Light of the World (2025) Movie Script
1
Mama! James and I want to
hear the creation story again.
All right, all right, John.
Both of you sit down,
and listen closely.
In the beginning,
was nothing but darkness.
Then God said,
"Let there be light."
Over six days, He spoke
all things into existence.
And then He made us,
His children,
created in His image.
We lived with Him together,
in a perfect garden.
There was just one rule.
Do not eat from
the forbidden tree.
But we didn't trust Him.
We disobeyed.
And in our shame,
we fled from God's light,
into a dark, and dying world.
Our world.
Wait, Mama!
I don't like the dark.
We're scared. Right, James?
Yeah, maybe just skip
to the part
where you-know-who shows up?
Don't be afraid, John.
I was just getting
to the best part.
Separated from God's light,
what hope did we have?
Alone in the darkness.
But God did not abandon us.
He promised to send
a mighty king to save us.
The Messiah.
He will overcome the darkness,
and make all things
right again.
Yeah,
by destroying our enemies!
Yah! Yah!
His kingdom of light
will last forever!
Yah! Yah!
He'll defeat Rome,
and free us all.
Hush, boys.
Someone might hear you.
Zebedee, they're just excited.
I've heard rumors the Messiah
is already here,
waiting to reveal himself.
Already here?
The fishmonger told me
this story about a bright star
that appeared when
the Messiah was born.
Salome, I'm sorry,
but do you hear yourself?
Magic, stars,
fish-market gossip?
We have to focus
on what's real.
Working hard,
and not crossing Rome.
No!
Stop!
Papa!
Don't take my Papa!
We always pay our taxes
to Rome.
We just need
a little more time.
It's too late for that.
If we couldn't catch
enough fish before,
how are we supposed to,
with him in prison?
Not our problem.
We have to help them!
John, no!
John, stop!
There's nothing we can do.
No one is coming to save us.
We have to keep our heads down,
and take care of ourselves.
They needed our help.
Come, boys.
Bedtime.
-Mama?
-Hmm?
Is Papa right?
Is the Messiah not real?
Your father just wants
to keep you safe.
But the Messiah is real.
He'll be our King,
to bring us out
of the darkness.
He will be
the light of the world.
Be ready, John!
Looks like there's
a storm on the horizon!
I'll have to steer us
toward calm waters.
Sails up! Oars down!
Rough waters ahead!
-Oh no!
-Ha ha!
- A rogue wave!
- Ah!
Boys!
Aah! A sea monster,
approaching off the bow!
-Stern.
-Stern.
Hmph! Stop playing around.
The tax collector
is on his way.
James, I need you to get
these fish to the market,
and get back with the money
as quick as you can.
You told me to help Peter
with his nets.
I can do it!
Whoa!
Oh! Ah!
Uh, I don't think so.
You have to trust him
at some point.
See?
Fine.
You won't regret it!
-I know a shortcut!
-No shortcuts.
Just go the normal way.
Are you sure
you have to go, Andrew?
Peter, I have to see
if the rumors
about the Messiah are true.
I'll be back in a few days.
Well, if you find him,
ask him if he needs a servant.
I don't think my brother's
cut out to be a fisherman.
No, this isn't right.
Ah!
Excuse me!
Comin' through!
Pardon! Pardon!
Whoa!
-Oh! Oof!
-Hey!
Sorry, teacher!
Aah!
Whoa!
Sorry!
Guess I'm not
the only catch of the day.
Excuse me!
Aha!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Oh!
Ahem! I would like
to sell some fish.
Oh, your father normally
sends, um, the bigger one.
You know, the stronger one,
seems a little smarter.
Hmm, if we could please hurry
this along, that'd be great.
- Ah!
- Can I help you with something?
Actually, could you
pass me that hammer?
This is yours? Ah.
He's not
at the Jordan River, is he?
-Who?
-Your brother,
the more handsome one.
Oh. No. Hey!
A whole group of people
left this morning.
They said the Messiah
was down at the Jordan River.
My papa says
the Messiah isn't real.
He's just a story.
But you know what is real?
Yeah, uh-huh.
Four...
five...
For the record,
the Messiah is real.
One day he'll show up
and punish the wicked,
defeat the Romans,
and give those crooked tax
collectors what they deserve.
Yes, crooked tax collectors,
like the one coming
to my house right now.
Could we...
All right, then.
-You're all set.
-Thank you.
You'll never make it, though.
Not in this traffic.
-Oh, no.
-Ah, finished.
Ah! Thanks.
He's never gonna make it.
I think he'll find his way.
-Quiet!
-Aah!
Leave me alone!
Please, help me.
I... I can't.
This is
the worst shortcut ever.
Should still be enough.
Hi, I'm John.
What's your name?
Josiah.
-Here.
-Thank you.
You're welcome.
You, fish boy!
Fish boy?
Uh-oh.
Waah!
Wah! Oh, no!
People have been killed
for less than what you've done.
An assault on me
is an assault on Rome.
-Look, two babies on a wolf!
-Huh?
Oof! Ah!
No one makes a fool of Rome!
I'll find you!
Now, Levi.
Can I call you Levi?
My name is Matthew.
Levi, some boats are big,
and then, some boats are small.
-Yeah, uh-huh, but--
-But the thing is,
they almost all have nets.
Makes sense, but Zebedee--
And the secret
to pulling in the big fish...
-Yeah, uh-huh?
-Three-day-old bait.
Zebedee! We've been listening
to fishing stories all morning.
I could catch fish by now.
-You're welcome.
-Your taxes.
Can you pay them or not?
Uh, yes, of course.
See, my son John is...
right here with your money.
I... I ran.
We can see you ran.
-I ran into a Roman.
-That's great, John.
Let's just get Levi his money.
It's Matthew!
And it's not my money.
- I'm just doing my job.
- John.
Papa, I...
Oh, no.
Look, I can help.
I can give you three more days.
-For a fee.
-What?
You're charging us extra?
We all have
our masters to serve.
This is the best I can do.
-But it's not fair!
-Easy, John.
There's no reasoning
with traitors.
What did he say?
He called you a traitor,
because that's what you are!
You're a traitor
to your own people.
You know what? Fine.
Let's make it double.
Now you owe double.
- John!
- This isn't fair!
One day you're gonna get yours,
you drunken--
Ah! Ah! Aah!
-Aah! Oh...
-James, I'm sorry.
Double. Double's fine.
Double's great.
It didn't have to be this way.
Three days,
double what you owe.
And if you can't pay,
we take your father to prison.
Ah!
Papa?
He needs to heal.
Papa, I can help.
Not today, little fish.
You've helped enough.
-But--
-Zebedee.
Peter, what are you doing?
You have your own fish
to catch.
Listen, when they came
for my father,
you were the only one
who took care of my family.
All these years,
you've showed up.
-Peter, I...
-Now it's my turn to show up.
I already lost one father
to a Roman prison.
I'm not going to lose another.
I'm just sorry Andrew
isn't here to help.
I can help.
Every time he hears a rumor
about the Messiah,
he takes off in that direction.
Uh-huh. And who's
the Messiah this time?
Someone called The
Baptizer, down at the river.
You want to help?
Stay here, and mend nets
with your mother.
Hmph.
It just seems like nothing
I do ever helps anyone.
John, what do you see?
A net?
You might see a net.
What I see is a promise.
Your father thinks
that he's responsible
for catching the fish.
Isn't he?
No, it's just his job
to cast the nets.
Then we trust God
to provide the fish.
It's the same
as trusting God's promises.
Even when we find ourselves
adrift in the deepest,
darkest waters,
even when all hope is lost,
we still cast our nets, and
trust they won't come up empty.
-You're right!
-I am?
We need people
who can cast nets!
-We need Andrew!
-Andrew?
And the fishmonger said
that the Messiah is
at the Jordan River!
I bet that's where Andrew is!
We'll go there, bring him back,
he'll help us fish, we'll get
the money, and save Papa!
- Simple!
- John...
I love you.
Um, which way is the...
Jordan River.
Right.
Muah!
The river!
Andrew?
Hello?
Huh.
Honey?
Huh? Is someone up there?
Hey there! How's your
hand-eye coordination?
- My what?
- Catch!
Ah! Ah! Ah! Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oof.
Oh, that's just great. Oh!
- Yah! Whoa!
- Blah!
Whoa-hoa! Yah!
-Hi! Hurry now!
-Wah!
I'd say we have
about 26 seconds.
Hey, who's Andrew?
Huh? Oh, my friend Andrew.
He's at the part of the river
where people
are being baptized.
Oof!
-What happens in 26 seconds?
-More like 14 now.
-How about you just come with
me?
-You know where they are?
- Wah!
- I hope so!
I'm the one doing
the baptizing! Ha ha!
Really? You're The Baptizer?
-Four seconds.
-Until what?
-Bees!
-Bees?
- Run!
- Aah! Bees!
And that happens every time?
Oh, they do not appreciate us
taking of God's bounty.
But this will feed
lots of people
who are waiting to be baptized.
Uh, what is baptized?
Well, it represents
starting over.
You are dunked under the water,
and come out clean.
Then you get eaten?
Oh, well, not that part.
I just like bugs.
Why do we need to start over?
We've all done things
we shouldn't have.
