JESUS THE SPIRIT OF GOD (THE MESSIAH)
Iran, 2007, 111 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Nader Talebzadeh.
Western film buffs were surprised at the Fajr Film Festival in Tehran in 2005 to find a Jesus film. It was Nader Talebzadeh’s The Messiah, a two hour film cut down from a 10 hour miniseries. This should not have been completely unexpected since there had been a film/miniseries called Saint Mary (2002), a portrait of Mary, Mother of Jesus, based on the Koran.
Talebzadeh continued to work on his Messiah, especially engaging in dialogue with Christian audiences. By 2007, he had filmed a second ending using Christian sources. It was inserted preceding his original ending based on Islamic sources and the Gospel of Barnabas. Screenings of this film, now titled Jesus the Spirit of God, followed by discussions, took place in Europe and North America during 2007.
Jesus the Spirit of God stands as an interesting version of the Gospels as well as having its Muslim perspective, especially in the role of Jesus as a Prophet who was not the Son of God but a great prophet who foreshadowed Mohammad. The quotations are taken from the English subtitles for the film.
Pilate and Caiaphas
Sets, décor and costumes are quite lavish, enough to rival other Jesus films. However, the director was influenced by European and American Jesus films and his Jesus is a tall dignified figure, long-haired, clad in white. However, he is also presented as a middle Eastern figure, a teacher and a leader, a charismatic prophet in bearing and speech.
In this film version – the miniseries was to undergo more work during 2008 – the Roman occupation of Judaea is important. The film opens with Pontius Pilate returning from Rome (and wanting to go back there as he says he hates the faces of the people). He holds court, discusses the phenomenon of Jesus of Nazareth and is, at first, impressed. The Romans are cruel and are putting down riots violently and crucifying zealots on Golgotha. Pilate, who is shown in one scene having a haircut and enquiring about the massacres, wants crucifixion to be a means for intimidate the people.
Caiaphas, the high priest, also looms sinisterly in the film, holding talks with Barabbas who is a vicious leader (seemingly connected with the now beheaded John the Baptist) who wants a Jewish king not the Son of God. Caiaphas commissions him to get the people to find Jesus so that Jesus will make a declaration about himself. Caiaphas tells Barabbas that Jesus is the best opponent he will ever have and to investigate the claims that he is a sorcerer, that he was fatherless.
Caiaphas is not above other scheming and meddling, uniting with Pilate and Herod. Ultimately, Caiaphas wants to bribe Pilate to kill Jesus with the offer of chests of money.
Jesus, preacher and healer
The portrait of Jesus is dignified and quite serious. Jesus does not laugh. A voiceover commentary introduces him as he walks through green hills with a staff and a choral background. We are told that the Prophet of Galilee is beginning his mission. He calls some of the apostles, especially by the sea of Galilee. Philip is a shepherd. Barnabas comes from Cyprus and John from eastern countries. Judas is chosen and described as not benefiting from being blessed with faith. Jesus speaks of worship, the beatitude concerning mourners, concerning the poor who have turned from worldly enjoyments to eternal enjoyments, concerning wayfarers. People flock to Jesus.
Included is a healing story, a woman coming to Jesus pleading and weeping, asking for a cure for her deaf and mute sister. Jesus is silent, quietly bows. He is like an icon and watches. After the cure, the people crowd around to touch him. Jesus goes into the Temple, raises his arms in the manner of the familiar statues and praises God, the creator, and the Holy Name of God. He praises Moses the mediator of the law. But he condemns the heads of the priesthood and reproaches the scribes and Pharisees for their false interpretations of the law.
Another miracle follows. A hunchbacked woman is presented. Jesus raises his hand in blessing. The apostles watch silently. Gradually, the woman unbends and rises. Jesus is referred to as adopted Son of Joseph, healer of Mary Magdalene and that the saviour of the world is here.
At this point a story based on the Acts of the Apostles is inserted, an argument in the Sanhedrin where Gamaliel, against Caiaphas, advises not doing battle with Jesus or killing him – let time pass and it will reveal the truth.
A different kind of miracle occurs out in the desert with the disciples asking for food from heaven. Now Jesus speaks directly and in his own voice. He kneels, prays, quoting God as sending food down and warning that those who do not believe will be chastised. This echoes the manna in the desert as well as Jesus’ references to food from heaven in John 6 as well as an anticipation of the condemnation of Judas. After a long gaze at the skies, Jesus sees a lavish banquet laid out on the ground and the apostles eat. Judas does not (and the screenplay adds a rare touch of humour when one of the apostles urges him on, reminding him that he does not have to pay). While Jesus prays thanksgiving, Judas runs away calling it all a mirage.
