Yesterday morning I had the privilege to watch a preview screening of the film by Mel Gibson, "The Passion of The Christ." I haven't been able to write about it until now. I have shared with a few friends, but this is hard.
I have anticipated the release of the movie ever since I heard it was in the works. I knew that somehow this movie would help me to see the events of the last few days of Jesus life in a whole new way. IT DID! Only in a much more deeper way than I could have imagined.
Someone said after the movie ended, "This wasn't a movie, this was an experience." In my experience, they were right! I'm an emotional guy. I cry at stuff. Not at everything, but sometimes things touch me and I cry. But yesterday there were a lot of pastors shedding tears. There were a lot of men and women cringing and being unable to keep their feelings from escaping their lips as sounds. Like me, I think there were a lot of people there who wanted to scream, "NO MORE, PLEASE NO MORE!".
For me, it wasn't the crucifixion. I think I've seen enough crucifixion scenes to almost have become somewhat sedated. Yes, it was more gorry and bloddy and even more touching, more "real" than other crucifixion scenes I've seen on film. But that wasn't what opened up floodgates within my heart.
It was Jesus' beating!
I think I've seen worst things, more gorry things. It wasn't the gorryness. It was something deeper. With every whiplash, with every spike that stuck into Jesus' body - one thought assaulted my mind, my heart, and eventually my body - it was a simple thought - "FOR YOU! - FOR YOUR SIN." And over and over again the thought came. And with each lash I cried more, and I wanted to hide it, but I couldn't. And I wanted to scream, "Please, no more!" But I knew that's what it took. That's what it took to make things new again. That's what it took to pay for my sin, the sin that kept me from him. And so, all I could say, deep in my heart, was, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
The movie ended. But the experience has stayed with me. I was a mess yesterday. I couldn't do anything else, so I tried to occupy my mind with other things, eventually I tried to sleep. But, even today, when I see the scenes in my mind. I cry and I say again, "I'm sorry!" I don't think I could be flippant about that anymore. I used to say I was thankful so easily. But I'm not! I'm not thankful my sin caused his pain, his absolute destruction. He was forsaken because of me. I fail to find the words that would show appreciation for what he did for me. Maybe there are no words. Maybe just silence. Maybe just tears. Maybe it's not about words at all, just about faithfulness - about following.
Go, and sin no more!
Posted by edWell said, Ed.
Posted by: Brian MullinsWow... not sure what to say... I gotta see it, I just don't know if it will be coming out in Poland any day soon... :( I sure hope so.
Posted by: TravisMPreach it brother, wax on !
Posted by: KimLike Ed, I was priviledged to be at the preview of Gibson's film. Like Ed, I'm emotional guy. Like Ed I was deeply impacted by Christ's beating and scourging. Like Ed I wanted to stand up and scream "STOP IT! THAT'S ENOUGH!!!! PLEASE STOP! And then I too wept and sobbed and came to a realization that it was my sin, my rebellion, my past, my present, my future that He willingly suffered for. I cannot view sin, love, grace, mercy, or the celebration of communion in the same way ever again. The next time I hear "The Old Rugged Cross" I know I'm going to get everyone wet, because I'm weeping as write these words and think of that hymn. How about, "The Wonderful Cross"?
The movie was intentionally made to wound the heart, to stir our emotions, to shock us because the original event was so brutal = SIN hurts, it destroys, it seperates, it kills! But thank God... thank God that He loved us so much, even while we where yet sinners that He sent His Son, not to condemn but to rescue, to save, to give hope and life!!! By His wounds, now made so very real to me, I am healed, healed of all that which sin has ruined and destroyed. Thank you Jesus for loving me that much.
The movie is powerful. If you have a serious heart condition I strongly recommend you get life insurance, take your pills and risk the stroke or heart attack, one way or another your heart will be attacked, and thank God you will never be the same.
Mel Gibson was asked, "Why did you make this film?" His response? "I was too scared not to!" Thank you Mel for putting your faith in Christ first and risking your fame and fortune to help people see your Saviour. One last thing. While the movie was being filmed several Muslim and Athiest members of the production crew were converted to Christianity and when they all sat down to watch the rough edit version after they finished shooting several others gave their life to Christ too. It silenced those who where invovled in the day to day production of the film, it silenced the voices of some 1,000 clergy who saw the movie on Wednesday - no one could speak - thank God, no one could speak, for to speak and comment after experiencing such an event would be crass and arrogant. So folks, get on your knees, pray for those you know, ask God to break their hearts, be ready and alert to help them get up on their feet and follow the lamb!
Posted by: George friend of EDPreach on, brother, I think this movie is going to some serious heart touching, and for those who can't beyond the question, in a negative way, "Is Mel a Christian?" All I have to say is this, I don't know, I believe he is, but more than that, he preached the best sermon I've ever watched. I'll stop, I could still gon on forever on this one. Probably will for a while. Can't wait for the movie to officially come out to be able to comment of some of the rest of the movie (special things he did with the retelling of the story), but I'll wait till then
Posted by: ed