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Print There are no words to describe the range of emotions I felt while watching The Passion of the Christ. Yes, I went to see this movie and I have to say that I'm glad I did. To say that I came out of the theater with a deeper appreciation for what Jesus did for me is an understatement. I realized that I've become complacent about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. It's been watered down to a nice story that we sing about or what we tell our children in Sunday school. Sure, I know that He loves me and died for me but I hadn't grasped the full extent of the sacrifice Jesus made for me and I don't expect that I ever really will. I can't say that I would recommend this movie to just anyone. It is extremely graphic and intense and I'm not sure that I care to see it again. But it has made me see just how much I take Jesus' sacrifice for granted. From the first scene with Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane to the last as He exited the tomb, the Easter story became real to me. It wasn't even as though I was watching a movie. I can't begin to describe the scene that was portrayed. This was not your typical passion drama. The true magnitude of His love was revealed to me and I don't think I'll ever forget it. I could not stop the tears from flowing as I got a glimpse of what Jesus went through. He was in agony those first moments in the garden leading up to his arrest. He was beaten, spit upon and ridiculed, and He endured it all for me. I wanted to scream at His mockers and the soldiers who continuously beat Him to leave Him alone! I knew that this is what He was called to do; yet it wasn't fair. This was my Jesus they were killing! He was treated like a common criminal and I felt powerless to stop it. It was a gruesome depiction of what happened and for a brief moment I felt the pain He endured for my sake. He went through it all so that I wouldn't have to suffer as He had. He calls it His passion. I can honestly say that I've never known real passion like that. The terms passion or to be passionate about something are used so loosely now that we don't know what it really means anymore. Jesus demonstrated what real passion is. The main thing that kept going through my mind was that He could have walked away and said no. He could have called for angels to deliver Him but He stood there and accepted the beatings and the mockery and the whole time He was thinking of me. He was thinking, "I'm doing this for you, Robin Minette Parfait, because I love you and I want you to be with Me in eternity." I couldn't ask for a greater love! Then I felt shame. I knew it should have been me being beaten and mocked. It should have been me nailed to that cross with the crown of thorns in my head and I realized how unworthy I am. That Jesus would take on my sin and my guilt and carry that burden in the form of a cross to a hill called Calvary is beyond my comprehension. But I'm so glad He did! The entire movie had an impact on my faith in God but there are a few scenes that spoke to me in a special way. I felt what Simon the Cyrenian felt when, after being forced to help Jesus carry His cross, he began to realize what manner of man he was helping. He'd reached a point where he'd had enough of the taunting and constant lashings and he screamed at them to stop, as I wanted to do. I felt some relief that someone had stood up for Him, even though I knew that it would continue and that Jesus was walking to His death. Then there are the scenes where Mary is watching while her firstborn is being sacrificed for the sins of the world. Although I am not a mother, I felt her pain and helplessness as she too is unable to put an end to the madness. I could feel her longing to hold her baby in her arms just one more time as she watched them beat Him mercilessly. She wasn't really given the chance to say one last goodbye. It was heart wrenching. I imagined she had a hope that He wouldn't have to go through it all even though she knew it was God's will. I'm sure she battled God's will with her own. I cried for Mary also. And, there is the scene at the cross where the Roman soldier is told to thrust the spear in Jesus' side to make sure He is dead. This particular soldier also begins to realize just who Jesus is and it seems he is trying to make sense of it all. We all know the story, they pierced His side and water and blood pours out of the wound. When the soldier does this, the water and blood pours out right on his head and as I reflected on this later I realized that it must symbolize baptism. I don't know if that's what Mel Gibson intended to portray, but that's what I gleaned from that scene, and again I was absolutely awed by God's everlasting love. Jesus was sent for the Roman soldier, He was sent for the Jewish leaders and everyone else who rejected Him, He was sent for Simon the Cyrenian and He was sent for me. His passion covered the multitudes and He left no room for doubt as to the extent of His love. The Passion has caused so much controversy amongst believers and unbelievers, Jews and Gentiles, even among Apostolics. But I think those who would argue the pros and cons of watching this movie are missing the point entirely. It's not about the silly issues we like to bring up (i.e. is it okay to watch The Passion?). It's not even about who is guilty of killing Him. I've heard it said that we all killed Him and I agree with that statement. It was all of our sins He took on, not just the Jews, but the sins of every people, nation and language. However, He told those who condemned Him that they had no power over Him except what was given them from above. In short, He chose to die for us! He willingly accepted the sins of man and carried them as His own to be condemned for those sins; past, present and future. All because He loves us as far as His arms were stretched out on that cross and that's the point of this movie. I can't imagine anyone else, now or ever, willing to do that for me. How can anyone argue with a love like that! I could go on and on about how The Passion affected me. It's certainly made me more grateful for the sacrifice Jesus made. I'm in awe of the God of this universe and the lengths He would go to to make sure I'm not lost for eternity. The scripture has been used so much that it's almost become a cliche, if that were possible, but it bears repeating. John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I'm so thankful to be counted as His friend.
ninetyandnine.com © 2004, Robin Parfait --------- Robin Parfait lives in Nashville and feels blessed to be loved by God. |
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