Yesterday, I started watching the Matrix with one of my private students, Mrs. Ishida. I teach her and her two children (girl age 9, boy age 5) every week. She was interested in the movie but said she didn’t understand it at all. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be explaining it to her line by line, scene by scene. As strange as this may sound, it’s amazing how powerful that movie can be as a tool for evangelism. For example, I spent a lot of time explaining the Trinity from the Bible (she’d never heard of it before).

In a “normal” class using textbooks, I would have no chance to talk about God, the Bible, postmillennialism, sin, the Cross, and so on and so forth. I’d be considered a religious wacko and shunned. Tokyo is big city, after all, and everyone here is wary of weird religions. But explaining the historical/cultural background of the name of a movie character in tight black clothes and black designer sunglasses isn’t intimidating to Japanese non-Christians who have never heard of the Bible before.

Mrs. Ishida had never heard about sin, the Cross, etc. so she didn’t know what this line meant: “Hallelujah. You’re my savior, man. My own personal Jesus Christ.” I took my time explaining it to her. She was fascinated by all the various illusions in the story and took copious notes. She said she’s very much looking forward to next week.

I’ve had several opportunities to explain the movie to students who’ve already seen the movie, but this is the first time I’m actually using it in class and able to explain things in such detail. It’s incredibly wonderful to be able to share the Gospel with such a willing listener and of course, it’s fun to watch the movie, too. She and I both want to fast forward the gross parts, like when Neo’s mouth gets glued together and the agents stick the bug inside him. (Shake your heads all you like, guys. I don’t like it. It’s gross.)

Can you believe it? I’m being paid to watch a movie and explain the Gospel. I don’t think there are too many jobs in the world better than mine.