Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Two versions of the film available but my favourite remains the one with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
Other than the Oompah-Loompahs, the most memorable part is when Wonka opens up the factory and invites the chosen few to ‘hold their breath, count to three’ and enter a world of pure imagination.
I am not for a minute equating Jesus with Willy Wonka. I am saying that when Jesus starts talking about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like there is a sense in which those parables are deliberately set up to baffle the rigid religiosity of those who think they know the way to God. It’s as if Jesus invites those with ears to hear to take in a truly amazing new way of living.
A way of living so awesome that it’s like finding hidden treasure in a field and selling everything to buy the field. A way of living that is so influential and infectious that it’s like yeast that fills an entire batch of dough.
In these parables it’s as if Jesus invites us to view paradise among us that He ushers in by His presence. We get glimpses of this reality every time we see His love and power present in healing the sick, setting captives free, restoring the broken, giving hope to the hopeless and peace to the restless. His parables connect well with His acts of kindness and mercy. Seeking the lost, saving the sinner, turning all our images of power upside down with servant-hearted humility to the point of death on the cross.
As we embrace Kingdom realities and co-operate with His indwelling Spirit, we discover that if we want to change the world, there’s nothing to it.
There is no life I know that compares with Kingdom imagination. Living there we’ll be free, as God always wanted us to be.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 