Throughout the film I kept thinking of Dan Evans as a sort of Jesus figure. He obviously carries this image as he's the hero of the story, but also for some other reasons. When Jesus came to earth most of the Jews rejected him because they thought the Messiah was going to be someone who was going to come and be a big war hero and overthrow the oppressive rulers. William, Dan's son, didn't show him the respect he should have as a son to his father, saying that he wasn't going to get things done about Hollander taking their land away, is like the Jews attitude toward Jesus when he came.
Once Dan has successfully gotten Wade from the inn to the train station without being shot they're sitting there waiting for the train to come, Dan just says, "You know, I ain't stubborn." Wade asks what he's talking about and Dan replies that he's not stubborn like Wade had accused him of being for keeping his family on that dying ranch in the middle of the desert. Dan explains that his youngest, Mark, was diagnosed with tuberculosis and the doctor told him he needed to be moved to a dry climate. Even though it's hard on the family Dan is keeping his family there because it's the best thing for his son. God is like that. We may not know why things are the way they are, but I believe that God knows what he's doing and what's best for us. Even if we don't know why we're in a situation, God knows what's best for us, so we should trust him in everything we are given.
Right before Dan takes Wade to the train station from the inn Wade tries to strike a deal with Dan. As Dan is going to be paid $200 upon return, Wade offers him $400 to let him go. Dan says, "So you figure that's my price, do you?" and Wade responds, "No. No I reckon it's a thousand." There's some silence before Wade actually gives him the offer of $1,000, plus $10,000 from Hollander's coach he had held up at the beginning of the movie. Dan, not sure if he believes him jokes, "Will that be in a bank note, Wade? Or would you be kind enough to make a deposit for me?" and Wade, straight-faced, responds, "Cash. All you gotta do is open that door and let me walk out." You can see Dan's mind going back and forth in the look on his face, actually considering trading the lives of the people that died to help him get Wade where he is now for a fortune (at that time). This is a decision we face, though not to that extreme, everyday. We have the choice to go on and do what we know we need to do for the greater good, or do the easier thing, which may seem to be profitable to you at the time.
Dan is called, on several occasions, referred to as "The one who walked Ben Wade to that station when nobody else would." Jesus was the one who walked our sins to the cross when nobody else COULD.
These are the spiritual connections I made while watching the film 3:10 to Yuma.
Next Week's Film: 10 Things I Hate About You: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147800/
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