THINK TOGETHER
If the world we live in was perfect, what might be different?
READ TOGETHER
Have you ever seen the Disney movie Zootopia? It tells the story of a perfect place where once “savage” animals that used to eat other animals now live in peace and harmony with gentle vegetable eating animals. Zootopia asks the question, “Can a bunny and a fox can become best friends, without fear of the fox attacking the bunny?” Is such a world even possible? A world where everyone gets along.
You know the idea for Zootopia is taken right out of the Bible. It comes from Isaiah’s prophecy. Listen to how Isaiah describe our future world in chapter 11:
Isaiah 11:6-8. 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
Isaiah’s prophecy describes a future kingdom of God on earth that is almost magical. Wolves and lambs living side by side. Leopards lying down with goats. Lions eating grass like cows. Babies playing with poisonous snakes. It all sounds like a cartoon doesn’t it?
But Isaiah isn’t describing Disney’s next cartoon, he’s describing our world when God puts an end to all sin and all of sin’s curses. Isaiah is describing the perfect world that awaits us in the future.
But how will we have such a perfect world?
In Zootopia (and every other Disney movie) we get there on our own, without God. We simply learn how to be kind and love each other. But in Isaiah’s version of the story our perfect world is brought about by the leadership of a child – a little child shall lead them.
Back in chapter 9 of Isaiah he already described this child. Listen to Isaiah 9:6-7.
Isaiah 9:6-7. 6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
Can you guess who this child is? The child who will rule the world with peace, and justice, and righteousness?
That’s right, Isaiah is talking about Jesus. Jesus who leads with the humility of a child.
And one day Jesus will lead the whole world. And then the world will be full of peace, and gentleness, and love, and justice for all. Everything will be fair. Everything will be good. And everyone will be kind – even the animals.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for God’s even better version of Zootopia to come to earth. I can’t wait for Jesus to come back and rule and make everything good again. And now, while we wait, maybe we can trust Jesus to help us make the world a little fairer, and a little kinder.
Because of Jesus one day we will live in a perfect world with him.
With Jesus you can make the world around you a little fairer, and a little kinder until he returns.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Watch Zootopia together (or at least the trailer below). Zootopia explores several biblical themes including the idea of a perfect world, humility, forgiveness, and justice. But take time to point out to your children that Zootopia (and other “utopian” movies) leave out our need for a Savior.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus,
I can’t wait for you to return and make the world perfect, and kind, and fair. Please come back soon.
Amen.
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