My thoughts on The Passion

I finally watched the movie, The Passion. I had been putting it off for a long time because I didn't know how I felt about it or how I could feel about it after I watched it. My wife and I had mentioned several times that we would like to view this movie, but it just isn't a Friday night with popcorn kind of movie. So, it kept getting bumped back and bumped back until two days ago when we finally watched it.

There are several different topics that I could blog about when approaching this movie, but instead of focusing on the different issues of the movie, I have decided to share with you the thoughts that persisted throughout the course of the movie. I want to do this because I can honestly say that I was deeply moved in the watching of this film. I really don't want to discuss Mel Gibson and his life or the ideas that he was trying to support through the movie. We'll save that for another day.

The first thought that kept coming back to me throughout the movie is one that, if said the wrong way, could seem trivial. I will say it anyway, knowing what I mean by it, and hoping that as you read, you will see as well. I just have to say it: Jesus is my hero. What He did... It is absolutely heroic to me. I walked away from this movie admiring who He is even more.

I will immediately jump into the second persistent thought, because it stems directly from the first persistent thought. Here it is: Jesus never claims the monopoly on suffering. Instead He, over and over again, calls us to follow Him into that suffering! There are so many great passages that support this thought that it deserves a post all to itself, but I don't want to lose any readers with an exceptionally long post, so I will only share this one: In I Peter 2:19, after talking about being submissive to earthly authority, Peter then states, "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." How often do we bear the "pain of unjust suffering"?!? Not often.

It goes on to say, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." If you look at the context of I Peter, it really ties it all together. In the next part it says, "Likewise, wives..." Then a little later it says, "Likewise, Husbands..." In other words, just like that... just like the cross... that is how you are to love and submit. It then goes on to address all of us and our submission and love and compassion for each other because of what Christ did for us on the Cross!

He is going to the cross, and He calls us to follow. This, as briefly as possible, is the second persistent thought. Just keep reminding yourself, that when He went to the cross, He didn't stop there.

I am hesitant to share the third, and final persistent thought. It is concerning others who have watched the film and/or those who participated in the making of the film. Just watching what a Roman crucifixion was like... I don't know. I was just thinking to myself, "How can you watch that and walk away without a deeper love for Jesus? ... a deeper appreciation for who He is?" I hesitate sharing that thought, simply because I can't see the heart and I don't want to be judgmental. It persisted in my mind though, and it does make me wonder.

So, there you go, and as short-winded as I can be, these are the three persistent thoughts that I had while watching The Passion. Has anyone else watched it who would like to share your thoughts on the movie? I would love to hear from you.