On February the 24th, I saw an advance screening of Mel Gibson's "The
Passion of the Christ" and I was stunned to say the least. For months
the movie has been touted by many Christian Leaders as a wonderful
evangelistic tool, I admit to wondering just what would its evangelical
effect be on me. What would I be drawn to? What would it do to my own
heart?
What I experienced went far deeper than I imagined, for this was much
more than a collection of violent colloid images on a screen...it was a
vision. I'm not saying it is a perfect vision or a complete one; still
the graphic imagery ripped away at the notion of "Jesus, meek and
mild." Here was a Savior whose very presence commanded attention—who
without defending himself defended us all for eternity sake. This film
like the Scripture, shows a strong man standing alone after all have
deserted him, but he's not wavering. Mostly silent, yet fighting with
all he has, not for his own life but for ours.
The Romans used Crucifixion as a political and military punishment,
pouring out their cruelty on the lowest rungs of society—slaves,
violent criminals and whoever stood against Rome. Some scholars believe
that Jesus spent 6 hours on hanging on the cross, this after some of
the most torturous beatings anyone has ever had to endure. Here, a
supreme battle took place as He took on the sins of the world. In the
film, one of the thieves cries out to Jesus, "why do you embrace your
cross?" He embraced the cross and His Father's will for our sake, for
that battle.
To me the Passio—the suffering of our Lord—intense as it was, didn't
over shadow the passion he showed for humanity. All through the
scourging, the beatings, the insults and the desertions, he continues
to look on them with compassion and love. Although his right eye is
closed shut due to the severe beatings, he keeps scanning the crowd of
accusers, loved ones and bystanders, powerfully demonstrating how the
eye of the lord is always on our redemption. When the movie shows Jesus
repeatedly falling down, it shows it from the viewpoint of Jesus, often
viewing their feet as he lands on the ground. Our Savior was and is
concerned for our walk, where we're going and the burden we carry with
us.
Despite many reviews to the contrary, this is not a finger pointing
film. No, this is an anti-sin film, a story about Father God who so
loves His creation, is so against sin, that He births His divinity into
the world to redeem it. If one views this film simply as a means to
evangelize one's neighbor or sees it strictly as propaganda, they will
miss a great treasure. This is a visual representation of the greatest
love story ever told, it reveals the heart of God towards us and the
truth of who really "killed" Christ...no one, for He purposely gave up
His life. Yes, it was my sin that nailed Him to the cross but it was
His love for me that drove Him there. This is the Gospel, the Good
News, all wrapped up in a declaration of..."Father forgive them, they
know not what they do!"
My passion for the Christ must try to reach the level of my Saviors
love for me. The feeble attempts at such an intensity of love needs to
end, it can't stay ordinary, safe and measured. This passion must
overwhelm me, drawing me deeper into Him, His Passio made it possible
for me to live my life out in this manner. As a father I want to love
my children so much, so well, so completely, just like the Father loves
me. I want to be like Him, unafraid to send His own into a dark place
to bring life and light.
The cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective.
A. W. Tozer
Blessings,
Jay
A father of seven,
Jay Cookingham has been happily married to his wife Christine for 22
years. Although trained as a graphic designer, Jay has been writing
poetry, short stories and articles for as long as he can remember. A
featured columnist at Fatherville.com
, Christianwriters.com
,ibelieve.com
,and
Crossmap.com ,
he also writes a weekly e-mail newsletter for fathers. His "Seven
Promises from Your Husband" was featured on the Ken Canfield's radio
program Today's Father
. Recently published in the God's Way series for Fathers, the
series for Teachers and Christmas.godswaybooks.com , He
is currently writing his first book on the subject of fathering.
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