Hmm.
Looks like those honeycombs
aren't the only things
you're carrying.
I think my papa's going
to go to prison because of me.
I lost my temper.
I don't know
what's wrong with me.
There's nothing so broken
that God can't fix.
Baptism is a way
of saying to God,
"I turn away from
my darkness, and I choose
your light instead."
So the water washes away
the darkness?
No, no, it's just a symbol.
But very soon,
the Messiah will come,
and truly make us clean,
restoring our relationship
with God.
Wait, aren't you
supposed to be the Messiah?
Aren't you?
The people say this
Baptizer is the Messiah.
They think the cleansing
of this madman brings them
closer to God.
Ooh, closer to God?
Sounds like a good thing to me.
- Ahem!
- Hmm?
Oh! Hmm.
The only way to God
is through the law,
ritual cleansing,
temple sacrifice,
the spilt blood
of innocent lambs.
The only way to God
is through us.
- Precisely.
- High Priest Caiaphas.
Your job is to keep and enforce
our holy laws, Nicodemus,
not fall to pieces
every time a dirty hermit
starts preaching
in the wilderness.
The Baptizer is no Messiah.
He is nothing.
But tell that to the hundreds
going to see him,
even some of our
fellow Pharisees.
Maybe they see
something we don't.
I tell you what I see.
If the people like his message,
they'll follow him, not us.
We'll lose control.
What would Rome say of that?
Hmm...
It's true.
Governor Pontius Pilate
demands our loyalty.
He counts on us
to keep our people in line.
Fine. Go, now.
Deal with this Baptizer
before it's too late.
He's here!
It's The Baptizer.
Come, come. Don't be shy, now.
There's enough for everybody.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
Ooh! Oh,
that gets me every time.
-John?
-Andrew, I found you.
What? I just found you.
We have to go back.
Papa is going to prison
in two days,
-if we can't catch
enough fish, we--
-Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.
John, I can't come back now.
What? Why?
They say he's the Messiah.
I have to find out
if that's true.
Out, out of the way.
Is it true?
Do you claim to be the Messiah?
-Of course not.
-How dare--Oh.
Well, there's your answer.
Let's go.
But I am preparing
the way for him.
The Messiah
is among us already.
The Messiah is here?
Everyone must ready
their hearts for his coming.
Even you, who teach God's law,
must turn from
your wicked ways.
How dare you!
We are the holy leaders
of these people.
Does that mean
you want to go first?
-Huh!
-Oh! Oy!
Come, let us report back
to Caiaphas.
We should go, too.
He said the Messiah
was among us already.
-Huh?
-He knows
where we can find him.
But my Papa--
John, the Messiah
could change everything.
You said we had two days.
Just give me one.
Fine.
-Excuse me.
-Whoa! Ah!
John, you can't just
approach a prophet!
Hello again.
Wait, you two know each other?
You said the Messiah was here.
- Where is he?
- Well, not here.
- But I can tell you
where to find him.
Oh, please.
If it meant
meeting the Messiah,
I'd face the darkest,
most dreadful,
most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
A wedding?
Huh! I love weddings.
The baptizer said the Messiah's
name is Jesus, from Nazareth.
The quicker we find him,
the quicker we can go home.
Here we come, Messiah! Woo!
I can't let you in
looking like that.
- What?
- You look like a human beehive.
Hey, you guys,
take those to the kitchen.
Hmm!
Welcome, tonight we celebrate
my son, and his new bride.
Don't just stand there.
Serve the wine.
Hmm. Oh-- hey!
-Do any of you know a Jesus?
-Uh, no.
Jesus?
Do you know
someone named Jesus?
Yes, I'm Jesus.
Jesus of Nazareth?
-Uh, Jesus of Canaan.
-Oh, sorry.
Jesus!
Jesus?
Any Jesuses over here--
ah! Whoa!
- Huh. Hmm?
- Oh,
can you hand me that?
Sure.
So, you're here serving?
Me? Oh, no.
I'd be a terrible servant.
Hey, it's you,
from the marketplace.
Hello.
You sent me down that alley.
If I hadn't gone that way,
none of this bad stuff
would have happened
to my family.
Sometimes the right path
isn't the easy path.
Just because something
seems broken, doesn't mean
it can't be fixed.
Ah. Better?
Yeah, it's beautiful.
Ah.
You're not going
to eat that, are you?
Ew, no.
Why would you say that?
I knew a guy who ate those.
-The Baptizer.
-The Baptizer?
With the honey,
and the wild hair.
Yes.
Oh, I've had to live
out in the wilderness,
but for him, it's...
A choice.
What is it?
He made a choice.
He chose to believe.
-His faith in the Messiah
is so strong, but I...
-Worry it's just a story?
That's what you said
in the marketplace, right?
What your father said?
He tells me not
to hope for a Messiah.
That no one is coming.
Of course, my mother, she has
total trust in God's promises.
Just like The Baptizer.
So what do you believe?
- Jesus!
- Jesus?
-Mama?
-Oh, my son!
Are you eating enough?
You're so thin, are you sick?
-Are you cleaning
behind your ears?
-Mother, please!
You're Jesus of Nazareth?
Hello, I'm Mary.
Are you friends with my son?
Oh, no. I...
Hi, I'm John.
So, you're the...
Oh no, I've ruined everything!
Emil, is everything all right?
There's no more wine!
They'll be humiliated
in front of the whole town!
It's all my fault!
Don't worry.
-We'll take care of it.
-Oh! Oh, no. What have I done?
It's not time to show them
who I really am.
Do whatever he says.
Fill them with clean water.
Here, take this to Emil.
-Uh...
-My cup is empty!
Is there any more wine?
I was told to give you
this, sir.
Oh! This is...
delicious!
Come, rejoice!
We've saved the very best
wine for last!
My son and his bride
are truly blessed!
Oh, Messiah.
We'll follow you through
the darkest, most dreadful,
most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
It is such an honor
to finally meet you.
You have no idea...
Is he really the...
I knew who my son was
before he was born.
Many prophets
spoke of his birth.
I know how it sounds.
He was born in a stable.
We were far from home,
and I had to lay him
in a manger,
where the animals
had been eating.
No one knew where we were,
but this brilliant angel
-appeared in the sky overhead.
-Wait.
My mama told me
a story like this.
-It's true?
-It led them to us.
Shepherds, magi, believers,
they all came to worship
this little baby,
who'd been born among
the animals, because they knew.
Knew what?
That God rarely shows up
in the ways you think he will.
Oh...
It doesn't make sense.
We fished all night,
and nothing.
I won't let them
take you to prison.
No, I don't want
you making any trouble.
- It's me!
- They're here.
-I'm going quietly.
-No, Zebedee.
Look!
- They're here!
- Papa!
-Hi!
-Look who showed back up.
I'm here to help!
Thanks again for coming along.
Of course.
Now I just need to convince
my Papa to let you help.
Andrew, faster!
Oh! I'm going as fast as I can!
Papa!
-Mm!
-Ah, my little fish,
you're back.
But you're too late.
It's okay.
I brought someone who can help.
This is Jesus.
Never heard of him.
-Does he fish?
-Actually, I'm a carpenter.
He did teach from a boat, once.
-Is he serious?
-John, who is this?
Uh, well, he's...
-He can protect us.
-He's the Messiah!
-Really, John?
-He turned water into wine.
- Yeah!
- -No, we've talked about this.
But Papa, it was amazing.
It's just a story.
Look,
I'm sorry my son was--
Cast your nets
into the deep water.
What? No.
Enough of this nonsense.
No. Papa, wait.
-What are you doing?
-It's Him!
John, stop.
He's... the Messiah!
Huh?
No! Boys!
John,
I thought you knew better.
-Uh, Papa?
-Huh?
Heave, quick!
We're gonna need
a bigger boat! Ah!
-Whoa!
-There's so much fish!
Andrew, Peter,
James, John.
It's time.
My Kingdom is here.
Leave your nets to follow me,
and I'll make
you fishers of men.
You can't go.
- What?
- You're not going.
But, Papa!
I'll talk to him.
We need them here.
One big catch
doesn't solve everything.
There'll be more taxes.
That's exactly why
we need to let them go.
Hmph!
Are there enough fish
in that sea
to pay everyone's taxes?
To set our people free?
At least hear him out.
John.
John, I'm just trying
to protect you.
You always say we have
to keep our heads down.
Take care of ourselves.
-But you didn't.
-What do you mean?
When they took away Peter
and Andrew's father,
you helped them.
You kept food on their table,
taught them to fish.
They were hurting,
and you showed up.
Papa, he's helping people.
I wanna be a part of that.
This is my chance to show up.
Thank you,
thank you, thank you!
I love you.
I love you, Mama.
James.
You take care of him.
-Ha!
-Ah!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Let me be the first
to say, I'll follow you
into the most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
Hey! I already said that.
-I--I found him first.
-Found him first?
He's not a seashell
on the beach.
To change the world,
we need both faithful hearts,
and a strong foundation.
A rock. With those,
we can build something great.
Yeah!
Jesus! We're coming too!
Yeah!
Our King, we won't rest
until you sit
on your throne, in Jerusalem.
You will have many followers,
but we're your only Disciples.
- Your Disciples have arrived.
