But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:8-10
You probably looked at the title of this devo and thought, “What the what?” But bear with me while I explain. Recently, my husband and I rewatched Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the first movie in that series starring Johnny Depp—haven’t seen it in probably a decade. (Hold onto your hats…that movie is currently 21 years old.) Basically, Jack Sparrow, former captain of the Black Pearl, was trying to get “his” ship back. Meanwhile, the current captain and crew, who were all cursed (think zombie-like or dead-undead), were trying to collect all the cursed Aztec gold pieces they had stolen 10 years prior in order to break the curse and be made alive again. But in addition to needing all 882 gold pieces, they needed one other thing: the blood of another crew member who had sent one of the gold coins to his son. (They drowned that guy, “Bootstrap Bill”, so they actually needed his child’s blood.) It’s an entertaining, action-packed film that’s amazingly void of the cultural offenses of today’s films.
So, what’s with the whole “Pirate gospel” thing? Well, given my love (um, obsession) for Ephesians 2:1-10, my mind is always thinking about how one moment we’re dead in our transgressions…but upon surrendering to Jesus as Savior and Lord—BAM!—we’re alive in Christ! It’s a miracle in my life and others’ that never ceases to astound me (and I hope you feel the same).
During the scene where Jack Sparrow, after he also becomes a cursed undead, is sword fighting with the undead Captain Barbossa of the Black Pearl, I’m watching them move around the setting as clothed skeletons when the moon shines on them…when they’re out of the moonlight, they look alive. The bout takes them, visually, from alive to dead to alive to dead in moments. See where I’m going? What a great visual for salvation! Dead one moment, alive the next!
But what’s really cool about this unlikely gospel analogy is how the curse is permanently broken for the sailors: A blood sacrifice is needed…the blood of Bootstrap Bill’s son, William Turner.
The blood of the son breaks the curse of death. Getting those goosebumps yet? Friend, this is the gospel! We are cursed—dead to and in our sin, bound for eternal suffering. But, with the blood of the Son—Jesus—we are made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). By grace through faith, not by our works. No need to collect gold coins—or gold stars, as many of us chase down in our works-based efforts. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus satisfied the debt we owe but could never pay, and He broke the curse of death. By His victory, we are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17), delivered from darkness to light (Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:13).
See, the gospel of grace—the miracle of transformation—is echoed all around us. We just need to be on the lookout, and be ready to give a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15)…even if it’s by means of a swashbuckling pirate movie.
Heavenly Father, thank You. Thank You that Jesus broke the curse of sin and death. For me. May I look for every opportunity to share this very good news with those around me.
encouraged by grace 