The Hunger Games

Intro:  The Hunger Games is a 2012 adaptation of the best selling novel of the same name written by Suzanne Collins. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson. Set in a post-apocalyptic country of Panem, 24 children are randomly chosen out of the 12 outlying dissects of Panem to fight to the death for the entertainment of the citizens of the Capitol, in retribution for the districts' past war of rebellion against the Capitol. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in the place of her younger sister after her sister is selected for this depraved competition. In a world where any trace of religion is absent, Katniss' act of love transforms a game of survival into a catalyst for true justice in this morally corrupt society.  

Big Theological Idea: New Covenant Sacrifice - We have rebelled against God and deserve to die, however Jesus substitutes Himself as the sacrificial lamb to pay the ransom for our rebellion.  While watching, keep in mind the Old Covenant sacrificial system and compare the need for blood for the forgiveness of sins both in the Old Testament and in the movie, and how the blood of Christ has satisfied that requirement for those who believe.

Scene 2: “Check-In”

The public "Reaping" is at hand for the residents of District 12, where the names of one boy and one girl from the ages of 12-18 are selected at random for the "honor" of participating (and most likely dying) in the Hunger Games. Before the lottery, a propaganda video is shown explaining the "purpose" of the Hunger Games. Because of the districts' treason, the price of their "freedom" is death, however the Capitol's "great forgiveness" would be manifest in the crowning a sole survivor in riches and wealth. When Katniss' 12 yr old sister, Primrose, is chosen as the female participant, Katniss volunteers, substituting herself for Prim.  Likewise, our rebellion from our Creator warrants our own blood and death.  The Old Testament sacrifice of innocent lambs on The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was a reminder of the heinousness of our rebellion and our need for a substitute sacrifice that was able to cleanse us from our unrighteousness.  Graciously, our Creator substituted the blood of His blameless Son in our place, for the forgiveness of our sins.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

(Hebrews 9:22)

you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(1 Peter 1:18-19)

Scene 12: “Not Going To Hurt You”

When Katniss volunteered for the Hunger Games out of love for her sister she did something unprecidented in Panem; no one volunteers in a loved one’s place.  This was evident in Rue, the 12 year old from District 11, where no one took her place, and was all but hopeless in the Games.  In a game where the death of another participant is cause for celebration, Katniss again does the unthinkable.  Not only does she begin an alliance with Rue, she sincerely mourns her death, going to the extent of preparing a proper burial for her at the risk of being found.  This act of love is seen as a rallying cry in District 11, perhaps a new hope in the districts for the desegregation of Panem.  Our God’s act of love on our behalf, in the face of our rebellion, unites all people under his sacrifice.  The differences between us as people and nations are replaced with the citizenship of God under the sacrifice of Christ. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  (Ephesians 2:19-21)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

(Galatians 3:28-29)

Scene 15: “Only Team”

It’s down to the last 3 tributes, Katniss, her “lover” Peeta, and the menacing Cato of District 2, a “career Tribute”.  Due to a new rule revision, it is possible that Katniss and Peeta can both win since they come from the same district.  As Cato realizes his grim fate, he finally realizes that he has been dead his whole life.  All the training and all the glory is worthless; a gimmick for the amusement of the Capitol.  After Cato’s death, it’s all over, or so it seems.  In an attempt to triumph over the love between Katniss and Peeta, the gamesmaker attempts to reverse the revision; there would be only one survivor.  Rather than kill Peeta, Katniss shuns the glory of winning for love in death.  Katniss and Peeta decide to kill themselves, depriving the Capitol of a victor, exposing the Games as a ploy, and ultimately planting the seed for true change in Panem.  Like the Hunger Games, the blood sacrifice offered on Yom Kippur was only valid for one year.  The next year two spotless lambs would again be chosen; one slaughtered (the sin offering) and one set free, covered with the blood of the other (the scapegoat).  In either case, there was no true atonement; the districts of Panem were not forgiven for their rebellion and the Jews were still under the curse of sin.  However, through the sacrifice of love, our God provides the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to die in our place to take away our sins.  Our rebellion has been forgiven and the need to offer a sacrifice is abolished.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

(John 1:29)

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

(Hebrews 10:1-4, 12-14)