Rambo: Last Blood | Righteous Fury |BIBLE STUDY Facilitator Note: We encourage facilitators to take this Bible study and expound on it throughout the week, allowing it to be a springboard for deeper conversation and personal meditation.
PRESS START
Rambo: Last Blood is the fifth film in the series. The first film (F irst Blood) was based on a novel that told the story of what life was like for John Rambo after Vietnam and the after-affects of the war. First Blood was originally meant to end like the book in which Rambo would die, but his fate was changed and we received more sequels as a result.
ASK: Many action movies get sequels, whether they are good or not. What is one of your favorite action movie sequels? What is one we could have done without?
EQUIP
In the film, Rambo remarks he knows how black a man’s heart can be, and that he’s lived in a world of death. Later, Rambo makes the comment that he doesn’t belong to the world that he came home to. As believers, the same could be said for us by looking at J ohn 17:14-19.
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
What does it mean when Jesus says “I have sent them into the world”?
In our case, Jesus is our commanding officer and has sent us on a mission—the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
In what ways do you try to fulfill the Great Commission in your own life?
LEVEL UP
Action movies are typically known for their revenge plots, and the same can be said for Last Blood. We see Rambo do what he does best and go on the warpath in all of his fury. Before we go any further, let us look at scripture and see what The Bible has to say about anger in James.
James 1:19-20 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Are there people in your life or out in the world that have made you angry? There is no need to get specific here if you are uncomfortable with doing so.
In life, people have hurt us, whether physically or mentally. There are also people out there who commit various crimes and harm others, including people like the bad guys we saw in this movie. So, is it our duty to grab whatever weapons we own, and bring vengeance upon our enemies on wrongdoers? The answer is no; scripture tells us vengeance is God’s hands in Romans 12:17-19
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
What are some other things in life that have made you angry?
It is normal to be angry. It is a God-given emotion, but can also be very dangerous. In the Bible, it is described as a fire or a destructive force of nature. See E xodus 15:7, 2 Kings 22:17, and Job 4:9.
MOD
So, what should we do with that anger? Where do we place it? We find the answer as we pick up from where we left off in Romans 12.
Romans 12:20-21 “On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The answer specifically sits within Romans 12:21 where it says to overcome evil with good. The most heartbreaking thing about this movie is the things Gabrielle experienced are very real. We can’t directly fight against evil as they do in our favorite action movies, but we can join forces with others and fight for a cause. There are so many verses in scripture that talk about community and the benefits of being among others.
Matthew 18:20 “F or where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Though he didn’t know it, Rambo was able to experience what the power of community can be like. Carmen was on a mission and knew Rambo was after the same people when she saw him in the club. Due to her recognition of his path, she was able to help him after his first encounter with the Cartel. Surely there were other people in that community that had suffered the same losses Carmen did, which Rambo would feel soon after.
Are you apart of any communities or advocacy groups? If not, what sort of causes would you like to fight for and be a part of?
PRAY
Ask for prayer requests, but also pray for those families who have lost loved ones and those who might be currently grieving.
THE NEXT LEVEL
Sadly, the end result left Rambo feeling alone again. However, even in his loneliness, John Rambo kept going with raw courage and no fear, just as we are commanded to do so in Joshua.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Author: L.J. Lowery | Editor : Lexi Tucker ------These Bible Studies are completely free for you to print and use. They are funded by the gracious donations of people like you. If you are interested in donating, please check out WWW.PATREON.COM/GEEKSUNDERGRACE for more information. Your contribution helps us to further our mission to disciple Christians through pop culture and to tell the “geek” world that they deserve Christ just as much as the rest of us. Thank you for your consideration.