Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Count of Monte Cristo

Set-up: The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Dantes, who is unjustly accused and sentenced to life in France's most dreaded prison. After 13 years he escapes, becomes wealthy, and then seeks revenge on those who ruined his life. Throughout the movie Dantes struggles deeply with his belief in God, moving from a simple faith to a loss of faith, and finally to a mature faith.
During his years in prison, Dantes makes friends with a priest whose godly influence has great impact on Dantes' spiritual understanding. Together they dig a tunnel to escape, but just before it's completed, a cave-in injures the priest.
As he lies dying on the stone floor of his cell, the priest gives Dantes a treasure map that he'd hidden all his years in prison, which later makes Dantes wealthy. But it's the priest's final words that stick with Dantes forever.
Scene (show or tell): "When they asked me about the treasure of Sparta, I lied," the priest confesses.
"You lied?" Dantes asks.
"I'm a priest, not a saint." [Then the priest tells Dantes how to use the map to find the hidden treasure.]
"When you escape," the priest continues, "use the treasure for good. Only for good."
"No," Dantes says angrily. "I will surely use it for my revenge."
"This is your final lesson. Do not commit the crime [the priest struggles for a breath] do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, 'Vengeance is mine.'"
"But I don't believe in God," Dantes says.
"It doesn't matter," the priest responds with a smile. "He believes in you."
Conclusion: Moments later the priest dies and Dantes escapes. Not only do the priest's words help Dantes discover the treasure, they help Dantes rediscover the God who is faithful even when we are faithless. As Romans 8:31 says, "God is for us."
source unknown

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