Christian Living

Jesus as Filmmaker

by Bro. Kenya Branch
02/04/19
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On the day we celebrate the life, work and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I think about my three heroes – my mother, who successfully raised two rambunctious boys after her husband deserted us, Rev. King, who advocated nonviolent resistance in love and Christ, my Risen Redeemer.

This morning I watched a video of Bishop T.D. Jakes who opined on how Jesus might minister if he walked the earth today. Jakes suggested that Jesus, a master storyteller, would be a filmmaker. Full disclosure: Bishop Jakes and I are filmmakers.

Jesus’ stories or parables, still relevant today, were probably spellbinding to the original audiences before the advent of TV, radio, film, video, smart phones or social media.

According to a passage in storytellingday.net, “the oldest surviving tale in the (human) storytelling history is the epic, Gilgamesh, relating to the deeds of a famous Sumerian king. The earliest known record in the origin of storytelling can be found in Egypt, when the sons of Cheops entertained their father with stories.”

Most of us have been captivated by a movie, play, novel, short story, video, TV program or audio book that told a compelling story that resonated with us and perhaps taught a profound moral lesson.

Jesus was known for His parables that probably entertained listeners while also revealing a truth important in that era and ours. The parables of the lost coin, lost sheep and prodigal son were about redemption.  Luke 15:3-32.

The parable of the wise and foolish builders taught the importance of constructing a home (and implicitly a life) on a firm, solid foundation. Matt. 7:24-28. My favorite parable, and one beautifully illustrated by Dr. King, in a speech, is the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:30-36.

It’s the story of a desperately ill man left to die who was aided by an unlikely hero, the Good Samaritan, a stranger “neighbor” who helped save the life of the man who may have been an enemy, in a sense, and was ignored by those who he may have been more closely associated with. 

What Jesus was saying, and King amplified, I believe, was that we are our brother’s and sister’s keepers. Unconditional love is a catalyst in learning to respect, appreciate cherish and celebrate people, even those who may not live nearby, look like us, or may not love us back.

Rev. King believed that “hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” He also stated that “love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend.” 

True love stories are the foundation for incredibly moving movies and Jesus may well have used the technology if He were walking the earth today to spread His message to the ends of the earth.