Like Jesus

We are called to imitate Christ, to radiate His nature to the people with whom we come in contact.  In 1st Thessalonians 1, we can read these verses:
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

The word, "followers" in verse 6 is also translated, "imitators." The apostle Paul used that word in several places in the Scriptures, encouraging believers to follow his example.  Can you imagine following Christ so wholeheartedly that you can confidently say, "imitate me?"  That sounds like a tall order, but Jesus has made it possible for us to know Him and experience His truth and presence to such a degree that we can show the world what He is like.

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Christians identify with Christ in His sufferings and accept His substitution for our sins; He calls us
to walk in His ways, in His footsteps, as we see in 1st Peter 2:
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

Victor is a character in a television series who appears at challenging moments in people's lives and helps them through those hard times, according to an article at The Christian Post website, which recently featured an interview with the actor who plays this role, who has played a similar role in a number of films, including The Encounter, upon which the series of the same name is based.

His name is Bruce Marchiano, and he has played the role of Jesus in a number of movies.  In the article, he tells the Post's Jeannie Law that:

I started my career in 1984 and was born again in ’89. Almost from day one I sensed the Lord changing my heart and part of that was turning down ungodly roles/shows — which triggered a season of extreme financial struggle (talk about clinging to faith by my fingernails!). Then in ’93 I was cast to portray Jesus in “The Visual Bible: The Gospel of Matthew.” It was a life-transforming experience that ruined me for Hollywood.

That did it for him as far as doing the standard Hollywood fare; he committed himself to doing faith-based movies.  But, he had a problem - he didn't know the character he played very well.  He was a Christian and active in church, but he felt he needed more. Bruce relates: "I was asked to portray Him and suddenly I realized that with all my 'hallelujahs!' I had never intentionally sought to truly know Him — His Person, nature, personality, if you will. The responsibility to represent Jesus drove me to seeking Him in prayer and His Word like I never thought possible."  So, doing The Visual Bible enabled him to walk through his life "frame for frame."

When asked about facing troubled times, including a pandemic, Bruce replied:

I would turn to the words that Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago — standing before a people who were oppressed, beaten down, impoverished … His answer to it all was to offer His hand and plead, “Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Learn from Me; I’m gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:28-29). It’s always His answer to all our discouragement, fearfulness, fatigue — “Come to Me.” I think of His words in John 14:27, “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you.” Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Let’s turn our all to Jesus like never before!

He is currently working on a film called, The Gospel According to John, which is currently on hiatus. He does ministry work in South Africa through Marchiano Ministries, which has also worked with a children's ministry in India, among other things.

Bruce Marchiano, even though he had done a variety of film roles, is best known for his portrayal of Jesus.  And, his story can inspire each of us.  Because, we are all called to be like Jesus.  Each day, we can consider how we are projecting our Savior to the world around us.  It is not merely a role he plays, and it certainly should not be a role we play, either.  The authenticity of our Christian life is related to the degree to which we surrender to Him and seek to really know Him.

We can also be reliant on the Lord to determine the path of our life.  Bruce was intent on doing Christian movies after he did that Visual Bible project, during which he walked in the footsteps of the Lord. We can make sure that we are allowing Him to empower us to walk in the way to which He is calling us.  Just as we have obeyed Him in accepting Him as our Savior, He calls us to a life of wholehearted obedience, so that the presence of Jesus can be seen in His people.