Review: The Passion of The Christ
Everyone’s already said how good it is so I won’t expound upon that any longer. I say how it affected me. I can say that I watched the movie. The only time I turned away was when the guy’s whip got caught in Jesus’s back and he had to tear it out (along with some flesh). The rest, I saw. I saw the beatings, the lashings, the pools of blood, the thorns, the mockery, and nail piercing his hands, the abuse, the spearing, and after all this, I ask why?
To paraphrase his mother, “How much longer son will you let this happen.” And Jesus’ answer, “[until] it is finished”. Until my sins have been atoned for. Until all my transgressions, past, present, and future, have been paid for. Until mankind is redeemed. Until Jesus conquers death. Until the fullness of his love is revealed. To see a man suffer THAT much for other people is amazing. Amazing Love. How could someone love me that much? He humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross.
And this just makes me question how much I love him. Would I die for him? Could I endure all that to be like my savior? Can I even go through the trials of a daily life for him? I see his mother, Mary, the way see loved him. I can’t love him that much, more than his own mother, though I am called to. To love someone more than even their own mother! That is what He wants. How can I not love him that much for what he’s done for me.
Some great things I liked in the movie. Quotes: When Simon is commanded to carry Jesus’ cross, he says something like “Remember, I’m an innocent man carring the cross of a condemned man.” A bystander said “Look how he hugs his cross. How can he love it?” Because through it, he showed his love to us. “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” And the prisoner to his right says “Look, he even prays for you now” as the member of the Sanhedrin who just insulted him walked away. How Jesus demonstrated events from his own ministry through his obedience to death. He practiced what he preached. He loved even his enemies. His body was broken. He blood poured out. As I watched the movie, I did not cry. I watered up, but I didn’t cry. Then, the next day, we took communion and just thinking of all he went through, how great the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measures I could not contain it. Too great was his sacrifice for me. I resolve to be a little bolder and continue to walk to the cross.