The Matrix As an Allegory of Christ

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THE MATRIX AS AN ALLEGORY OF CHRIST  

"All I am offering is the truth."

Is he the one? Is Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, the savior? Could he be the messiah sent to save humanity from imprisonment? "The Matrix" is an allegory. Many of the characters represent the biblical story of God sending a savior, Jesus Christ, to free people from their imprisonment.

Early in the movie the intent to set the story up to symbolize Jesus' mission to earth is established. A person comes to Neo's door seeking something. When Neo is able to give the man what he wants, the response is, "You're my savior, man. My own personal Jesus Christ."

Neo is the Christ-figure. The one question the other characters in the movie repeatedly ask is if Neo is 'the one.' The question we must ask is how closely does the character, Neo, follow Jesus Christ's own life. How does Neo's tale parallel the truth of Jesus Christ and where does "The Matrix" artfully stray? The characters in "The Matrix," from Trinity, Cypher, to Apoc all want to know if Neo is 'the one.' Is he the one that their leader, Morpheus, has been telling them must come? The small band of freedom fighters all have their questions, doubts, and hopes about the answer to this vital question. When they see Neo perform things faster and better than they have seen anyone else, their hopes are that Neo is the savior. Morpheus, the leader, is the one who seems to have the least doubt. Morpheus seems certain that yes, Neo, is the one. I believe Morpheus is the John the Baptist figure. In Jesus' time, John the Baptist came before Jesus to prepare the way for him. Like John the Baptist, Morpheus is sometimes thought to be the savior. But neither one of them accept that designation for themselves. Both Morpheus and John the Baptist point beyond themselves to the one they believe is the one. When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness, his preaching impressed people. He proclaimed to many the message that they must turn their hearts back to God and live a life that is pleasing to God. Even with this challenging message, the crowds began to hope that John the Baptist was the messiah sent by God to rescue his people. "The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ" (Luke 3:15). But John the Baptist knew he was not 'the one.' "He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ'" (John 1:20). When John saw Jesus, it was revealed to him that Jesus was the Christ. John called out, "Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

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While John and Morpheus seem certain that they have found the one they have been waiting for, others are not so sure. Morpheus' disciples wait and watch to see if Neo is the one. After John has witnessed to others that Jesus is the one, Jesus begins his ministry. Jesus amazes people with his miraculous acts. He heals people of sicknesses. From a simple word or a touch by Jesus the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the crippled can run and dance. Crowds of people come to see Jesus and they all want to ask the ...

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