Line Upon Line

My wife and I went to the Krafft 8 Theatre in Port Huron, Michigan, Monday morning to see The Passion of the Christ. I'm sure by now, many of you have either seen Mel Gibson's much talked about film, or plan to see it soon. The film earned $125 million in its first five days--putting it right up there with Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

The Paralysis of Analysis

It's hard to describe the feelings I had, as Debbi and I got in the car and headed to the theatre. After reading countless reviews, and listening to endless debates about this movie, I wasn't sure what to expect. I do believe I would have viewed the film differently if I hadn't heard all the media coverage. Instead of experiencing the emotion and drama of the story, I found myself analyzing every scene for scriptural accuracy and anti-Semitic messages. I watched from a distance.

Was there too much violence? Maybe. The movie was brutal in its depiction of the physical sufferings of Christ. But, really, none of us know exactly how the events unfolded. What is certain, according to the prophet Isaiah, is that, "many were amazed when they saw him--beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person" (Isaiah 52:14, NLT). Obviously, He was tortured and beaten without mercy.

There's something I think we often miss, though, when we consider Jesus' suffering. Every year, on Good Friday, or sometime during the Easter season, someone pulls out a doctor's description of the suffering one goes through while being crucified. From all accounts, it's a terrible way to die. But when you think of the physical suffering Jesus endured on the cross, you need to remember that there were two other guys--one on His right and one on His left--that endured the same things He did. There was a difference, however. These men were guilty and deserved to die--Jesus died an innocent man.

Now, I'm not trying in any way to diminish the work of Christ on the cross. But the truth is, thousands of people have experienced the horrors of death by crucifixion. Church tradition tells us that Peter was crucified--upside down. Now, that's a tough way to go.

A Look Behind the Scenes

To really understand the sufferings of Christ, you must look behind the scenes--you must understand what happened to Jesus in the realm of the spirit. I believe that the pain Jesus felt in the flesh--as terrible as it was--pales in comparison to what He experienced when our sin was laid upon Him. I believe this was the chief reason for His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was not the fear of being physically nailed to the cross that caused Him to sweat drops of blood--it was the knowledge that when He took our sin, He would experience a separation from His Heavenly Father. The moment He realized that separation, He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?" There is no way we can understand the agony and terror of that moment.

These things, my friend, were the depths of the suffering and pain Jesus endured for you and me. Paul put it this way, "He who knew no sin, became sin..." (2 Cor. 5:21). At that moment, the sun was obscured, darkness fell upon the land, and Jesus knew what it felt like to be abandoned, cast off, and forsaken by God--He knew the feeling of being lost.

As I watched The Passion, the word "torn" came to mind.

I saw Mary, the mother of Jesus, watching in agony, as her son was torn from her, and as His body was torn apart by scourging and crucifixion. I felt Jesus' pain as the nails tore through his hands and feet, and when He was torn away from the presence of the Father. I imagined the Father's heart being torn in two, as that single tear dropped from the heavens, and splashed on the earth below. Then there was the veil in the temple--torn from top to bottom--signaling a new day, opening a new way, and inviting us back into the presence of God.

You see, if you only focus on the physical aspect of the sufferings of Christ, you will miss the greatest sacrifice of all--Jesus didn't just offer His body--He offered His very life, too.

Because of Love

While we are on this earth, there's only so much that we will be able to comprehend concerning Christ's sacrifice. Now, we only "know in part." But when we see Him face to face, we will understand more completely the price that was paid for our redemption from the power of sin and a sentence of death. Jesus Christ bore our sins, He took our punishment, and He suffered more than anyone ever has or ever will.

Why did He subject Himself to such pain and suffering?

Because of love. Because God loved the world so much that He was willing to give up His only Son to die for our sins. Because Jesus loved the Father so much He was willing to lay down His life in obedience to the will and purpose of God. Jesus truly is "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

"Thank You, Mr. Gibson"

I commend Mel Gibson for putting his money where his heart is, and making this movie. It has--and will--touch hundreds of thousands of lives for time and eternity. God is using this breathtaking portrait of the suffering of Jesus Christ as a catalyst for conversation about the meaning of His life and death. This is one story the devil would just as soon bury (God knows he's tried!). But God has a way of bringing dead things to life. You just can't keep a good man down!

By the way, if you haven't seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you must. But I suggest you watch them in sequence. Going to see The Return of the King, before you've seen The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, is like starting a book 2/3 of the way through--you're just not going to understand what's going on. There are many good reasons why Return of the King was voted "Best Picture of 2003" by the Motion Picture Academy. You simply must see it. But do yourself a favor--see the other two first.

think on these things...

Isaiah 53:3-8 (LVB)
We despised him and rejected him--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised and we didn't care. Yet it was our grief he bore, our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, for his own sins! But he was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; he was lashed--and we were healed! We--every one of us--have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on him the guilt and sins of every one of us! He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he never said a word. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he stood silent before the ones condemning him. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that he was dying for--that he was suffering their punishment?

"My movie has a tremendous message of faith, hope, love, forgiveness and a message of tremendous courage and sacrifice. My hope is that it will effect people on a very profound level and somehow change them..." -- Mel Gibson

For more articles on "The Passion of the Christ," and the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice, visit The Christian Broadcasting Network's "The Passion of The Christ Special Feature". I also encourage you to take a look at Gordon Robertson's perspective on "Psalm 22 and The Passion of Jesus".