BEN-HUR (1959)

Directed by: William Wyler
Written by: Karl Tunberg
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Starring: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
Rated: G

About the film:
Judah Ben-Hur is wrongly enslaved by a Roman officer who was once his friend. He struggles to survive, regain his rightful position in life and exact his revenge against those responsible. He also has a chance meeting with a certain carpenter from Nazareth which has a profound effect on him.

Movie Quote:
“In his eagerness to save you, your God has also saved the Roman fleet.”
Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) in Ben-Hur (1959)

Bible Quote:
“Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
Acts 27:24 (NIV)

Commentary:
In Acts 27, Paul is a prisoner being transported to Italy by sea. In the quoted verse of scripture, he is comforting the Roman centurion accompanying him by repeating the message he had received from God. Earlier, Paul had received revelation that the ship would suffer damage and sink during the journey. He tried to convince his captors to turn back for their safety but the sailors did not believe him.

God then gave him further revelation that even though shipwrecked, they would be saved and no lives aboard the ship would be lost. Although the centurion and his men were not believers, they were the beneficiaries of God’s saving grace because of their close proximity and association with Paul.

The only thing that keeps the spiritual darkness at bay in this world is the light that shines from the hearts and lives of those who love God and practice his truths. Those in the world who do not believe will often receive the residual benefits and blessings God gives to those who do. In this case, 276 men were saved because one man among them lived for God.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. How as Judah Ben-Hur affected by meeting Jesus? How was he changed?
2. Esther, Judah’s romantic interest, accuses him of allowing hatred to turn him to stone. What did she mean by that? Earlier, Quintus Arrius tells Judah that “hate is a good thing.” What did he mean by that?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com