Being the parent of a son who is almost 2, I get to watch some interesting programs. Of course, I only allow Micah to watch certain things coupled with his tastes. We also attempt to restrict his viewing time, so his choices are naturally limited.
My mother sat with Micah one day and put the Disney classic Mary Poppins into the DVD player, hoping to entertain Micah for 10-15 minutes.
He watched most of it. He loved it, which is cool with me because I’ve always loved that flick myself.
So I’ve seen Mary Poppins a few times over the last couple months. Upon watching it in the mountains a couple weeks ago, God enlightened me with an interesting concept.
Mary Poppins is symbolic of the Church.
Now, as I say this, I do not mean to be critical, as some of you rolling your eyes might think (I can see you!).
I am serious. As a fictional character, Mary Poppins is symbolic of the Church, both as she is and as she should be, an ideal of sorts.
This week I will concentrate on the important symbolic aspects of Mary Poppins. Since the only full picture of the Church can be found in the scripture, this will naturally be somewhat incomplete, but I feel there are some important revelations here.
The story begins with an upper class British family with a problem: their nanny quits. George Banks, the father, takes it upon himself to get involved. The children, Jane and Michael, have their own idea of what is needed and share their requests with Mr. Banks, which he summarily ignores.
While Mr. Banks is somewhat misguided, it is important to note that Mary Poppins doesn’t really get involved until the authority of the household makes an effort towards change.
The Church is many things, but she finds it difficult to enact ideal change when the head of the family, appointed by God, is apathetic or hostile to her ministry.
On the day interviews are being held, a strong wind blows through and does two things: removes all other nannies and brings in the true solution, Mary Poppins. When she is interviewed, Poppins does not even attempt to submit to Mr. Banks’ standard of what she should be. She does not even allow Mr. Banks to hire her. She sets up a trial period. She is the one totally in control.
While the efforts of the fathers initiate change, the Church is not submitted to the authority of earthly fathers. She is brought in by the wind. In John 3, Jesus tells us that no one knows where the wind comes from or where it goes. So it is with those who follow the Spirit. The Church is controlled and directed by an unseen force, the Holy Spirit. Just as only one nanny will do, there is only one Church, one representative of Christ in the earth. There are no other options. Only the Church is designed to express the world.
And since the Church shows up in obedience to the Spirit only, she does so on her own terms. She cannot be controlled or manipulated by those she ministers to. She is the one with the authority of Christ as her head.
And Poppins is much closer to the desires of the child than the standards of the , just as Christ stated it takes the innocence and purity of a child to enter the Kingdom. “From the mouth of s” so to speak.
to be continued …