Ben-Hur

I was watching Ben-Hur today. To those who have not seen it, just do it. It's three hours of your life that you won't mind losing. Yes, it's heart-wrenching and tear-jerking. But it's also heartwarming and the tears come from emotions more than sorrow. I think I love it because it gives another view of the gospel. It tells the story of Jesus from another perspective. To be able to convey all the emotions of the birth, death, and resurrection of the Messiah all through the journey of another man, is a powerful tool, for it is so how God works in all our lives.
My favorite scene makes me cry every time. Sentenced unfairly to the galleys, Judah is dragged through the desert with no water. Reaching the village of Nazareth, the ranks of slaves clamor for water, but are beaten back by Roman guards. All the camera shows is Jesus' strong hands picking up a gourd full of water and taking it over to Judah. As the thirsty man gulps down the water, we see the hands gently stroke his hair, as if to say, "It's all going to be okay. I have a plan, even for this. I love you, and I'm so sorry you have to suffer." As soon as Ben-Hur finishes the water, the camera shows his face as he looks up into the face of his Creator. I can't imagine what it would have been like to experience Jesus in person. The camera never shows Jesus' face, only others' reactions to it. I like this, because in the same way, we can't see his face, but we can react to him. We can see how he is taking care of us, we can see all the ways he is giving us water, even if we are in a desert.
This movie evokes in me a strong emotion of awe. The God we serve is so powerful. How can I doubt that the God of Abraham, of Moses, of David, of Jesus will take care of me! How can I not have full faith in someone who is so utterly capable? And how can I not love someone who is so compassionate? How can I not fully give all I have to Him, this powerful and loving and kind and capable Savior.