I Saw "The Passion of the Christ"

I Saw "The Passion of the Christ"

This week I took time to see Mel Gibson's movie, " The Passion," which relates the arrest, trial and crucifixion of our Lord. No movie ever produced has so stirred the anger and hated of unbelievers. Loud and vigorous opposition has poured from the Jewish and the Secularist element in our society. Although from different motives, neither group want the story told in so vivid a way.

The movie is a masterpiece of cinematography. Gibson's creative genius is obvious in the way he chose to capture and depict the events of that fateful event. The movie has the Jewish participants speaking in their native Aramaic and the Romans in Latin. That is what you would have heard had you been an observer in the crowd. Subscripts in English tell the story. Those who are familiar with the Gospel records need very little prompting to understand what is being said and done.

Critics have complained that the film is brutal. But tragically, that is the way it was. Prisoners had no rights in those days. The record tells us how they brutalized the Master. The Romans hated the Jews and inflicted horrendous suffering on thousands of Jewish victims. Under orders from Pilate they scourged Jesus. From history we know that many died from the beating. Crucifixion was the most inhumane way of death ever invented.

Sitting in the darkened theater, on several occasions, tears welled in my eyes as I relived the agony of his suffering. Some scenes were so painful that I found myself glancing away for a moment. As I stood up to leave, an elderly lady seated on the isle took my hand and mumbled a few words choked with emotion.

When I reached my car I sat there a few moments reflecting on what I had witnessed. I felt a sense of shame that my sins had contributed to his suffering. I felt small and pathetic that I had not served him better in view of what he had done for me. I thanked God that he had extended mercy to me else I could not possibly have been saved. I promised God that I would serve him better in the days I have left to live. Never again will I complain about my hardships.

I think it safe to predict that this movie will sweep around the planet and touch millions of hearts in a positive way. I suspect that many sinners will be pricked in their hearts and ask "What must I do to be saved?" The words of the Master himself provide the answer they need, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). The people of Jerusalem who later realize the horrible mistake they had made cried out, "Men and brethren What shall we do? Peter told them, to "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of your sins and you shall received the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). We must try our best to reach these precious souls with the answer the Holy Spirit has given. Be assured Satan will do his best to confuse, bewilder and mislead them.

It is very likely that "The Passion" will become a classic movie that people will be watching 50, perhaps 100 years from now. I am grateful to Mel Gibson for the risk he took and the job he did that will benefit all who see it.

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