Provided by: JesusFilmMedia.org
Greenlit by Antoy Grant
Lanuage: ENGLISH
Length: 18 mins
Yacoub rushes Ayoub back from the fields. He’s bloody and broken by robbers who came after their flocks. The women rush him inside and gently lay him down. Sara’s frantic and asks where Dawud is. Ayoub says he wasn’t there.
Sara goes on about how irresponsible Dawud is. But she takes a moment to stop and thank Yacoub for his help. When Mariam comes back with water, she says the whole town is saying the attack may have been because they follow Jesus.
Ayoub says that may be true. But everyone must choose, like the rich young ruler. Laila quiets him and continues. The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he had to do to get eternal life. Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him. But the man wouldn’t give up his riches to follow Jesus. Ayoub says God could ask for their reputations and safety. But it’s a choice. And in choosing to follow Jesus, they build their house on a foundation that cannot be destroyed.
Dawud runs in and apologizes for not being there. Noura comes next, saying she’s heard what the town is saying but declares that she will stand with the family. Mariam says she will continue to choose to follow Jesus, no matter what.
Rivka hurries in and looks over Ayoub. Dawud is quick to step away from her, but she asks him for help setting Ayoub’s broken arm.
After Ayoub’s cared for, Rivka and Noura talk in the courtyard. Noura says she’s been thinking about Jesus and finds herself believing that Jesus is the Messiah. Rivka asks if she’s ready to give her life to Jesus and follow Him. Noura says there’s not much left of her life, but she’ll give the rest to Jesus if He’ll have it.
Rivka tells her a parable. A vineyard owner hires men in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. At the end of the day, he pays each of them the same thing, despite the work they’ve done. The owner is generous, even to those who come last. She says when the work is done, Jesus will welcome both she and Noura into His presence.
How does Ayoub respond when the town thinks the attack was because of his beliefs?
What does Mariam learn from the story of the rich young ruler?
What does it mean to you that God is generous, like the vineyard owner?
Following Jesus requires sacrifice. The rich young ruler tried to follow rules. He had hoped that Jesus would give him a final rule to follow, something he could do without truly sacrificing much of his life. But Jesus asked him to sell all of his many possessions and give them to the poor. Then he should follow Jesus. The disciples left everything they had to follow Jesus. He is all we truly need. Ayoub was willing to sacrifice their safety and reputations. God will require us to sacrifice parts of our life to follow him.
Following Jesus is a choice. God doesn’t force the sacrifice of Jesus and our own lives on us. But Jesus reminds us that God is the only thing strong enough to withstand everything that happens in life. “So then, everyone who hears My [Jesus’s] words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock. The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. But it does not fall” (Matthew 7:24-25). If you’ve decided to follow Jesus and you do God’s will, you can be sure that you will never be ripped from that relationship no matter what happens in life.
“God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble. The earth may fall apart. The mountains may fall into the middle of the sea. But we will not be afraid”(Psalm 46:1-2).
Rivka and Noura talk about the choice to follow Jesus. Noura wants to follow Jesus, though she’s not sure God would appreciate having her late years. Rivka assures her with the parable of the vineyard owner. God is generous. Like the Prodigal Son, He welcomes us with open arms. The time, age, and circumstances don’t matter. What matters is our faith in Jesus and that He atoned for our sins against God.
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