Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon

"The Fearful Future" I have wanted to do a sermon on the fear factor in Lent. I will focus on the conversation Jesus had with his friends when he explained how he would suffer and die and when his friends rejected the idea saying, "This must not happen to you." What they were really saying was, "This must not happen to us." To get at the issue of suffering and crucifixion I want to compare three movie interpretations of it. First "The Passion of the Christ" and its focus on the brutality of the crucifixion really lifts up the fear of pain and the inhumanity of Jesus' death on the cross. There is the fear of suffering and that movie brings it right down to us. Secondly, "The Last Temptation of Christ" gives insight into the fantasy that reveals something worse than the fear of suffering; it points to the fear of an unfulfilled life. Worse than suffering is to live a life without cross to carry. Jesus is portrayed as imagining how he might have avoided the cross and how he would have suffered if he had avoided it. Finally, "Jesus of Nazareth" is a classic stylized movie that brings in the powerful presence of an intervening God. The movie gives us the impression that the crucifixion happened on a larger stage and that what was happening to Jesus was of consequence to the God of us all. These three interpretations of the crucifixion are enlightening and helpful as we think about our own suffering and death. If you have seen one or all of these movies or if you have thoughts about suffering and how to face it write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you. Charles Schuster