Indiana Jones and the Empty Tomb
This worldwide pandemic has done a good job of reminding us not to take life for granted. And, it being Easter, we’re also reminded of how loved and valued we are by the Creator of the universe. Life is beautiful. Which is why you’ve got to be a complete idiot to risk throwing it all away so carelessly by allowing Harrison Ford to run over you on a speeding motorcycle.
As one does.
About a dozen years ago I saw a notice on the internet announcing that extras were needed for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, to be filmed partially at Yale University, not far from where I lived at the time. Realizing that I had accomplished all I could do that day to move forward the Middle East peace process, find a cure for cancer, and preserve the polar ice caps, I decided to go sign up.
The movie takes place during the Cold War, at the height of the Red Scare in the 1950s. I was given the role of a protester during a college campus anti-Communism rally. A mob of us were supplied with placards and told to shout “Better dead than Red!” over and over. Since for several months before that I’d been spending my weekends on street corners holding a sign and yelling “The end is near!”, I felt well-prepared for the task.
The scene called for the hero Indiana Jones, on a Harley and being chased by a Chevy full of bad guys, to drive at full speed through the middle of the crowd. Our job as extras was to dive out of the way like commitment-phobic wedding guests at a bouquet toss.
At first, while a production assistant worked with the actors to plot a course through the protest rally, the motorcycle and the car putt-putted along slowly. With each passing take, however, they picked up speed until we achieved a realistic semblance of chaos and danger. Now the vehicles were hurtling through the multitude like maniacs. A small group of extras, including me, were directed to be the final protesters to leap out of harm’s way. Over the span of a full day’s shoot, we got pretty good at timing our sidesteps so we’d escape at the last possible second from being tattooed with tire tread.
Finally the long day ended. It had been a sweltering shoot in 90-degree heat for thirteen hours, but fortunately, because I was costumed in a dark wool suit and tweed hat, it only felt like 280 degrees. We extras were told to return to the costume department to change into our street clothes and pick up our checks.
When I got home I examined the check and noticed that I had received a bonus under the category of “Hazard Pay”. This must have been to compensate for all the close shaves during the chase scene. I was being recognized for my daring dedication to this film, for my willingness to put my life on the line to ensure quality movie-making…
The bonus was for thirty dollars. That, I realized, is what my life is worth to Hollywood. Thirty bucks.
Easter reminds us of something much better. In the understatement of the year, you and I are worth far more to God than thirty bucks. To Him, we’re priceless. The cross proves that God’s love for us has no limits. The empty tomb proves that God has the power to defeat sin and death. Jesus’ promise of eternal life proves that God desires for us to live joyfully with Him forever.
And my 0.2 seconds of riveting screen time proves that I deserved an Oscar, if you ask me.
Happy Easter! He is risen!