AssemblyBoard

     One week in advance of the national release of Mel Gibson's  The Passion of the Christ, I offer this thread as a forum for opinion, discussion and testimony regarding what may be one of the most influential representations of Jesus Christ of our times.
     Extreme controversy surrounding the film started months in advance of its debut.  Having read several articles and viewed Diane Sawyer's hour-long interview of Gibson and E.T.'s interview of Jim Caviezel, who enacts the role of Jesus, I offer the following prayer requests:

--For a positive testimony of Christ's love and sacrifice to every viewer.
--That everyone will see it who should see it.
--For prepared & open hearts & minds.  Sinners & saints.
--For every Christian to be ready to speak a word to those who may have questions after seeing the film.  Yes, even to strangers.  This may be an occasion and an opportunity like no other.
--For the exercise of wisdom regarding children's viewing of the film.  It is extremely violent, as befits the violence our Lord suffered for us.  Adults may be wise to view it before deciding about the children, then return with the children if it is deemed advisable.
--For a great harvest of souls brought to repentance and redemption.
--This is an occasion of spiritual warfare:  Pray for the victory!

     What do you think, anticipate, hope for, recommend?

     Here is a link to a brief article spoofing the allegation that Gibson & his film are anti-semitic.  The article is joking, but you may be encouraged to read the numerous Christian emails of respone that follow it:

          http://www.scrappleface.com/MT/archives/001593.html (http://www.scrappleface.com/MT/archives/001593.html)

I have been following the Passion for several months now.  When I was at an employee retreat in West Virginia, Mel Gibson was there to show Dr. Graham and Franklin Graham his movie.  I didn't get to see Mr. Gibson, however.

Most stories I read from TownHall were overwhelming positive.  One warning story came from John Fischer on the Breakpoint website.  He was afraid that the Evangelical community would rally around to movie to such an extent that it would become a "Christian outreach thing" and, as a result, alienate the very people they are trying to reach.  Secularists would probably want to go see a movie.  But, they won't want to see it if they imagine it as pushy evangelism or in the same genre as "Left Behind", "Thief in the Night" and the "Jesus" film.

While Mr. Fischer has a point, I'm not sure what practically can be done about that.  Christians are going to get excited.  Those in Hollywood live in such a different world, it is like a cool drink in the desert when a movie comes out that protrays Jesus as somthing other than a homosexual struggling with his identity.

     I am obligatted to repond to this allagetion:  It was my secetrary's falt!

Here's another site to look at:  

     http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/trailers/index.html (http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/trailers/index.html)

     (I don't know why these links aren't coming up as hyperlinks...  Brian?) ???

al

The links aren't coming out right because you're using the wrong tags.

[]means underline[]

[[url]]means a web link[[/url]]

you have formed the bad habit of hitting the U (underline) button instead of the URL button (insert hyperlink) - its the one with the little pic of a globe on it. theres many a slip twixt keyboard and click...  :)

brian

Al---


You got corrected on your spelling. Someone told me the other day my grammar was bad. But that's so malicious--my grammar lived to be 81 and was one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.



Horrible joke. I know.  Back to the Passion links pronto!!

Steve,
     Thanks for the info.

Brian,
     Thanks for fixing it.

Joe,
     Thanks for...    ???

 ;Dal ;)

Al---

I've noticed through the months that the first "reviews" so to speak were very negative from the Christian community. There was even some mention of "strange events" occuring(the person playing Judas being hit by lightning, etc.). But as time has gone on, it's become more and more positive---I really want to see the movie when it comes out.

--Joe

     Actually, it was Jim Caviezel, as Christ, who was struck by lightning.  To get the full effect of the darkened heavens, they filmed the crucifixion during a storm.  When they erected the cross lightning struck him.  He said in an interview that cast & crew members said there was "fire coming out of my head."
     Caviezel, a devout Roman Catholic as is Mel Gibson, said he believes that such events (there were others) were signs of God's approval of their work, rather than otherwise.

I do hope that Christians will take the opportunity to set the record straight on the "anti-semitic" issue.
 
It has been my experience that Christians hold no ill will towards the Jewish people, but rather rightly see them as the Apple of God's Eye, the Chosen People, and that their role in Christ's death was all a part of God's plan to reconcile mankind to Himself.
 
The Book of Acts, among others, is pretty clear that it is the death and ressurection of Christ that allows the rest of us...a people who were afar off...equal access to the promises of God.
 
Why would Christians blame the Jews for the very thing that gives us Salvation?

I believe we should all be ready to respond in a manner befitting a redeemed people when confronted with such accusations of anti-semitism.

Janet

   

     Some American Jewish leaders have been very concerned about the impact of this film because of the passage in Matt.27:24-25:

     When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
     Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

     For centuries nominal Christians, governments and the "official" church used those two verses as verification that all Jewish people were accursed, thus justifying the persecution of them.  My own father, born in 1905, related to me how as a little boy he would awake in the middle of the night to the sounds of rocks pelting the walls of his home, and voices yelling "Christ-killers!"

     In response to the concerns expressed by Jewish leaders, Mel Gibson removed the subtitle bearing verse 25 from the film.  The line can still be heard amid the crowd noises, but it is spoken in aramaic, which not many viewers will understand, particularly those who might be inclined toward anti-semitism.

