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<\/source><\/picture>DALLAS \u2014 If you\u2019ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to walk on water with Jesus \u2014 or watch the Apostle Peter try and fail to do the same \u2014 this could be your chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Nazarene,<\/a>\u201d an immersive, non-denominational retelling of the life of the Messiah based on the Gospels, isn\u2019t merely a panoramic 3D movie \u2014 it\u2019s a completely sensory experience that transports visitors back to first century Israel.<\/p>\n Upon first walking into the experience, it\u2019s easy, at least initially, to think you\u2019re going to be viewing an art exhibit or something else static. Until the projection begins, that is, and you\u2019re suddenly transported to the beginning of creation and introduced to the One who created it.<\/p>\n Spanning four separate galleries and 19 scenes with panoramic sound, custom composed music and breathtaking 3D sets, \u201cNazarene\u201d is a multi-sensory, narrated journey that is both dramatic in its presentation and evangelistic in its content, repeatedly urging the viewer to consider God in His eternal power, the destructive plague of sin, and the condescension of Christ Jesus to destroy forever its hold on mankind.\u00a0<\/p>\n Far from merely showing the events of the New Testament, \u201cNazarene\u201d transports you right to where it happened: standing waist-deep in the waters of the Jordan River, for example, as Jesus comes to John the Baptist to \u201cfulfill all righteousness\u201d in his own baptism was one of the more stirring moments of the entire experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, water plays a pivotal role in several of the best moments of \u201cNazarene,\u201d including when Peter, James and John are fishing on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus commands them to lower their nets, resulting in an abundance that nearly causes the boats to sink.\u00a0<\/p>\n Or when the disciples see Jesus walking on water and Peter asks Jesus to command him to step out onto the water, where he becomes afraid and begins to sink. The audience plunges along with Peter into the dark waters below, leading to a Michelangelo-inspired moment of Jesus\u2019 hand reaching straight down into the deep and firmly grasping Peter\u2019s hand, saving him from certain death.\u00a0<\/p>\n These familiar scenes take on an immediacy and even a danger that a cursory reading of the Scriptures can often lack, pointing to the humanity of the Son of Man and His disciples. The pitter-patter of rain, the splashing into the deep, lightning and thunder \u2014 all are brought to life in a visceral presentation of the Scriptures themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once we arrive at Jesus\u2019 triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the clamoring of the mob, both in their worship and their calls for crucifixion, takes on a more ominous tone. Even in animation, the scene of Jesus\u2019 trial and Pontius Pilate, in particular, has a hyper-realism to it \u2014 including the use of 3D banners as Roman flags hanging over the audience \u2014 which leads into the darkest moments of the crucifixion of Christ and His triumphant cry of \u201cIt is finished!\u201d<\/p>\n But it\u2019s the resurrection of Christ that had probably the most striking imagery, as the risen Christ stands robed in white against a dark backdrop, beckoning the audience to come follow Him even as He promises to return.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a Gospel moment that saturates the entire presentation from start to finish.<\/p>\n Notably, all the dialogue is spoken in both Greek and English, an artistic decision that executive producer Robert Bagdassarov of Alpine Artists said was highly deliberate.<\/p>\n \u201cHistorically, narratives have evolved to align with the cultural and linguistic zeitgeist,\u201d Bagdassarov told CP. \u201cThe New Testament, for example, was crafted in Koine [Greek], the common dialect of its era, rather than the more esoteric classical Greek. This choice ensured the teachings remained accessible and resonant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur aspiration is to foster a deeper connection and reignite faith in the Crucified and Risen Savior in a way that’s both relevant and impactful.\u201d<\/p>\n Along with the immersive experience, \u201cNazarene\u201d also features The Golan Collection, a collection of ancient artifacts from the land and time of Jesus, all of which organizers say were discovered within the Holy Land where Jesus, His family, His disciples and His followers lived, traversed and taught.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Curated by Oded Golan, a lifelong Israeli antiquities collector, the artifact collection ranges from the mundane, such as coins, kitchen utensils and fishing gear, to the same kind of nails believed to be used in crucifixions, such as Jesus, and various ossuaries, or bone boxes, from the time of Jesus.<\/p>\n The centerpiece of the collection is the James Ossuary, a first century limestone bone box with intact etchings that read \u201cJames, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus.\u201d The ossuary has been authenticated by archeologists and scientists as being that of James, the brother of Jesus, who was also the first bishop of Jerusalem, according to Golan.<\/p>\n While families are welcome, organizers say parental guidance is strongly recommended as some of the scenes in \u201cNazarene,” such as the crucifixion of Christ, could be upsetting to younger children.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Nazarene\u201d is set to run through Jan. 7, 2024.<\/p>\n Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/07\/150749_w_760_551.webp\")
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