Brings God’s Love Home
God loves us. I mean, He really cares about you and me. “For God so loved the world”…(Jn 3:16); …Nothing separates us from His love (Ro 8:39). He loved us so much he died for us while we were yet sinners (Ro 5:8).
It makes sense that the Creator would take great joy in his creation. Why not? You and I find great joy in our newborn babies, in our fun-loving grandkids or even in a basketful of adorable kittens or puppies.
In a similar way, the Bible lets us know that God loves us and looks forward to our company. …“our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 1:3). Only someone who genuinely loves us would die for us. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13).
God Loves the Poor (Isa. 58:7-9; Job 29:12-13)
When explaining to outsiders how our homeless mission residents feel about themselves, we try to convey how we feel when our own lives are in chaos, when we have failed at something and we can’t think clearly about anything. At that point we certainly don’t feel “lovable.”
It makes sense that homeless people are often filled with anxieties and fears. They worry about getting the next meal or finding a place to safely sleep. Understandably, sitting down and reading a theological treatise is not high on their priority list! Instead, they need to hear and experience God’s love and care for each and every one of them.
Faith Comes From Hearing…
That is why we are beginning a new series of bible studies based on a monumental work called the “Visual Bible.” To date, producers have created three films based on verbatim readings of Matthew, The Gospel of John, and the Acts of the Apostles.
Hearing, watching and seeing biblical texts acted-out has great impact on anxious mission residents. After all, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Ro. 10:17, ESV). Nothing is added or deleted from the biblical texts in these films although there may be interpretive differences among various denominations.
The acting is superb! Some may even recognize “Desmond” from the hit TV series, LOST. For the Gospel of John, actors were primarily selected from Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company and the Canadian Stratford Festival. Without question actor Ian Cusick’s portrayal of Jesus is the best we’ve seen, powerful and realistic.
Seeing the biblical words acted-out causes us to think more carefully about the words we read in the bible. Each film is three to four hours long. So we will study two to three chapters each week. If you should decide to watch The Gospel of John, don’t forget to view the comments of scholars and social historians who worked together to create an authentic masperpiece. Fascinating listening…
Homeless Appreciate Loving Creator
We plan to study Matthew first because this film presents a warm, caring Jesus who loves people, hugs others and expresses joy in His followers! We believe this to be the “real” Jesus, the One “anointed… with the oil of gladness”… (Heb. 1:9).
Our hope and prayer is that our own homeless mission residents will “see,” “feel” and “hear” the presence of their Creator who joyfully loves them and desires their companionship. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV).
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References:
Visual Bible 3-Episode Set (1994). DVD 2006. Visual Bible Intl.
Author Valorie Emilio teaches and works with women at the Gospel Rescue Mission in Grants Pass, Oregon, where her husband, Ken, serves as Director.