-Huh?
My friends!
That's a lot of fish.
You see fish, I see
a profitable day at the market.
-Who are these guys?
-These are my other Disciples.
This is Judas.
If you couldn't tell,
he's the money guy.
-I'm Simon.
-The zealot.
-And proud of it.
-Oh, yeah?
Well, I'm Peter, the rock.
Jesus called him that
one time.
-Just now.
-Hey!
- You're nothing.
- You're so small.
- No!
- You're nothing.
You're nothing.
You're nothing.
- Please, help me.
- Huh?
- They won't leave me alone!
- Aah! Waah!
Careful, Jesus.
There's something
wrong with her.
It's okay, Peter.
This is why I came.
Mary Magdalene.
How do you know me?
I see you, Mary.
Be healed.
The voices.
They're gone.
Oh! Whoa!
You're him, aren't you?
You're really him!
Messiah! My King!
Don't mind me.
I'll just sit right here.
- Welcome.
- Thanks for coming.
Watch your step.
Please, right this way.
Come, all who are weary.
I will give you rest.
Jesus, don't do that.
It's servant's work.
Andrew, in my Kingdom,
those who serve others
will be the greatest.
Welcome.
Word travels fast.
I'm not sure everyone will fit.
-Another Messiah?
-This is getting old.
You, holy men!
Why are all these
people gathering?
Honorable Lucius, we were
just about to look into it.
Hey!
Uh-oh.
John? Where are you going?
Please, I must see the Messiah.
Isn't there any room?
No. I'm sorry to let you down.
"Let you down!"
Hey! I have an idea!
So, I say to you
above all else...
- Coming through!
- ...love God.
-And love your neighbors.
-Explain yourself!
With what authority
do you teach these people?
I think you know.
Do you dare claim your
authority comes from above?
Room for one more?
My Messiah,
I haven't lived a perfect life,
but I couldn't miss
the chance to meet you.
Please, forgive my sins.
Friend, all your sins
are forgiven.
Only God can forgive sins!
Do you claim to be God?
Which is easier to say,
"Your sins are forgiven,"
or, "Be healed?"
So you know that I have
the power to forgive sins.
I say, stand and walk.
Whoa! Ah! Oh!
Mm!
It's really you!
You are the Messiah!
Ha! Excuse me.
- Oh!
- Huh?
He's healed?
He did it!
Jesus healed him!
-Fish boy?
-"Fish boy?"
-Fish boy!
-Bring him to me!
Waah!
Whoa!
Hmph!
-Waah!
-Oof!
Whoa!
Uh...
Bye-bye.
Whoa! Aah!
Oof! Aah! Oof!
Whoa! Oh!
Tell me about this Jesus.
Oh!
Jesus!
Hello, John.
Hi.
This boy says he serves you.
He tells me you are a man
with the power to heal.
My servant,
a man very dear to me,
lies dying in my home.
And you want me
to come heal him?
No.
I believe in your authority.
Thus, if you say
my servant is healed,
then he is healed.
This Roman's faith is greater
than anyone in all Judea!
Than any of you!
Let him be healed,
just as you believe.
Ah!
What just happened?
I think Jesus
just helped our enemy.
Why would you help him?
Hmm.
Come.
Let me tell you a story.
A traveler set out
from his town upon a dark road,
unaware that thieves
waited in the shadows.
-Ha!
-Oh!
Broken and robbed,
the traveler held out little
hope of surviving the night.
A priest happened by.
Surely, the traveler was saved.
No.
The priest moved on.
Then a holy man came by.
Surely, this time
the traveler was rescued.
And yet, he too, passed by.
Deep into the night he waited,
his hope nearly gone.
Then, he heard one last
set of footsteps.
But this time it was
no priest or a holy man.
It was his people's enemy,
a Samaritan.
The Samaritan did not
harm the man or leave him.
He saved the traveler.
And in so doing, he honored God
more than the priest
or the holy man ever could.
Because you cannot love God
without loving your neighbor.
So, who is your neighbor?
You dropped this.
Oh, thanks.
God knows your heart, Matthew.
Leave this, and follow me.
It's always good
to have another option,
in case things
don't go as planned.
My friends, it's time
we spread the good word
of my Kingdom
throughout all Judea.
High Priest Caiaphas,
thank you for meeting me.
Make this quick.
What news of this Jesus?
He moves through
the countryside,
wandering from town to town,
claiming to be the Messiah.
Claiming to be God!
And yet, I don't see
the man in chains.
High Priest, no one could
perform the miracles he does
if God were not with him.
They said similar things
about The Baptizer.
And look what happened to him.
Sad. He seemed nice.
Nicodemus, you're a fool.
Jesus undermines
the very establishment
that keeps you in power.
Soon, thousands
from these countryside towns
will flock to Jerusalem
for the Passover festival.
If we don't stop Jesus
from passing through
those city gates,
the people will rise up
and crown him king!
Rome will lose control.
I don't serve Rome.
I serve God.
Search the area.
Arrest Jesus,
and bring this to an end.
You forget your place,
Nicodemus.
I am your High Priest.
I won't be
a part of this.
Nicodemus.
Nicodemus, come back.
Nicodemus!
Ah! All this from five loaves,
and two fish?
If we hurry,
we can get to the next town
before the storm hits.
I'll get Jesus.
Hmm?
I brought snacks.
Oh, uh...
Uh, are you okay?
Did you know The Baptizer's
real name was John?
Like you?
I guess maybe I never
thought of him like that.
Like what?
I mean, he's this
big voice in the wilderness.
It's easy to forget
he's just a person like me.
A good person.
A good friend.
Behold!
The Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world.
My friend, I've come
to be baptized.
But Jesus, I... I can't.
You're the only one
who doesn't need
to be baptized.
You've--
You've never disobeyed God.
I obey God by being baptized.
This is my son,
whom I love,
and am pleased with.
Jesus, did something happen?
Hmm.
They're coming! Temple guards!
They're coming for Jesus!
They arrested The Baptizer?
We need to do something!
John, they killed him.
They killed him?
-Why?
-He spoke the truth,
and sometimes evil men silence
those who speak the truth.
My time draws near.
Soon, you will see me
raised up, and glorified.
Why does that sound
like a bad thing?
John! Jesus!
We have to leave now!
The temple guards are coming!
-Go.
-Wait, what?
-Trust me.
-Come on, John.
Quickly, hurry.
Where's Jesus?
He told us
to go on without him.
No! Jesus!
No!
Hang on! Hang on!
Grab the rope! Hurry!
Aah!
Oh! Whoa!
Huh? Wha--
A ghost!
What?
There, walking on the water.
That's impossible.
Don't be afraid.
Jesus?
Come, Peter.
Peter, are you sure?
Trust me.
Oh!
He's doing it.
Peter!
Peter.
I have to go back.
Peter, give me your hand!
Peter, no!
Jesus?
Truly, you are the Son
of the living God.
It's time we head to Jerusalem
for the Passover festival.
It's time for my Kingdom
to be revealed.
Time the people met their King!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Soon we will all be free
of Roman taxes.
Yeah!
We'll gather all the Messiah's
true believers.
Yeah!
- We'll collect money!
- Yeah?
-Okay...
-Um...
Uh, for feeding the hungry!
Yeah!
And once we've gathered
his followers,
with all the city watching,
Jesus will ride
to Governor Pontius Pilate
on a mighty steed.
Jesus will stand,
declare himself King,
and the governor will have
no choice but to say...
You are the Messiah,
the true King of all kings.
All glory is yours.
All of Jerusalem is yours.
Yeah!
Woo! Jerusalem!
Jesus will be raised up,
and glorified!
- Yeah!
- I can't wait!
-Mm-hmm!
-Yeah!
Father, tonight I'm not
praying for the world.
I'm praying for my friends.
They don't know it yet, but...
things are about to get
so much worse.
Whoa!
Soon, I'll be in
your presence once more,
glorified with you,
like in the beginning.
Please, protect them
when I'm gone,
especially the weakest.
What?
We have very different
definitions of mighty steed.
Be ready for anything.
What is it?
They're all here for you,
to raise you up,
just like you said.
-Jesus?
-I--
We go in three...
two...
one!
Wow!
It's the Messiah!
Jesus is King!
He turned water into wine.
He's the King of all kings!
He healed my legs.
His power and love
know no bounds.
He fixed my stall.
It was adequate.
Jesus, my boy!
Praise him! He healed me!
Yeah!
Messiah!
Did you see that?
Jesus waved at me!
Yeah! Let's hear it!
How dare they call you Messiah!
Silence these people now!
If not these people,
then the rocks themselves
would shout to Heaven.
It's time for all nature
to celebrate.
The mute will speak.
The deaf will hear.
The blind will see.
Ah!
We love you, Jesus!
The crowd will never
let us arrest him now.
Yes, we're quickly
losing our numbers.
Argh! We'll have
to make our move.
We just need a way
to get to him.
Leave that to me.
Even his followers
have a price.
Pardon me.
Ah! Oh!
-Huh?
-Ah! Oh!
Is it true what Jesus said
about healing the blind?
It's true.
Oh, I see.
Would you like to... see?
Jesus!
Open your eyes.
I can see!
My Messiah!
Oh! Oh! Yes!
