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The Movie or the Book
As I write this I have not seen the movie, “The Passion.” It does seem odd that the movie has produced so much press. It is not just the advertising that is being done although that is extensive. It is all the talk that is going around by so many different people. There was even controversy over what the film might contain before it was released. Some are worried that it might prejudice people into thinking that a race of people, the Jews, was responsible for the death of Jesus. They are concerned Christians will hate them. Their concern is the people who claim to follow Christ will act absolutely contrary to the message and life of Christ. He went through all those things to save people, not to stir up prejudice. Even with that understanding, history has shown they may have a point.
It also seems odd that it is the only time in all of history when more people have the book before they see the movie. It may be even safe to say more people have read the story but there seems to be a large number of people who own the book that have never read the story. There have been biographies written of other people and movies made about them but the story of Jesus has been given more attention than all of them. We know that the book is required to have accurate details but the movie may add a few things or leave out things. We understand that and should make sure we remember it here.
It also seems odd that we know the story and yet everyone I talk to has indicated that they can’t tell what happens because it will ruin the movie. The way some things are portrayed must produce some effect that needs to be experienced. It must not be the facts of the story but some way in which the story is told. Does that make people want to see the movie more if you tell them you can’t tell the end? I hope everyone sees the movie soon so we can talk about it. The point of the story is we are to talk about it. Not just the movie, but the real events and how it has brought release to our lives.
Jesus came back with a special request to his disciples and to all of us that we tell the story. Not just the facts of the story but how it affects all of us and what we are to do next. What does it mean for the Christ to be crucified? Jesus was an innocent man, how should we respond to him? Do we feel the same way about telling the story as we do talking about the movie? Is it easier to talk about the movie than it is to tell someone the book version? If it helps get the conversation started then it is a great thing. But let us not just discuss the movie version of the events and how it was shown. We must not let people think, “It was only a movie.” The reality of the events and the impact they have on our lives today is to be the point of the conversation.
Whatever it takes to get us talking we need to tell the story of Jesus. His birth, death, burial and resurrection are keys to understanding what we must do to please God. We can invite them to events at church but also tell them about why we go. Maybe this will give us all an opportunity to overcome our hesitancy and start the conversation. It is easy for us to ask, “Have you seen the movie?” Maybe then we can ask, “Have you read the book?”
Terry Singleton
Pulpit Minister
Sunset Church of Christ
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