     Nothing in scripture indicates that the statement of verse 25 resulted in a cursing of the Jewish people.  To the contrary, the gospel of Jesus Christ was taken to the Jews first, even after the crucifixion.

     Mel Gibson has stated clearly in public that anti-semitism is against the tenets of his faith, and that racial or religious prejudice and bigotry are sins.

     As a side issue, Mel Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, 85, has made some decidedly anti-semitic statements, including, "They're after one world religion and one world government," and, "Is the Jew still actively anti-Christian?  He is, for by being a Jew, he is anti-everyone else."
     Hutton Gibson also alleges that the Nazis' extermination of 6 million Jews during the 1930s-1940s was "maybe not all fiction--but most of it is."  Of Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, the elder Gibson said that "Greenspan tells us what to do.  Someone should take him out and hang him."

     Mel Gibson has taken a lot of flak for not refuting his father's allegations but, to his credit, he has fulfilled the role of a faithful son.  "He's my father. I love him. Leave it alone," he told Diane Sawyer on national television.
     Mel Gibson has clearly stated his own position toward the Jewish people, which obviously opposes his father's views.  The public is obligated to accept his statements at face value, and has no right to demand that the man turn against his father.


     Please, let us all seriously pray and prepare toward this goal.  Thank you, Janet.




   

Maybe this will give you a glimpse of what to expect.
Love ya'll - Gordon.


MY ACCOUNT OF THE PASSION ( written after the movie )

 

After the Passion I was on my knees at midnight worshipping God. I stammered in my words, I really didn’t know what to say. At times, after the movie all I could do was worship or just whispering, “Thank you…thank you…thank you….you are holy, you are holy…holy…holy.”

 
This movie disturbed me, and humbled me. I had no idea…how much My Lord went through. I read the scriptures time and time again. I’ve preached, studied, meditated, discussed and written about the death of Christ more than I can remember.
 
But I had no idea it would be like this. I wasn’t even close.
 
**
 
It simply caught me unaware.
 
It was the most difficult movie to watch in my entire life. Every fiber of your being is disturbed watching the flogging scene. It was brutal, cruel and bloody. The scene was too much to endure. I had to watch it though because I knew in my heart that what Christ brought to me was not a beautifully packaged gift.
 
It’s not religion where everything is perfect, sparkling gold with a white ribbon to top it off.
 
It was love, and it was the intense love of laying down His life for mine - coupled with an intense suffering beyond the scope of my comprehension.
 
During the flogging scene I heard weeping, and sobbing in the theater. I still cannot escape the visceral experience of it.  
 
**
 
Watching this Savior fall again and again as he carried his cross made my head hang and caused me to bite my lip.
 
Deep down, I heard my flawed emotional cry, “This has to stop.”
 
One must be reminded of how Christ foretold his own death and upon seeing the reaction of people asked, “Does this offend you?” (John 7:61) Isn’t there another way we can come to God except you?
 
Funny thing, when you think about it: that’s exactly what the devil would have wanted. The whole time in the movie you see the constant battle to stop Christ from going to the cross. There’s has to be another way.  
 
There isn’t another way. It had to be suffering. All the extremities and complexities of sin required the sacrifice of the  Lamb of God at Calvary. He himself was zealous for this sacrifice. NOT MY WILL, but THINE.
 
He laid down his life of his own accord. The sentimental human heart cried for another way, but this is the way God chosen. You must realize Jesus Christ was in total control. During the arrest, when Peter tried to defend his master Christ reminded him in the scriptures, “Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legion of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?” (Matthew 26:53-54)
 
It was the only way.
 
I believe that’s why it’s such a travesty to say there’s another way to heaven. By good works? By your own merits? By the beautiful religious pageantry, and rituals of religion? Purchase life with silver or gold? Of it all, filthy rags before Him.
 
To see my Savior go through this…this is the only way. He said it himself, “I am the Way…the Truth…and the Life”.
 
**
 
The crucifixion scene was intense. Your body shook and you winced at each impact. I felt a huge wave of sickness hearing the slamming of the hammer against the nail repeated again and again. It was a cold metal echo that haunted your soul. Then you watched the cross fall with Christ hanging and it just makes you want to say, “No more…” with tears running down your face.
 
It left you broken and spent.
 
AFTERMATH AND REFLECTION
 
Honestly, all I could do after watching the movie is to kiss the feet of my Savior, shedding tears of humility, awe, worship and thankfulness. Broken to pieces, hoping every piece would shed one tear of worship at his feet.
 
**
 
 
Anyone not disturbed watching this movie has something wrong. I totally understand why some women could not watch this movie. A friend of mine watched it with me, and she had to leave shaking and sobbing in tears.  She simply couldn’t take it anymore, and there were many moments I had to turn away from the screen.
 
But, if we let the blood, brutality and the emotion of the movie get the best of us, we missed the point. The point is how truly wretched our sin is. It was disgusting beyond comprehension before the holy vision of God. The point is we’ve made the death of Christ to be some beautiful painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
 
My friend said the same thing too. She didn’t want the movie to be a week-long emotional ride, but she wanted an eternal mark on her life because she had a greater consideration of the death of Christ.
 
