The Son of God is in theaters all over the place.
Actually, the movie by that title. And based on its opening weekend, it's drawing a crowd.
Of course, it's not the first time something like this has happened. "The Passion of the Christ" turned out to be a blockbuster, too. Who'd have guessed?
When I was growing up, a movie about Jesus' life wouldn't have shown folks much they didn't know. People knew a lot about Him.
But not now. Lots of people need an introduction.
Much of this movie was included in the highly successful TV mini-series, "The Bible." And when it portrayed the torture and crucifixion of Jesus, the Twittersphere lit up with astonished comments. Saying, in essence, "I had no idea Jesus went through all this."
I have a good friend who ministers among his Native American people. He says, "My people consider Jesus an enemy." But he managed to get a few of them to go with him to see "Passion of the Christ." Which vividly portrays the unspeakable ordeal Jesus went through.
Afterwards, those folks said, "Now we know why you follow Him."
It sure is why I follow Him.
They didn't take His life. He's the Son of God. He'd have to give it. After all, He made the tree they nailed Him to. And He made the men who nailed Him there. In His words, "I lay down my life...no one takes it from Me" (John 10:17-18).
And all the evidence says He is, in fact, exactly who He claimed to be. The Son of God. Perfect life. Incredible miracles. Scores of centuries-old Messianic prophecies fulfilled by His life. And an empty tomb. No religious leader can come back from the grave. That's got to be God.
So it really is the Son of God, hanging on that cross. And if the Son of God is going to give His life, it's going to be for something really important.
That's where it gets emotional for me.
Because one of the reasons He went through all that was me.
Along with every other person who has done life their way instead of God's way. Which, according to the Bible, is every one of us. "All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23).
But sadly, even with the visual of a movie, it's still easy to miss the personalness of what Jesus came to do.
You can look at Jesus and just see a historical figure - which He clearly is. Or you can see Him as a religious figure. Starting a religion to follow and beliefs to believe.
But He's so much more. What happened on that cross was intensely personal for each of us. Again, in the Bible's words, "He loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). My personal Rescuer from the penalty of my personal sin.
And He insists on a verdict from each of us. On His death for our sins as our only hope of being forgiven. Of ever entering God's heaven.
One day Jesus did a little "focus group" research with His disciples. He asked, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They gave Him the results of the latest poll. "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
Nice answer, guys. But then Jesus drills down to what may be the most important question any of us could ever answer.
"'But what about you? Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'" (Matthew 16:13-16).
The question has not changed. Jesus still moves in close and asks - "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"
He extends His nail-pierced hand and awaits the answer. On which my eternity rests.
