The Last Supper Movie

 

It was on I-17, halfway to Camp Verde, when I discovered my turn signal had no sound.  Oh, my signals were working right, but when I reached up to my left ear I realized my hearing aids got left behind.  I took them out right before the final hairspray but forgot to put them back in again.  Hearing sounded muffled.  I chalked it up to old age and prayed for grace to be able to hear supernaturally as I drove to meet up with friends.  They were forgiving and sensitive and helped me forge through our afternoon plans.  We drove over the mountain towards Prescott to meet up with others from our home church and indulged in lunch at Chili's for good food and fun fellowship.  Afterwards, we walked across the street to purchase tickets for the afternoon viewing of The Last Supper.

 

There are two Last Supper movies playing at this writing.  We saw the movie Chris Tomlin co-produced.  The emphasis was on the day Jesus shared a Passover Seder with his followers which would be His last meal with them.  The thread of the movie starts with His teaching and example to serve one another. It continues with His sacrifice of love not only to those who would someday understand his purpose but also love for his enemies who rejected Him and crucified Him.

 

After the movie, we engaged in discussion.  Some shared what they gleaned, some dismissed the movie entirely, and some liked or disliked certain parts that questioned Biblical accuracy.  This is what makes movie going with others interesting, I think. 

 

Here’s what I think

 

During our lunch, I joked:  “Hey, you guys.  What movie are we going to see and what is it about?”  We all laughed.  As I look back, this might have been prophetic.

 

Let’s start with the parts I disliked.  The script wasn’t clear.  I finally figured out who Peter was in the last half hour.  The articulation lacked definition.  I struggled to hear the softer words.  I dismissed it and blamed my hearing loss, but others noted the same.  The pace felt slow to me.  I noticed my brothers down in my row, sleeping in their seats.  Lastly, Jesus looked more like a guy from Texas wearing a long hair hippie wig than what I imagine Jesus to be.

 

What did you like?

 

Since I write, I’m aware that writers create their masterpieces with a point of view be it a fiction story, screenplay, blog post, etc.  A perspective evolves in a story as the writer “speaks” through a narrative of their creation. 

 

I perceive the writers of this movie wanted me to see the struggle of sin.  They made the case, early on, that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah the law prophesized.  They touched on His teaching, healing and deliverance.  They touched on the crucifixion but it was not the main point sparing us the blood and guts scenes to remind us of our guilt and shame.  Through the character of Judas, I see clearly how temptation can lead to sin losing significant relationships.  It can lead to the loss of life.  The struggle is heavy.  Judas’ weighty decision comes from a lie in the form of a snake.  Brilliant!  Just like in the garden in Genesis.  The enemy of our souls cannot create; it’s the same old lie that leads to death.  Judas defies Peter’s advice; “Think of what is true, Judas!  Resist what is false.” 

 

Judas reeled me in.  He felt believable to me.  His dialogue and acting stole the show.  Have you ever faced temptation?  Then you know it is not fun.  Perhaps the movie should have a different title?  A title which refers to betrayal or rejection or a title that reminds us of our failure and Jesus’ forgiveness, every single time.

 

I did not watch the movie to split hairs doctrinally.  However, when I was in Israel, my teacher arranged a tour of the building where the last supper with Jesus took place.  It was a bit different from the movie screen.

 

I end with this thought.  I’m glad I attended this movie.  I’ve been praying passionately for years that Christian influence would reach outside the walls of the church.   I pray for Christians who influence all aspects of our society:  family, education, business, government, media, religion and arts and entertainment.  I’m glad I supported this film.  The Texas Jesus was no “Passion of the Christ” character or even a Jonathan Roumie of The Chosen.  But on the way to the cross, he hooked me with an expression of love on his face in the disappointment of my sin.  I’ll take it; it’s a good pondering now, these days before Resurrection Sunday.

 

And as far as my sleeping brothers go, I have a word for you.

 Then he went back to his followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Could you men not stay awake with me for one hour? Matt 26:40