**
 
The Love of God was clearly demonstrated in the Passion. This movie gave a visual experience and breathed life to the scripture in a manner very few people could have captured in their own mind.
 
Mel Gibson wasn’t kidding – he wanted to push you over the edge and he did. The Passion left me numb and I’ve experienced the most intense thoughts, feeling and images of my entire life.
 
Hopefully, it will push you to worship him. To surrender your heart to Him again.
 
To pray to Him.
 
***
 
We love you God. You are Holy, you are awesome. We are in awe of you and your love. You are beautiful Jesus…there is no one like you. No one who deserved a greater place in our hearts. You are victorious. You are incredible. Thank you!!!
 
 
 

Thanks, Gordon, for an excellent and heartfelt review.  Pray that multitudes will be so affected by this film, and that God's people will be ready to guide those who are moved to seek Him.

A positive review by columnist Cal Thomas of The Washington Post can be read at:

       http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/cthomas.htm (http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/cthomas.htm)

Here's a question:

In the bible, was Satan really seeking to stop Christ from going to the cross? I was always taught that Satan did not fully understand the purpose of the cross until the deed was done and it was too late.

As far as the film goes, I saw a contradiction in this regard. In the opening scene, Satan is trying to tempt Christ to not go the way of the cross. However, throughout the movie Satan is depicted as influencing Judas, moving through the Pharisees and the Romans, inciting them against Jesus.

So which is it?

Thanks in advance for your help.

S

PS - Otherwise Gordon was right about the film. Every seat in the place was filled and when we filed out, you could have heard a pin drop. I'd never seen a crowd leave a movie like that before.

Al,

I went to see the movie and I thought for three days about it.

I couldn't even work fully because I was so occupied with it. In my city, of SLO, I realized that this is the biggest opportunity for Christians to be available to answer and talk to people about Christ. I decided to do my personal 'evangelism' at Starbucks after my co-worker casually mentioned that I should just bring John Piper's book, THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, and leave the book in plain view and see what response I get.

Sure enough within 5 minutes of pulling the book out, a girl came up and asked me about it after seeing the title of the book. We discussed for 15 minutes as she stood up her boyfriend and in the end I gave her the book so she can learn more about our Savior after she told me she saw the movie. I didn't even mentioned the fact I saw two people come to Christ with tears streaming down their eyes after the movie!!!

Everyone, this is the BIGGEST spiritual phenom our lifetime for evangelism. The movie is even discussed in the middle east right now. That's right, the very same internet network that Bin Laden used, is discussing this movie. Muslims, Jews, poor, rich, black, white...everyone is being exposed to this movie.

It's violent, and horrible because it was God's will to bruise him. (Isaiah 53:10, Ephesians 5:2)
Too long we made the cross a jewelry, and we made the sacrifice seem like a beautiful painting. It was a bloody sacrifice with enormous suffering.

I feel so honored, so priviledged to share Christ after this movie. It's seems like everything I do lately is simply because I cannot help but well up with tears out of love for this wonderful Savior who went through so much for me.

My hope is for revival in this country and to see a spiritual phenom like we've never seen before and that we would pray with all our hearts!

I also hope this movie will provide a renewal and strength to those in the assembly and maybe even George G and those who need to see it might see it, and repent. Wouldn't it be something if George G did a tour to ask forgiveness from those he stumbled? Wow.

Pray everyone because I've never been so excited about a movie as this one! God's is really doing something out of league!!!

CONSIDER HIM WHO ENDURETH SUCH HOSTILITY IN THE HANDS OF SINNERS LEST YOUR SOULS BECOME WEARY OR DISCOURAGED.

     It has never been clear to me what the devil's limitations are in knowledge or in power.  I am pretty sure that he would like us to think of him as being infinitely wise and powerful, while not really very dangerous.
     Tom & I knew a man years ago who stopped praying out loud because he believed that the devil would hear him and be able to make his prayers ineffective.  That is the kind of thing that satan loves for people to think.

     The purpose of satan's attempts to tempt Christ seems to have been to put a stop to His earthly ministry, and indicates that satan did not understand our Lord's character nor ultimate destiny.  Had the plan of redemption been comprehensible to him, why would satan have followed his failure at temptation with an effort to put Jesus to death?
     Because the powers of darkness are familiar enough with the scriptures to misuse them does not indicate that they understand them or their purpose.  The many attempts to murder Jesus, from Herod's massacre of the children to Annas, Caiphas and Pilate, seem to show us that the prophecies of the suffering and sacrificial Messiah were a locked mystery to fallen angels and fallen men.  They saw death as an end, and probably thought it would prove as final to Jesus' ministry as it seemed to have been for John the Baptist.

     My take may be wrong, but it looks to be the same yet today:  The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish.  Satan still seems to think that killing the saints will stop the spread of the gospel, as if we were the source of, rather than the vessels of, redemption.

