“Light of the World” - A Review

When Christian movies hit the silver screen nationwide, I make it a priority to go see them as soon as possible (but usually opt for matinees when ticket prices are lower). “Light of the World” premiered in theaters on September 5th. At the time, I was staying with a pastor and his family in the Buffalo area. Unfortunately, the movie wasn’t showing at the nearest theater there. Earlier this week, I took a train to Northern Virginia to spend a few days with my friend Jim. Since he’s a movie buff, we both went to see “Light of the World” this past Thursday.

This animated story of Jesus is told through the apostle John. At the beginning of the movie, John, a young boy, is eager to assist his family’s fishing business. However, his father, Zebedee, faces the threat of being enslaved due to unpaid taxes. In his quest to bring the fish to market and raise the required funds, John inadvertently encounters the Messiah, whom his mother had spoken of. Eventually, John and his brother James decide to leave home and join Jesus’ traveling ministry. 


One thing I particularly look for in Christian movies is their adherence to Biblical accuracy. “Light of the World” doesn’t provide a word-for-word dramatization of the Gospel of John. It omits certain stories, such as the woman caught in adultery. To maintain its PG rating, the crucifixion is presented in a less-than-graphic manner. There were a couple of scenes that I would change. When James first encounters Jesus, his injured arm is in a sling. Jesus doesn’t heal it immediately, even after casting demons out of Mary Magdalene. After the resurrection, Peter is shown walking out of the boat onto the shore to meet Jesus instead of swimming to Him. John 21:7 says, “Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.”


Despite its flaws (and in my opinion subpar animation), I recommend seeing “Light of the World.” The movie reminded me that Jesus is not just our Lord and Savior. He wants to be an intimate part of our lives if we allow Him to. As an evangelist, I appreciate the calls for salvation at the end. In the final scene, John leads his father in a prayer of repentance. A QR code is then shown as the narrator tells viewers it will direct them to information on how to follow Jesus. After the credits finish rolling, this “Salvation Poem” is shown:


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


For some reason, this movie hasn’t attracted crowds like “The King of Kings." In fact, Jim and I were the only two people in the audience during most of the showing (three young people walked in late). Despite a $20 million budget, the movie has brought in just over $4 million at the box office. Some might claim there are already many movies about the life of Jesus. One could say the same thing about Superman. I’d rather watch the Ultimate Superhero in action. 


“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” - Colossians 1:18

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