Ben Parker, usually known as Uncle Ben, is the uncle and
surrogate father of Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego. His death at the hands of a petty thief was
the turning point that propelled Peter into the role of a superhero. The most memorable line in the movie “With
great power comes great responsibility” is from a conversation between Uncle
Ben and Peter, just before his death.
Throughout the movie, this phrase becomes the overarching
theme. It’s the golden rule of
Spider-Man and shapes his entire life from his uncle’s death forward. This phrase is now a part of the American
lexicon, but where did it originate?
In doing a little research I found that the line was almost
used by FDR in a speech he was to deliver at the Jefferson Day Dinner in 1945,
but he died the day before. The speech
writer included the phrase “today we have learned in the agony of war that
great power involves great responsibility.”
Not to pull a Jesus juke, but if you go back another couple
thousand years, Jesus was teaching His disciples and in Luke 12:48 we find Him
saying to them:
When someone has been
given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been
entrusted with much, even more will be required.
So there we have it, whether you’re a follower of comic books,
Presidential history or Jesus, it seems we should all be able to agree that
those of us who have been given much have a great responsibility.
I’ve been reflecting on this since returning from a recent
mission trip to the Dominican. It is
obvious to me, that in America, we have been given much. We have so many “blessings” entrusted to
us.
My Facebook status update yesterday read “Right now, someone
is praying for the thing we just took for granted.” A friend of mine commented back “I was drinking
a bottle of water as I read that.
Wow.” Have you ever stopped to
think that WE are the answer to those prayers?
God is waiting on us, those who have been given much, to step up.
Right now, a little child in the DR is hungry and praying
for a meal. Right now, a father in
Africa is trying to find clean drinking water for his family.
Right now, a pregnant young lady in America is contemplating abortion. Right now, an 83-year old widow doesn’t know
what will happen to her when she dies.
Friends, I believe we have been given great power, and with
this comes great responsibility. Spider-Man used his power to fight injustice, save people in trouble and it gave the world hope. How will you use your power?
