The story of Jesus has been a popular topic for films. Although the movie I best remember is the star-studded The Greatest Story Ever Told, it was the 1961 King of Kings that grabbed me. I don’t remember any details of that film other than the striking blue eyes of Jeffrey Hunter who played Jesus. I do remember feeling overwhelmed after the film. At 12 years old I knew I had somehow to serve the wonderful Jesus revealed in the film. I wasn’t thinking of being a pastor, but something happened to me because of that film.

I later learned that the film worked to connect with baby boomers like me. The disciple John was portrayed as a teenager, for example. More significantly, it was probably the first time I had experienced the story of Jesus as a whole. In Sunday School and worship the story of Jesus is broken up into pieces to be told in the course of a year. The movie showed it in a few hours.

Maybe what happened to me is a reason for having children see religious movies. I’m not positive about that, but I am sure that telling people the whole story of Jesus is an absolute necessity. King of Kings ends with Jesus appearing to his disciples and instructing them to bring his message to all the world. We need to be doing that. How will anyone know Jesus if we don’t tell his story?

Read Isaiah 52:7 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”