Personal Observations Re: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST:

My state of mind:  Being a self-styled movie buff and a Mel Gibson fan, I had anxiously anticipated the film's release since first learning of its production, and had been reading & watching everything I could find about it.  I was psyched for it.  I had more or less persuaded myself that the film would provide me previously unattained insights into the realities of redemption.
    This past Sunday my pastor addressed the topic of the film and our attitudes regarding it.  He did not advise that we should or should not see it, but that we pray about its effect upon our society and our own responsiveness to inquiries that may arise from our acquaintances.  He emphasized that whether or not the film's origin is from God, it will present the greatest attention given toward Christ of our present time, and that its impact will be contested in spiritual warfare.
    Upon reflection later that day, I realized that God has not shortchanged us with the Bible's account of the sufferings of Christ.  If my comprehension of the Passion is lacking, it is a shortcoming of my vision of what the scriptures teach-- not something that a movie was needed to supply.  Understanding, then, that I didn't need the experience of the film to enhance my spiritual appreciation, I was able to anticipate seeing it (or not) objectively.

My observations:  My adult son and I saw The Passion today at noon.  I was surprised to see people munching popcorn & snacks while waiting for it to begin.  It simply hadn't occurred to me that some would be there out of curiosity or just to be entertained.  I forget the callousness of the unredeemed soul...  On the parking lot, after the film, a man approaching the theater called out to another who was leaving it, "Hey, did you see that religious movie?"
    My attention was fixed on the screen, but I suspect that those with food finished it quickly or not at all.  There were no previews.  The curtains parted and in moments we were in Gethsemane, observing Jesus in an agony of prayer and anticipation.  The violence began within minutes.  From the audience I heard soft gasps and sobbing throughout the film's two hours plus; but no conversation.
    The people leaving the auditorium after the showing were utterly silent.  We were the last two to leave, and didn't have any inclination to converse until we were in the foyer.

My impressions:  I cried.  The realism of the torture of Jesus is overbearing.  I have had numerous occasions throughout my adult life to observe bloody dying and death in the wilderness, on the streets and in hospital, so the film held no shock value for me personally.  But knowing the reason for the reality that the screen was portraying made the seeing of it a highly emotional experience for me.  I didn't want to or try to cry nor did I fight back the tears.  I simply cried.
    Each of us must decide for himself whether to watch The Passion.  It is not a "must-see," and no one's acceptance of the gospel will fail because they missed the movie.  I know people who would not profit by seeing it; who might be seriously damaged by what they would perceive.  Others I know might be moved in a positive way.  I cannot recommend for or against seeing it in general; only one-on-one, and then with reservation.  It is not entertainment.  Parents should see it before deciding whether to allow children to see it.  Anyone who sees it should undoubtably discuss it afterward, both with others and with God.

    It is a dramatic production and, as such, takes great (but perhaps not excessive) license in both imagery and dialog.  Some of the improvised dialog is powerful, some fanciful.  Likewise the imagery.  In particular, the latitude taken in portraying satan's involvement and in Judas Iscariot's final hours is expressive of the producer's religious and dramatic bent, exceeding the scriptural account by great bounds.  Flashbacks throughout the film, to earlier events in Jesus' life will be instructive to those already familiar with the gospels, but are probably lost on anyone else, not being long enough to establish their point alone.
    Anyone intending to see this film would be wise to prepare with a fresh reading of the four gospels, or at least those portions covering the events portrayed.  I intend to follow up with a second rereading of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John starting today.

    The greatest danger I see for viewers is to mistake the emotional impact of experiencing The Passion Of the Christ for a spiritual event.  The film is extremely moving, arousing empathy, sympathy, guilt, shame, anger, fear, joy and perhaps every possible emotional response.  These feelings need to be addressed, and are the reason I recommend both discussion and prayer.  Emotions are good, God-given parts of humanity, and can lead to life-changes of great importance, but they cannot stand alone and do not, in and of themselves, produce spirituality.
    If you had an appreciation of redemption before seeing The Passion, allow your feelings to enhance that knowing.  But never accept an experience as a replacement for knowledge of God's Word.  In time, your feelings will ebb; it's inevitable.  God is unchanging, regardless of any experience.  The knowledge of God is spirituality, no matter how you feel.  

My conclusion:  The gospel according to Mel, powerful as it is, is apocryphal, and will never be a part of the canon of scripture.  The Book is better than the picture.

al Hartman

Al:
how does it end?  Do the women go to the tomb, etc?  Or do they leave him in the graveclothes?
drj

     It ends with the resurrection, but I doubt the scene exceeds a minute's duration.  The whole emphasis is intended to be the price paid for our redemption.  The resurrection is included to state that His death wasn't the end of the matter without going into further detail.  If it had been any other Hollywood producer, I would suspect the groundwork being laid for a sequel, but I really don't think that is Gibson's intention...

I have seen a portion of Mel Gibson's private interview he gave to leaders of the Christian community at Willow and in it Mel said that he himself appears in the movie. Do you remember the scene when Jesus' hand was nailed to the Cross? Well, that was Mel's own hand that held the nail. He used it as a symbolism to show how much he felt like Jesus died for his sins too.

areyougettingit

Despite some very obvious creative liberties Mr. Gibson has taken, the impact of this film spiritually on Hindus, agnostics, etc. and struggling Christians cannot be measured. If this film brings people to Christ in a deeper and more meanginful way - the film has accomplished it's goal.


