I recently saw the film Invictus and was captivated by a number of elements in the film. The movie dramatizes the story of how South Africa’s national rugby team help to heal the racial tensions of the nation after apartheid. Morgan Freeman does a brilliant job as Nelson Mandela, newly elected president who seeks to encourage and utilize the national rugby team to heal the divisions across the country. The movie was over all very well done, but there was one element in the film that captivated me and it probably has less to do with the Hollywood dramatization than with the true story behind it.
I was memorized by the fact that Mandela was so able to work towards national reconciliation and to extend grace. His story is quite fascinating. He was a rebel against the white supremacy in South Africa before being captured and sentenced to prison. After spending 27 years as a captive Mandela was elected as the president of South Africa, and just when the nation thought the blacks would have their revenge Mandela did the unimaginable. He offered grace and forgiveness to those who had wronged him. I was blown away by this aspect of the story. There is truly something gospel-like to it.
Not only does Mandela’s story reflect the story of the forgiveness God offers to those who have rebelled against him and abused Him, but it mirrors the kind of forgiveness that Christians are supposed to extend to those who wrong them. The sad truth is that this man, who, as far as I know, never professed to be a Christian, knows more about grace than the Christian who harbors bitterness for years. Mandela knows more of the way of Jesus than some church members do.
There are many reasons to watch this movie, but I commend it to you because it paints a picture of grace that we need to be reminded of. Invictus invites us to consider the reality of the grace of God.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 