Actor Jim Caviezel received a message from God while playing Jesus Christ and finding himself on the cross in the 2004 movie "The Passion of the Christ," which became the top box office religious film of all time.
Speaking with The Christian Post, Caviezel revealed that he was drawn closer to God because of the movie. It then dawned on him to speak of God's greatness and love through his films.
"When [God] came close to me in 'The Passion' when I was on that cross, [He said], 'They don't love me. There are very few,'" the actor said. "I was like, 'Well, I'm going to love You, and I'm going to tell You that I love You,'" he added. "Tell it publicly, I don't care. I'm less afraid of ISIS than I am the media."
Caviezel revealed that that he did not receive many offers after doing "The Passion of the Christ. He doesn't, however, have any regrets about working on a faith-based film because it helped him spread God's word, "speak the truth" and make a difference.
The actor's conscious choice to make faith-based movies brought him on board "Paul, Apostle of Christ," which opens in theatres this week. He received the script to play the Apostle Luke opposite James Faulkner's Paul at a time when so much went on his life.
After reading the script, Caviezel reflected on his relationship with his departed mentor Frank Stewart. He saw the latter as someone like Paul, who was Luke's mentor. He also became inspired by Paul's commitment to God.
"Paul, Apostle of Christ" delves on Christian persecution after Jesus' resurrection. Aside from Caviezel and Faulkner, the movie also stars Olivier Martinez ("Unfaithful"), Joanne Whalley ("Daredevil") and John Lynch ("The Fall"). Timely released during Easter, the film imparts a message that God will carry the people who have chosen to follow Him despite challenges to their faith.
Meanwhile, Caviezel will reprise the role of Jesus Christ in the upcoming sequel to "The Passion of Christ," which will reunite him with Mel Gibson as director. Details to the movie have not yet been divulged but Caviezel said it would be "one of the biggest films in history."