Oh, do-- do look out
for that low branch up ahead.
This is it!
It's time to gather
the Messiah's followers.
Jerusalem will be ours again!
It'll be ours! Jerusalem!
Yeah!
The best day of my life.
Whatever you're going to do...
do it quickly.
Jesus! Did you see
that crowd today?
They loved you!
Jesus, really.
What is it?
Please, sit.
For ages, you have sacrificed
your best lambs
as a temporary payment
for disobeying God.
Now I offer myself
as the ultimate payment.
My body,
and blood.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
What does this have to do
with you becoming King?
John, now is the time
for me to be glorified.
I won't be with you
much longer.
-What?
-Huh?
-What--What?
-What does that mean?
-This doesn't make any sense.
-So I leave you with this.
Love one another the same way
I've loved you.
Share my love with the world,
and God will bless you for it.
What? Where are you going?
We'll all follow you anywhere.
My friends, one of you
will betray me tonight.
What?
No! It can't be.
That'll never happen
on my watch.
Peter, you,
out of all my Disciples,
will deny you even know me.
That's not true.
Three times, before the rooster
crows tomorrow morning.
I'll suffer many things at
the hands of the chief priests.
They'll condemn me to death,
deliver me to the Romans
to be mocked,
whipped, and killed.
What? No!
And after three days,
I'll return.
I refuse to believe it!
-Jesus, no!
-You have to listen to us.
-I can't believe that!
-Enough.
Come, let's return
to the garden of Gethsemane.
I'll show Jesus.
-We'll protect him.
-Wait!
We can hide him
in the garden,
until it's time
to sound the attack.
Peter, I saw something.
Oh...
John, come on!
All clear.
Thank you, Peter.
I need to pray.
Stay here, and keep watch.
You can count on us, Jesus.
Wait, Jesus.
What was that back there?
Why are you talking
about dying?
Are you going to defeat
the Romans or not?
No.
So you're just gonna let them
kill you?
I thought you came
to fix things.
To make things right.
I did.
John, in the stories
your mother used to tell you,
what was the worst thing
that happened in the garden?
We disobeyed God,
and then darkness
entered the world.
No.
You disobeyed God, and darkness
entered your hearts.
I didn't come just to fix
a broken world, John.
I came to fix your broken
relationship with God.
The only way to free you
from darkness
is for someone free of darkness
to die in your place.
The perfect sacrifice.
You.
This is how I'm glorified.
This is how darkness
is defeated.
But I don't want you to die.
John, my death is not the end.
It's the beginning.
I'm choosing this.
And I'm asking you to trust me.
Father, please let this
suffering pass from me.
But if this suffering
can't be taken away,
please give me
the strength to do it.
Ah!
It's time.
Which one?
Judas?
No.
They were closing in.
I chose another option.
Judas, you betray
your friend with a kiss.
Your friend?
Take him!
Not on my watch!
Peter!
That was never what
I needed from you.
Those who live by the sword
die by the sword.
I could have called upon
my Father at any point.
He would have wiped out
all our enemies.
Here, let me help you.
Wha--
Take him!
No!
And arrest the others.
John, come on!
Peter!
Peter!
Get out of here, now!
Come on, Peter.
Come on, let's go.
I'll go see what's going on.
We can still save him.
Go wait by the fire.
Huh! Your following
has grown, I see.
King of kings, they call you.
Do you have nothing
to say for yourself?
I heard the people
call you the...
The Messiah.
You're one of his
followers, right?
Uh, no, no, you're mi--
you're mistaken.
Speak up!
Are you the son of God or not?
I am who you say I am.
Speak up! I heard him
call you one of his Disciples.
I'm not who you think I am.
I saw him with Jesus, too.
He should be in there
with Jesus.
He's no king.
He's just another false prophet.
See, you have now heard
the blasphemy.
What do you think?
He deserves death!
I heard Jesus call you
his friend.
Yeah, he's one
of his followers.
-Tell the Pharisees.
-We're not friends.
You have to listen to me.
I swear, I don't know
that man in there!
Ah!
No.
Oh...
Take him
to Governor Pontius Pilate.
No!
Peter?
Ah!
What is it now?
Please forgive the intrusion,
Governor Pilate.
We, your humble servants, have
caught this criminal, Jesus.
Then use your own laws
to punish him.
I'm busy with the affairs
of Rome.
Sir, he is a threat to Rome.
The people declare him
King of the Jews.
King of all kings.
Above our own Emperor Caesar.
Is it true?
Are you King of all kings?
My Kingdom is not
of this world.
Ha! So you are a king, then.
This man has developed
a large following.
They could revolt.
Remove you from power.
Have you no defense?
Don't you realize I have
the power to decide your fate?
You would have no power over me
if it were not given to you
by my Father.
I speak the truth.
What is truth?
I see no fault with this man.
But, once a year,
for your little
Passover festival,
we allow your people to choose
one prisoner to set free.
Have him beaten, and let
the crowds decide his fate.
I wash my hands
of the whole affair.
Bring them out.
Bring them out.
Now is the time.
No, Jesus!
Get up!
Your high priests tell me
that this man
is guilty of rebellion.
But I am a governor
of the people.
I shall let you decide.
Shall I release
this Messiah, Jesus,
or this murderer, Barabbas?
They said the Messiah
would be a warrior.
Does that man
look like a warrior?
What kind of charlatan claims
to be the Son of God himself?
Look at him. He's weak.
-He's weak!
-No.
-He's not our King.
-No, please stop.
I heard he wants
to tear down our temple.
He should pay.
-Make him pay!
-No!
False prophet!
He claims to be king.
Please stop!
Ah!
He is the Messiah!
I'm telling the truth.
Jesus, please.
Now's your time.
Tell them.
Declare yourself King,
and we'll follow you forever.
Jesus.
Well, are you their king?
Crucify him!
Crucify him!
No! No!
Jesus, please.
Crucify him!
Free Barabbas!
Crucify him!
He's not our King!
I'll take him
from here.
Ah!
Huh?
Go home.
You shouldn't have to bear
witness to what happens next.
He's not our King.
Kill Jesus!
Jesus!
-Ah.
-No!
Jesus.
Move.
Get up.
Hmph!
Out of the way.
Let's go.
Keep moving.
My boy!
My boy.
No!
No.
He could stop this.
He could call on God.
- He could defeat--
- He's not
gonna do that, John.
When Jesus was born,
a prophet told me that my son
would be the light
of all Israel.
My little boy would change
the world.
But the cost would be...
The cost would be like a sword
piercing my soul.
And I'm so, so thankful.
Thankful?
I got to be his mother
for his whole life.
And now...
he needs me
to be there with him.
She's right.
We can't leave him now.
Move!
Father, forgive them.
They know not what they do.
No!
Ah!
No!
You're the son of God.
Call down your father
and save us.
Silence!
We deserve this.
But that man is innocent.
Messiah, please remember me,
when you pass
into your kingdom.
Today, you will be with me
in paradise.
It is finished.
Jesus.
Ah... truly, this man
was the Son of God.
Excuse me.
My name is Joseph of Arimathea.
My family tomb
is the largest in Jerusalem.
Fit for a King, you could say.
I do hope it is, for I offer
it now to my King.
Thank you.
Zebedee!
Oh!
-Could you help me with this?
-Got it.
Oh, yeah. Oh! Ah.
Are we really supposed to just
go back to our old lives?
What do we do now?
You're asking me?
I don't know what to do.
But someone once told me
that God rarely shows up
in the way we think he will.
Jesus won't leave us
in the dark.
John, he died.
That was the point.
His death isn't the end.
It's the beginning.
How's the fishing?
Uh, it's pretty bad.
Drop the net off
the far side of the boat.
It's Him. It's Him!
-It's Him!
-He's back!
-Cast the nets!
-Here, quick!
Go, go, go!
Yeah!
It can't be.
In the beginning,
was nothing but darkness.
Then God said,
"Let there be light."
He made us in His image.
And we lived with Him
in a perfect garden.
But we disobeyed Him.
We chose darkness,
and it filled our hearts.
We lost our relationship
with Him.
But God did not abandon us.
He sent us a mighty King,
the Messiah.
He didn't come to conquer.
He came to serve.
He didn't come to defeat
our enemies.
He came to show us
how to love them.
He didn't come to condemn us
in our darkness.
But to fill us with His light,
and lead us back to God.
He is the one
who defeated death.
He is the one who rose again.
He is... my friend.
I will be with you always.
He is the light
of the world.
John!
John!
I ran.
I can see you ran.
I ran out of reasons
not to believe.
I see now.
It was your faith in Jesus
that always led you down
the right path.
Even when everything seemed
hopeless, you believed.
I'm ready.
But how do I...
It starts with a prayer.
Jesus, you died upon a cross.
Jesus, you died
upon a cross.
And rose again
to save the lost.
And rose again
to save the lost.
Forgive me now
of all my sin.
Come be my Savior,
Lord, and friend.
Change my life and make it new.
And help me, Lord,
to live for you.
Jesus, you died
upon a cross,
and rose again to
save the lost.
Forgive me now of all my sin.
Come be my Savior, Lord,
and friend.
Change my life, and
make it new.
And help me, Lord,
to live for you.
