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Jesus was indignant (1:41) 

If you were brought up in the 1970s, then you may remember the film Jesus of Nazareth. Reportedly the suggestion of Pope Paul VI, Zeferelli's film has drawn plaudits and brickbats in equal measure. At six and a half hours it was certainly a marathon and it covers a large chunk of the gospel with reverential accuracy. However I remember it for one thing and one thing only: Robert Powell's Jesus. Long straight hair, piercing blue eyes and a lilting soft resonant voice - he was hypnotic. Sadly, when I read the gospels, he was also nothing like the real Jesus. As a middle eastern man Jesus was curly-haired and brown-eyed, of course, but that wasn't the real problem. No it was the softness. It was like they'd missed the man who turned over tables, insulted dignitaries and kings, broke taboos and lived rough; and, as here, the man who was filled with such strong emotion that everyone around could see it on his face.

Jesus was indignant or, as the alternative has it, filled with compassion. Are we brave enough to allow our emotion to flood to the surface, to be visible to others? It's a risk, but it is also to be like Jesus, to imitate Christ.



Comments

  1. Ann Hyland23 November 2020 at 00:43

    Goodness George, i have only just read this but what you don't know is that I have never spoken of how God guided me, or indeed all of us at Folke Church, through the roof restoration. Have always known it but never put it into words publically or privately. Felt the need to yesterday but wasn't sure I could. I think that is why I was feeling anxious. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. George Moody23 November 2020 at 12:49

      And what a wonderful interview it was - absolutely spot on!

      Delete

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