Space and Salvation

– January 23, 2023

If someone were to ask me what my favorite movie is, I would quickly answer, “Interstellar”. In this 2014 science fiction movie by Christopher Nolan, Matthew McConaughey plays a retired astronaut who lives in a dystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive. He is called back into action to travel through space and find a new home for mankind. There are many reasons why I enjoy this movie: the acting, the phenomenal CGI, and the attention to detail all come to mind. And while I don’t agree with everything in the movie, every time I watch it, I can’t help but think about why I connect with it so well.

For starters, space and the universe in general have been fascinations of mine. Books full of facts about the planets and galaxies used to fill my bookshelf as a kid. I remember watching shows on TV which described the mysteries of the universe contained lightyears away. I remember laying in bed at night, pretending I was flying a spaceship that could travel to the most distant reaches of the galaxy. I knew God had created everything and I was in awe of all He had made.

This same fascination continues today. All of creation was meant to point to the Creator. The planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, the vast distances between it all–everything was made to point to the goodness and power of the One who made it.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”

Romans 1:20, ESV

The movie connects with me so well because it gives me a glimpse of a greater reality. As I watch the portrayals of black holes, planets, and stars that Christopher Nolan’s crew brilliantly made, I’m reminded of just how much more beautiful those things really are as they are held in the vastness of space by God. These pictures don’t even compare to the grandeur of the One who spoke it all into being.

The fascination doesn’t end there. In thinking about the greatness of the One who created the universe, we don’t only recognize His power, but also His nearness.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:5–7, ESV

God the Father, who created all things, sent His Son, who is God and who is the means by which all things were created and are sustained (Colossians 1:15-20), to take on flesh. God came near. Why? In order that we might have our sins forgiven and a right relationship with Him. God is powerful in creation and in salvation.

Every time I watch this movie about the vastness of space, I’m reminded of how small and insignificant I am. Yet, at the same time, I’m reminded even more of the One who created the stars and galaxies with mere words, upholds them with those same words, and made a way for us to know Him and have a relationship with Him. All He created testifies to His majesty and greatness. All He created testifies to His grace towards us in Christ and our need for Him. He loves us. He cares for us.

Matt Hall is an NGU alum who has served as the Pastor of College and Youth at Mountain Creek since August, 2019.

Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash