Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Thirty-three-year-old actor Diogo Morgado, who was born in Portugal, portrayed Jesus in the television mini-series “The Bible”…and will also represent him in the upcoming full-length movie “Son of God”. I found Morgado’s performance incredibly moving and compelling.
During an interview with YAHOO!TV*, Morgado said, “[Overall] I tried to bring out the humanity in Jesus … he knew who he was. He knew what he had to do, but he didn't know how or when it was going to happen. I would try to go to the source…I tried to go to what would be the energy and the feeling that would come up with [the] words, you know? Sometimes I [thought it would] play more strongly in what I didn't say than what I did say, because for me, what Jesus said was a consequence of who he was. So the words don't define Jesus. It's Jesus that defines the words.”
In my opinion, Morgado was successful in his efforts. One of the things that struck me was the tenderness with which Morgado’s “Jesus” character approached others. He cupped their faces…kissed their foreheads…gently cradled lepers and cripples in his arms…embraced children with obvious affection…and more. And in many scenes, it truly was not about what Jesus said…but all about what He did and how He reacted. I remember thinking…”This really is how Jesus loves us.” The endearment and compassion were profound...and unforgettable.
In the same interview, co-producer Mark Burnett noted…"We made a conscious choice that on television, people don't want to be told how to feel. You have to present the story and allow them to feel. And so we did that. Our hope was that people would start conversations and seek more. Had we been proselytizing on the series, I think it would have had the opposite effect. I think the fact that we have just shown the stories, and people get to make up their own opinions…it's a great discussion point."
As we read these scripture verses from Hebrews, we are reminded that God sent Jesus to earth for one purpose… to radiate His glory and cleanse us of our sins so that we could share Him with others. And we have indeed received salvation through Jesus Christ…as well as His perfect example of how to love one another and present God’s glory and hope to others. Yes…Jesus angrily overturned the money-changer’s tables in the temple. Yes, He sometimes spoke frankly to those who challenged His authority or His teachings. But Jesus was never unkind or unloving…He never gossiped to His disciples about others…He never cheated anyone or succumbed to temptation…He never took the easy way out to spare His own feelings – or those of anyone else. Jesus never deliberately harmed another human being.
Just as importantly, Jesus knew when to let His actions speak louder than words. If you go back and read the Gospels again, you will see how calmly and rationally Jesus went about His day…whether fishing with the Disciples, healing the sick and lame - or making two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of thousands. And this is the message for us…this is our model for serving God as Christ’s disciples. We are to love others…to share the glory and promise of living as God’s children…to demonstrate the power – and unconditional care – of Jesus Christ…and to offer others an opportunity to receive His salvation. We are also called to know when our actions speak louder than words. If we truly model Jesus to others, we will set the stage for them to seek more. We will offer them “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”…and allow God to do the rest.
How are you sharing Jesus with others? Does your daily living demonstrate the love of Christ and God’s glory? Is your discipleship quiet, tender, and compelling…or boisterous, sometimes harsh, and off-putting? Are you expressing the very character of God to others? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://tv.yahoo.com/news/-the-bible--crucifixion-scenes-brought-48-snakes-and-a-life-changing-experience-for-diogo-morgado-211712546.html
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