John Coffey

The gentle character of John Coffey, a simple-minded southern African American man who has the power to heal, mirrors the qualities of Jesus in the controversial film "The Green Mile," based on a novel by Stephen King. Known for his horrific themes and dark stories, Stephen King delves into symbols of Christ and the power of healing in a world of evil and pain.

For certain, the evil and pain that is portrayed in the film is graphic yet it mirrors what so many experience in reality. In the middle of sad sordid stories is the figure of John Coffey who, although a mammoth physical presence, bears a gentleness toward others and the power to heal them by taking away sickness and pain. In this scene, Officer Edgecombe [played by Tom Hanks] anguishes over the reality of having to execute the death sentence on John Coffey. Looking for redemption for being forced to carry out the death penalty on an innocent man, John Coffey assures the Officer that he is ready to face his end after a lifetime of dealing with evil in the world.

The scene causes one to wonder what anguish Jesus went through personally. It reminds me of the biblical scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This scene in "The Green Mile" focuses on the tired character of John Coffey who feels that its time to leave this world of pain and so find his own redemption from dealing with evil in the world.

There are powerful images of Jesus in this story that are worth our consideration as we think about the power of the person of Christ and His influence on humanity.