Benjamin Button. And the Curious Case of Regeneration.
“…we’re born again, leaving everything else behind…”
A lot of people got excited when the film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, hit the big screen. Mainly men. Why? Because it portrayed one of Hollywood’s heart-throbs, Brad Pitt, as a crumpled, balding old man, instead of his usual Herculean hunk figure. Unfortunately (spoiler alert) that doesn’t last long, because the film is all about a man who’s born old and grows younger. Sorry gents.
In the book (yes, F. Scott Fitzgerald authored Benjamin Button before it became a Block Buster) we encounter a protagonist whose life unfolds in reverse, aging backward from old age to infancy. And while this fantastical tale captivates with its magical concept, it also offers a pretty solid metaphor for the Christian doctrine of Regeneration. Because much like Benjamin Button’s unique journey, Regeneration speaks to a spiritual transformation, a rebirth that occurs in the life of a believer.
Ok, but exactly how do the two intersect? Good question.
- The Reversal of Time: Benjamin Button’s life unfolds in reverse, defying the natural order of aging. Similarly, Regeneration rewinds the spiritual clock, back to the Garden, back to our communion with God before the Fall. It offers a fresh start and a new beginning. As Mark preached, “…we’re born again, leaving everything else behind…”
- Transformation and Renewal: As Benjamin grows younger, he sheds the burdens and experiences of old age, embracing the vitality and innocence of youth. In the same way, Regeneration brings about a transformation in the believer, renewing the heart and mind (Romans 12:2). It’s a departure from the old life of sin and a walk towards spiritual maturity and wholeness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
- A Journey of Discovery: Button’s unconventional life is a journey of self-discovery, as he navigates the world from a unique perspective. Similarly, Regeneration initiates a profound journey of discovery for the believer. It opens our eyes to spiritual truths, unveiling the depths of God’s love and the beauty of His plan for Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
- Embracing the Unexpected: Throughout Benjamin’s life, he encounters challenges and joys, navigating the unexpected twists and turns of his unconventional existence. Likewise, Regeneration invites believers to embrace the unexpected journey of faith, trusting in God’s guidance and provision as they navigate life’s uncertainties, because He gives us the Spirit as a Companion, Counsellor, and Guide (John 14:26; Romans 8:14; Titus 3:3-8).
- Eternal Perspective: Benjamin Button’s story offers a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. In the same way, Regeneration offers believers an eternal perspective, shifting our focus from the temporal to the eternal. To quote Gabe, this means “we’re full of it!” Full of faith, and hope! It reminds us that our true identity and destiny are found in Christ, transcending the boundaries of time and space (Romans 8:18).
Here’s the thing though: Benjamin Button’s story captivates us because we know it’s based on fantasy.
But the Doctrine of Regeneration is based on anything but fantasy.
As we work through Alpha in our Life Groups series, we’re being exposed to the Historical evidence for an event that refuses to be dismissed as fable or fiction: Christ lived, died, and was resurrected. He’s the pattern and the source of the regeneration we experience in part now, and in fullness through eternity.
Just as Benjamin experiences a remarkable journey of reversal and renewal, so too does the believer undergo a spiritual transformation that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
Through regeneration, we find hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life in Christ. And so we pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life on the cross for our sins. Because of You, we can now stand before You as pure, holy, and justified. The old has gone, the new has come. We thank You for sending the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Holy Spirit, we thank You for filling us with love, fruit, gifts, and power that marks us out as new creations in Christ Jesus – our Eternal Hope, and in Whose name we pray.
Amen