Inside Out

84/365

This past Easter weekend, there were a number of movies on TV that depicted the story of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. Each one is dated prior to the new millennium and reeks of old fashion cinematography, and still, I enjoy them every year. There was this one, however, that stood out from the rest with its depiction of our Lord. Truth be told, the man playing Jesus just did not look the part. His hair was shorter. His face was quite boyish and, to be honest, his entire demeanor just seemed…off.

Now, who are we kidding? We know what Jesus is supposed to look like. He has been portrayed the same way for all time, and yet, this director felt at liberty to take, what can only be called, artistic freedom? I just could not get on board with his interpretation, and thus, missed the entire message of the movie because of it. He just did not look like himself, so from that point on, it didn’t matter what he said or did; I couldn’t recognize him. Sometimes, is it what’s on the outside that counts?

2 Corinthians 4:18
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” – NIV

How do we really know our Savior? When we get to heaven, will we know Him as soon as we see Him? Will we recognize the flowing brown hair or the peaceful blue eyes? Will we identify Him by His clothes or His shoes?

Or, will we know our King of Kings by His words? Will we see the Holy One in action and, immediately, run to His side? Will we automatically know the hand that had been holding ours for our entire lives?

In life, it is scary how much emphasis humanity places on the outside of everything. The outside of our homes. The outside of our handbags. The outside of ourselves. I have to wonder, if the people in our life lost their sight, how would they know us? Would they recognize our peaceful touch? Would they identify with the arms wrapped around them in times of hardship? Would they know the foot that kicks them while they are down?

I worry for a culture where women bear Fendi instead of fruit, and men crave power over prayer.