STORIES TAKEN FROM THE SITE:
http://www.mylifeafter.com/?func=responses&page=2&count=10


TESTIMONY OF A DEPRESSED GIRL

I've been suffering from a very deep depression for more than two years. I've cried plenty, taken medication, talked to people with hopes of getting rid of it. But truthfully it wasn't until I saw the movie that I had some change in my life. All my problems, that I thought were so big and unbearable, suddenly became nothing next to what Jesus went through for all of us. I know there's a purpose behind what he did, but we're not worthy of it in my opinion. Look at this world, it's turned upside down. It's as if EVERYONE in the world needs to go to the movie theatre to be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone should see the film. I have seen it three times, why I keep going back, I don't know. There is a lot to be learned from all this. I just wish the world would be more appreciative of Jesus. Thankfully for me my life is changing little by little. I wanted to thank Mel Gibson for having the courage to go through with it. Also the star of the movie ,James Caviezel; you beautifully portrayed Jesus, GOD bless you!!!!
 May everyone always be reminded of what Jesus did for humanity. God bless you all.      Love, Ana




AN AGNOSTIC MOVED TO TEARS
I had been weary of seeing this film. With all the discouraging comments from numerous film critics, I was afraid of the "gratuitous violence and gore" Mr. Gibson had portrayed on the screen.
 
 Well, I was moved. Moved beyond belief. Raised in a non-religious household, I always believed in a higher power. Hoped there was more than we have here on Earth. Considered myself "spiritual" but never full of a strong faith. Never defining what it meant to believe.
 
 But this film finally showed me what the story of Christ has meant to all true believers. As a film experience, it was shockingly good. As a spiritual teaching tool, it was effective. And left me wanting to know more.
 
 I can only hope that the beautiful message it conveys will be passed along to all that need it. Thank you.

Gordon,
     The website is very impressive-- Thank you!  To you and all, I reiterate my testimony:  This film is powerful-- perhaps the most powerful presentation of this aspect of Christ that we will witness in our lifetimes.  The message that this film conveys may easily turn a skeptical mind and a hardened heart into fertile ground for the gospel message.  It is no surprise to me that many conversions are being reported wherever The Passion is shown.
     BUT, the film alone cannot and will not sustain a soul very long beyond its initial impact.  Our prayers are needed:  for the preparation of souls to receive the message, for the conversion of the lost, and for the availability of Christians including ourselves to assist, nurture and encourage those who receive Christ.

Selah, Amen,
al

As usual, I generally get my newspaper column finished a bit after the news has past.  It goes in the Watauga Democrat (no political implication), a small local newspaper:

---

Why the Passion Left Us Speechless

By Dave Sable

I’ll leave the alleged controversies surrounding Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ to the gallons of ink dumped gratuitously throughout the nation’s newspapers in previously written editorials and reviews.  Much of the debate may be explained with the simple axiom, “one brings out of the movie much of what one brings in.”

When I attended the film, I sat behind an energetic collection of youths from Watauga High.  They were engaged in innocent fun, adolescent social interaction, and the securing of the refreshment supply line.  When the curtain rose and the giggling and whispers continued, I began to wonder if I had picked the wrong night to see the film that I both anticipated yet dreaded to see.

It was evident from the opening scene that this film was different than others in the religious drama wasteland.  We were not looking at a celluloid gospel tract where Jesus, dressed in white, quoted accurately from the King James Bible as he stood before self-righteous mannequins that were positioned to look like his sinister enemies.  Rather, we were feeling ourselves embarking on an intense journey.  Suddenly, we were touching the walls of His world.

While I, by a quirk in design, make it my habit to remain seated at the end of any film to listen to the closing song and read the names of the gaffer and best boy, I am generally in the vast minority on this one.  Nevertheless, when the Passion ended and the credits rolled, no one moved.  People sat in stunned silence, stared up at the screen, dabbed tears from their eyes, and thought deeply trying to ascertain the significance of what they had just experienced.  When the camera finally turned off, people rose, spoke in whispers, hugged friends and family and reluctantly made their way to the lobby.  For that brief afterglow, Welcome to Mooseport seemed shallow and trite and a waste of time.

What was it in this movie that affected us so poignantly?  Certainly it wasn’t the mere intensity or violence as Hollywood has no lack of such fare which young people consume like pizza before they race out during the credits to talk to friends or put their quarters into the slot of the Vice City computer game in the lobby.

The impact of the movie hit because the film ousted Jesus from “the religious story time” of our mind and back into history where He belongs.  It forced us to affirm that Jesus and His sufferings were real in the same way that Michael Jordan and his basketball achievements were real.  No longer could we manage Jesus as a religious ideal that reminds us to smile at strangers, exercise patience while driving, and give occasionally to the needy.  The movie put flesh and blood on the One towards whom we would feel more comfortable if He were but a distant myth.  

The film forced us to feel the agony of Jesus’ prayer, the sense of riot at his trial, the sadistic scorn of the Roman guards, the wearying steps to Mount Calvary, the horror of Roman execution, the intensity of the Savior’s pain, and the enormous sacrifice for humanity.  No longer could we hide behind personal beliefs in a pluralistic and postmodern society.  This was history in all its reality, and there was no denying it.

