I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

I know, I know. I am WAY behind in this area, considering the final book was written in 2007, and the movie was filmed in 2010 (part 1) and 2011 (part 2). However, I recently realized something- Jesus is present in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (the book).

Towards the end of the book, Harry sacrifices himself to Lord Voldemort in an effort to achieve two things: rid himself of the Horcrux Voldemort unwillingly left in Harry, and to protect the people he loves, who would otherwise be slaughtered by Voldemort. In accomplishing this selfless act of dying willingly at the hands of his enemy, Harry does even more than he had hoped for: even as he destroys the Horcrux inside his body, Harry’s loving sacrifice covers the people he sacrificed himself too.

“Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding? You can’t torture them. You can’t touch them” (Rowling 2007). Because Harry gave himself up to the Avada Kedavra curse, the people he sacrificed himself for were shielded from Voldemort’s attacks. Voldemort could not touch them, torture them, or even kill them. Does this remind you of anything?

Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. Because He went willingly into the hands of death, He has covered those he sacrificed himself for. It’s almost scary how much similarity there is between the two scenes: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, chapter 36, and Luke 23. In Harry Potter, we see Harry sacrifice himself so his friends might live, and Voldemort’s immortality will be removed. In Luke, we see Jesus sacrifice himself so that anyone who calls on him will live, and Satan’s power will be broken. Voldemort’s power over Harry’s friends is broken, and Satan’s power of Jesus’ followers is broken. Harry’s willing sacrifice covers his friends, and Jesus’ willing sacrifice covers His followers.

1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (English Standard Version). In Harry Potter, we see that love can conquer death, as seen here: “Dumbledore’s favorite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death” (2007). In both stories, love can conquer death. Harry’s loving, willing sacrifice saved his friends, just as Jesus’ loving, willing, and ultimate sacrifice will save all those who believe, for ” if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans. 10.9). In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, redemption is only found in the death of Voldemort, the ultimate enemy. In real life, redemption is not only found in the destruction of Satan but also in Jesus Christ, whose blood covers us.

Even though the comparisons between Harry Potter and Jesus may seem to be isolated coincidences, I believe that all stories are part of the greater story- the story of Jesus.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter, And the Deathly Hallows. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007.’

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Crossway, 2001. Print.