Mercy
Growing up, I always loved Mothra versus Godzilla, but the VHS tape my family had was the English dubbed version, so I knew the film as Godzilla versus the Thing.
The plot of the film is that a typhoon washes the Mothra egg to Japan, and greedy capitalists wish to make a theme park with the giant egg as the main attraction. The Shobijin, the fairy twins who act as Mothra’s spokespeople, ask for the capitalists to return the egg, but the businessmen try to capture them. The Shobijin ask for assistance from reporter Ichiro Sakai, news photographer Junko Nakanishi, and Professor Shunsuke Miura. The three attempt to advocate for the fairy twins, but their words fall on deaf ears. Later, when Godzilla attacks Japan, the trio must go to Infant Island, which was devastated by nuclear tests, and ask Mothra for assistance to fight Godzilla. The people of Infant Island tell them that the outside world has played with devil’s fire, something that the gods have forbidden, and that Godzilla is their judgment. Additionally, their people refused to return the egg when the Shobijin asked for help. Why should the people of Infant Island now help the people who wouldn’t help them? Even the fairy twins say that they are not willing to ask Mothra for help on their behalf, not even for the trio. At this point, Junko makes a speech begging for help. In the American dubbed version, she argues that there are evil people who deserve to be destroyed by Godzilla, but Godzilla is also killing the innocent. How can they sit back and let the innocent perish with the guilty? But in the Japanese version, the argument is different: “Please listen to me. I do understand you mistrust us, but even as we speak, many people are losing their lives to Godzilla. There are many good people among them, but even the bad ones have the right to live. You may call it God’s punishment, but all people are equal before God. God plays no favorites. Please help us.” Ichiro adds, “We, too, want a world without distrust. When many people live together, there are many problems. But we won’t give up on hope. We will continue to try hard. Please do not judge us too soon.” Immediately after these speeches, Mothra calls them to her and tells them through the Shobijin that she will help.
Every time I see this movie I can’t help but think of these words of Jesus: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48
In the book of Jonah, the prophet Jonah refuses to do God‘s will - instead of going to Nineveh and preaching to the Assyrians, he runs away from home and boards a ship heading to what is now modern day Spain. God causes a storm to happen. The sailors cast lots to see whose fault this calamity is and the lot falls to Jonah. They questioned him and he tells them if they throw him into the sea, the storm will stop. He doesn’t say “take me back to Israel.” No, he would rather die than have anything to do with the superpower (the Assyrians) who are committing war crimes across the ancient Near East. The sailors reluctantly throw him into the sea and the storm stops. A giant fish swallows Jonah. Jonah then prays to God for mercy while spending three days and nights in the belly of the fish. On the third day, the fish vomits Jonah onto shore. Reluctantly the prophet travels to Nineveh and proclaims that the city would soon be destroyed. On hearing this, the king of Assyria, instead of ordering Jonah to be arrested, proclaims a fast for the entire city - not allowing anyone (including animals) to eat or drink. Everyone must be dressed in rags and cover themselves in ashes. Because the Assyrians humble themselves and repent, God spares the city. Jonah, consumed by bitterness, cannot stand that God forgives his nation’s enemies.
On the other hand, in the book of Samuel, we have David the war hero, the most loyal servant to the king, persecuted out of envy and spite by King Saul. David is driven from his home and forced to flee for his life. His wife is taken from him and given to another man; those who are seen being friendly towards David are executed for treason. David and his companions are forced to hide in caves. While on the hunt for David, Saul goes into a cave to use the bathroom. It happens to be the exact one where David and his allies are hiding. David is urged by his friends to show Saul no mercy, but David still loves Saul and cannot bring himself to kill him. When Saul leaves the cave David confronts him outside. “ Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 1 Samuel 24:8-20
The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-20
In my life, there have been human beings who have driven me crazy, and there have been times when I want to give up on people, but the Holy Spirit gently reminds me that Jesus prayed for the church to be one as the Triune God is one. Therefore, as his disciple, I’m called to live in community with everyone who is invited to the table of the Lord’s supper. This includes even Judas Iscariot, who was plotting to betray Christ. It does not matter whether my excuse is, “they started it” or “it’s going to be so awkward to speak to them” or “we have nothing in common” or “they snubbed me” or “we just don’t click” or “I feel misunderstood by them”. Jesus has invited them to the table, and if I avoid them, I refuse to sit with Jesus. Therefore, it is crucial for me to pray without ceasing for those who upset me. It is vital for me to be kind and compassionate to everyone I encounter, forgiving all those made in God’s image and being empowered to do so by accepting Christ’s forgiveness that God shows me daily. Of course, it is important to clarify that if you are not safe when you are around a specific person, you should not attempt to remain friends with that person, but I do urge you to pray for both their salvation and wellbeing. Forgiveness does not mean that what has happened to you was not that bad or that it was understandable. Forgiveness is choosing the way of Jesus by not allowing our wounds to define how we view ourselves and others, but rather embracing and belonging to a community that is bigger than ourselves. That community is the body of Christ.
