Last Sunday I was preaching from Luke 13 where Jesus speaks of his compassionate love for the people of Jerusalem: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Although these words were spoken in a particular time and place, I believe they perfectly describe Jesus’ compassionate love for all people, you and me included.
In preparing that service, I was reminded of the film, ‘Life is Beautiful’. It has one of the most brilliantly original storylines I have ever come across. How does a father, rounded up and placed in a concentration camp with his four-year-old son, protect that son from the traumas and horrors all around them? I’ll share that answer with you in a moment but any comedic film that sets itself in a concentration camp and ends up being powerfully moving deserves all the praise and awards that come its way. Those awards included three Oscars and an Oscar nomination for best film which, when you realise it’s a foreign language film, was quite remarkable.
So how does Guido, the film’s hero, spread metaphorical wings to cover and protect his son? As we answer that question, be aware there will be spoilers which include the film’s ending. Guido protects his son by pretending this is all one big staged game where you can earn points for being good and by not creating a fuss if you’re unhappy. One thousand points wins you a tank! As an idea for a film, it doesn’t sound like it should work, yet it works brilliantly.
Sadly, Guido loses his life as the camp is being liberated, but his son is freed and reunited with his mother without ever comprehending the evils around him. At the end of the film, the now grown up son speaks these words as a voiceover: This is my story. This is the sacrifice my father made. This was his gift to me.
It’s getting on for thirty years since ‘Life is Beautiful’ was released and I’ve seen it several times, yet I find myself welling up every time I hear those words. Not just because of their significance within the film but also because they point me towards Jesus.
As we journey on through Lent, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. Jesus, the Father’s gift to a world he loves. Jesus, the depths of whose compassion we can only begin to imagine. Jesus, whose sacrifice gives me life.
This is my story. I hope it’s your story too.
Prayer:
Lord God, I thank you that you gave your son to bring salvation and freedom to the world;
Lord, Jesus, I give thanks that you were prepared to go to the cross as a sacrifice that brings me life;
Holy Spirit, voiceover from Heaven, constantly remind me of these truths that lie at the heart of my story and help me to bring that story to life for others in words and in actions.
Amen.