The Passion of The Christ - my thoughts…
Here are a few of my thoughts, such as they are right now. I may have more later.
Before I was really scared to see this movie, like I was waiting to see my best friend on trial or something. The beginning commercials and trailers were sort of a blur for me, all I remember is Cher - “Do you believe in life after love” being played as we waited for the previews to start… somehow, all of the trailers seemed wildly innappropriate.
The movie was gripping from the moment it started, and didn’t let go until after the credits were done.
Was the movie anti-semetic? The point is not that the Jews killed Jesus (yes, they were the ones that called for his death, and convinced the Romans to crucify him), the point is that you would have done the same thing in that situation. And, it was you (and me, and everyone else), that caused Jesus’s death. Not a horde of angry Jews.
In fact, one of the things that struck me within this movie was how there were people from all sides, Jew, Roman, Pharisee, Priests, who were on either side of the fence (for or against Jesus). It was also very evident that there were those who were struggling to “go with the flow” yet knew in their hearts the Jesus was “a Holy man”. Examples: -The African in Herod’s court -Pilate’s wife(?) -several soldiers who were hauling Jesus around
Those that were actively against Jesus seemed to all be swept up in the moment. The Romans scourging Christ, the crowds, some of the Pharisee (except the instigators), Judas.
Was the movie too violent? Of course it was. It is the cruelest thing man has ever done in the history of the world. Here’s the difference though, it was all true. This was not some fantasy-slasher film (although the amount of blood was comparable). This was a n accurate depiction of what had to happen in order for the sins of the world to be pardoned by a Just God.
It occurred to me while watching the movie that we might not know the extent of the “scourging” that actually happened. But, I think the amount of “violence” shown was necessary to get the point across, what Christ suffered was what we all would have had to face for eternity. As a culture, we have been inoculated to movie violence, and the Crucifixion is a Sunday school story that we don’t really think about, or just take for granted when we hear it. Going just a tad “over the top” was needed to make us feel the discomfort, the pain, and the sorrow that our hardened hearts should feel.
For the critics who thought that the violence “detracted from Christ’s message of love”, let me say that you don’t understand Christ’s message. And if you felt that the violence was unnecessary, it is only because you don’t understand that you will suffer the same, no, worse, for eternity unless you accept what happened there as atonement for yourself.
Other thoughts This movie made me weep, at times harder than others, throughout the duration of the film. That is a hard thing to say, and I’m still reeling… wondering how I am going to be able to sing through another song about Christ’s death…
I didn’t particularly care for some of the “extra biblical stuff” like the demons, but I’m pretty sure it depicted visually what was going on in people’s heads. I thought there was one particular act that was a bit gratuitous, and unnecessary, I’ll let you figure out which one. All in all though, the additions definitely are not doctrinal-ly misleading, nor are they detracting to the story, in fact, they tell a bit of history, and definitely help us to see the story a little more clearly.
After An interesting thing happened after the movie, everyone (except for like five people) sat motionless through all of the credits, and until the reel ran out, and the lights came up in the theatre… then everyone slowly got up and started leaving.
I feel that everyone in the world over the age of thirteen should see this movie.
If you have seen this movie, and believe the message that it is conveying, you have a responsibility to live your life differently because of it. You can never live the same again. You must understand that he went through that so you wouldn’t have to, and all he asks in return is your allegiance. no… that’s wrong… your love. your devotion. your friendship.
Do you live like someone endured that for YOU?
good thoughts matt.
I’ve been thinking today of the lyrics to ‘For the Cross’…
And I love You for the cross
I¹m overwhelmed by the mystery
I love You for the cross
That Jesus You would do this for me
When You were broken, You were beaten
You were punished I go free
When you were wounded and rejected
In Your mercy, I am healed
I guess I’m overwhelmed and still don’t understand, but I love Jesus more today than ever before.
Can you see now, Angie, why I re-wrote the music for that song? I just couldn’t stand singing those words to poppy-happy-smiley-PTL type music any longer.
Thanks for letting us get inside your head for a minute, Matt.
I’ve been reflecting on many things since the movie. This verse in particular will not leave my mind.
“he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” II Cor. 5: 15
I know Matt, and I’m thankful you rewrote it …
Matt, I find it interesting that you chose the picture you did from the movie.
As you know, that was the scene that made me weep uncontrollably….Mary telling her son, her baby boy, the one who she was chosen to bring into the world (not by her own will, but by God’s) that she was “There for him”.
From that point on I was viewing what happened thru her eyes.
I’ve been having some interesting thoughts since the movie. She mentally suffered every lash her son did. She went thru all his pain with him, maybe not physically but mentally. Only women who have had children, who have had sons, can fully understand what I’m talking about. I’m not saying that we mothers even come close to being on an equal plane with her, but surely God knew she would suffer as much as her Son when he was crucified. It was just in a different way. It has made me question so many things. I can now understand why the Roman Catholics worship her almost as much as they do Jesus.
We can never repay either one of Them for what They did, for what They suffered for us.
I have to agree - I think the revised setting of “For the Cross” is much more appropriate. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’m planning to see it Sunday evening with a friend of mine.
Wow.
-=Russ=-
“It is the cruelest thing man has ever done in the history of the world.”
What makes you say that, Matt?
Arresting, beating, mocking, tourturing to death, the most innocent person to walk the planet.
That is the cruelest thing man has ever done in the history of the world.