This post is written by Jared Bumpers as a companion for Unit 24, Session 1 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 8: From Wonder to Rejection (Summer 2023).

In the Infinity Saga, a multi-phase plan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos is “an extraterrestrial warlord” who is obsessed with obtaining the six Infinity Stones: the time stone, the reality stone, the space stone, the power stone, the mind stone, and the soul stone. ¹ These magical artifacts grant the owner incredible power, and Thanos is determined to acquire them all and use them to remove half of the universe’s population. The only thing standing in Thanos’s way is the Avengers, a group of superheroes determined to stop Thanos and save humanity. Unfortunately, the Avengers initially fail to stop Thanos, and half of the world’s population disappears with the snap of a finger. The Avengers then develop a plan to go back in time and prevent Thanos from discovering the stones, but the plan backfires when Thanos (in the past) realizes he has succeeded in the future and now the Avengers are trying to stop him from carrying out his plan. Thanos then decides to wipe out the entire universe when he obtains the stones.

The Avengers strategize to stop Thanos a second time, but Doctor Strange has told them the odds are not in their favor. There is only one scenario out of 14 million potential scenarios in which the Avengers can defeat Thanos and save the universe. Viewers do not find out the one scenario in which the Avengers win until Avengers: Endgame, when Iron Man steals the Infinity Gauntlet with the six Infinity Stones from Thanos, snaps his finger, and sacrifices himself while sending Thanos and his army out of existence. According to Doctor Strange, this was the only way for Thanos to be defeated. Iron Man was the only one who could stop him and save the universe. Every other person and plan was doomed to failure.

The main story arc of the Infinity Saga has several redemptive themes that resemble truths contained in Scripture. First, the theme of “exclusivity” is central to the redemptive narrative. In the Infinity Saga, Iron Man is the only person who can save the universe. In Scripture, Jesus is the only way for a person to be reconciled to God. When Jesus described Himself as the “narrow door” in Luke 13:22-30, He was emphasizing the exclusiveness of the gospel. There are not many ways to be saved. There is only one way, and His name is Jesus! As Peter said in Acts 4:12: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the Way!

Second, the theme of sacrifice is central to the redemptive narrative. In the Infinity Saga, Iron Man had to sacrifice himself in order to save the world. In Scripture, Jesus had to sacrifice Himself to save the world. Throughout the Bible, sacrifice is a prominent theme. In the Old Testament, God required His people to sacrifice bulls and goats. In the New Testament, however, God sent His Son to die on the cross. Jesus came to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world, which is why John the Baptist announced: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)! By dying on the cross for sins and rising from the dead, Jesus purchased our salvation.

The Christians reflecting on the exclusivity of Christ and the infinite value of Christ’s sacrifice should be filled with gratitude and gospel zeal. Christians should be grateful because Jesus provided the only way of salvation. Apart from Him, every person is dead in their sins and without hope in this world. But through Him, every person who repents and believes the gospel will be made alive and receive an eternal hope. Christians should be filled with gospel zeal because many people have never believed the gospel or heard the gospel. Christ is their only hope, and God uses Christians to carry the message of the good news around the world. Let’s be grateful, gospel zealous people who exalt Jesus, the narrow door!

1. “The Infinity Saga,” Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, www.marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/The_Infinity_Saga, accessed September 20, 2022.

Jared Bumpers serves as Assistant Professor of Preaching and Evangelism at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He is also a pastor at Fellowship KC in the Parkville area. He is married to Kim, and together they have four children: McCartnie, Rush, Maverick, and Jett.