March 9, 2004


Taking My Passionate Turn
Posted by Bryan

From the home office in Jerusalem, Israel,, Via Holy Weblog:

    Top Ten Things Heard Outside The New Mel Gibson Movie
    10. "Hey -- no shoving, Monsignor!"

    9. "I don't know why they added subtitles -- everyone speaks Aramaic"

    8. "I'm hoping my medium Mountain Dew will miraculously be changed into an extra large Mountain Dew"

    7. "These 'Lord of the Ring' films are getting odder and odder"

    6. "Was this really based on a book?"

    5. "Twelve dollars for a movie ticket? Now that's a sin, am I right, people?"

    4. "The Pope loved it almost as much as "Barber Shop 2'"

    3. "Uh...I don't feel like dinner right now."

    2. "That was awesome when Trump fired Pontius Pilate"

    1. "Don't tell me the ending"

We finally saw "the movie" last Friday. It was an experience that will undoubtedly shape my worship for the rest of my life. I agree with Shrode who thinks a second viewing of this movie is probably a good idea.

The movie did cause me to wince and cringe on more than one ocassion, and I'm pretty steeled when it comes to these things. This was good. I need to be shaken in my appreciation for His sacrifice. It is so easy to read over the words "and he was scourged," and just keep on going, without pausing to consider the fullness of the suffering.

I gained a fresh awareness of the humanity of Jesus, mostly because of the deft work of the director. The interplay between the Christ's suffering and his poignant interludes of teaching his disciples and moments of intimacy with his mother showed a complexity of the Son of Man that was particularly impacting because of how it was presented.

I'm thankful this movie was made for two reasons. First, it has deepened my faith. Second, it has caused the world to discuss Jesus. It has challenged people to go the Bible and read for themselves. People are having to reconcile their own experience with the historical reality of Jesus and his sacrifice. The Holy Spirit can accomplish much when such a thing occurs.

March 9, 2004 9:57 AM
Comments

Hey Brother

I agree that this movie was forceful in it's invasion of emotions, heart, spirit and concept of reality. I don't think I will see it again for a long while, if ever. It was not even a "movie" to me. It was a powerful portrayal of truth, and that was awesome. I just think I would have the tendency to see it more as a movie the next time. I do not want to find all the "cool" parts and become a film critic with this one. Love ya man!

Posted by: Clay at March 10, 2004 11:37 AM

Kelli and I talked about watching the movie again, and we agree that the value of this presentation is lost when it is viewed as a movie for entertainment value. By Gibson's own words, that wasn't his intent. I'll watch it again because I know I missed things the first time (like when I left the theater because my brother called when Jesus was crowned with the crown of thorns). For the Christian, it is a valuable movie to revisit periodically, to be reminded that the sacrifice of Jesus was no easy accomplishment. When Jesus left heaven to be the lamb of God, such a deliberate action was tremendously more significant that we (and by "we" I mean "I") tend to consider on a day-to-day basis. This movie reminded me of that.

I'm looking forward to your contributions, brother!

Posted by: Bryan at March 10, 2004 2:03 PM

As a mother,the scenes when His mother said "I'm here" and when she cradled His head in her lap,after He was taken off the cross were VERY touching.It surely reinforced what He did for me and what the cross is a reminder of.

Posted by: Shirley at March 10, 2004 5:28 PM
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