The early church worked hard to maintain that Jesus was “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled” (1 John 1:1).  They taught a real Jesus who walked, breathed, left footprints in the sand, and exerted weight on a chair when he wearily slumped down.  He was not merely an ideal, a concept, or an invisible spirit.  

This is why we left the theater speechless.  The human heart would be happy to believe in a sanitized Jesus who lives behind closed church doors or is relegated to the innocuous realm of inner consciousness.  However, the movie’s gripping portrayal forced us to face the reality of the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ and ponder its implied personal message.  This shut our mouths, impacted our souls, and, in many ways, troubled us deeply.

Dave Sable may be reached at outdeep@yahoo.com.

Good point Al, I liken it to the possibility of the palm tree worshippers when Christ comes in on a donkey, but I believe sincerely that this film is the most important film of 2004 and it will go a lot longer than anyone expects.

Excellent point on prayer. It's certainly by the spirit! Amen!




Gordon,
     The website is very impressive-- Thank you!  To you and all, I reiterate my testimony:  This film is powerful-- perhaps the most powerful presentation of this aspect of Christ that we will witness in our lifetimes.  The message that this film conveys may easily turn a skeptical mind and a hardened heart into fertile ground for the gospel message.  It is no surprise to me that many conversions are being reported wherever The Passion is shown.
     BUT, the film alone cannot and will not sustain a soul very long beyond its initial impact.  Our prayers are needed:  for the preparation of souls to receive the message, for the conversion of the lost, and for the availability of Christians including ourselves to assist, nurture and encourage those who receive Christ.

Selah, Amen,
al

Poem (by 16 year old girl)

In response to Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ
 
 
 
 
 
 To all those who “wash their hands” of Christ’s blood
 
 
 1Ti 1:15  "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
 
 This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all!
 
 
 
 
 You stretched out your arms
 
 To keep me from harm
 
 You bled so willingly
 
 Just for the sake of me…
 
 
 
 
 Bruised and beaten……
 
 Yet I keep on sinning
 
 Flogged and shamed……
 
 Others I still blamed
 
 
 
 It is because of my own sin
 
 That I realize now
 
 That I was the one who kicked your shin
 
 And bruised your brow
 
 
 
 I beat you with every ounce of my lust
 
 And with my anger, shoved you into the dust
 
 Spit on you with envy so great
 
 That was the moment your heart began to break
 
 
 
 Drunk with stubbornness so wickedly underhanded
 
 That’s why your hand were so brutally branded
 
 My gossip so intricately together wound  
 
 Were the thorns with which you were crowned
 
 
 
 My greed stole the vinegar that might ease your pain
 
 All just for my selfish gain
 
 I took all my burdens and shoved them upon your back
 
 Not even noticing the strength that you lacked
 
 
 
 With all of my torment and rage
 
 I nailed you to a mortal’s death cage
 
 And shoving a spear in your side
 
 I noticed that I started to cry
 
 
 
 For as your blood flowed down on me
 
 My sin was gone, forever, completely
 
 Gazing slowly into your eyes
 
 I hear, “It’s for you that I must die.”
 

Viewing of "Passion" Leads to Murder Confession

HOUSTON (March 26) - A man who had gotten away with murder confessed to police after seeing "The Passion of the Christ" and talking with a spiritual adviser, authorities said Thursday.

Dan R. Leach's viewing of Mel Gibson's cinematic depiction of the last hours of Jesus, along with the discussion with a family friend, led him to walk into the Fort Bend County sheriff's department earlier this month and confess to killing Ashley Nicole Wilson, Detective Mike Kubricht said.

A coroner had ruled her death by hanging a suicide.

Wilson's body was discovered Jan. 19 in her apartment near Richmond, southwest of Houston. All physical evidence pointed to suicide, Kubricht said, and the 19-year-old had gone off anti-depressant medications because she was pregnant.

The pregnancy apparently was the motive, Kubricht said, because Leach believed he was responsible and did not want to raise a child.

Leach, 21, wore gloves and left none of his own DNA behind, Kubricht said.

"He was very, very meticulous," Kubricht said. "It was very well-planned and well executed."

There was no answer at Leach's residence in Rosenberg on Thursday. He was arrested Tuesday, a day after his indictment for murder, and remained in county jail on $100,000 bond.

He was expected to get a court-appointed attorney, Kubricht said.

"Something (the adviser) said, between that and the movie, he felt in order for him to have redemption he would have to confess his sin and do his time," Kubricht said.

Leach faces up to life in prison if convicted.
..............................................................................................

     Yesterday I read that 45 percent of U.S. residents have seen "The Passion" or intend to, according to a professional poll.
      I have been neglectful to pray daily for a spiritual harvest from this film.  Today I mean to begin correcting that oversight.

al

Many thanks, Al for directing me to this thread...
I finally saw the movie...
alone
        It was like no other movie, and like no other Jesus movie....
As Dave said, we were thrusted into Jesus' tumultuous world with all but the smells of a middle eastern scenario.  A powerful part of the movie to me was the use of Aramaic...having been to southeast Asia and Africa, a unique part of the milieu of any culture/locality is the language. As Dave also said well..no scene here of a white robed Jesus speaking perfect King James english.  To hear the intonation of Caiphas shouting in Aramaic: Crucify him; to hear the desperate cry from the cross of Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani...

