The major motion picture Ben-Hur is now in theaters. A remake of the 1959 classic, Ben-Hur tells the story of two brothers who become mortal enemies until a chance encounter with Jesus of Nazareth leads them to healing. Ben-Hur depicts universal Christian themes of love, forgiveness, justice, and redemption.

Here are a few scenes from the movie that reflect biblical messages:

Jesus’ Radical Message of Love

We first see Jesus as a simple carpenter. His radical message of love, which Judah calls ‘progressive,’ might even appear outrageous given that the oppressed Jews detest their Roman occupiers. Yet this seemingly impossible challenge resonates with Esther and it will gain Jesus many followers in the time ahead.

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25 (ESV)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14 (ESV)

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35 (ESV)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)

The Revolutionary Power of Love

Jesus tells the crowd that if they can set aside the hate and anger that is used to control them they will discover that love is their true nature. Love, as Jesus teaches it, is not simply an innate capacity within us, part of our divine nature, it is an active force that has the power to overcome the evils of the world. Pilate views this as a “poison” more dangerous than all the zealots combined.

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23 (ESV)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)

Human Justice vs. God’s Justice

Judah’s thirst for revenge is ‘eye-for-an-eye’ justice, but Jesus’ revolutionary teaching transcends this concept of justice with mercy. And mercy triumphs over justice because of love.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Thus says the Lord of hosts, render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another. Zechariah 7:9 (ESV)

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:38-45 (ESV)

Love Heals

In witnessing the extraordinary love of Jesus as he allows himself to be crucified and forgives his killers, Judah’s heart is opened and he is redeemed, transformed by God’s grace from a man of hate to a man of love.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (ESV)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Psalm 107:19-21 (ESV)

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:14 (ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)