Jesus, many have said, didn’t come to usher in a new set of rules or a new set of morals. He came, John says in his Gospel, to “bring life and bring it in full.” So much of the world I see lacks life, lacks hope. But there are glimpses that we get – akin to what the Celts called “thin places” – that remind us of what hope looks and feels like. The end of The Shawshank Redemption is one of those glimpses. It is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen and I am drawn back to it at what feel like defining moments in life – or perhaps it is better to say that every time I see it becomes a defining moment. The movie builds to just this moment and this moment is one of the best statements of how Jesus wants us to live. Watch:

Join our mailing list to receive more stories like this delivered daily!
By filling out the form above, you will be signed up to receive Beliefnet's Daily Bible Reading newsletter and special partner offers. You may opt-out any time.
More from Beliefnet and our partners