Yes, the film brings Jesus where he intends to be: out of the religious story book and into real human history.

I stand amazed in the presence of YESHUA the Nazarene, and wonder how HE loved me, a sinner condemned, unclean!

    In awe,
     wayne

Is there anyone out there who has not seen THE MOVIE yet? Here are some notes on symbolisms in the movie. FYI: these notes are merely a guide to ideas and are by no means a comprehensive list. Let us know how you interpreted the following scenes...

NOTES ON THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST SYMBOLISM

These are personal notes from Dr. James L. Hoefer (Living Christ Fellowship) from a group discussion with a priest called Fr. Sean of the Legionaries of Christ. The discussion took place on Friday, February 27, 2004 at the St. Joseph Center in Alhambra. Fr. Sean said he has  seen the movie 6 times and that his order had a priest on the set every day that Mel Gibson was shooting the movie. Because of this, he was privy to much information about the symbolism throughout the picture.

1) What was the meaning of the evil baby that Satan was holding? That
image of Satan holding an ugly child is an anti-Madonna image. The
child represents the future persecutions of the body of Christ, the
Church. The child is ugly because evil is a deformation of good. The
child is stroking the face of Satan because evil perverts what is
good. The stroking symbolizes the love of evil, much like a child
would love its mother, but in a perverted way. Remember this image
happens when Jesus is being scourged. His body is being wounded. His
body is being persecuted.  It is an image used by Mel Gibson to show
Satan flaunting his future plan of persecution of the Church in the
face of the sacrifice of the Lord.

2) Why is this movie so violent?
The violence you see Jim Caviezel endure as Jesus is really a
reflection of the violence that sin does to our souls. Violence is the
effect of sin on our souls. It destroys and disfigures us. It maims
us. It makes us look inhuman, ugly and hideous before the Father. The
violence also represents the price of our redemption. Since Jesus took
on our sin, He was made sin for us according to St. Paul, He took on
the punishment of that sin.  For our sake he made him to be sin who
did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in
him.  (2 Corinthians 5:21) This is the purpose of the violence in the film, to get people to realize the price that is paid by the body of Christ when people commit sin and the price paid by the Savior to set us free.

3) There was a discussion about the Agony in the Garden scene. Fr.Sean
brought up the idea that the reason Jesus suffered in the Garden was
because that is the moment He took on sin for us.  St. Paul says that
God the Father made Jesus to be sin. This is the moment when it
happens in the Garden. Since Jesus is the Son of God and God is pure
love, taking on the sin of the world, yours and mine, the sin of a
Hitler, a Stalin, a Genghis Kahn, (BB) etc., was an excruciating experience
for Him. At that moment, pure Love was forced to coexist with the evil
effect of sin in the agony Jesus experienced in the Garden of
Gethsemane.

4) In the Garden of Gethsemane, what is the snake a reference to?
Genesis 3:15  "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will
strike his heel. Notice that Jesus suffers immensely while Satan adds
to His burden but then Jesus makes a decision to do the will and with
that resolve he stomps on the snake to kill it.

5) There are plenty of Mass references in this picture. When Jesus is
being stripped, the movie flashes back to the Last Supper when the
bread is brought to the table and uncovered. When Jesus is being
elevated on the cross after being nailed to it, we see a flashback to
the Last Supper when Jesus raises the bread and says, This is my body.
The apostle John is shown as the one who remembers these flashbacks
and who makes the connection between the Bread of Life on the cross
and the Breaking of the Bread at the Last Supper.

6) When is the first time we see Mary?
Just as Jesus is arrested and put into chains. She wakes up saying,
"Why is this night different than any other?" And Mary Magdalene
responds that this is the night that they were set free from slavery.
Where do these lines come from?  They are the words that the youngest
says to the oldest at a Jewish Passover/Seder supper ritual. In this
case, the oldest was saying them to the youngest because this was THE
night that would set in motion the plan of salvation to set us free from sin.

The new Passover had begun with Jesus as the Lamb. Maia Morgenstern, a Jewess herself, had the idea to use these lines in the scene and when  she explained them to Mel, he agreed they had to be included in the picture to tie everything together.

7) When is the first time we see a maggot?
In the Garden of Gethsemane when you see one crawling in and out of
the nostril of Satan.  It is a very quick scene. When do we see a
maggot again? When Judas finds himself sitting next to a maggot
infested mule. The maggot represents death and corruption.

8) In this picture Pontius Pilate was portrayed sympathetically. Why
so? Mel Gibson wanted him to represent the struggle of every man when
faced with moral choices. It was obvious to Pilate that Jesus was an
innocent man. It was obvious to Pilate that Barabbas was corrupt.  (It
was no accident that his makeup made Barabbas look even more evil and
deranged.) To Pilate the right choice was obvious but he did not make
it because of his own fears and the pressure from an unruly crowd he
wanted to appease.

