Jesus

'Jesus' is a 1979 biblical film directed by John Krish and Peter Sykes, based on the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. The movie condenses the events of Jesus' ministry over a three and a half-year period. The film opens with a depiction of the world's creation and a prelude to Jesus' arrival. The narrative begins with Mary receiving the news of her pregnancy from the angel Gabriel, and it jumps forward eight days to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. In a poignant scene, a baby Jesus is seen lying in a manger and is immediately recognized by a group of shepherds who, guided by an angel, have descended upon the town. The movie shows how the shepherds, moved by the event, share the news with people throughout the town and the surrounding areas. The film then cuts to a group of scholars and wise men who have been following a star sign. They have traveled extensively, led by the celestial event, and eventually arrive in Jerusalem. However, the King Herod, who is initially excited upon hearing of the wise men's arrival, soon becomes concerned, fearing that this newborn might be a potential threat to his rule. Herod seeks the advice of the chief priest and scribes, who tell him of a prophecy that a ruler of Israel would come from the city of David. They suggest that perhaps this child is the one prophesied to be the new King. Meanwhile, the wise men proceed to find Jesus, visiting various homes in Bethlehem and eventually discovering him in the manger. A flashback sequence then shows the angel Gabriel's conversation with Zechariah, a priest in the temple, and his wife Elizabeth. The news of their impending birth of a child – John the Baptist – is told, marking the beginning of a new prophecy that foretells the coming of Jesus. As the years pass, Jesus is raised with the help of a carpenter, Joseph, and grows in wisdom, and when he reaches the age of 12, he remains behind in Jerusalem's Temple to speak with the Jewish leaders and demonstrate a profound understanding of the scripture. The narrative jumps to the events surrounding Jesus' baptism, where he meets John the Baptist in the River Jordan. John preaches the importance of repentance and baptism, which is then echoed by Jesus. Jesus' baptism is followed by a scene where he withdraws to a solitary place for prayer in the wilderness. During his time in the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil, depicted in two scenes, which show instances of Satan leading him to test his faith and resolve. Jesus responds to the devil by recalling and reaffirming God's words from the scriptures. Upon his completion of his spiritual journey, Jesus begins his public ministry with the Sermon on the Plain, where he preaches about love, compassion, and forgiveness. This is followed by the healing of many who are sick and the casting out of an unclean spirit from a possessed woman, highlighting Jesus' healing powers as a demonstration of his divine authority. As Jesus continues his ministry, he encounters several people who are healed through his touch and the power of faith, often exemplified in those who place their trust in him. The movie then depicts Jesus' interactions with a crippled woman whom he forgives and heals of her infirmity, and in this, Jesus makes a bold statement that a kingdom is in the midst of their generation. Jesus' teachings gain significant attention, causing a stir among the people. However, the narrative shifts its focus towards the impending event of a great feast in Jerusalem. King Herod, the same ruler who had attempted to kill Jesus as a child, returns as a central figure in this sequence, planning to eliminate a young shepherd who has revealed the location of the Messiah after the arrival of the wise men. As Jesus begins his ministry in Jerusalem, a group of Pharisees, who feel threatened by his authority, plot to arrest him. Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees reveal his knowledge of the scriptures, as he questions their understanding of the law and demonstrates how it applies to the situation at hand, challenging their traditional views and pushing the boundaries of their understanding. Throughout the film, the narrative weaves together the events of Jesus' life, highlighting the love, compassion, and wisdom that emanate from him as he connects with people from all walks of life, healing them spiritually and physically while guiding them to seek truth. The events that have been depicted thus far culminate when Jesus is taken away by the Romans, leaving the disciples, who are the remnants of his followers, mourning the loss of their master. The film concludes with a poignant moment where the disciples gather after Jesus' departure to reflect on his teachings and share among themselves the meaning they have derived from their experiences with Jesus. The sequence is a moment of introspection, as the disciples ponder over Jesus' words about the significance of love, forgiveness, and selfless devotion. This sequence brings the film full circle, emphasizing the enduring legacy of Jesus' ministry and its profound effects on those who had the privilege of walking alongside him during his three and a half-year public ministry.