This page was created on February 16, 2005
This page was last updated on March 3, 2005

—Overview
—Trailers, Photos
—About this Film pdf
—Spiritual Connections

Instances of God using the stranger:
• Pharaoh to Abraham. Genesis 12:16
• Melchizedek to Abraham. Genesis 14:18
• Abraham to the angels. Genesis 18:1-8
• Lot to the angel. Genesis 19:1-11
• Abimelech to Abraham. Genesis 20:14-15
• Sons of Heth to Abraham. Genesis 23:6; Genesis 23:11
• Laban to Abraham’s servant. Genesis 24:31
• Laban to Jacob. Genesis 29:13-14
• Isaac to Abimelech. Genesis 26:30
• Joseph to his brethren. Genesis 43:31-34
• Pharaoh to Jacob. Genesis 45:16-20; Genesis 47:7-12
• Jethro to Moses. Exodus 2:20
• Rahab to the spies. Joshua 2:1-16
• Man of Gibeah to the Levite. Judges 19:16-21
• Pharaoh to Hadad. 1 Kings 11:17; 1 Kings 11:22
• David to Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9:7-13
• The widow of Zarephath to Elijah. 1 Kings 17:10-24

THE BAPTISM
Before Winn-Dixie begins his work of redeeming alienated people, he must go through the ritual of bathing (symbolic of baptism).

Baptism and the Dove
Matthew 3:13-17 (New Living Translation)

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. [14] But John didn't want to baptize him. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?"

But Jesus said, "It must be done, because we must do everything that is right." So then John baptized him.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him."

Deut. 10:18-19 (New Living Translation)
He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. You, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

UPSETTING THE CHURCH
Just as Jesus upset the "church" of his day, so Winn-Dixie unsets the small community church. God knows the church of today could use some shaking up.

THE LAST SUPPER, DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Winn-Dixie is afraid of thunder and lightning. On the night of the special dinner party, the sky turns stormy, thunder strikes, and Winn-Dixie is suddenly gone (a sort of death). There are several parallels to the last supper and crucifixion here. Notice the use of an angel in this scene. The "Resurrection" happens the next morning when Winn-Dixie reappears.

THE LAST SUPPER
Matthew 26:17-19 (New Living Translation)
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover supper?"
"As you go into the city," he told them, "you will see a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says, My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.' " So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover supper there.

LOVING UNITY: THE BOTTOM LINE
The events of the dinner party and the disappearance of Winn-Dixie bring about the unity of all sorts of people. Former enemies find themselves friends, as they give thanks to God hand in hand.

John 12:31-33 (Message Bible)
At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me." He put it this way to show how he was going to be put to death.

Galatians 3:28 (Message Bible)
In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.

IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVING OTHERS
Interestingly, in the film, the word "Love" appears above the cross of Jesus in the little community church. Winn-Dixie is a "Christ-figure" who brings faith, hope and love to the community.

Luke 6:27-38 (Message Bible)

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."

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