Mama! James and I want to
hear the creation story again.
All right, all right, John.
Both of you sit down,
and listen closely.
In the beginning,
was nothing but darkness.
Then God said,
"Let there be light."
Over six days, He spoke
all things into existence.
And then He made us,
His children,
created in His image.
We lived with Him together,
in a perfect garden.
There was just one rule.
Do not eat from
the forbidden tree.
But we didn't trust Him.
We disobeyed.
And in our shame,
we fled from God's light,
into a dark, and dying world.
Our world.
Wait, Mama!
I don't like the dark.
We're scared. Right, James?
Yeah, maybe just skip
to the part
where you-know-who shows up?
Don't be afraid, John.
I was just getting
to the best part.
Separated from God's light,
what hope did we have?
Alone in the darkness.
But God did not abandon us.
He promised to send
a mighty king to save us.
The Messiah.
He will overcome the darkness,
and make all things
right again.
Yeah,
by destroying our enemies!
Yah! Yah!
His kingdom of light
will last forever!
Yah! Yah!
He'll defeat Rome,
and free us all.
Hush, boys.
Someone might hear you.
Zebedee, they're just excited.
I've heard rumors the Messiah
is already here,
waiting to reveal himself.
Already here?
The fishmonger told me
this story about a bright star
that appeared when
the Messiah was born.
Salome, I'm sorry,
but do you hear yourself?
Magic, stars,
fish-market gossip?
We have to focus
on what's real.
Working hard,
and not crossing Rome.
No!
Stop!
Papa!
Don't take my Papa!
We always pay our taxes
to Rome.
We just need
a little more time.
It's too late for that.
If we couldn't catch
enough fish before,
how are we supposed to,
with him in prison?
Not our problem.
We have to help them!
John, no!
John, stop!
There's nothing we can do.
No one is coming to save us.
We have to keep our heads down,
and take care of ourselves.
They needed our help.
Come, boys.
Bedtime.
-Mama?
-Hmm?
Is Papa right?
Is the Messiah not real?
Your father just wants
to keep you safe.
But the Messiah is real.
He'll be our King,
to bring us out
of the darkness.
He will be
the light of the world.
Be ready, John!
Looks like there's
a storm on the horizon!
I'll have to steer us
toward calm waters.
Sails up! Oars down!
Rough waters ahead!
-Oh no!
-Ha ha!
- A rogue wave!
- Ah!
Boys!
Aah! A sea monster,
approaching off the bow!
-Stern.
-Stern.
Hmph! Stop playing around.
The tax collector
is on his way.
James, I need you to get
these fish to the market,
and get back with the money
as quick as you can.
You told me to help Peter
with his nets.
I can do it!
Whoa!
Oh! Ah!
Uh, I don't think so.
You have to trust him
at some point.
See?
Fine.
You won't regret it!
-I know a shortcut!
-No shortcuts.
Just go the normal way.
Are you sure
you have to go, Andrew?
Peter, I have to see
if the rumors
about the Messiah are true.
I'll be back in a few days.
Well, if you find him,
ask him if he needs a servant.
I don't think my brother's
cut out to be a fisherman.
No, this isn't right.
Ah!
Excuse me!
Comin' through!
Pardon! Pardon!
Whoa!
-Oh! Oof!
-Hey!
Sorry, teacher!
Aah!
Whoa!
Sorry!
Guess I'm not
the only catch of the day.
Excuse me!
Aha!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Oh!
Ahem! I would like
to sell some fish.
Oh, your father normally
sends, um, the bigger one.
You know, the stronger one,
seems a little smarter.
Hmm, if we could please hurry
this along, that'd be great.
- Ah!
- Can I help you with something?
Actually, could you
pass me that hammer?
This is yours? Ah.
He's not
at the Jordan River, is he?
-Who?
-Your brother,
the more handsome one.
Oh. No. Hey!
A whole group of people
left this morning.
They said the Messiah
was down at the Jordan River.
My papa says
the Messiah isn't real.
He's just a story.
But you know what is real?
Yeah, uh-huh.
Four...
five...
For the record,
the Messiah is real.
One day he'll show up
and punish the wicked,
defeat the Romans,
and give those crooked tax
collectors what they deserve.
Yes, crooked tax collectors,
like the one coming
to my house right now.
Could we...
All right, then.
-You're all set.
-Thank you.
You'll never make it, though.
Not in this traffic.
-Oh, no.
-Ah, finished.
Ah! Thanks.
He's never gonna make it.
I think he'll find his way.
-Quiet!
-Aah!
Leave me alone!
Please, help me.
I... I can't.
This is
the worst shortcut ever.
Should still be enough.
Hi, I'm John.
What's your name?
Josiah.
-Here.
-Thank you.
You're welcome.
You, fish boy!
Fish boy?
Uh-oh.
Waah!
Wah! Oh, no!
People have been killed
for less than what you've done.
An assault on me
is an assault on Rome.
-Look, two babies on a wolf!
-Huh?
Oof! Ah!
No one makes a fool of Rome!
I'll find you!
Now, Levi.
Can I call you Levi?
My name is Matthew.
Levi, some boats are big,
and then, some boats are small.
-Yeah, uh-huh, but--
-But the thing is,
they almost all have nets.
Makes sense, but Zebedee--
And the secret
to pulling in the big fish...
-Yeah, uh-huh?
-Three-day-old bait.
Zebedee! We've been listening
to fishing stories all morning.
I could catch fish by now.
-You're welcome.
-Your taxes.
Can you pay them or not?
Uh, yes, of course.
See, my son John is...
right here with your money.
I... I ran.
We can see you ran.
-I ran into a Roman.
-That's great, John.
Let's just get Levi his money.
It's Matthew!
And it's not my money.
- I'm just doing my job.
- John.
Papa, I...
Oh, no.
Look, I can help.
I can give you three more days.
-For a fee.
-What?
You're charging us extra?
We all have
our masters to serve.
This is the best I can do.
-But it's not fair!
-Easy, John.
There's no reasoning
with traitors.
What did he say?
He called you a traitor,
because that's what you are!
You're a traitor
to your own people.
You know what? Fine.
Let's make it double.
Now you owe double.
- John!
- This isn't fair!
One day you're gonna get yours,
you drunken--
Ah! Ah! Aah!
-Aah! Oh...
-James, I'm sorry.
Double. Double's fine.
Double's great.
It didn't have to be this way.
Three days,
double what you owe.
And if you can't pay,
we take your father to prison.
Ah!
Papa?
He needs to heal.
Papa, I can help.
Not today, little fish.
You've helped enough.
-But--
-Zebedee.
Peter, what are you doing?
You have your own fish
to catch.
Listen, when they came
for my father,
you were the only one
who took care of my family.
All these years,
you've showed up.
-Peter, I...
-Now it's my turn to show up.
I already lost one father
to a Roman prison.
I'm not going to lose another.
I'm just sorry Andrew
isn't here to help.
I can help.
Every time he hears a rumor
about the Messiah,
he takes off in that direction.
Uh-huh. And who's
the Messiah this time?
Someone called The
Baptizer, down at the river.
You want to help?
Stay here, and mend nets
with your mother.
Hmph.
It just seems like nothing
I do ever helps anyone.
John, what do you see?
A net?
You might see a net.
What I see is a promise.
Your father thinks
that he's responsible
for catching the fish.
Isn't he?
No, it's just his job
to cast the nets.
Then we trust God
to provide the fish.
It's the same
as trusting God's promises.
Even when we find ourselves
adrift in the deepest,
darkest waters,
even when all hope is lost,
we still cast our nets, and
trust they won't come up empty.
-You're right!
-I am?
We need people
who can cast nets!
-We need Andrew!
-Andrew?
And the fishmonger said
that the Messiah is
at the Jordan River!
I bet that's where Andrew is!
We'll go there, bring him back,
he'll help us fish, we'll get
the money, and save Papa!
- Simple!
- John...
I love you.
Um, which way is the...
Jordan River.
Right.
Muah!
The river!
Andrew?
Hello?
Huh.
Honey?
Huh? Is someone up there?
Hey there! How's your
hand-eye coordination?
- My what?
- Catch!
Ah! Ah! Ah! Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oof.
Oh, that's just great. Oh!
- Yah! Whoa!
- Blah!
Whoa-hoa! Yah!
-Hi! Hurry now!
-Wah!
I'd say we have
about 26 seconds.
Hey, who's Andrew?
Huh? Oh, my friend Andrew.
He's at the part of the river
where people
are being baptized.
Oof!
-What happens in 26 seconds?
-More like 14 now.
-How about you just come with
me?
-You know where they are?
- Wah!
- I hope so!
I'm the one doing
the baptizing! Ha ha!
Really? You're The Baptizer?
-Four seconds.
-Until what?
-Bees!
-Bees?
- Run!
- Aah! Bees!
And that happens every time?
Oh, they do not appreciate us
taking of God's bounty.
But this will feed
lots of people
who are waiting to be baptized.
Uh, what is baptized?
Well, it represents
starting over.
You are dunked under the water,
and come out clean.
Then you get eaten?
Oh, well, not that part.
I just like bugs.
Why do we need to start over?
We've all done things
we shouldn't have.
Hmm.
Looks like those honeycombs
aren't the only things
you're carrying.
