As vampire movies go, Underworld is one of my favourites. It’s got just the right amounts of action, gothic style, ‘intelligent dialogue’ and adrenaline-pumping thrills. And in the second movie, Underworld: Evolution, we had a powerful vampire lord whose sole mission in life was to discover the whereabouts of his brother, a werewolf, in order to set him free from his lifelong imprisonment – how many monster movies have brotherly love as a driving force?
The underlying motif of both films was the creation of a superior hybrid of either vampire or werewolf, one more powerful than the existing species. And which vampire movie fan hasn’t secretly half-fantasized about actually being a vampire and be immune to disease, have super-human strength/agility/senses, maybe even the power to become invisible every now and then?
“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” (1 Cor 15:53)
Immortality. Christians believe in this, too. Except it’s not expressed in the form of un-aging, bullet-proof bodies, but as that which God’s children get to wear as their reward. Like brand new gown or tuxedo which exudes a – ooh! – splendid shine on their wearers, make them look more beautiful, newer even.
Our promised imperishability reflects power over death and all that might quench true life away. For when we are decked out in glory,
…then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
This is where, I suppose, Jesus has a major point against any Master Vampire. Because even thought vampire bodies are far more powerful than normal, they are not indestructible. There’s still the stake-in-heart gig (plus lots of other unpleasant outcomes) which a vampire fears. ‘Eternal life’, for these bat-people, is a matter of continued earthly existence. One would imagine such a creature fearing death even more, clinging on to life because there is nothing beyond.
Disciples of Jesus, on the other hand, have nothing to fear. They look forward to conquering death. They work joyously to give their lives in labour and love, the labour of love, for their communities.
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15:58)
Victory. Power. Everlasting life. Eternal value for all our hard work. This is no Underworld myth, but the universe under Christ.
Coming soon.
(Meditations contributed by Alwyn)