by Ray Keating
When “The Passion of
the Christ” hit movie theaters, I was writing a column for Newsday. The film
had a profound effect on me then, and continues to do so today. Even with Mel
Gibson’s subsequent “issues” – indeed, we are all sinners in need of
forgiveness – I would not change a word in the following column originally
published in 2004 …
On Christmas and Easter, churches that otherwise have room
in the pews for worshipers to spread out are suddenly jam-packed. That’s not surprising given the centrality of
these moments to the Christian faith.
However, I think church attendance also spikes on these
dates in part because it’s easy to celebrate the birth and resurrection of our
Savior. But it’s not so easy to ponder
why we needed to be saved, nor what Jesus actually undertook on our behalf.
The season of Lent – the period from Ash Wednesday up to
Easter – is a time for Christians to reflect upon their own sinfulness and
Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. That’s why the
release of Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ” on Ash Wednesday last
week was appropriate.
Before seeing the film, I read the Gospel accounts. I attended my church’s Ash Wednesday evening
service prior to heading to the theater.
Still, I was not fully prepared.
This probably was the most disturbing movie I’ve ever
watched. It also was by far the most
spiritually moving and significant.
“The Passion of the Christ” focuses on Jesus being arrested,
tried and crucified, while providing intermittent flashbacks to earlier
times. Two of these juxtapositions moved
me to tears. The first was a look back
to Mary rushing to care for Jesus who falls as a small child, offset with a
mother meeting her bloodied son who labors carrying his own cross. The other moved back and forth from the
severity of crucifixion, with the nails being driven into his hands, to the
Last Supper, where Jesus instituted Holy Communion.
Gibson again proves to be a masterful filmmaker. He captures both the brutality and the beauty
of Christ’s sacrifice.
The film sure has come under harsh criticism, though. An almost militant secular aversion exists in
our society for anything overtly religious in a traditional sense. Vague, New Age-ish spirituality is just
great, but let’s not get into the nitty-gritty of Christianity. A mega-star like Gibson using his art to
inspire, while also speaking about his devout Christian beliefs, apparently irritates
those desiring that religious people keep their views private.
In a ChristianityToday.com interview, Gibson was asked about
striking a balance between Holy Scripture and his creative interpretation. He replied: “Wow, the Scriptures are the
Scriptures. I mean, they’re
unchangeable, although many people try to change them. And I think that my first duty is to be as
faithful as possible in telling the story so that it doesn’t contradict the
Scriptures.” Declarations like this have
led to the belittlement of Gibson by some critics. Meanwhile, most Christians appreciate and
embrace such views.
As for charges of anti-Semitism, if one is going to accuse
“The Passion of the Christ” of being anti-Semitic, then one has to extend the
charge to the New Testament and Christianity in general because Gibson does a
pretty good job at sticking to the Gospels, though taking some artistic
liberties.
Similar to those who have ever misused the Gospels to
justify attacking Jews, people hurling charges of anti-Semitism either do not
understand or choose to ignore the teachings of Christianity. St. Paul wrote: “There is no difference, for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by
his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of
atonement, through faith in his blood.” (Romans 3:22-25) The Apostle John added: “He is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole
world.” (1 John 2:3)
Some Christians believe this film will bring people to the
faith. I hope so. I have no doubt that “The Passion of the Christ” will
strengthen the belief of many who already are Christians.
After seeing this film, I will always have with me a
visualization of the enormity of Jesus Christ’s passion – in both the original
sense of the word, that is, suffering and agony, and in the modern usage of
strong love and affection. Lent may never be the same.
______________
Mr. Keating is an
economist and novelist who writes on a wide range of topics. His Pastor Stephen
Grant novels have received considerable acclaim, including The River: A Pastor
Stephen Grant Novel being a finalist for KFUO radio’s Book of the Year 2014,
and Murderer’s Row: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel nominated for Book of the Year
2015.
The Pastor Stephen
Grant Novels are available at Amazon…
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