Get Smart

In the land of sequels, remakes, spin offs and nostalgic reruns we children of the 60’s have enjoyed a plethora of old favorites revived, recast and returned for one last spin around the track. This summer a remake of the Mel Brooks and Buck Henry’s spoof on the 007 spy world has made its way to the big screen… would you believe “Gold Phalange?” …would you believe “Get Sharp?” …how about “Get Smart?” Yes, agent 86 and 99 have resurfaced to defeat KAOS and bring CONTROL back to our lives. Bill Murray plays my favorite character from the series… agent 13 (originally played by Dave Ketchum). Remember? Agent 13 was the one who was always hid in some bizarre object like a mailbox, flower pot or gym locker. I think he was my favorite because he was the one who really had to suffer for the defeat of evil (and yes, I was fascinated by what object they would put this Waldo of espionage in next). Now believe it or not I think there’s some theology hidden in this “Get Smart” trivia.

The defeat of the evil one required some divine slant on what it means to “Get Smart”. Let me explain. It is quite clear especially in Mark’s gospel that the demons knew, often from a distance, that Jesus was the divine one sent from heaven. What was hidden or transformed that they and mankind could not fathom is that Jesus would use His human frailty to defeat Satan and redeem mankind. The cross was an enigma to both Satan and the world. How could God be victorious when His Son suffered at the hands of the enemy not only shame, ridicule and torture but His life’s blood poured out over the bloody stains of countless criminals executed on Golgotha before Him? Certainly such weakness… such helplessness could not signal the ultimate victory!

Paul explains, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ (1 Corinthians 1:18, 19).” Maxwell Smart often bumbled and stumbled his way through righting the wrongs of KAOS but because good triumphs over evil ultimately Smart with the aid of such hidden forces like agent 13 defeated the enemy. God’s plan could not be thwarted by any evil chaos and beckons us to get smart God’s way… for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). Would you believe? -DAN