Emphasis Preaching Journal

Cool Hand Luke is a Paul Newman movie that really is a paradigm of the life of Jesus. Luke keeps coming back at everything life throws at him. No matter what cards are dealt him, he plays his hand cool. He is put in a prison where the convicts are constantly mistreated. The guards take away all he has, even his dignity. In one scene there is a confrontation with the warden, and the warden says, "What we have here is a failure to communicate." Luke's escapes become a symbol of humanity and freedom for the other prisoners. Toward the end, Luke is trapped in an old church. He prays. He knows his life has a meaning, but he wants to know what it is. He looks up, and there he sees a crucifix. He gets the idea he is to follow Christ into a sacrificial death. He argues with God. Finally, in view of his fellow convicts, he exposes himself to rifle fire. He is badly wounded and his adversary, the warden, makes it clear that Luke is to be taken to a hospital for treatment -- the state's hospital, much too far away for Luke to survive the trip, when closer hospitals are available. In the final scene, back at the prison, the convicts are mourning the loss of their ringleader. Suddenly one of them, played by George Kennedy, senses the meaning of Luke's death, and he takes up the challenge of fighting for prisoners' rights. Luke knew the world could kill him, but it could never beat him.
Glory lies on the other side of the cross. We too can participate in his glory, if we go all the way with Jesus, as Elisha went all the way with Elijah. -- Mosley