In the live-action show, The Last Airbender, the generals of the Fire Nation fear their power being destroyed by the chosen one, Aang. General Zhao claims that the only way to find the Chosen One is to kill every airbender. Aang’s village is attacked, leaving him as the last Chosen One.
Pharaoh had the same evil plot when the Hebrews were overpopulating Egypt. They feared that the Hebrews would steal the Pharaoh’s power and ordered all the male babies to be hunted. Likewise, a couple of thousand years later, King Herod feared that his throne would be overtaken by the Chosen Hero of Israel, Jesus. His only way to find him was to kill every male baby.
There is a common thread that links all threatened kings in history. When a king learns that his power has been usurped, he goes after the male children. They see that God has a plan to introduce a revolution, and instead of embracing it as a blessing, they fight against it. In both instances, they failed. God protects the Chosen One and uses them to change the world. The enemy cannot win over God’s plan even when they try something as permanent as death.
God’s plan for you, your community, and your people will never fail because his love and care overpowers every evil intention. Remember, the opposition against God cannot use death to win. Even Jesus’ death on a cross did not stop God from introducing the world to our resurrection reality.
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?[a]
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1st Cor 15:55-57
Figure it Out:
- What plan do you believe God is working in your life? What opposition do you think will try to stop you?
- How can God show you that his plans cannot be thwarted?