I think my papa's going
to go to prison because of me.
I lost my temper.
I don't know
what's wrong with me.
There's nothing so broken
that God can't fix.
Baptism is a way
of saying to God,
"I turn away from
my darkness, and I choose
your light instead."
So the water washes away
the darkness?
No, no, it's just a symbol.
But very soon,
the Messiah will come,
and truly make us clean,
restoring our relationship
with God.
Wait, aren't you
supposed to be the Messiah?
Aren't you?
The people say this
Baptizer is the Messiah.
They think the cleansing
of this madman brings them
closer to God.
Ooh, closer to God?
Sounds like a good thing to me.
- Ahem!
- Hmm?
Oh! Hmm.
The only way to God
is through the law,
ritual cleansing,
temple sacrifice,
the spilt blood
of innocent lambs.
The only way to God
is through us.
- Precisely.
- High Priest Caiaphas.
Your job is to keep and enforce
our holy laws, Nicodemus,
not fall to pieces
every time a dirty hermit
starts preaching
in the wilderness.
The Baptizer is no Messiah.
He is nothing.
But tell that to the hundreds
going to see him,
even some of our
fellow Pharisees.
Maybe they see
something we don't.
I tell you what I see.
If the people like his message,
they'll follow him, not us.
We'll lose control.
What would Rome say of that?
Hmm...
It's true.
Governor Pontius Pilate
demands our loyalty.
He counts on us
to keep our people in line.
Fine. Go, now.
Deal with this Baptizer
before it's too late.
He's here!
It's The Baptizer.
Come, come. Don't be shy, now.
There's enough for everybody.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
Ooh! Oh,
that gets me every time.
-John?
-Andrew, I found you.
What? I just found you.
We have to go back.
Papa is going to prison
in two days,
-if we can't catch
enough fish, we--
-Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.
John, I can't come back now.
What? Why?
They say he's the Messiah.
I have to find out
if that's true.
Out, out of the way.
Is it true?
Do you claim to be the Messiah?
-Of course not.
-How dare--Oh.
Well, there's your answer.
Let's go.
But I am preparing
the way for him.
The Messiah
is among us already.
The Messiah is here?
Everyone must ready
their hearts for his coming.
Even you, who teach God's law,
must turn from
your wicked ways.
How dare you!
We are the holy leaders
of these people.
Does that mean
you want to go first?
-Huh!
-Oh! Oy!
Come, let us report back
to Caiaphas.
We should go, too.
He said the Messiah
was among us already.
-Huh?
-He knows
where we can find him.
But my Papa--
John, the Messiah
could change everything.
You said we had two days.
Just give me one.
Fine.
-Excuse me.
-Whoa! Ah!
John, you can't just
approach a prophet!
Hello again.
Wait, you two know each other?
You said the Messiah was here.
- Where is he?
- Well, not here.
- But I can tell you
where to find him.
Oh, please.
If it meant
meeting the Messiah,
I'd face the darkest,
most dreadful,
most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
A wedding?
Huh! I love weddings.
The baptizer said the Messiah's
name is Jesus, from Nazareth.
The quicker we find him,
the quicker we can go home.
Here we come, Messiah! Woo!
I can't let you in
looking like that.
- What?
- You look like a human beehive.
Hey, you guys,
take those to the kitchen.
Hmm!
Welcome, tonight we celebrate
my son, and his new bride.
Don't just stand there.
Serve the wine.
Hmm. Oh-- hey!
-Do any of you know a Jesus?
-Uh, no.
Jesus?
Do you know
someone named Jesus?
Yes, I'm Jesus.
Jesus of Nazareth?
-Uh, Jesus of Canaan.
-Oh, sorry.
Jesus!
Jesus?
Any Jesuses over here--
ah! Whoa!
- Huh. Hmm?
- Oh,
can you hand me that?
Sure.
So, you're here serving?
Me? Oh, no.
I'd be a terrible servant.
Hey, it's you,
from the marketplace.
Hello.
You sent me down that alley.
If I hadn't gone that way,
none of this bad stuff
would have happened
to my family.
Sometimes the right path
isn't the easy path.
Just because something
seems broken, doesn't mean
it can't be fixed.
Ah. Better?
Yeah, it's beautiful.
Ah.
You're not going
to eat that, are you?
Ew, no.
Why would you say that?
I knew a guy who ate those.
-The Baptizer.
-The Baptizer?
With the honey,
and the wild hair.
Yes.
Oh, I've had to live
out in the wilderness,
but for him, it's...
A choice.
What is it?
He made a choice.
He chose to believe.
-His faith in the Messiah
is so strong, but I...
-Worry it's just a story?
That's what you said
in the marketplace, right?
What your father said?
He tells me not
to hope for a Messiah.
That no one is coming.
Of course, my mother, she has
total trust in God's promises.
Just like The Baptizer.
So what do you believe?
- Jesus!
- Jesus?
-Mama?
-Oh, my son!
Are you eating enough?
You're so thin, are you sick?
-Are you cleaning
behind your ears?
-Mother, please!
You're Jesus of Nazareth?
Hello, I'm Mary.
Are you friends with my son?
Oh, no. I...
Hi, I'm John.
So, you're the...
Oh no, I've ruined everything!
Emil, is everything all right?
There's no more wine!
They'll be humiliated
in front of the whole town!
It's all my fault!
Don't worry.
-We'll take care of it.
-Oh! Oh, no. What have I done?
It's not time to show them
who I really am.
Do whatever he says.
Fill them with clean water.
Here, take this to Emil.
-Uh...
-My cup is empty!
Is there any more wine?
I was told to give you
this, sir.
Oh! This is...
delicious!
Come, rejoice!
We've saved the very best
wine for last!
My son and his bride
are truly blessed!
Oh, Messiah.
We'll follow you through
the darkest, most dreadful,
most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
It is such an honor
to finally meet you.
You have no idea...
Is he really the...
I knew who my son was
before he was born.
Many prophets
spoke of his birth.
I know how it sounds.
He was born in a stable.
We were far from home,
and I had to lay him
in a manger,
where the animals
had been eating.
No one knew where we were,
but this brilliant angel
-appeared in the sky overhead.
-Wait.
My mama told me
a story like this.
-It's true?
-It led them to us.
Shepherds, magi, believers,
they all came to worship
this little baby,
who'd been born among
the animals, because they knew.
Knew what?
That God rarely shows up
in the ways you think he will.
Oh...
It doesn't make sense.
We fished all night,
and nothing.
I won't let them
take you to prison.
No, I don't want
you making any trouble.
- It's me!
- They're here.
-I'm going quietly.
-No, Zebedee.
Look!
- They're here!
- Papa!
-Hi!
-Look who showed back up.
I'm here to help!
Thanks again for coming along.
Of course.
Now I just need to convince
my Papa to let you help.
Andrew, faster!
Oh! I'm going as fast as I can!
Papa!
-Mm!
-Ah, my little fish,
you're back.
But you're too late.
It's okay.
I brought someone who can help.
This is Jesus.
Never heard of him.
-Does he fish?
-Actually, I'm a carpenter.
He did teach from a boat, once.
-Is he serious?
-John, who is this?
Uh, well, he's...
-He can protect us.
-He's the Messiah!
-Really, John?
-He turned water into wine.
- Yeah!
- -No, we've talked about this.
But Papa, it was amazing.
It's just a story.
Look,
I'm sorry my son was--
Cast your nets
into the deep water.
What? No.
Enough of this nonsense.
No. Papa, wait.
-What are you doing?
-It's Him!
John, stop.
He's... the Messiah!
Huh?
No! Boys!
John,
I thought you knew better.
-Uh, Papa?
-Huh?
Heave, quick!
We're gonna need
a bigger boat! Ah!
-Whoa!
-There's so much fish!
Andrew, Peter,
James, John.
It's time.
My Kingdom is here.
Leave your nets to follow me,
and I'll make
you fishers of men.
You can't go.
- What?
- You're not going.
But, Papa!
I'll talk to him.
We need them here.
One big catch
doesn't solve everything.
There'll be more taxes.
That's exactly why
we need to let them go.
Hmph!
Are there enough fish
in that sea
to pay everyone's taxes?
To set our people free?
At least hear him out.
John.
John, I'm just trying
to protect you.
You always say we have
to keep our heads down.
Take care of ourselves.
-But you didn't.
-What do you mean?
When they took away Peter
and Andrew's father,
you helped them.
You kept food on their table,
taught them to fish.
They were hurting,
and you showed up.
Papa, he's helping people.
I wanna be a part of that.
This is my chance to show up.
Thank you,
thank you, thank you!
I love you.
I love you, Mama.
James.
You take care of him.
-Ha!
-Ah!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Let me be the first
to say, I'll follow you
into the most unimaginable
ordeal imaginable.
Hey! I already said that.
-I--I found him first.
-Found him first?
He's not a seashell
on the beach.
To change the world,
we need both faithful hearts,
and a strong foundation.
A rock. With those,
we can build something great.
Yeah!
Jesus! We're coming too!
Yeah!
Our King, we won't rest
until you sit
on your throne, in Jerusalem.
You will have many followers,
but we're your only Disciples.
- Your Disciples have arrived.
-Huh?
