The Elegant Captain Hook

"Oh, I hate being disappointed, Smee. And I hate living in this flawed body. And I hate living in Neverland. And I hate... I hate... I *hate* Peter Pan!"

So cries James T. Hook as he once again reaches his tipping point. In 1991's Hook, the villain is given considerably more humanity than in previous renditions. On more than one occasion in the story, Hook reaches a point of unconquerable despair at his ailing condition.

What is it, though, about Peter Pan that Hook despises? It is his youthful joy in part. Butwhen Peter Banning returns, a fully grown man, Hook despises him for a new reason. Hook's chief tormentor in Pan's absence—a ticking clock—is a constant reminder of his mortality. When Pan, the once youthful antithesis of Hook's practically decomposing body returns as a middle aged man, Hook is more frustrated than ever.

Seeing Peter Banning's out of shape, noticeably fatherly form, Hook realizes the hopelessness of his own age and frailty. What was once a symbol of youthful immortality is now equally touched by the reality of time and aging—and seems as susceptible to death as Hook's mangled frame.

Hook's declaration to Smee is striking in its reflection on the condition of the body. Disappointment, frustration with the body, and the realization that death will come for us all are not unique to Captain Hook. In the words of William Shatner, "Live life like you're gonna die, because you're gonna."

There are three methods of coping with such a realization. The first is denial and/or apathy. One can ignore and numb oneself to the reality of death. Perhaps the young Peter Pan held this view— and it may have been reality for him at one point. The Lost Boys' chant, "I won't grow up" is the mantra of many young adults who seek to gain as much earthly pleasure as possible at all times at the expense of any responsibility. This pursuit is often more subtle than starting the weekend on Thursday night.

The second approach is to embrace the end of the earthly journey as the end of all things, and create what John Piper considers a misguided attempt at heaven on earth. The aim here is to work hard for 35 years, and then retire, because you've earned it. Move to Florida—or Arizona if you don't want such a geriatric atmosphere—play golf, collect stamps, and do whatever relaxes you. You're going to die, so you better enjoy life while it's still with you. Both these approaches to living put their stock in a body that will disappoint.

But, if one truly believes in the reality of resurrection of Jesus Christ, then there is confidence in the coming resurrection of the dead. And if these frail, mortal bodies are to be raised imperishable, then there is an infinite pleasure to be obtained through this life. Meaning, what may seem to human reasoning to be the most pleasurable lifestyle now may in fact be depriving you of joy. This mortal body will disappoint, as Hook declares. According to 1 Corinthians 15, tthe one who puts his faith in Christ can only be disappointed if Christ did not rise from the dead.

Faith means giving up the pursuit of satisfaction from things in this world. It means sacrificing anything the world would take from you for being obedient to Christ. But, in the oft quoted words of Jim Elliot, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."