Film Friday I have been at Scargill House in Yorkshire this week, speaking on God in our ordinary lives. And during the week I had the chance to watch the film Belfast again, about a family living amidst the troubles in 1969. It reminded me that Jesus grew up in an oppressed and troubled country. In the film we see young Buddy with his brother and parents pulling together in their times of joy, caring and terror. It’s a dangerous and worrying period, but there is also a lot of laughter and goodness. In one scene we see them dancing in the street as a record player blasts out on the pavement. At other times we see them playing together and enjoying life in the community.
Jesus knew this kind of life. He knew trouble and danger, and he knew laughter and celebration. His upbringing was relatively poor and when old enough he worked with his father, fixing and building houses and property.
Jesus knows what life is like, he is not a God who stands outside of reality, but one immersed in it. He knew about high taxation, and the longings for a better way of life. We can be tempted to separate our lives into the spiritual and non-spiritual bits, but we don’t find this with Jesus. He doesn’t have a ‘spiritual life’, he has life. Food, work, money, wine, clothes… all these things feature in his teaching about God’s kingdom. He cares for people, especially those who are poor in spirit, health, resources, strength, and money. He speaks of the reality that in this world we face trouble, but that he is greater than our troubles. He is with us in our troubles, and he offers us the vision of a better life to come.
There are times at the moment when I feel a bit overwhelmed by things, and I’m aware that Jesus knew that feeling of saturation; after a busy time at the end of Mark chapter 1, we find him having to keep to secluded places because so many wanted his attention.
He knew pressures and worries then, and he knows what we face now. He understands and is here with us. I’m grateful for that.
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Thanks Dave. I’ve heard about this film and your summary is very helpful and I like the way you connect it to the life of Jesus. You’ve encouraged me to view this film.