My friends!
That's a lot of fish.
You see fish, I see
a profitable day at the market.
-Who are these guys?
-These are my other Disciples.
This is Judas.
If you couldn't tell,
he's the money guy.
-I'm Simon.
-The zealot.
-And proud of it.
-Oh, yeah?
Well, I'm Peter, the rock.
Jesus called him that
one time.
-Just now.
-Hey!
- You're nothing.
- You're so small.
- No!
- You're nothing.
You're nothing.
You're nothing.
- Please, help me.
- Huh?
- They won't leave me alone!
- Aah! Waah!
Careful, Jesus.
There's something
wrong with her.
It's okay, Peter.
This is why I came.
Mary Magdalene.
How do you know me?
I see you, Mary.
Be healed.
The voices.
They're gone.
Oh! Whoa!
You're him, aren't you?
You're really him!
Messiah! My King!
Don't mind me.
I'll just sit right here.
- Welcome.
- Thanks for coming.
Watch your step.
Please, right this way.
Come, all who are weary.
I will give you rest.
Jesus, don't do that.
It's servant's work.
Andrew, in my Kingdom,
those who serve others
will be the greatest.
Welcome.
Word travels fast.
I'm not sure everyone will fit.
-Another Messiah?
-This is getting old.
You, holy men!
Why are all these
people gathering?
Honorable Lucius, we were
just about to look into it.
Hey!
Uh-oh.
John? Where are you going?
Please, I must see the Messiah.
Isn't there any room?
No. I'm sorry to let you down.
"Let you down!"
Hey! I have an idea!
So, I say to you
above all else...
- Coming through!
- ...love God.
-And love your neighbors.
-Explain yourself!
With what authority
do you teach these people?
I think you know.
Do you dare claim your
authority comes from above?
Room for one more?
My Messiah,
I haven't lived a perfect life,
but I couldn't miss
the chance to meet you.
Please, forgive my sins.
Friend, all your sins
are forgiven.
Only God can forgive sins!
Do you claim to be God?
Which is easier to say,
"Your sins are forgiven,"
or, "Be healed?"
So you know that I have
the power to forgive sins.
I say, stand and walk.
Whoa! Ah! Oh!
Mm!
It's really you!
You are the Messiah!
Ha! Excuse me.
- Oh!
- Huh?
He's healed?
He did it!
Jesus healed him!
-Fish boy?
-"Fish boy?"
-Fish boy!
-Bring him to me!
Waah!
Whoa!
Hmph!
-Waah!
-Oof!
Whoa!
Uh...
Bye-bye.
Whoa! Aah!
Oof! Aah! Oof!
Whoa! Oh!
Tell me about this Jesus.
Oh!
Jesus!
Hello, John.
Hi.
This boy says he serves you.
He tells me you are a man
with the power to heal.
My servant,
a man very dear to me,
lies dying in my home.
And you want me
to come heal him?
No.
I believe in your authority.
Thus, if you say
my servant is healed,
then he is healed.
This Roman's faith is greater
than anyone in all Judea!
Than any of you!
Let him be healed,
just as you believe.
Ah!
What just happened?
I think Jesus
just helped our enemy.
Why would you help him?
Hmm.
Come.
Let me tell you a story.
A traveler set out
from his town upon a dark road,
unaware that thieves
waited in the shadows.
-Ha!
-Oh!
Broken and robbed,
the traveler held out little
hope of surviving the night.
A priest happened by.
Surely, the traveler was saved.
No.
The priest moved on.
Then a holy man came by.
Surely, this time
the traveler was rescued.
And yet, he too, passed by.
Deep into the night he waited,
his hope nearly gone.
Then, he heard one last
set of footsteps.
But this time it was
no priest or a holy man.
It was his people's enemy,
a Samaritan.
The Samaritan did not
harm the man or leave him.
He saved the traveler.
And in so doing, he honored God
more than the priest
or the holy man ever could.
Because you cannot love God
without loving your neighbor.
So, who is your neighbor?
You dropped this.
Oh, thanks.
God knows your heart, Matthew.
Leave this, and follow me.
It's always good
to have another option,
in case things
don't go as planned.
My friends, it's time
we spread the good word
of my Kingdom
throughout all Judea.
High Priest Caiaphas,
thank you for meeting me.
Make this quick.
What news of this Jesus?
He moves through
the countryside,
wandering from town to town,
claiming to be the Messiah.
Claiming to be God!
And yet, I don't see
the man in chains.
High Priest, no one could
perform the miracles he does
if God were not with him.
They said similar things
about The Baptizer.
And look what happened to him.
Sad. He seemed nice.
Nicodemus, you're a fool.
Jesus undermines
the very establishment
that keeps you in power.
Soon, thousands
from these countryside towns
will flock to Jerusalem
for the Passover festival.
If we don't stop Jesus
from passing through
those city gates,
the people will rise up
and crown him king!
Rome will lose control.
I don't serve Rome.
I serve God.
Search the area.
Arrest Jesus,
and bring this to an end.
You forget your place,
Nicodemus.
I am your High Priest.
I won't be
a part of this.
Nicodemus.
Nicodemus, come back.
Nicodemus!
Ah! All this from five loaves,
and two fish?
If we hurry,
we can get to the next town
before the storm hits.
I'll get Jesus.
Hmm?
I brought snacks.
Oh, uh...
Uh, are you okay?
Did you know The Baptizer's
real name was John?
Like you?
I guess maybe I never
thought of him like that.
Like what?
I mean, he's this
big voice in the wilderness.
It's easy to forget
he's just a person like me.
A good person.
A good friend.
Behold!
The Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world.
My friend, I've come
to be baptized.
But Jesus, I... I can't.
You're the only one
who doesn't need
to be baptized.
You've--
You've never disobeyed God.
I obey God by being baptized.
This is my son,
whom I love,
and am pleased with.
Jesus, did something happen?
Hmm.
They're coming! Temple guards!
They're coming for Jesus!
They arrested The Baptizer?
We need to do something!
John, they killed him.
They killed him?
-Why?
-He spoke the truth,
and sometimes evil men silence
those who speak the truth.
My time draws near.
Soon, you will see me
raised up, and glorified.
Why does that sound
like a bad thing?
John! Jesus!
We have to leave now!
The temple guards are coming!
-Go.
-Wait, what?
-Trust me.
-Come on, John.
Quickly, hurry.
Where's Jesus?
He told us
to go on without him.
No! Jesus!
No!
Hang on! Hang on!
Grab the rope! Hurry!
Aah!
Oh! Whoa!
Huh? Wha--
A ghost!
What?
There, walking on the water.
That's impossible.
Don't be afraid.
Jesus?
Come, Peter.
Peter, are you sure?
Trust me.
Oh!
He's doing it.
Peter!
Peter.
I have to go back.
Peter, give me your hand!
Peter, no!
Jesus?
Truly, you are the Son
of the living God.
It's time we head to Jerusalem
for the Passover festival.
It's time for my Kingdom
to be revealed.
Time the people met their King!
Yeah!
Yeah!
Soon we will all be free
of Roman taxes.
Yeah!
We'll gather all the Messiah's
true believers.
Yeah!
- We'll collect money!
- Yeah?
-Okay...
-Um...
Uh, for feeding the hungry!
Yeah!
And once we've gathered
his followers,
with all the city watching,
Jesus will ride
to Governor Pontius Pilate
on a mighty steed.
Jesus will stand,
declare himself King,
and the governor will have
no choice but to say...
You are the Messiah,
the true King of all kings.
All glory is yours.
All of Jerusalem is yours.
Yeah!
Woo! Jerusalem!
Jesus will be raised up,
and glorified!
- Yeah!
- I can't wait!
-Mm-hmm!
-Yeah!
Father, tonight I'm not
praying for the world.
I'm praying for my friends.
They don't know it yet, but...
things are about to get
so much worse.
Whoa!
Soon, I'll be in
your presence once more,
glorified with you,
like in the beginning.
Please, protect them
when I'm gone,
especially the weakest.
What?
We have very different
definitions of mighty steed.
Be ready for anything.
What is it?
They're all here for you,
to raise you up,
just like you said.
-Jesus?
-I--
We go in three...
two...
one!
Wow!
It's the Messiah!
Jesus is King!
He turned water into wine.
He's the King of all kings!
He healed my legs.
His power and love
know no bounds.
He fixed my stall.
It was adequate.
Jesus, my boy!
Praise him! He healed me!
Yeah!
Messiah!
Did you see that?
Jesus waved at me!
Yeah! Let's hear it!
How dare they call you Messiah!
Silence these people now!
If not these people,
then the rocks themselves
would shout to Heaven.
It's time for all nature
to celebrate.
The mute will speak.
The deaf will hear.
The blind will see.
Ah!
We love you, Jesus!
The crowd will never
let us arrest him now.
Yes, we're quickly
losing our numbers.
Argh! We'll have
to make our move.
We just need a way
to get to him.
Leave that to me.
Even his followers
have a price.
Pardon me.
Ah! Oh!
-Huh?
-Ah! Oh!
Is it true what Jesus said
about healing the blind?
It's true.
Oh, I see.
Would you like to... see?
Jesus!
Open your eyes.
I can see!
My Messiah!
