Sometimes we need to see things. While my family was away at the Nazarene Youth Conference I decided to finally finish watching the Book of Daniel TV series. I bought the DVDs a few months ago, but had not finished watching all the episodes. If you’re not familiar with the show it is a fictional drama about an unconventional Episcopalian priest Daniel Webster (played by Aidan Quinn). What is unique about Daniel is that he can visually see and audibly hear Jesus who is there to help him and question his decisions. The Christian right heavily criticized the show and under much pressure NBC cancelled the series after four episodes (the DVD set contains all 7 episodes that were made). The show was a bit over the top as the writers took just about every situation imaginable in the parsonage and crammed it all into one poor family at one moment in time. However, there are some great moments in the show like when Daniel asks Jesus if he is special because Jesus talks to him. Jesus replies that he tries to talk to others, but few listen.
What I needed to see happens in episode 6. Daniel’s homosexual son is in a coma as the result of a gay bashing incident. Through a mafia connection Daniel is introduced to the man who physically punched and kicked his son into a coma. Daniel confronts the man with Jesus in the background shaking his head and saying “don’t Daniel”. Daniel has the man by the lapels and is trying to get him to admit he did it, finally the man says “your faggot son got what he deserves”. Daniel punches the man in the face, Jesus is in the background wanting to stop Daniel, but respecting Daniel’s freewill. After a brief scuffle the man flees and the camera pans to Daniel who is a physical and emotional wreck. Daniel staggers to his feet and Jesus grabs him and holds him as Daniel weeps.
When my son Richard was a toddler I was reading a book while he watched Scooby Do. Something on the cartoon must have frightened him because he scampered up into my lap. I looked over my book at the TV and asked him if he wanted me to change the channel. His reply: “No, Daddy, its alright now, I’m in your lap.”
Sometimes we need to let God hold us.
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