#3 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Image taken from: https://hollywoodposters.com/shop/saving-private-ryan-1998-original-british-quad-movie-poster/
Memorable Lines from Movies, Big Story in Bible
#3 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
A Debt that Cannot be Paid
“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) is a war drama movie directed by Steven Spielberg. As the Second World War rages, a mother grieves over the loss of her three sons killed in battle. She has a remaining son, Private James Ryan, a paratrooper gone missing behind enemy lines.
A decision is taken by the highest authorities to find Private Ryan and bring him safely home. A squad of eight men led by Captain John Miller (played by Tom Hanks) sets out on the mission, and finds the private (played by Matt Damon)—but at great cost. One by one, the men are killed, till only the leader is left, mortally wounded. With his dying breath, he whispered to Private Ryan, “Earn this.”
The scene changes. Private Ryan, now a grown man (played by Harrison Young), visits the war cemetery in Normandy with his family. He finds the grave of Captain Miller, and falls on his knees, sobbing, overcome with emotions. He turns to his wife and utters the heart-wrenching lines, "Tell me I've led a good life. Tell me I'm a good man."
How could Private Ryan ever earn what was sacrificed for him? It is a debt that cannot be paid. But he did what he could. In deep gratitude, he sought to live a good life, and be a good man.
Big Story in Bible
What Captain Miller did for Private Ryan is truly heroic. But it pales by comparison to what Jesus did for each one of us. Firstly, Jesus is God coming to rescue Man. His status and condescension goes beyond what Man could do for Man. Secondly, Jesus chose the Cross, the worst kind of capital punishment, to pay for the penalty of our sins.
No wonder, the Apostle Paul sums up his life as follows:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 ESV
He could never earn what he needed nor could he ever pay what he owed. But with profound gratitude, he lived a changed life.
