This week for our Gotham City Gospel series, The Healing Place School of Ministry take a look at the animated film, Batman: Under The Red Hood and the one word that separate the Dark Knight and his Prodigal son, Red Hood. That word is… Mercy.

Devotional

This week The Healing School students continue to have hijacked Geek Devotions.  Watch the video or continuing reading to see how in, “Under The Red Hood,” Batman shows mercy to his enemies, just like Jesus. Learn how we are commanded to love our enemies.

Okay,  so our geek devotion this week is based on the movie, “Under The Red Hood.”

Spoiler alert: if you don’t know who the Red Hood is you are about to find out.

So in our Batman movie the Red Hood, aka Jason Todd, who came back to life after being killed by the Joker is extremely upset to find out that Batman has not avenged his death.  The Joker still lives.  Jason Todd abducts the Joker and confronts Batman. Jason force’s Batman into a situation where Batman has to decide between killing Jason Todd, who if you remember is kinda like Batman’s adopted son, or the Joker, his arch nemesis. Now, Jason Todd has felt that the “criminals” he and Batman fought were worthless and deserved to be severely beaten and even killed without remorse. Batman fans know that Batman never kills the Joker or others like him, his enemies.  Batman shows them mercy.  Jesus shows us mercy every day and commands us to do the same for others.  Let’s look at what Luke Chapter 6 has to say:

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:35-37 (NIV)

In Luke chapter 6, we clearly see Jesus telling us to love our enemies, not to judge others or condemn them.  Jesus can take people that are broken, people like the Joker, or others that are doing evil deeds and turn their lives around.  Jesus can work miracles on people’s lives and hearts.  Jesus died because God showed us mercy.  It is the mercy of God that gives us life everlasting if we ask and believe. Know that we are all God’s children. That includes the prostitute, the meth addict, the child abuser, the liar, the one with all the tattoos, and even your boss.  You are God’s child. They are loved by God just as you are.  God can redeem even the worst of us sinners. If you are a believer, you are called to be Jesus’s hands and feet. My challenge to you this week is not to be like The Red Hood and assign a judgment of unworthiness to your enemies but to say this prayer for someone who you dislike, who you could never see sitting beside in church or someone who has hurt you.

Father God, give me the grace to not only forgive my enemies but also to bless those who dislike or try to harm me.  I pray that your love is what they see when they see me.  Keep my thoughts from becoming resentful or vengeful. Release in my heart peace that comes from giving all my worries and fears over to you.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Remember to repay injury with the blessing and hate with love.