In the Footsteps of Jesus

I've never been a "Christian," I never understood the emotional appeal of Jesus, until I read this book after seeing the movie, and felt the incredible love, from God and Jesus. The incredible blessings and "coincidences" that occurred to bring him to the role, the research he did to prepare, the miracles that happened during filming, and the incredible ministry that's developed out of it, are all described in Bruce's wonderful friend-to-friend conversational style. What a wonderful loving communicator he is. Read it! Whether you "believe" or not, READ IT! You'll be transformed by the love. This is now a textbook to me, which I read through whenever I need to be reminded.

Never before had I been compelled to read a book in a day...But for some reason, back in July of 2001, I sat down with "In The Footsteps Of Jesus" by Bruce Marchiano and did just so...If you are searching for a God and a Savior without religion, you will find it here. The Christian religion tends to focus on religion and forget about the One it is all about! Bruce Marchiano lovingly and brilliantly brings the pages of this book to life with an awesome, loving, compassionate Jesus...The Christ that the Bible talks about...The true Christ!Bruce shares his personal experiences, stories and, yes, even some miracles of his own before, during and after the filming of the "Matthew" film series. And he speaks to the reader as if he is having a cup of coffee with you and visiting with a friend...You must read this book for your betterment, and then, you must share it with others...And don't be surprised if you, too, read it in a day!

C.S. Lewis wrote that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord He claimed to be. Unfortunately, on stage and film many actors slip into the "lunatic" portrayal--especially during difficult "angry" scenes like the cleansing of the temple and confrontations with the Pharisees. And those who avoid that pitfall often portray Jesus as a mystic with His head in the clouds, completely out of touch with reality. But through great prayer and study Bruce Marchiano captured a portrayal that not only overcomes these two problems but does so much more. Often his portrayal is surprising and even amazing, but for students of the New Testament, it rings true. This is a Jesus who is passionate and full of joy. I began playing Jesus on stage a few years ago in local church productions. I have read this book over and over and never cease to be inspired by the remarkable insights it provides. For sholarship, try Philip Yancey's "The Jesus I Never Knew." But for the remarkable revelations only an actor discovers, read this amazing book.

This book was truely an act of giving. Only one man on this entire planet would have the experience of playing Jesus in "Matthew", and by the deliberate Grace of God, Bruce Marchiano was that man. "In The Footsteps of Jesus", is his personal testimony of the effects that playing this roll had on his spiritual life and in his personal life. Whether you are a Believer or Non-Believer...ohhh...how this book will touch your heart. As a single parent, Jesus gets me through every day of my life. So when I saw "In The Footsteps Of Jesus" on a Christmas display shelf, the title really got my attention. However, I had no desire to read an account of anything experienced by an actor, so I tried to put the book back but my hand refused to let go. Well, I grudgingly bought that book, and was I in for a Big surprise! I could not put it down. One specific passage in which the author thoroughly pierced my heart was his description of a brutally beaten and physically exhausted Jesus, struggling to get to the cross. I had never realized the extent to which Jesus had been beaten and tortured. The authors pain-filled portrayal leaves no doubt that Jesus was very human, and His suffering was very, very real. In a quote from the book Marchiano says, "Jesus wasn't dragged to the cross, He was crawling TO the cross..." These words bring home the realization that our Lords' love for us literally knows no boundaries. This particular description really reached out to me and gave me cause to stop and consider the unbridled Passion, Mercy, and Grace embraced in that kind of love. The author will reach out to you too...page after page...So prepare yourself, because Mr. Marchiano does not often play around with polite words. You will experience emotional restlessness and heartbreak. You will be spiritually mobilized and immobilized. You will feel anchored only to be set adrift over and over again. Your heartstrings will be stretched beyond any threshold, and long before the end your heart will be branded by His unconditional Love. Just get the book, and then watch the movie it was drawn from. I promise you will not be let down, and any hidden joys in your own life will come jumping out at you! Finally, when I had turned the last page, it was nearly impossible to close the book. I wasn't ready for this particular journey and experience to end. It really needed a Chapter 13, and 14, and...So, I also echo the sentiments of the author when he says (about Jesus), "I will miss you." And I add this...Mr. Marchiano - actor, author, and Messenger - I will miss your story too, and anxiously await your next book. God Bless You

All my life, the pictures of Jesus, I found in books and in movies, never satisfied me. My Jesus was different. The Jesus I knew in my heart was a best friend, someone you could tell secrets to, someone to laugh with, someone who, even if I made wrong choices, would be there to pick up the pieces with love, and not "I told you so!" In this wonderful book, Mr Marchaino recounts the wonder and revelation he experienced as he played the part of Jesus Christ in a movie. The Jesus he lived--and discovered during the course of filming the movie, was not the aloof "Vulcan" who leads the people of Israel, nor the meek, but wise reformer, we often see portrayed in old movies--his Jesus laughed and smiled and most of all, LOVED. One scene was most revealing: that of Peter walking to Jesus over the water. Peter who believed with his heart, who took that step of faith towards his friend and Lord, for one moment allowed his mind to question what his body was doing. Peter's mind said, "You can't walk on water, it isn't possible," and of course he began to sink. But when Jesus reaches out and takes Peter's hand, and says, "Oh you of little faith," Marchiano believes he was laughing, not chastising. A loving friend, or a loving father, would not chastise a best friend or his beloved child for trying so hard to please. As I read this new viewpoint on the well known Biblical story, I realized that this young actor really did know MY Jesus! On nearly every page of this book, there are tears, but more of joy and laughter than of mourning or pain. This is a story of a Jesus who rolled laughing in the dirt with his friends, and who was more hurt and grieving, than angry at the Pharisees and their misuse of the law. This was a Jesus who wasn't afraid to hug the untouchable leper, because He saw not a disfigured human being, but His beloved child, lonely and in pain. The Jesus that Bruce Marchiano discovered as he played the role in the movie, has to be the way Jesus really was. Only this Jesus could have inspired the undying love of so many people! (And NOW I MUST see the movie!)