He found the strength to forgive.
Oregon Pastor Jesse Lusko recently shared a poignant experience from his life involving a conversation he had with Joaquin Phoenix, the actor known for his role as the Joker. During a sermon series focusing on the biblical story of Jonah, Lusko addressed themes of vengeance and forgiveness, warning his congregation about how easily individuals can become “mirror images” of those who have wronged them. He referenced the character of Arthur Fleck, a man who transforms into the Joker after enduring immense hardship, illustrating how bitterness can lead to destructive behaviors.
This spring, after his father’s battle with cancer, Lusko found himself preparing for the funeral alongside his family, including his brother, Pastor Levi Lusko. While visiting a local coffee shop, a friend mentioned seeing Phoenix in line. Remembering his father’s admiration for the actor, Lusko approached Phoenix to offer his condolences and share his father’s remarkable journey, which included struggles with drugs and the loss of family members. Phoenix was deeply moved by the story, revealing that he too had lost his father to cancer.
Later, Lusko ran into Phoenix at the hotel gym, where the actor expressed a desire to take a photo together as a keepsake of their impactful conversation. They discussed Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line,” which touches on themes of faith and risk. Lusko shared with Phoenix his belief in Jesus and the grace that had shaped his father’s life, expressing a wish for God’s grace to envelop the actor as well.
In his sermon, Lusko connected his encounter with Phoenix to his own experiences with childhood trauma, revealing that he had been abused by a family friend. This experience left him grappling with feelings of anger and a desire for revenge. Reflecting on the pain, he recalled how his father encouraged him to find purpose in his suffering, much like the biblical figure Joseph. Over time, however, Lusko realized that harboring resentment would only lead to a cycle of bitterness, mirroring the Joker’s destructive path.
At his father’s funeral, Lusko publicly confronted his past by addressing his abuser and declaring, “I forgive you.” He emphasized to his congregation that forgiveness enables individuals to seek justice without succumbing to vengeance. By finding peace through understanding Jesus and the Gospel, Lusko was able to transform his pain into a powerful message of healing and redemption, viewing his meeting with Phoenix as a profound moment of divine timing before his father’s passing.