I have watched the recent hollywood blockbuster “300” more times than I care to say. The movie is full of heroics. The battle of Thermopylae is full of valor and sacrifice. For those not familiar with the movie or the history, Thermopylae is the Greek version of the Alamo.

The movie, adapted from Frank Miller’s graphic novel (comic books for grown ups) of the same title, is the kind of movie that draws out of men what is often missing in our times. It is full of reason to live (and die), passion, and community…it is the answer to the negative space left by movies like Fight Club.

It is also a movie full of analogy. Some see it as a comment on the Iraq war and American war on terror or American Imperialism, depending on if you see George Bush as Xerxes or Leonidas.

From the perspective of a Christian who loves movies and spiritual metaphor, I cannot help to see the gospel. A people being oppressed by a navel gazing cruel dictator who would make himself to be God are led to defy said dictator. The dictator is confronted by a small band led by a King named for a lion who dies pierced, arms outstretched after refusing to bow to the knee the “god king” who threatens him with an army of slaves and tries to seduce him with money, power, and sensuality. In his death, Sparta rises to defeat the feared tyrant. The parallels of the temptation of the Christ, the sacrifice of Christ and the rising of the body of followers is a virtual film and Christology lay up.

For many, Christian or non, Leonidas is the hero. I found another hero. I did not know his name. It was not until I had IMDB’ed the film that I even discovered he had a name so secondary was his personal presence. I just called him “eye patch guy.”

Dilios, played by David Wenham best known for his role in Lord of the Rings: Two Towers as Faramir, is a Spartan warrior, one of the brave 300 of Thermopylae. He is also the narrative device for the story. His is the first and last voice. He is sent home from the final and sacrificial battle against Persia to go to his kinsmen and tell the story of Leonidas. He is chosen by His King because of a recognized skill. He is the preacher of the king. And he does his job well.

His narrative is not about himself. There is no “www.dilios.com” that accompanies his speaking engagements. The message crescendos several times to a focus on Leonidas- his youthful bravery foreshadowing his future, his resolution in the face of intimidation, his noble cry in his death. The story is of Leonidas. His audience cheers Leonidas. His respondents follow Leonidas. Eye patch guy is just the story teller. He moves politician, citizen and soldier. He speaks history, poetry, and response. A mover of the mind, the heart, and the hand, Dilios becomes the model of the preacher.

It is the job of the preacher to be the one called by the King. To be sent away from some other fray to have the calling to tell. He must have a recognized gift. He must be about the business of pointing to Christ- His incarnation, love, sacrifice, deity, and ultimate victory and return. The modern day Dilios, the eye patch guy, weary and battle scarred, tells his story, gives clear testimony that leads his audience to see the real main character, the hero, the King…Jesus.