Big day for me: my screenplay and the Jefferson Bible

I’ve been working on a screenplay (no easy feat!)

I’m now done (until the endless re-writes occur).

And I’m having a staged reading using professional actors in front of industry professionals. Tonight!

The script started when I was reopened to the ideas of Jesus by the Jefferson Bible.

Thomas Jefferson edited the Bible by removing all but the words of Jesus including the stories of his miracles and surrounding commentaries. Not only did it open me up to the actual words and message of a man that walked the earth, but it enabled me to realize the difference between that message and the other writings contained in the Bible.

I was captured by the story we are told about the man called Jesus. The first thing that struck me was that he was thirty (thirty!), before he ever performed a miracle. AND that miracle was to help a wedding party keep drinking after all of their wine had been exhausted. Jesus’ first reported miracle was to go on a beer run without ever leaving the house.

Yes, there are stories about him doing things as a youth, but I decided to stick with the canon most people know.

His mother is unquestioning in his role as the Son of God- something he can not prove in any meaningful way. He’s famous for hanging out with prostitutes, criminals, and other undesirables. If he was a man, he must have had sex before the age of thirty, and likely had a wife (Mary Magdalene?). In fact, Jesus must have had quite a few women who doted after him, as it is mentioned in Luke 8:2-3 that Mary Magdalene was only one of the many women who gave Jesus the money and supplies he needed.

I grew very interested in the life of Jesus before he miraculously became the life of the party. Who was this twenty-five year old claiming to be the Son of God? Women are doting all over him. He hangs out with prostitutes, beggars, and tax collectors. He’s never performed a miracle. He’s gathering hoards of people into his clan…

I think a guy like that would be too much for people today as well. My screenplay explores a very human second coming as he struggles to come of age, learning about life and love.

Come check it out!

Mount
A New Feature Film Script Written by Aaron Sawyer
Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 7:30 PM

Theatre Palisades

941 Temescal Canyon Road

Pacific Palisades, California 90272

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