Oh! Oh! Yes!
Oh, do-- do look out
for that low branch up ahead.
This is it!
It's time to gather
the Messiah's followers.
Jerusalem will be ours again!
It'll be ours! Jerusalem!
Yeah!
The best day of my life.
Whatever you're going to do...
do it quickly.
Jesus! Did you see
that crowd today?
They loved you!
Jesus, really.
What is it?
Please, sit.
For ages, you have sacrificed
your best lambs
as a temporary payment
for disobeying God.
Now I offer myself
as the ultimate payment.
My body,
and blood.
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
What does this have to do
with you becoming King?
John, now is the time
for me to be glorified.
I won't be with you
much longer.
-What?
-Huh?
-What--What?
-What does that mean?
-This doesn't make any sense.
-So I leave you with this.
Love one another the same way
I've loved you.
Share my love with the world,
and God will bless you for it.
What? Where are you going?
We'll all follow you anywhere.
My friends, one of you
will betray me tonight.
What?
No! It can't be.
That'll never happen
on my watch.
Peter, you,
out of all my Disciples,
will deny you even know me.
That's not true.
Three times, before the rooster
crows tomorrow morning.
I'll suffer many things at
the hands of the chief priests.
They'll condemn me to death,
deliver me to the Romans
to be mocked,
whipped, and killed.
What? No!
And after three days,
I'll return.
I refuse to believe it!
-Jesus, no!
-You have to listen to us.
-I can't believe that!
-Enough.
Come, let's return
to the garden of Gethsemane.
I'll show Jesus.
-We'll protect him.
-Wait!
We can hide him
in the garden,
until it's time
to sound the attack.
Peter, I saw something.
Oh...
John, come on!
All clear.
Thank you, Peter.
I need to pray.
Stay here, and keep watch.
You can count on us, Jesus.
Wait, Jesus.
What was that back there?
Why are you talking
about dying?
Are you going to defeat
the Romans or not?
No.
So you're just gonna let them
kill you?
I thought you came
to fix things.
To make things right.
I did.
John, in the stories
your mother used to tell you,
what was the worst thing
that happened in the garden?
We disobeyed God,
and then darkness
entered the world.
No.
You disobeyed God, and darkness
entered your hearts.
I didn't come just to fix
a broken world, John.
I came to fix your broken
relationship with God.
The only way to free you
from darkness
is for someone free of darkness
to die in your place.
The perfect sacrifice.
You.
This is how I'm glorified.
This is how darkness
is defeated.
But I don't want you to die.
John, my death is not the end.
It's the beginning.
I'm choosing this.
And I'm asking you to trust me.
Father, please let this
suffering pass from me.
But if this suffering
can't be taken away,
please give me
the strength to do it.
Ah!
It's time.
Which one?
Judas?
No.
They were closing in.
I chose another option.
Judas, you betray
your friend with a kiss.
Your friend?
Take him!
Not on my watch!
Peter!
That was never what
I needed from you.
Those who live by the sword
die by the sword.
I could have called upon
my Father at any point.
He would have wiped out
all our enemies.
Here, let me help you.
Wha--
Take him!
No!
And arrest the others.
John, come on!
Peter!
Peter!
Get out of here, now!
Come on, Peter.
Come on, let's go.
I'll go see what's going on.
We can still save him.
Go wait by the fire.
Huh! Your following
has grown, I see.
King of kings, they call you.
Do you have nothing
to say for yourself?
I heard the people
call you the...
The Messiah.
You're one of his
followers, right?
Uh, no, no, you're mi--
you're mistaken.
Speak up!
Are you the son of God or not?
I am who you say I am.
Speak up! I heard him
call you one of his Disciples.
I'm not who you think I am.
I saw him with Jesus, too.
He should be in there
with Jesus.
He's no king.
He's just another false prophet.
See, you have now heard
the blasphemy.
What do you think?
He deserves death!
I heard Jesus call you
his friend.
Yeah, he's one
of his followers.
-Tell the Pharisees.
-We're not friends.
You have to listen to me.
I swear, I don't know
that man in there!
Ah!
No.
Oh...
Take him
to Governor Pontius Pilate.
No!
Peter?
Ah!
What is it now?
Please forgive the intrusion,
Governor Pilate.
We, your humble servants, have
caught this criminal, Jesus.
Then use your own laws
to punish him.
I'm busy with the affairs
of Rome.
Sir, he is a threat to Rome.
The people declare him
King of the Jews.
King of all kings.
Above our own Emperor Caesar.
Is it true?
Are you King of all kings?
My Kingdom is not
of this world.
Ha! So you are a king, then.
This man has developed
a large following.
They could revolt.
Remove you from power.
Have you no defense?
Don't you realize I have
the power to decide your fate?
You would have no power over me
if it were not given to you
by my Father.
I speak the truth.
What is truth?
I see no fault with this man.
But, once a year,
for your little
Passover festival,
we allow your people to choose
one prisoner to set free.
Have him beaten, and let
the crowds decide his fate.
I wash my hands
of the whole affair.
Bring them out.
Bring them out.
Now is the time.
No, Jesus!
Get up!
Your high priests tell me
that this man
is guilty of rebellion.
But I am a governor
of the people.
I shall let you decide.
Shall I release
this Messiah, Jesus,
or this murderer, Barabbas?
They said the Messiah
would be a warrior.
Does that man
look like a warrior?
What kind of charlatan claims
to be the Son of God himself?
Look at him. He's weak.
-He's weak!
-No.
-He's not our King.
-No, please stop.
I heard he wants
to tear down our temple.
He should pay.
-Make him pay!
-No!
False prophet!
He claims to be king.
Please stop!
Ah!
He is the Messiah!
I'm telling the truth.
Jesus, please.
Now's your time.
Tell them.
Declare yourself King,
and we'll follow you forever.
Jesus.
Well, are you their king?
Crucify him!
Crucify him!
No! No!
Jesus, please.
Crucify him!
Free Barabbas!
Crucify him!
He's not our King!
I'll take him
from here.
Ah!
Huh?
Go home.
You shouldn't have to bear
witness to what happens next.
He's not our King.
Kill Jesus!
Jesus!
-Ah.
-No!
Jesus.
Move.
Get up.
Hmph!
Out of the way.
Let's go.
Keep moving.
My boy!
My boy.
No!
No.
He could stop this.
He could call on God.
- He could defeat--
- He's not
gonna do that, John.
When Jesus was born,
a prophet told me that my son
would be the light
of all Israel.
My little boy would change
the world.
But the cost would be...
The cost would be like a sword
piercing my soul.
And I'm so, so thankful.
Thankful?
I got to be his mother
for his whole life.
And now...
he needs me
to be there with him.
She's right.
We can't leave him now.
Move!
Father, forgive them.
They know not what they do.
No!
Ah!
No!
You're the son of God.
Call down your father
and save us.
Silence!
We deserve this.
But that man is innocent.
Messiah, please remember me,
when you pass
into your kingdom.
Today, you will be with me
in paradise.
It is finished.
Jesus.
Ah... truly, this man
was the Son of God.
Excuse me.
My name is Joseph of Arimathea.
My family tomb
is the largest in Jerusalem.
Fit for a King, you could say.
I do hope it is, for I offer
it now to my King.
Thank you.
Zebedee!
Oh!
-Could you help me with this?
-Got it.
Oh, yeah. Oh! Ah.
Are we really supposed to just
go back to our old lives?
What do we do now?
You're asking me?
I don't know what to do.
But someone once told me
that God rarely shows up
in the way we think he will.
Jesus won't leave us
in the dark.
John, he died.
That was the point.
His death isn't the end.
It's the beginning.
How's the fishing?
Uh, it's pretty bad.
Drop the net off
the far side of the boat.
It's Him. It's Him!
-It's Him!
-He's back!
-Cast the nets!
-Here, quick!
Go, go, go!
Yeah!
It can't be.
In the beginning,
was nothing but darkness.
Then God said,
"Let there be light."
He made us in His image.
And we lived with Him
in a perfect garden.
But we disobeyed Him.
We chose darkness,
and it filled our hearts.
We lost our relationship
with Him.
But God did not abandon us.
He sent us a mighty King,
the Messiah.
He didn't come to conquer.
He came to serve.
He didn't come to defeat
our enemies.
He came to show us
how to love them.
He didn't come to condemn us
in our darkness.
But to fill us with His light,
and lead us back to God.
He is the one
who defeated death.
He is the one who rose again.
He is... my friend.
I will be with you always.
He is the light
of the world.
John!
John!
I ran.
I can see you ran.
I ran out of reasons
not to believe.
I see now.
It was your faith in Jesus
that always led you down
the right path.
Even when everything seemed
hopeless, you believed.
I'm ready.
But how do I...
It starts with a prayer.
Jesus, you died upon a cross.
Jesus, you died
upon a cross.
And rose again
to save the lost.
And rose again
to save the lost.
Forgive me now
of all my sin.
Come be my Savior,
Lord, and friend.
Change my life and make it new.
And help me, Lord,
to live for you.
Jesus, you died
upon a cross,
and rose again to
save the lost.
Forgive me now of all my sin.
Come be my Savior, Lord,
and friend.
Change my life, and
make it new.
And help me, Lord,
to live for you.