The Smiling Jesus 微笑的耶稣
Dexu Xia
The Smiling Jesus
God . . . has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Hebrews 1:9
If you were to play the part of Jesus in a movie, how would you approach the role? That was the challenge faced by Bruce Marchiano, who played Jesus in the 1993 Visual Bible movie Matthew. Knowing that millions of viewers would draw conclusions about Jesus based on his work, the weight of getting Christ “right” felt overwhelming. He fell to his knees in prayer and begged Jesus for—well, for Jesus.
Bruce gained insight from the first chapter of Hebrews, where the writer tells us how God the Father set the Son apart by anointing Him “with the oil of joy” (1:9). This kind of joy is one of celebration—a gladness of connection to the Father expressed wholeheartedly. Such joy ruled in Jesus’ heart throughout His life. As Hebrews 12:2 describes it, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Taking his cue from this scriptural expression, Bruce offered a uniquely joy-filled portrayal of his Savior. As a result, he became known as “the smiling Jesus.” We too can dare to fall to our knees and “beg Jesus for Jesus.” May He so fill us with His character that people around us see the expression of His love in us!
What are your perceptions of Jesus and how might they need to change? How can you represent Him as you show His heart to the world?
微笑的耶稣
你的上帝，用喜乐油膏你，胜过膏你的同伴。—希伯来书1章9节
如果让你在电影中饰演耶稣，你会如何诠释这个角色呢？这是布鲁斯 · 马尔基亚诺（Bruce Marchiano）所面对的挑战，他在1993年的一部福音电影《视像圣经：马太福音》中饰演耶稣。布鲁斯了解到数以百万的观众，可能会根据自己的演出对耶稣下定论，以致他为了正确地演绎耶稣基督，而倍感压力。于是，他屈膝向耶稣祈求，让他晓得如何像耶稣。
后来布鲁斯从希伯来书1章得到启示。作者告诉我们，天父“用喜乐油”膏抹圣子，将祂分别出来（1章9节）。这是发自内心，完全与天父连结的喜乐。在耶稣的一生中，祂的内心一直充满这样的喜乐。正如希伯来书12章2节所描述的：“祂因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在上帝宝座的右边。”
布鲁斯从这节经文的含义得到亮光，让他在电影中为救赎主塑造了一个独特与喜乐的形象。后来，布鲁斯被人称为“微笑的耶稣”。同样地，我们也能大胆地跪下祈求耶稣，让我们晓得如何像耶稣。愿耶稣让我们拥有祂的特质，使我们身边的人都能看见耶稣的爱！
亲爱的耶稣，求祢让我们晓得如何像祢。愿他人在我们身上能看见祢的心。愿我们的言行能展现出从祢而来的喜乐。
你对耶稣有什么看法？这些看法是否需要改变？
你的生活要如何反映耶稣的心肠呢？