Jim Caviezel,49, the man who played Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” is gearing up for the release of his new film, “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” and says he feels called to make Christian films and share the love of Jesus Christ throughout his industry.
“Paul, Apostle of Christ,” hits theaters March 23rd, according to the Christian Post, and will bring to life the story of Saul of Tarsus, who was known for persecuting and murdering Christians but went on to become one of the most powerful and important figures of the Church after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Caviezel is quoted as saying he wanted to do this film because it’s the “most important genre” for this time.
Often times when we think about conversion, it’s not necessarily going to make us wealthier but it’ll do one thing, it’ll give us a heart filled with just great joy that we’ve been lacking,” Caviezel told the Christian Post at the National Religious Broadcasters’ convention on March 1.
“Certainly, in my industry I’ve seen so many that are wealthy but are dead,” he continued. “My Lord’s message to me was, ‘Ok you felt my love come through you. You can’t judge them, you have to be love for them because that’s the only Christ they’re going to know.'”
Caviezel, who plays Luke in the film, commended Paul’s example.
When asked why he continues to do faith-based films although his industry often shuns Christianity, the actor made it clear that he’d rather serve God than the shallowness of Hollywood.
“I’ll be point blank with you, my industry has been around for a century, the word of God has been around for 5,000 years if you want to go back to Moses and Abraham,” stated Caviezel.
“Am I the right guy [for the parts]? No, I never thought I was the right guy to play Jesus [either] but a friend of mine told me this, he said – ‘God doesn’t always choose the best, but He chose you so what are you gonna do about it?'” the “Passion of Christ” actor shared.
Caviezel admitted that he enjoys the moral values he gets to take away from playing religious figures.
Caviezel confessed that he “certainly,” feels like taking the role of these men of God on the silver screen is a “calling.”
The Washington State native also believes he’s meant to spread what those characters teach while in Hollywood with everyone he comes in contact with.
“I never focused on me, I just wanted to play the character well,” he said of his role as Luke. “Christians need to understand that we are 2.3 billion, that’s much bigger than 300 million people in the United States but if we want to hold the truth, we have to show it by love.” he told CP.
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