Another miracle when the widow of Nain comes to Jesus with the question whether his birth was a miracle and that God had given him great power. ‘I beg you, son of Mary’. Jesus urges no tears since the boy is sleeping and he invokes ‘the Lord of the two worlds’. At this stage a large idol, already shown being carried to the entrance to Nain, topples as the boy rises from the dead.
Jesus not God, son of God, or the prophet
A key discussion sequence follows when the people find Jesus and Caiaphas worships him, appealing to Jesus to quell the dissension he has roused. Jesus says he is not God, nor the son of God nor the Prophet. He says he is a human being but ‘my consolation is in the coming of a prophet who will correct wrongs. His teaching shall spread over the world. His teaching will have no end and God shall keep it safe’.
The encounter with Nicodemus follows with Jesus invited secretly to a meal. In reminding Nicodemus that he had initially suspected Jesus of wanting to abolish the law, Jesus condemns the distortions of the Torah and the corruption of later prophets, the difference between preaching and practice. In referring to the slaying of the prophets, he asks, ‘what religious man have they left to die a natural death?’. They are the children of Satan and do his will.
Mary Magdalene is identified with Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She comes weeping to Jesus as her brother is dying. We see the mourning, the sisters plea to Jesus and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. A ‘Palm Sunday’ sequence follows with tambourines, palms and cloths laid on the path before Jesus who declares that he has come to complete the religion of Moses.
The woman taken in adultery
As with so many Jesus films, the story of the woman taken in adultery receives quite some prominence. As in other films, it is made part of the high priest’s plan to trap Jesus. They arrange a set-up. The point is that they can condemn Jesus either way: he refuses to obey the law of Moses by stoning the woman or he betrays his own teaching of mercy. The woman proclaims her innocence (witnesses testify against her) and says she had come from Samaria in search of her husband. Jesus listens, makes the statement about the stoning and withdraws and traces a square. This becomes a mirror and the first stone thrower looks into it and sees a distorted, ugly reflection and then runs away. Interestingly, the woman speaks again and says that, if she is pardoned, she will sin no more. Jesus says God has not sent him to condemn her.
Towards the crucifixion
A long section follows where Jesus goes into the temple on the eve of Passover – a roasting lamb is shown. There are accusations that Jesus lies. He defends his telling of the truth. Once again, he speaks of Mohammad, the final prophet who is descended from their great ancestor, Isaac. He will tell the truth. Jesus asks why they rebuke him as an enemy rather than as a brother. ‘If I work iniquity, reprove me.’ The elders of the Sanhedrin ask him whether the great ancestor is Isaac or Ishmael, the father of the Arabs. Jesus says that the messiah must be descended from Ishmael and that he is his messenger. Uproar ensues as they pick up stones to hurl at Jesus. He passes from them and, blinded, they throw the stones at each other.
It is at this stage, Caiaphas tries to buy off Pilate. Pilate rejects the claim that the Jews and Romans have common interests and taunts Caiaphas, ‘the unseen God you are always talking about is greed’. The whole proposal is a good bargain but a bad deal: ‘you want me to incriminate someone who has not broken Roman law’. Pilate says there will be a permanent stain on them.
The next scene is somewhat surprising for Christian audiences. In the woods, Jesus tells the apostles he will be leaving them soon and that they should keep faith during his absence. He adds (in the words of John’s Gospel), ‘I will ask the merciful God to send the Comforter. He will remind you of all I have said and bear witness to the truth of my teachings’. Here is an interesting area for discussion between Christians and Muslims on the Comforter (the Spirit).
At the Last Supper, Mary Magdalene brings the perfume and liberally showers Jesus with it. Judas shakes his head and claims that thirty people could have been fed with its cost. Jesus tells Judas that he knows what is in his heart. Judas now goes to Caiaphas and is announced, ‘His Excellency, Judas son of Isacariot, is at your service’. Caiaphas offers thirty silver coins. The voiceover at the supper says that this year was different for the apostles. As Jesus washes the feet, it continues that it was destined that Jesus have a Last Supper.
The Christian ending
It is at this point that the screen states, ‘Continuation of events according to the Christian narrative’.
