If there is one thing Christians can take away from the new faith-based movie "Ben-Hur," it's that forgiveness and reconciliation are very important "at such a time as this," according to executive producer Roma Downey.
The main character in the movie, Judah Ben-Hur (played by Jack Huston), best exemplifies this message of reconciliation. After he and his family were betrayed by their Roman friend Messala (Toby Kebbell), Ben-Hur endured a hard life as a galley slave. But because God was watching over him the entire time, Ben-Hur managed to escape slavery and became a prominent charioteer.
While chariot racing, Ben-Hur comes face-to-face again with his betrayer. But will he still seek revenge on the man who destroyed his family?
"It is our hope and prayer in that moment of (forgiveness) that this message (inspired by the words of Jesus himself) will resonate out to our country and out to the world," Downey tells the Gospel Herald.
She says the movie is all about faith and hope, adding that she expects every moviegoer to come out of the cinema feeling touched by the message of God.
There are two pivotal scenes concerning Ben-Hur and Jesus Christ. In one, Ben-Hur is depicted as a struggling galley slave and Jesus comes to give him water. In another, Jesus is seen walking towards His crucifixion and Ben-Hur comes to given Him water. A Roman kicks Ben-Hur aside, so the Jew picks up a stone to hit him. But Jesus stops him by saying, "I give my life on my own free will."
Ben-Hur carries the stone angrily until Jesus reaches the hill. In that moment of salvation, Ben-Hur drops the stone.
"I think for so many of us Christians, there have been so many opportunities where we have stood in front of the cross, and we have dropped the stones, the stone of disappointment, stone of anger, stone of bitterness. Whatever the stone is that each of us might be carrying in our lives there is always a chance to kneel in front of the cross and let that go," says Downey.
"Ben-Hur" is set for release on Aug. 19.