Mel's message was that every time we choose sin, the choice is always
obvious like the choice between Barabbas and Jesus. Of course there
are times when the temptation that approaches us is very beautiful in
appearance, but down deep inside, we know what the choice should be
and very often we do exactly what Pilate did and afterwards try to
wash our hands to relieve our guilt.


I hope you found it interesting...

areyougettingit

continues:

9) Why was there a scene when Jesus falls over the bridge only to find
Judas at the bottom? Judas has just denied Jesus in the Garden.  At
this moment, Judas represents every man who when faced with the truth denies it. In this scene, he represents every man who runs away from the truth and Mel Gibson wanted to remind the audience that you cannot run away and hide from the truth because the truth will always find you.  In this case, Jesus has been arrested, is beaten and falls from
the bridge while hanging in chains right in front of Judas. The Truth
found Judas even though he had denied Him and tried to hide from Him.

10) Notice that in the picture whenever Satan is shown, he is always
in the background moving behind the scenes.  Notice he is always in
the background whenever there is intensity and anger in the foreground
directed towards Jesus. This is symbolic of his actions motivating the
aggression and intensity of persecution against the Body of Christ,
the Church, and also is symbolic of his responsibility behind all evil
motivations.

11) When Jesus is before Pilate, He notices a dove in the sky above
Him. It represents a reminder of the vertical dimension, the
relationship between man and God. We as human beings are often caught up in the horizontal dimension (relationships with men and worldly affairs) and forget there is a vertical dimension. The vertical
dimension represents the spiritual life, the relationship of a soul
with the Father. The vertical dimension is     what is more important and the dove is a reminder to Jesus that the vertical dimension is in control despite the appearance of the situation.

12) Why do Mary and Mary Magdalene clean up the blood on the cobble
stones after Jesus is scourged? It is because it is Jewish tradition
to save the blood.  Life is in the blood.  Blood had to be collected.
This is also representative of the cleaning of the vessels at Mass
when a priest is done with the consecration and giving out the
Eucharist. The blood was precious and Jesus' blood particularly is
precious.  Notice that they also collected the instruments that made
Him bleed at the very end of the film when you see the crown of
thorns, the nails and the hammer at the foot of the cross as they take
down the body of Jesus.

13) There is a scene at the crucifixion where Mary Magdalene is the
only one who sees a miracle happen.  It is a very quick scene and it
happens when she is on her knees (notice that the only ones on their
knees are Mary,  John and the Magdalene at the crucifixion). Jesus has
been nailed to the cross and the Romans are turning it over. You
expect Jesus to smash His face into the ground when the cross falls
over but it does not happen.  Instead what you see is the Magdalene
looking up to see that the cross is floating above the ground.  She is
the only one to see that Jesus is floating a few inches above the
ground the entire time that they are hammering the nails on the back
of the cross to secure them. It is a representation of God still in
control of the whole crucifixion process.

14) Every time that Jesus meets His mother Mary along His Passion He
is strengthened and has new resolve. This is especially noticeable
after Jesus is scourged the first time. The Romans have beat him over
70 times and He has collapsed. He sees Mary and finds the strength to
stand up much to the dismay and surprise of the Roman soldiers who
then decide to use a more vicious whip with metal tips. This scene
represents the idea that Mary is living proof to Jesus that the
sacrifice He is about to make for mankind is not in vain. The film
shows that Jesus comes to a decision to continue on the path to
Calvary each time they look at each other. Some say it reinforces the
idea of Mary as co-redemptrix.

15) Simon of Cyrene represents every man who is faced with the cross
and does not want to carry it. He also represents those who do not
want to help others carry their crosses. Yet, in this film he also
represents the person who is forced to carry the cross and then
becomes so engaged with Christ that he wants a deeper relationship
with Him.  The arms of Jesus and Simon the Cyrene are intertwined as
they carry the cross together and that image represents the efforts of
each soul carrying its cross with the help of the Savior. That final
look that Simon gives Jesus after he has finished helping Him,
represents the longing of every soul to have a deeper  relationship
with the Lord after coming face to face with Him. It was through
carrying the cross that Simon came to have a desire to have an
intimate relationship with Jesus much like that of the soul who longs
to know Christ better in the midst of suffering.

16) Notice in the Garden of Gethsemane scene when Judas denies Jesus
that the Lord never takes His eyes off of him when he denies Him.  The
Lord never takes His eyes off of Judas even when Judas runs away.  
That is representative of the Lord's own relationship with us.  Jesus
never takes His eyes off of us when we deny Him or turn away from Him.

Interesting indeed.  However, IMHO, several of the reasons seem rather arbitrary and could have just easily been used because they were available.....not necessarily because they were relevant.

cool, otherwise.
--
lucas

I finally saw the movie yesterday.  Since my visiting Catholic parents were interested, I decided to take them to see it.  It is an excellent production, with a few 'Catholic' overtones.  But then Mel Gibson is a devout Catholic.

Thanks for the notes R U.

Lord bless,
Marcia

When Satan was walking past Christ being tortured holding a baby in his arms I thought it signified the Anti-Christ, the "son of Satan"--I guess the "symbols" can mean different things to different people.

--Joe

Verne,

     This is the best I've been able to come up with:

(http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/passion.asp[/u)]http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/passion.asp[/u][/b][/url]

al