This is quite brief. The Romans come to the supper room, manhandle Jesus and take him to the court where there are cries of denunciation, ‘The cure for this accursed man is the lashings of the Romans’.
Jesus is silent as Pilate speaks, saying that he does not want to crucify him, that he does not want to be blamed for Jesus’ murder. The guards spit at Jesus. He is scourged. And scenes of the treasure bribe being carried in for Pilate are intercut. Pilate says he hope thinks people will change their minds when they see Jesus’ broken body.
They do not. Jesus carries his cross, women follow him. In a brief sequence he is seen raised from the dead.
The Islamic ending
Now, at this point, the screen states, ‘Continuation of events according to Islamic sources and the Gospel of Barnabas’. There are some great surprises now for audiences not familiar with these sources.
Jesus reflects on people wanting to kill him and prays to God that he may be saved from their snares. The angel Gabriel appears and explains God’s plan for Jesus’ suffering, ‘Son of Mary, I shall take you from this world and purify you’. Jesus sees a bright light. ‘Your appointed time has come.’ Jesus walks into the light.
Now Judas returns and the apostles are sleeping. The bright light turns on Judas who screams and is transformed ‘in speech and face’ into the form of Jesus.
The film returns to the Romans coming to the door. Judas/Jesus is arrested, protesting that Jesus has escaped. He is mocked, called a ‘heathen’, struck and lashed. (There is a short interlude where a soldier accosts the terrified Peter, ‘have you seen a jinn?’. Peter says, ‘I am still his disciple but that man in not my teacher’.)
When Judas/Jesus is with Pilate, Pilate’s officer says he is talking nonsense and is an idiot. Pilate says that his eyes testify but his inner conscience says this man bears no resemblance to Jesus. The people cry out for his death. Pilate expresses the dilemma when Judas says he has been transformed by Jesus’ sorcery: that if this is truly Jesus, then he has lost his understanding and it is cruel to kill a mad man, he deserves pity. However, the Sanhedrin declares it is Jesus and that they take full responsibility.
The crucifixion follows with the voiceover comment, ‘God set a seal on the cruel hearts of the people of Israel because they killed (not him but who appeared so) the Messenger of God, Son of Mary. Jesus/Judas cries out from the cross that God has abandoned him.
There is a resurrection epilogue with a reference to a Koran sura that God raised Jesus – and we see the risen Jesus, in the company of his disciples.
Jesus Spirit of God (and the miniseries) is a different contribution to the Jesus films and opens up avenues for interfaith theological dialogue.
1.The impact of the film? The Gospel story? From an Islamic perspective? An Iranian production? Sets, countryside? Costumes and décor? The Romans, the Jews, Jesus and his disciples? The musical score? The choral effect?
2.Judea, 30AD, the Romans arriving, Pilate returning to Judea? The revolutions, Barabbas and his talk, the prophetic era at an end? Barabbas and talking of being disciples of the beheaded Baptist?
3.The prophet denouncing the City of David and Solomon, the fights with the Roman people, the pomp of Pilate’s arrival and court?
4.Explanations of Pilate, coming from Rome, the backing of the emperor? Pilate saying that he hated the faces of the Jews? Intending to return soon to Rome?
5.The introduction to Jesus, the Jewish high council worried, Pilate liking the idea of Jesus? The cinema tradition of Jesus: hair, robes, staff? The choir score? His walking through the hills? The prophet of Galilee at the beginning of his mission, choosing the disciples, especially by the Sea of Galilee? The Levite Barnabas coming from Cyprus, Philip the shepherd? John from eastern lands? Judas – who didn’t have the benefit of the blessing of faith?
6.The talk of worship, Jesus speaking, the Beatitude of those who mourned, the poor: those who turned from worldly enjoyments to eternal enjoyments? The blessing on wayfarers? The crowds of people coming to him? The voice-over?
7.Roman cruelty, the Zealot carrying the cross, paraded, going to Golgotha?
8.Barabbas, the soldiers, urging the memory of David and Goliath? The crowds of people picking up the stones, wanting to bring down the empire? The riots, the stoning, the burning? Barabbas urging them to aim at the commanders? The fights and the killings?
9.Pilate, using crucifixion to intimidate the people? Lentos, his taking the blame for the riots, taking two revolutionaries to Golgotha, crucifying them – and the visualising of the crucifixion?
