One morning, years ago…actually decades ago, I remember listening to Christian radio as I drove to work and was moved to tears. This radio station would often share stories from the field-the mission field. This particular morning, they spoke of an organization that was training and sending out missionaries into one of the world’s most closed countries for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Closed meaning countries that are hostile to the gospel, where missionary activity is severely restricted, conversion to Christianity and possession of the Holy Bible is illegal. These missionaries went through a very intense process of preparation because they knew that there was a very real probability that they would be captured, imprisoned, and killed for trying to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of that country. Upon hearing that, I wept.
It is difficult to explain all the emotions and thoughts that were going through my head. I will try, though. At that time, I was working my first full-time job out of college. . .which I pretty much hated, might I add. So, I focused on doing everything I could to find another job; I looked for Sport Psychology graduate programs to which I could apply, and I focused on my social life-hoping to meet my future husband. These things were not bad, but I was moved by these people’s desire to give up all of that-even their very lives-to share the gospel to people who did not know Jesus. I was embarrassed (to put it mildly) and convicted by the realization that, except on Sundays, fulfilling God’s Great Commission was really not a second thought for me. In that moment, dying-to-self took on a whole different meaning for me. I now had a better understanding of its actual meaning. My heart went out to them as I knew that a high percentage (80%+) of the people who were sent out would lose their lives and other than their families and colleagues, the world would not know their names. The world would not know the sacrifices and the torture they would endure to make sure the gospel of Jesus Christ was known. I thought about the courage they must have had. Not only to face those odds with joy. . .willingly, but I am pretty sure they did not all have the full support of all of their families and friends as they answered God’s call. I also thought about those who would be in Heaven because of their obedience. I thought of the magnitude of God’s power. I am reminded of Jesus telling Peter in Matthew 16:18, “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” NOTHING and NOBODY can stop God from building His Church. But I wondered what would I do if God called me to sacrifice my life in that way? Would I say “yes” to anything the Lord called me to do? I would like to say that I would have been ready and willing to answer God’s call with a resounding “yes”. But the reality is that, at that time, unfortunately, the answer would have been “no”.
Well, a new movie (10 years in the making), Disciples in the Moonlight, challenges us to answer those same types of questions: What are you willing to do for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ? While we hear of countries that prohibit Bibles and how Christians in other countries have been killed for the gospel, I do not think we really think that could happen in our country. While censorship is threatening our freedom of speech here in America, many of us really cannot imagine what it would be like if the Holy Bible actually became illegal to possess, here, in the United States. Disciples in the Moonlight, a fictional story, written Josh Strychalski and directed by Brett Varvel explores this. The movie takes place in the Midwest during a time when the government has outlawed the Holy Bible and has replaced it with a version that is more inclined to “tickle the ears” of its readers rather than to convey the whole counsel of God. Even those with digital copies of God’s Word on their phones were subject to arrest and imprisonment. A small group of Christians accept a task, given by The Apostle, to smuggle the true Word of God, to underground churches in neighboring states. The film gives the audience a sobering look into the personal lives of each of the disciples (as labeled by the local Homeland Security chief) and the process of “counting the cost” of going through with this mission. The cost is high, but as stated in His Word, the gates of hell do not prevail.
I am confident that the producers of this movie did not have access to a budget of your run-of-the-mill Marvel or DC Comics flick, simply because many investors do not see the beauty and eternal rewards of investing in such a project. With that said, this is a high-quality film. I was impressed by the creativity of the story. The sound effects were noteworthy as I felt the intensity of the situations played out in the different scenes. The actors were believable. I could identify with all the characters’ emotions. The fear of potential consequences of being caught with a Bible, let alone smuggling them. The sorrow of losing loved ones. The joy of courage on display. And, although this is a fictitious story, there was the awe of knowing that God uses everything for His glory. . .in real life. It truly prompted me to think about what I am willing to do and to suffer for the cause of Christ. Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. . .” Folks, we need to get ready!
Disciples in the Moonlight was in theaters for a limited time, July 17-24, but I am hopeful that there will be additional opportunities. Every Christian needs to see this! In the meantime, I hope you will join me in praying to that end. Also, you can also go to https://www.disciplesinthemoonlightmovie.com/ to watch the trailer and to discover more ways you can support this film. May God develop a heart in us like the prophet Isaiah who said, “Here I am! Send me.” when the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
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