A Modern Sunday Parable

Ah, Sunday!  The first day of the week, a day to worship in church, to enjoy each other's company and to rest.  And, to finish the day off, the next episode of the most popular show on television.   The Walking Dead (AMC, 9pm EDST).  I know I am not alone in that assessment - IMDB labels it the highest rated show this year and I have more than a few friends who eagerly anticipate the next episode.

Considering that from a Christian viewpoint, the irony is so thick you can almost poke it in the eye with a crowbar (sorry, that's an inside joke for those who watch the show).  In real life we talk to, work with and live among the walking dead every day.  For we know that all around us are people who are spiritually already dead (see Ephesians 2).

Just like the zombies on the show, they stagger through the world awaiting the day they can finally physically rest by becoming brain dead.
Just like the zombies on the show, they concern themselves only with their appetite.   Just like the zombies on the show, their appetite is unnatural and (spiritually speaking) both disgusting and horrifying.
Just like the zombies on the show, they have no possible way to be made well, apart from a miracle.
Just like the zombies on the show, they are completely unaware of their own state.

Perhaps, like us, you even have such a zombie in your home!  If not, surely one or more of them come to visit every now and again.  If so, please do NOT imitate the show in your dealings with zombies.  To do so is to become, like them, a mindless actor in a meaningless existence that will soon be forgotten.  Let me caution you against the visceral urge to rid yourself of it/them.  That doesn't mean though, that living with a zombie is fun.  No, you have to constantly be vigilant, and that takes a lot of time and effort.  But remember that we too walked among them at one time (is it ironic that tonight's episode is called 'walk with me'?).  

We walk among them no longer because miracles do happen.  Even daily, some are raised from the dead unto life.  Our struggle is not therefore with them, but against those who keep them from the same miracle we've experienced.  Read Ephesians 6.  As we then properly guard ourselves and make the sacrifice of prayer, we constantly look for the opportunity to bring the dead to life.

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.  We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!"
-Eph 2:1-5, HCSB








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