10.Jesus and the woman, pleading for a healing, weeping (Middle Eastern style)? Jesus silent, bowing to the woman, the woman recovering her hearing? Jesus as an icon, watching, people touching him? His entering the temple? His postures, raising his arms like the conventional statues? His praise of God, the Creator, God to be worshipped, the holy name of God? The praise of Moses as mediator of the law? People and their questions of what they should do? His condemning the heads of the priesthood, reproaching the scribes and Pharisees for false interpretations of the law?
11.The hunchback woman, Jesus and the blessing? The apostles watching, her gradually standing straight?
12.The comment on Jesus of Nazareth, adopted son of Joseph, healing of Mary Magdalene? The critique about his miracles and claims? That the Saviour was here? The opinion of the moderate Gamaliel, Caiaphas’s speeches? Gamaliel (echoing the Acts of the Apostles) urging that they should not kill the truth, not do battle with Jesus, leave everything to the passage of time and truth would be revealed?
13.The disciples in the desert, asking for food from Heaven, discussion about truth, the apostles witnessing to it? Jesus now speaking directly, kneeling and praying, quoting God, that God would send the food down, if any did not believe they would be chastised, the nations would not be chastised, the group looking to the heavens?
14.The long shot of the sky, the sudden appearance of the food, the heavenly feast, the food come down, Judas not eating, the comment that he didn’t have to pay? Jesus raising his hands and his prayer of thanksgiving? Judas saying it was a mirage and running away?
15.The statue being carried into Nain? The woman asking whether Jesus’ birth was a miracle? Saying that God had given him the power, begging the son of Mary for the healing? Jesus urging not to shed tears, the boy was not dead? “In the name of God, the Lord of the two worlds …”, the boy raised, the idol collapsing?
16.The witnesses to Jesus in Jerusalem because of Nain?
17.Caiaphas and Barabbas, discussing Jesus as the common enemy, the best opportunity that Barabbas would have, to confront him indirectly, that he was a sorcerer, fatherless? Barabbas violent, saying that they were waiting for a Jewish king, not the son of God?
18.Pilate and his haircut, the Romans massacring the Jews, the Roman army, the comment that it was through Satan that it was being stirred up? Stirring up the Hebrews? Forty days of fighting, father against son, brother against brother?
19.Caiaphas, Herod and Pilate, with the people, urging the people to find Jesus and get him to give testimony of himself, the crowds coming, the Romans and Caiaphas? Kneeling and worshipping, calling him Adonai? All Judea thinking that he was the son of God, all coming to appeal to him to calm the dissension, titles God, Son of God, Prophet of God and Jesus denying this? Jesus saying that Caiaphas was stirring the fire, forgetting about the prophets? Jesus denying all that was said, claiming that he was merely a human being? Pilate and his edict about Jesus not being the son of God? “My consolation is the coming of a prophet who will correct everything, his teaching shall spread over the whole world, his teachings will have no end, God shall keep it safe”? The reference to Mohammed?
20.The Romans and the Senate, the scene, the speeches and the vote?
21.Nicodemus, deeply honouring the prophet, inviting him to his house secretly, Jesus asking whether Nicodemus thought that he wanted to abolish the law, but because of the distortions of the Torah and the corruption of the prophets he came to preach? The reference to the slaying of all prophets from Zachariah? What religious man have they left to die a natural death …? Children of Satan, doing his will?
22.Mary Magdalene, weeping, Lazarus dying, the funeral and the mourning, the chanting and ululating? Martha and Mary, Jesus saying those not blessed by God are dead, Lazarus asleep? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael? Lazarus comes from the tomb, is unbound?
23.The tambourines and the palms, the cloths on the path, the chanting, Jesus and the Palm Sunday incident, his coming to complete the religion of Moses?
24.The plan, the woman taken in adultery, the hope to trap Jesus? The contrast between Mosaic justice and Jesus’ mercy? The woman claiming she was innocent, the people saying she was not, her saying she came from Samaria to find her husband? Witnesses declaring they saw her? Jesus drawing a square, asking them to cast the first stone, the square as a mirror, the ugly image of the man who wanted to cast the stone, his running away, people saying he was crazy? The woman saying that if she was pardoned she would sin no more? God has not sent me to condemn you, Jesus?
25.The Sanhedrin, the murder in the street, the corpse, the wife going?
