Pinocchio

I never enjoyed Pinocchio as a kid. Mostly because there was too much talking going on. The introduction was almost 20minutes long. It's boring for kids.

But I stumbled on the movie today. So I thought I would give it a try... since I can't remember most of it anyways. Though the amount of talking in the movie is still the same and some parts are boring, but I didn't regret it. From the start of the movie until the very end, I saw the story of God unfold.

After Geppetto (woodworker/ father), put the final touches on Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket who was watching from the shelves says "Very good! Very very good". Just like how God "...saw all that he had made, and it was very good" after the creation of Adam (Gen 1:31)

Pinocchio was later given life as a puppet by the Blue Fairy. His puppet state resembles where we are in life right now on Earth and the future "real boy" state resembles the perfection we will receive when we see are Lord face to face.

Jiminy Cricket was given the role as Pinocchio's conscience by the Blue Fairy. Throughout the movie, Jiminy Cricket whispers and tells Pinocchio what the right thing to do. He tells Pinocchio that "the world is full of temptations" and sings to encourage Pinocchio to "take the straight and narrow path... and when you start to slide, give me a little whistle". Sound familiar?

Later Pinocchio runs into Honest John and Gideon who persuades him to leave with them to pursue fame and luxury. As they march down the streets singing, Jiminy Cricket's call to Pinocchio is covered by the noise. This is just like how when we are led astray, surrounded with noise and distractions, we can't hear the call and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Pinocchio often ignores the Jiminy Cricket even when he does hear him and goes his own way. But Jiminy Cricket would still run after him. We always push the calling of the Holy Spirit aside, but the Holy Spirit never leaves.

After Geppetto waited for a long time and Pinocchio still didn't come home for dinner, he leaves his comfortable home to go look for Pinocchio in the rain. Later in the movie you find out that he packed up his things to go look for Pinocchio and ends up in the belly of a whale at the bottom of the ocean. Our Father in Heaven never stops in search for us. Our God left His Heavenly throne to come into this pitiful world just so we can be with Him.

When Pinocchio finally realizes that he is in trouble (turning into a donkey) he listens to Jiminy Cricket's prompts. There was a scene where they were running away and they come upon the edge of the cliff. Jiminy Cricket tells Pinocchio that "you gotta jump" and they both jump without hesitation. The Holy Spirit will tell us to do crazy things, but all we got to do is trust that it is good for us. Sometimes we get ourselves into such deep troubles that the only way out is to do the most difficult and seemingly impossible. And we must always remember that we never jump alone, God jumps with us.

Pinocchio finally becomes a real boy and celebrates with his father in their home.

There are so many other things that happened in the movie that reflect the story of God. If you ever plan a Sunday school lesson, I think this movie would definitely be a good tool to use. I have so much more appreciation for the movie now than when I was a kid and before I knew God.