JOSHUA (2002)

Directed by: Jon Purdy
Written by: Brad Mirman, Keith Giglio
Studio: Artisan Entertainment
Starring: Tony Goldwyn, F. Murray Abraham, Kurt Fuller
Rated: G

About the film:
A man moves into a small town in the US and begins to make his impact known. It soon becomes clear that he may be the personification of Christ himself, come to deliver a message to the people of today. He delivers that message through his example as he begins to rebuild a storm ravaged church.

Movie Quote:
“Sometimes you have to tear something down in order to build it back up.”
Joshua (Tony Goldwyn) in Joshua (2002)

Bible Quote:
“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)

Commentary:
Joshua clearly represents Christ in this parable of salvation and renewal. His words which have been quoted here were in response to townspeople questioning his dismantling of a storm-ravaged church building before he begins to restore it. The analogy goes further than that. His words can also apply to our lives.

In order to put on a new suit, one first has to take off what one is already wearing. So it is with our spiritual walk. By the time we believe to be born again of God’s spirit, we will have already developed what the Word of God calls “old” or “natural” man habits.

Although our sins are truly washed away, the habit patterns we’ve built in our lives have left their mark. These habits must be unlearned so we can replace them with the characteristics and behavior befitting of our new standing in Christ.

If we try to “put on” our “new man” without first “taking off” the old, all we are doing is covering our bad or sinful habits and they will eventually reappear to taint any new habits we might be trying to adopt in our lives.

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. Do you have any “old man” habit that may be preventing you from manifesting the full blessings of God in your life?
2. How did the reactions to Joshua vary from the different Christian denominations that were represented in the film? What was the filmmaker trying to communicate through those reactions?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com