RISEN (2016) Movie Review

"Jesus came and told his disciples, 'I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.'" (Matthew 28:18-19 NLT)

Risen is a story about the resurrection of Christ from the point of view of a Roman soldier named Clavius. It explores the diplomatic problems behind His “missing body” for the Pilot, the Pharisees, and for Ceasar.. The Jews already obsessed with liberation from Rome bear the potential for a powerful uprising. A mere rumor that Christ is Risen would be proper motivation for such an uprising. It is Clavius' job to find the body of the Nazarene and disprove any such rumor.

More than all that, Risen is a story of an unbeliever's pursuit for Christ. It begins with an attempt to disprove the faith . Clavius searches far and wide for any evidence that he is dead. He digs through mass graves. He arrests anyone who speaks of the resurrection. He interrogates messengers, associates of Christ, and the guards who witness the resurrection occur.

Despite it all, his search is futile just as anyone's search for Christ. He appears rarely and never conveniently. Instead, He appears in His time, not in ours. Only when the time is right. Only when our hearts are truly ready to receive Him. That is when He appears, thus confirming the Christian faith.

However, he does not physically appear as in the film. He instead appears in one's heart through other believers. He is a subtle, unruly man. He gives his advise directly and unafraid. He is compassionate to every person. He heals the sick. He feeds the hungry. He undeniably the Messiah. We as believers must exude these qualities.

Next comes the call . When He ascends, He leaves His disciples to carry on in his stead. This leaves a feeling of doubt, fear, loneliness, inadequacy, and disappointment. However, the mission is clear, and the journey is perilous and thankless. It is our divine calling.

In celebration of Easter, let this film, Risen, serve as a brilliant example an unbeliever's pursuit for Christ. We as believers must show them that He is alive. How alive is Christ in you?