Warren Hohmann (WEHO 1)

Messiah builds around a question of Faith regarding who is this person al-Masih or Payam Golshiri. I found the question intriguing enough to Binge the entire 10 part series over the weekend. It seemed relevant to me in this era we're living through to explore questions of faith. As we become a more divided World, I found al-Masih's message of unity among people and Faith particularly meaningful. In the first episode al-Masih is preaching in Damascus, Syria as it is being attacked by the Islamic State. A violent Sand Storm descends on the city and al-Masih stands through the weeks long Storm spreading his message. The supply chain for the Islamic State is broken and Damascus is saved. Viewing this as a miracle, a large group of people eventually follow al-Masih into the desert. Included among these followers was a young man named Jibril and his friend Samer. Jibril becomes close to al-Masih. He leads them on a 40 mile trek to the Israeli border, where of course they are denied entrance. The Israelis arrest al-Masih and his followers are left with no food or water at the border for weeks. Although sympathetic groups do bring food water, this stops over time and Jibril ends up dehydrated and sick. While many in the group leave for safety in Jordon, he stays at the border. For me, Episode SIX was perhaps the most powerful in the series as the World witness’s dual miracles occurring simultaneously in Washington DC and the Golan Heights. Al-Masih delivers a speech at the Lincoln Memorial and then approaches the infamous Reflecting Pool. At same time Jibril is having hallucinations of his deceased Mother reaching out to him on the desert floor. Al-Masih looks into the Reflecting Pool and reaches his hand out. In the Golan Heights Jibril sees al-Masih and reaches for his hand. Jibril lifts off the sand and stands. He removes ALL of his clothing and slowing walks towards an Israeli soldier at the border. There is this intense moment as Jibril walks right up to the muzzle of the soldier's rifle. The soldier yelling at him to stop! Jibril stares into the soldiers eyes with the most peaceful loving gaze. The standoff ends as the soldier in humility lowers the rifle and Jibril enters Israel! All of this captured in real-time by the media present at the border. Meanwhile, Al-Masih walks on water at the Reflecting Pool. Thousands on hand and millions more witness this on the Media. It is a pivotal moment in the series. Of course there are believers and non-believers. And the debate and the drama continue. There are many questions for scholars of the Quran or Bible; however I choose to flow with the story as a fiction. And as that it was entertaining and engaging.