26.The plan for Jesus to be murdered by the pilgrims in the temple, the lamb being roasted, the challenge about his not being the son of God? The going to the temple with the multitude on the eve of the Passover, final prophet is descended from our great ancestor Isaac? Telling the truth, the people want lies, Jesus says he is not a liar? Caiaphas – are those who follow the law of Moses unable to hear the truth? Jesus telling the truth, hated and the people seeking to kill him? Accusing the true servants of God in the house of God? The accusations that the Devil was on his back, that Jesus was the Samaritan and had no respect for the priesthood? Jesus asking why they rebuked him not as a brother but as an enemy? “If I work for iniquity, reprove me. You are not children of Abraham as you call yourselves.” We are elders of the Sanhedrin, which son of Abraham do you mean, Isaac or Ishmael, the father of Arabs? The son of Abraham was Ishmael from whom the Messiah must be descended. Jesus says he is the messenger, Mohammed will come? Uproar, the stones, Jesus vanishing from their eyes, going out of the temple, their being blinded and throwing stones at each other?
27.Pilate asking Caiaphas about the pile of stones in the temple, Caiaphas inviting Pilate to a fruitful coalition, “We are all human and have common interests”? Pilate demurring, saying the unseen god they were always talking about was greed. Caiaphas trying to buy off Pilate, a good bargain but a bad deal, “You want me to incriminate someone who has not broken Roman law”? His claim that there would be a permanent stain on the people?
28.Jesus in the woods, saying he would leave the disciples soon, telling them to keep faith in his absence? Saying that he would ask the merciful God to send the Comforter, to remind them of what he said and to bear witness to the truth of his teachings?
29.Pilate arresting Jesus, fulfilling the words of David and the quotation from Psalm 2 about his announcing salvation to the whole world?
30.The Last Supper, Mary Magdalene and bringing the ointment, Judas shaking his head, Mary pouring lavishly, Judas sinister and attacking, saying the ointment could have fed thirty people? Jesus saying he knew what was in Judas’s heart, urging the others to be patient?
31.Judas going to Caiaphas, “His Excellency Judas, son of Iscariot, is at your service”? The offer of thirty coins of silver?
32.The supper, the comment that that year was different from the apostles, it was destined that Jesus have his last supper, Jesus washing the disciples’ feet?
33.The screen information: continuation of events according to Christian narrative. The people at the door, the rough Romans, taking Jesus to the court, cries of denunciation, “The cure for this accused man is lashings of the Romans”? Jesus with Pilate, Pilate speaking and not wanting to crucify Jesus, not wanting to be blamed for his murder, Jesus not speaking? The guard spitting, the scourging? The money carried in for Pilate?
34.Pilate thinking that the people might change their mind when they see Jesus’ broken body? Carrying the cross, the women following, his being raised, Mary’s grief?
35.The screen saying continuation according to Islamic sources and the Gospel of Barnabas? Jesus reflecting about his death, praying, asking to be saved from the snares of the enemy? Angel Gabriel appearing, the plan for Jesus’ suffering? The Lord saying that Jesus was son of Mary, that he would take him from this world and purify him, then return him? Jesus seeing the light? “Your appointed time has come,” and Jesus walking into the light?
36.Judas returning, the apostles asleep, the bright light on Judas, his screams and he has become Jesus in appearance? In speech and face?
37.The return to the scene of people opening the door, the apostles fleeing, Judas/Jesus arrested? Judas saying Jesus has escaped, Judas being mocked? Being called heathen? Lashed, struck? Peter accosted and his accuser asking him had he seen a jinn? “I am still his disciple, but that man is not my teacher”?
38.Judas with Pilate, the music, the speech but the audience not hearing Pilate’s words? Lentos saying that Judas/Jesus talks nonsense and is an idiot? Pilate saying that his eyes testified but his inner conscience says that this man bears no resemblance to Jesus?
39.Pilate, Jesus and the people, the verdict, Pilate saying he deserved pity, that if he is not Jesus but Judas, then pity, Judas saying that by sorcery he has been transformed? If he is Jesus then he has lost his understanding and it would be cruel to kill a madman? Members of the Sanhedrin saying that he was Jesus, taking full responsibility? The comment that God had set a seal on the cruel hearts of the people with Israel and their wanting to kill Jesus, not Jesus himself but the person who appeared? The true Jesus was messenger of God, son of Mary? Judas on the cross crying out that God has forsaken him?
40.The comment that God raised Jesus, the explicit Koran Sura reference? Jesus risen, moving with his disciples?
41.The overall impact of this film? A re-creation of the Gospel? The Islamic perspective? The greatness of Jesus, his predicting Mohammed? The effect of the two endings? The possibility for dialogue between Islam and Christianity?
