A Different Look At Jesus

This morning I had the urge to put the movie Braveheart in and watch the speech that William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) gave before the battle at Stirling. This particular speech stirs something in me every time I see it.

This is the first major battle between the Scottish army and England. It's interesting to watch the faces of the Scots as they survey the British army taking position. They are outnumbered three to one, and are looking at being ridden over by a three hundred heavy horse cavalry. It is no wonder that the Scottish men begin to break ranks and start for home. One of the noblemen rides over and begins to hollar at the men saying, "Men! Do not flee! Wait until we've negotiated!" It is at this point in the movie where William Wallace and his men ride up and take command of the situation.

Now, a couple of years ago at a men's weekend, we were shown this clip from the movie. What made it different, and I think has been the deciding factor of why I love this clip so much, is that we were told to watch the scene as if we were one of the Scottish men in the army, leaderless, fearful and wanting to quit. We were then told to view William Wallace as Jesus riding up and calling to us. I must tell you, I walked away that night really stoked to be a part of God's Kingdom and ready to face the forces of the enemy.

Here is the transcript of that speech, with a few minor adjustments to help you visualize Jesus as the man on horseback calling up the faithful:

(Jesus and his men ride up to the religious leaders.)

Stephen: The Almighty says this must be a fashionable fight. It's drawn the finest people.

Religious Leader (To Jesus): Where is thy salute?

Jesus: For presenting yourselves on this battlefield, I give you thanks.

Religious Leader: This is our army. To join it you give homage.

Jesus: I give homage to God and His Kingdom. And if this is your army, why does it go?

Wearied Believer: We didn't come here to fight for them.

Young Believer: Home. The demonic forces are too many.

Jesus: Sons of God, I am Jesus Christ.

Young Believer: Jesus Christ is 7 feet tall.

Jesus: Yes, I've heard. He kills demons by the hundreds, and if he were here he'd consume the demonic forces with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his fingertips. I am Jesus Christ, and I see a whole army of my brothers here in defiance of evil. You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?

Wearied Believer: Fight against that? No, we will run, and we will live.

Jesus: Aye, fight and you may die, run and you'll live. At least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom?! The Lord Reigns!

(The believers cheer "The Lord Reigns!" repeatedly)

So my question to you today is this, "What will you do with your freedom? Will you fight?" There is a world of hurting people, held captive by the enemy. They are captives of this invisible war between the forces of evil and our God. They are looking for a Savior, and those of us who are children of God, and brothers of Jesus must lead them there. I read a quote from Charles Spurgeon that I think applies here, it says;If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.

Fighting the fight, until I see His face!

A Warrior's Heart

Last night as I was eating a late dinner in my home, I decided that I would watch the movie "First Knight". It has become one of my favorite of the Arthur stories. There is something in this movie that calls to my heart. It stirs something in my heart that few things can.

You see as a Christian man, I bear the image of God. I'm not bragging, if you are a believer in Jesus then you too bear the image of God. In the book of Exodus, after the Jewish people have crossed the Red Sea, and Pharaoh's army pursued them, God caused the waters to close up on the Egyptians and destroyed the entire army, to which the Jews cried out, "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is His name!" Well if I am an image bearer of God and He is a warrior, then that means there is a warrior's heart in me as well.

That is what calls to me in this movie. It's not the love story, or the betrayal that happens because of that portion of the story. It is the fact that Arthur is willing to stand against Malagant (the bad guy) to protect the innocent. Check out this portion of dialogue between Arthur and Malagant:

Malagant: I mean no harm to Camelot.

Arthur: You know the law we live by. And where is it written, beyond Camelot live lesser people? People to weak to protect themselves, let them die, hmmm?

Malagant: Other people live by other laws Arthur, or is the law of Camelot to rule the entire world?

Arthur: There are laws that enslave men, and laws that set them free. Either what we hold to be right and good and true is right and good and true for all mankind, under God. Or we're just another robber tripe.

Malagant: Your fine words are talking you out of peace and into war.

Arthur: There's a peace that is only to be found on the other side of war. If that battle must come, I will fight it!

Arthur's knights rise and proclaim: "And I!"

Malagant: The great Arthur and his great dream. No dream lasts forever. (Malagant leaves)

Arthur: What is the strength of the army?

What I really like about this is the fact that Arthur doesn't even hesitate. He tells Malagant that he will face him, and the look on Malagant's face is actually a mixture of bewilderment and rage as he is leaving. I want to be that way. There is something in my heart that wants to meet the enemy head on. Yet, in most Christian circles men are asked, in so many ways, to be nice, not rock the boat, just let it go and so on. And truthfully this makes me sick to my stomach. I'm pretty sure it does Jesus as well, for He stated in Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

If you haven't watched this movie lately, maybe you should. And while you're at it let that warrior spirit that God has placed in every man rise up and take a stand, be hot or cold...let's stop being lukewarm.

Fighting the fight, until I see His face.
Dave