THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS (1996)

Directed by: Stephen Hopkins
Written by: William Goldman
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Starring: Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer, Tom Wilkenson
Rated: R

About the film:
An engineer sent to build a bridge in colonial Africa is hampered by a pair of lions on a killing spree. In order to complete his construction job, he must first track down the lions and kill them. He sends for a renowned safari hunter to help him.

Movie Quote:
“What better job in the world than to build a bridge? Bring land over water, bring worlds together.”
John Patterson (Val Kilmer) in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Bible Quote:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

Commentary:
John Patterson was simply stating the passion he has for his job without realizing that his words could also be used to remind us of an important spiritual truth.

Without a bridge to connect them, “worlds” cannot come together. Without a doubt, the most important bridge that has ever been built is the one spanning the chasm that has existed between God and man since the days of Adam and Eve.

Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, freely gave his life to serve as the foundation for the “bridge” that reconnects us to the spiritual reality of life. Without Christ, the gulf which separates man from God is impassable. We would be stranded on the shores of the natural world with no hope and no way to reach God or His kingdom.

Thankfully, God has provided a way to bring us closer to Him. He’s given us a bridge. He’s prepaid our toll. All that remains for us to do is to use it.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. The film also provides remarkable insight into the methodology of our spiritual adversary. The actions of the lions resemble the workings of the devil spirit realm. How?
2. Patterson’s goal was to complete the bridge. The lions prevented him from doing so. How is this scenario similar to the spiritual goals we set for ourselves?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com