Spidey's choice

Toward the end of the new Spiderman 3 movie, there’s a jarring scene where a young man is set free from the evil parasite but returns – just in time to be destroyed.

Critics have called Spiderman 3 “dark” because it wrestles, in classic comic book style, with questions of good and evil. Several characters struggle with their own choices.

Some, as our young villain, revel in the evil and see it as empowering. Others are drawn to evil and then repulsed by evil's demands. In each case, characters were tempted by revenge: they hadn’t gotten what was due them. They deserved better and so they’d take out the one who had offended them.

Cain faced similar issues. He was offended that his brother’s offering was accepted while his was not. God laid his choices clearly before him:

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Gen 4:7)

Eve had already learned that evil could masquerade as power, invigorating and indulgent. Not only do I deserve this pleasure, but I can get it myself!

Sin offers power on the front end but annihilates in the end. It always appeals to our own logic and our own appetite.

Peter addresses the problem: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

And he tackles the danger as well: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Spiderman 3 suggests that we have choices to make in our lives.

Peter suggests we choose God’s mighty hand:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)