by Jonathan Hobdell
Those of you that know me, already know my penchant for film and TV quotes. I try to lean towards the poignant side, but a good laugh is always welcome too. Lately, I find my bent turning towards the cross-over between films in particular, and the Gospel. With that in mind, here is a small thought for you all.
Fair warning: the article below contains some potential spoilers.
In that wonderful modern musical, The Greatest Showman, I noticed recently that there are two scenes where P T Barnum’s wife and two daughters are waiting for him.
The first is when he enters his circus building, which is burning down, searching for his apprentice and friend, Philip Carlyle; the second is at the end of the film, outside the building where his elder daughter is due to dance in a ballet.
Barnum’s wife and elder daughter have clearly given up, and are looking dejectedly at the floor; but his younger daughter gazes intently, scanning the middle distance for ANY sign of him.
And so, she is the first to see him, the first to cry out in joy, her little face transformed, even transfigured, by the vindication she experiences because he HAS come after all, as she knew he would. Is that not what our attitude should be? Is that not the childlike faith we are called to have?
However, the crux of my observation is actually the other side of the coin, so to speak.
Why is his younger daughter the first to see him?
She is the FIRST to see him, quite simply, because (like Mary Magdalene, early on that first Easter) she is the LAST yet searching for him.