This
movie is worth your time. Fellow initiates who have seen it have all
been deeply touched.
When
three scholars plan to follow a bright star in the sky to seek the prophesied
Messiah, Artaban, one of the Magi, is also convinced from his study
of the stars of the recent birth of the Messiah. So he sells his great
fortune, exchanging it for a sapphire, a ruby and a precious pearl,
and joins the journey of the three wise men in search of the newborn
Messiah. Artaban wishes to present his pearl to the Messiah, the King
in his heart.
However,
in order to help a desperately ill man on his way, Artaban misses the
caravan of the three wise men. But he is not discouraged. He continues
alone to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, by selling his sapphire
to purchase camels for his own caravan. At that time, the family of
Joseph has fled to Egypt from Herod's pursuit. On his way, Artaban runs
into Herod's soldiers. In order to rescue a baby boy, Artaban offers
his ruby to one of Herod's military officers, asking him to set the
baby free.
Artaban's
attendant Orontes tries to persuade Artaban to go back home, but Artaban
refuses. He continues to travel towards Egypt. Upon arriving, he feels
that he has lost his way and doesn't know where to seek the King in
his heart. Being directed by a friend, he leaves rich residential areas
and goes searching in poor areas. On his way, the last treasure, the
pearl, is stolen, and he is then brought to the robbers' place. Upon
learning that Artaban is a physician, a woman there begs him to treat
her child who is losing his vision, and returns the pearl to Artaban.
Seeing many people suffering from leprosy without any care and treatment,
Artaban decides to stay and help them. He also teaches them irrigation
and farming, so that they might live a self-sufficient life.
Time
flies and thirty years pass. One day, Artaban's old friend Taiglance
comes to visit Artaban with his daughter Michelle. They tell Artaban
that his father has passed away. At that time, Artaban is old and sick,
and he says to himself, "My soul will no longer have any harvest
. There is no chance for me to see the King in my heart." He feels
very sad. Since he doesn't want Orontes to know of his failure, he sets
Orontes free and lets him leave.
When
Orontes comes to the city of Jerusalem, he witnesses Jesus' magical
wonders. So he quickly goes back and tells Artaban. However, at the
time when Artaban comes to Jerusalem, Jesus is arrested and is sentenced
to be crucified. Artaban is hoping to succor Jesus with his pearl. But
he runs into Michelle, whose father has been killed due to debts resulting
from the sinking of a merchant ship. Michelle herself is to be sold
to pay off her father's debts. At this urgent moment, Artaban uses his
pearl to rescue Michelle, just as Jesus is being crucified. Artaban
thus loses his last hope.
Artaban
has nothing left and is dying, but then the Messiah appears to him.
Artaban asks the Messiah, "Are You my Lord? Haven't You died? Oh,
my Lord, I have been looking for You for a long, long time. I used to
have some very precious gifts for You, but now I have nothing."
The Messiah tells him that he has already given the gifts to the Messiah:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty
and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited
me in, and I needed clothes and you clothed me." Artaban is surprised
and asks , "Lord, when did I see You? When did I wait upon You?"
And the Messiah replies, "I tell you the truth; whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
So, Artaban's wish is finally fulfilled and he then dies in peace.
