Sermon Illustrations
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade": Taking a Step of Faith
In the film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Harrison Ford plays Indiana Jones, a daring archeologist who travels the world in search of treasures. In this film, Indiana and his father are searching for the Holy Grail, the cup reputed to have been used by Christ at the Last Supper.
Indiana's father is shot just at the end of their quest. With his father dying, Indiana's search for the Grail takes on new intensity, because the cup is said to bring healing to those who drink from it.
With his father groaning in the background, Indiana walks ahead, following an ancient book that gives clues to guide him through a maze of obstacles to the place where the Grail is hidden. He comes to the brink of a chasm deeper than the eye can see. There is no visible way for him to cross the chasm.
Indiana is faced with the impossible. All he sees is the sheer cliff edge and the vast gulf beneath him. Then, as he studies his guidebook, his face relaxes in realization, and he says, "It's a leap of faith."
With his father whispering, "You must believe, boy, you must believe," Indiana looks straight ahead, gathers his courage, and slowly raises one foot into the empty air in front of him.
With a thud, his foot lands on solid ground. The camera pans to show Indiana standing on a narrow rock bridge, deceptively carved to match the exact outline of the ravine beneath it.
Overcome with relief, he quickly crosses the chasm and discovers the Grail on the other side.
Elapsed Time: Measured from the beginning of the opening credit, this scene begins at 01:46:50 and ends at 01:48:45.
Content: Rated PG-13 for violence.