Passion

"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST"

"My Faith Increased"

February 25, 2004

My husband and I went to see Mel Gibson's movie "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST." I will never forget the way I felt after this experience. We both sat down in the theater and waited with others for the film to start. By my right side was a Christian woman and by my husband on his left was also a Christian woman.

The movie starts in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus Christ God's Only SON is praying agonizing over the cross to which he is to bear. I can't help but see the suffering in his face and heart as he seeks God the Father. Nestled in the same grove of Olive Trees are 3 disciples who are fast asleep as their friend and savior seeks God in prayer.

So much is going on in the garden and my heart is taken captive as He pleads and agonizes over what must come as he told it. Of course satan is right there finding great pleasure but little does he recognize his demise is right around the corner.

The movie proceeds with the arrest, trial, and horrendous maltreatment of God's SON. As I sat there my heart beat hard, my emotions were in shock, and I felt as if I could jump up and shout NO! NO! NO!

The part of the movie that really spoke clearly to my heart is no matter what was going on Jesus had his eyes on calvary. As Golgotha was nearing as he bore the cross along with Simon in the end helping, Jesus never kept his eyes off of what He was born to do.

I have been a Christian since I was 22 yet of all the preaching I have ever heard I never experienced the crucifixion like I did when I saw the movie. I knew of the method's the Roman's used but to see it graphically played out before me, humbled me.

That Christ Jesus would take on my beatings, tearing of his flesh, pulling of his beard, slapping of his face, kicking, shoving, mocking, and spitting. I felt like I didn't deserve what he done for me and humankind.

Why would my Savior give his life in such a way as to take my penalty? For I admit, I am a sinner who has been saved by the blood that fell on Calvary that day. My life was changed and is forever changing because He forgave me my sins. Yes, Jesus words in the end were, "Father, forgive them for they know no what they do."

How much love? How wide he opened his arms so that you and I can be saved? How he forgave all mankind from the beginning to the end of time? How he has promised us new life in Him if we receive his great salvation?

When the movie ended we sat there for at least 15 minutes quietly taking in all we had seen and felt. Then we came out and some of our dear friends were in line to see the movie. I found myself reserved, quiet, and ready to burst into tears. My husband and I went to the car and sat awhile with silent sadness yet knowing God loved us very much. We did go to church that night but I found myself not wanting to go for I didn't want to be with anyone just then. I felt numb and reserved and thinking about how God really loved his creation. We left church and went to eat. We sat there quietly waiting and then we began to talk. We both realize Jesus freely gave his life and even though he was falsely accused, beaten beyond recognition, and crucified, He did it so you and I could be saved.

His crucifixion was by God's will and Jesus was obedient to His Father.

But the wonderful part of Jesus giving his life is the promise that he would rise again.

Jesus did rise again and he lives today and forever.

My life will never be the same after this movie. For the first time I felt like I fully understood all that Jesus Christ done for me. I felt like I was right there in Jerusalem as he was accused. I felt like I was on the street called Via Delarosa as he bore his cross. I felt like I was at his feet as he looked down at John the disciple whom he loved with Mary his mother. I felt I could have held out a clean linen cloth to wrap him in.

I have often heard some people say, you would have spat on him and been an accuser. That could be so, but that night I felt like I would have cried out no, not to my Lord. Please don't hurt him no more. But then I would have denied his wonderful gift to me.

I admire a man that gave our world the truth about how much our Lord suffered so that we could be set free. That freedom is our way we enter into heaven and live with our Lord forever. Yes, life is worth living because our Lord Jesus Christ Lives!

I challenge you to go see "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" and experience for yourself just how much God loves you and to what length he went to secure your salvation. Believe in Jesus Christ. Receive Jesus Christ. Admit that you sinned against him. And I guarantee your life will never be the same.

Jesus how can I ever say thank you for what you done on my behalf? How can I ever fully comprehend the suffering on my behalf? Lord, thank you for saving my soul, thank you for forgiving me, thank you for calling my name, thank you for allowing me to share about you, and most of all, thank you Lord for bearing my cross even though you were innocent. Teach me to be faithful to what path you lead me on, teach me to bear my cross without complaining, help me to love and forgive as you did. Thank you Jesus for your love. And just a little note Lord, Bless the man who brought THE PASSION OF THE CHRISTmovie to our world.

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