I watched a unique spiritual documentary on Amazon Prime titled, “Jonathan and Jesus.” The documentary features actor Jonathan Roumie as he takes us behind the scenes of the blockbuster hit “The Chosen” and shows us what it is like developing the role of Jesus. The film documents the second and beginning of the third seasons of the development of the show.
The series features experts who discuss real issues and relates them to the topics discussed in the film; topics like overcoming adversity, surrendering to the will of God, providence and fate, poverty and service to others, and our relationship barriers and finding our place in the world and idol worship. The film is not only a personal witness to the challenges of fame and meeting the demands of celebrity, but it is about the power of faith to overcome obstacles in being true to who we are each called to be.
Roumie shares the challenges of being an artist and being true to a calling and his vocation as an artist. He interviews other celebrities about their faith lives and features the likes of Alice Cooper, Shelia E., Brandon Flowers lead singer of the Killers. Each artist had their own journey in confronting the challenges of fame and finding their way to the teachings of Jesus. Their willingness to share this was of great concern to their managers and the cash careers they established but they did so nonetheless. Rich or poor, famous or infamous, no person is exempt from the adversity of the human condition and developing coping mechanisms along the way.
In a secular world where Hollywood doesn’t always open its arms to religion, coming forward as a person of faith can be undermined and often undervalued. Celebrities have to be careful about sharing their spiritual inclinations and being true to themselves without being pegged as a religious zealot and nut. Subtle statements and a misstep in communication can lead to tumbles big and small.
The film inspired me to consider how many others in Hollywood have gone under cover in sharing their faith for fear of being ostracized by a community that doesn’t get how the development of spirituality can shape your life and your art.
Many stars are open about their spirituality. U2’s songs have spiritual overtones. Actors like Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Jim Gaffigan make no apologies for sharing their faith lives with others. Martin Scorsese has openly stated that early in his adolescence he considered being a priest. When he followed his true passion of film making, he thought he would only be making films about the lives of saints. He has followed through with movies like “Silence” and the “The Last Temptation of the Christ.”
Recently actors like Shia LeBouf and Andrew Garfield have discussed how playing roles of spiritual figures like Padre Pio and a Jesuit priest respectively have inspired them to re-examine the role that faith can play in shaping an identity. Garfield said, “I consider myself pantheist, agnostic, occasionally atheist, and a little bit Jewish, but mostly confused.”
Anyone who has seen the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” about Desmond Doss the Medal of Honor winner may understand this sentiment. Doss, a committed Christian pacifist who wanted to do his part in the war and refused to carry a gun heroically saved 75 soldiers and inspired others to stay the course and take a badly needed piece of land in WW2. One can see why an actor may pause and reconsider the power of religion and spirituality to shape his life and inspire any soul to give religious disciplines a shot.
Roumie is helping to building a bridge across the divide of Catholics and Protestants and reminding us what we have in common. There are 2.8 billion Christians in this world and in a time of great divide, it is wonderful to see people who are willing to remind us that the message of Jesus and the sacrifices he made for humanity is the thread that keeps the fabric of faith together.
I’m friends with Roumie and what you see is what you get and this documentary is no different. He is grounded in knowing himself and developing his relationship with God. The scars of poverty and being a working actor are visible in this extraordinary film and he pulls no punches as to how this poverty toyed with him mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Jonathan has never lost that candid no nonsense chain link of sincerity. It’s what makes any artist great and worthy of success he richly deserves. I sense that this honesty with himself and his compassion for those who are suffering is steeped in the fact that he is readily aware that fame is fleeting and the illusions of grandeur are just that.
As he realizes the instrument he has become, through his interviews, Roumie inspires us to look for the grace in our lives and the power of cardinal and theological virtues to overcome problems. This documentary reveals the depths of insecurity we each face in an uncertain world and how faith can set our feet on solid ground.
spirit beat 