I recently viewed the movie, Risen, the story of the Roman military leader in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s passion and death. On Pilate’s orders, Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is ordered by Pilate to make certain Jesus (Cliff Curtis) is dead on the cross.
Clavias does as he is told, ordering the soldiers to commit the final acts of death against Jesus and the criminals hanged on their own crosses with Him that day. Without giving too much away, Clavius learns later that Christ’s body has been removed from the tomb.
He goes to where Christ’s apostles, the eleven have gathered, and Jesus is among them. Clavius sees and cannot comprehend. He follows from a distance as the apostles escape Jerusalem and Pilate’s soldiers, but the trip moves from that of a pursuer to Clavius’ own journey of reconciling what he has seen with what he cannot comprehend.
Again, not to give too much away if you haven’t seen the film, but Clavius, who has joined the disciples in avoiding the pursuing military forces, is resting, awakens, and sees Jesus.
Clavius tells Jesus he, Clavias, doesn’t know what to say. “Speak your heart”, Jesus responds. …as Clavius struggles, Jesus says “What frightens you?”
“Being wrong. Betting an eternity on it.”
“Well, know Him.”
I am not a theologian or historian, so I will leave the veracity of Clavius’ existence and story to others. The intimate conversation in the film stays with me. How many times have I felt truly alone, and worse, with no hope? What brought me back? Knowing the love of the Lord was in my midst.
Having had conversations with younger friends, asking them to examine their inner selves has been its own journey. “What are you afraid of?” has brought the same response: Being wrong. Making a mistake.
As Christ exhorts us, leave the past behind, know him, and you will know yourself.
FAQs
"He is risen" is a statement that refers to the central event in Christian theology: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The phrase specifically means that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, has triumphantly risen from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion.
Did Clavius see Jesus? ›
Again, not to give too much away if you haven't seen the film, but Clavius, who has joined the disciples in avoiding the pursuing military forces, is resting, awakens, and sees Jesus. Clavius tells Jesus he, Clavias, doesn't know what to say. “Speak your heart”, Jesus responds. …
How do you respond to "he has risen"? ›
One offers the greeting "Christ is risen!" and the response is "Indeed He is Risen!" or "He is risen indeed!" with many variants in English and other languages (compare Matthew 27:64, Matthew 28:6–7, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, Luke 24:34).
What does getting risen mean? ›
restored from death; ascended into glory.
Is the movie Risen biblically accurate? ›
Like the gospels, Risen tells the Jesus story in order to inspire its audience through its interpretation. Unfortunately, although it does draw upon these gospels for its portrait of Jesus, the Jesus of Risen doesn't much resemble the one we meet in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Who was the first person to see the risen? ›
Mary Magdalene (flourished 1st century ce, Palestine; feast day July 22) was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, famous, according to Mark 16:9–10 and John 20:14–17, for being the first person to see the resurrected Christ.
Did Jesus perform any miracle after resurrection? ›
Post-resurrection miracles attributed to Jesus are also recorded in the Gospels: A miracle similar to the miraculous catch of fish, also called the catch of 153 fish to distinguish it from the account in Luke, is reported in the Gospel of John but takes place after the Resurrection of Jesus.
Why do Catholics say he is risen? ›
There is a traditional greeting used by many Christians during the Easter season in which the first person says, “He is risen!” and the other responds, “He is risen indeed, alleluia!” The language echoes the Gospel of Luke (24:33-34), when the two men who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus hurriedly return to ...
Is it correct to say he has risen? ›
He Is Risen Indeed! Like “Merry Christmas,” a common greeting during Easter season are the words, “He has risen.” Some people prefer “He is risen” to emphasize that Christ is alive today. I believe either way is fine, but personally I add even more emphasis by saying, “He is risen, indeed!”
Do Christians say he is risen? ›
Whether you say, “He has risen” or “He is risen” comes down to preference. The truth is that Jesus did rise, and He is still alive. “He has risen” is the direct quote from Scripture spoken by the angel.
The Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated as pagan symbols of spring and rebirth. Over the centuries, these ancient symbols became associated with the Christian holiday of Easter such that the two traditions have merged together to become what some celebrate today.
