead — and was left behind.
For over two months his fellow astronauts, NASA, and the entire world thought that Mark was dead, when actually his injuries had been minor. Once he was able to restore contact with NASA they were stunned to realize he was alive… and alone on Mars. Since a return trip to Mars was not scheduled for four years, and his supplies would not last one year — it seemed that Mark had received a death sentence.
I won’t go into all the details of the movie, but the rest of the story is mostly about Mark trying to survive and NASA trying to figure out if it was possible to keep him alive. Eventually the crew of the space vessel that had left Mark behind was able to compute a “slingshot trajectory” around earth and then return to Mars and try to rescue him… which would mean that Mark would live alone on Mars for over 600 days. Ok… if you have not seen the movie and this little description has peaked your interest stop reading now; because a spoiler alert is on the horizon.
The astronaut crew is able to return to Mars and rescue Mark… if you have read this far on what appears to be a Rotten Tomato review, I am going somewhere with this! The entire world became captivated with Mark. Would he survive? Could he be rescued? The Chinese Space Agency realized that NASA could not rescue Mark on their own, but they possessed the means to do it. So the CSA joined with NASA in the rescue effort. As the space vessel approached Mars a successful rescue was far from probable. Mark was going to have to launch himself in a rocket into orbit around Mars, the space vessel was going to have to figure out how to slow down and adjust their course to “catch” him.
The entire world held their collective breath as the moment came to capture Mark, who was floating in orbit — all alone in his space suit. Scenes in the movie showed Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Times Square
in New York, Trafalgar Square in London, as well as people from other locations such as India — millions and millions and millions of people watching giant screen projections in expectation and hope that Mark would be saved.
And then came the words from the commanding officer of the space vessel: “WE HAVE HIM, ALL CREW SAFELY ABOARD!” And the entire world roared in relieved enthusiasm. Millions of people — united for a moment — celebrating the rescue of one man. In that moment Mark wasn’t an American citizen… he was Chinese, he was Indian, he was European… he was from everywhere and belonged to everyone. And as I watched that movie scene unfold — I found myself longing for a world like the one in the movie.
Don’t judge me, but… I couldn’t keep the tears from flowing as I longed for a world that would put aside its division, hate and selfishness. Wars where we kill each other. The ambivalence we demonstrate in the face of suffering. The vitriol spewed at those with whom we disagree. The selfishness of people and countries that pursue their own objectives and interests. Oh Lord Jesus, we are so broken and self-centered! I long for a world where ALL PEOPLE are united and live in harmony and community.
If you do too… it’s not a coincidence, because you were made for another world. The scene in the movie of the world celebrating the rescue of Mark actually reminded me of a very special portion of the Bible as the Apostle John is given a glimpse into the future — and hence the tears.
He writes: “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like the loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come!’” Revelation 19:6-7
Those words indicate the launching of Heaven and Eternity where the Lord Jesus will reign forever and ever. Where the people of God will know true harmony and community as we worship, serve and bring glory to the King of Kings! So, I hope you will forgive me… and you might find it difficult to believe… but The Martian has led me to pray in a new and fresh way… “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”
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