To all those people out there who feel that this film is somehow flawed or that it feeds racist sentiments, I would ask that you actually read and study the New Testament Gospels.
Yes, director Gibson took some artistic license with his film, but that in itself does not overpower the message that Christ suffered and died for all of us, and thereby won salvation for people who could not do it on their own. This film is violent and gruesome, and you may avert your eyes because it is hard to watch, but it is also the most accurate depiction of how much Christ had to suffer. It is based on events that are portrayed in the Gospels, and every Christian is familiar with these accounts and their history.
This film shows just a tiny fraction of this history, the final twelve hours prior to Christ's death on the cross. It does not tell the whole story of the Israelites, Gods chosen people, and how time and again they were reminded to obey Gods commands, but failed to do so. You see, the Hebrews of the Old Testament were sinners like you and me. They could not keep Gods commands, so they, like all of us, needed a savior, a Messiah, who would lift the yoke of bondage to our sinful nature.
Unfortunately, by the time Christ arrived on the scene, they did not recognize him for who he was. I imagine it was a difficult proposition for them. "You mean we have to give up all of our ancient laws and traditions from the time of Abraham and Moses? We have to put all our faith in this one man? Impossible. It's too simple. Certainly there is more to it than that?" But that was Christ's message while he was on earth. He had a daunting task during his ministry, because he was preaching not only to Gentiles but to Jews as well, who had carried a lot of baggage with them throughout the years.
When Jesus moved his ministry to Jerusalem, where the seats of power were for the Jewish faith, they took it as a slap in the face. The chief priests and Jewish leaders were incensed that this Nazarene could come in with his touchy-feely message of "love" and "peace", and still attract so many followers. Again they missed the point, as we so often do today with Gods Word. The Gospel message frees us; it releases us from our requirement to pay for our sins. It doesn't stop us from sinning mind you, that is something we are born with, but it will go a long way towards easing a guilty conscience, and that is the true "peace that passes all understanding".
If you tell someone who feels they have not sinned, that their sins are forgiven, do you think its going to have any impact? I submit that it will not. In fact, human arrogance and pride dictates that we will react with anger. However, if you tell someone who knows and feels the weight and sorrow of a guilty conscience, that all has been forgiven, well, that type of message has the power to change lives - dramatically. And it has done so throughout history for many, many people.
That's why the Jewish leaders were so angry. They were looking for a new king who would take them out from under the oppression of the Roman government. Not a spiritual King who came to our sin-ridden planet from the paradise of heavenly glory, in his mercy, to live a perfect life, die on the cross, and then resurrect himself to announce his victory over sin death and the devil.
This film is important because it doesn't try to convince anyone of anything. Its just telling the story of Christ passion and suffering in the most effective way possible. It's gruesome because Mr. Gibson felt that he had to show how much our sins cost the Lamb of God. This is not a politically correct point of view, but then neither is Christianity or the idea of sin for that matter.
And because this is based on historical events and Gods unchangeable Word, it amazes me that with the release of this film, people seem to be surprised and shocked at what its portraying. Has everyone who is upset over this movie ever read the Gospels before? This is pretty much how it happened. Jesus was tortured and killed. Period. At the time, this happened on a pretty regular basis.
And to clarify, the Jews are not "Christ Killers". Jesus died at the hand of the Romans and at the behest of the Jewish religious leaders. That is how it went down in history, but the fact of the matter is that it was Gods will that His Son die, because He loved us so much, and did not want to see our destruction in hell. Man in general, not just the Jews and Romans, were instruments of Gods Holy Will.
Now is what I wrote racist in any way? If anything, I have illustrated that the Jews are just like anyone else in this world, sinful human beings who need a savior. Many will think that this attitude is just another example of Christian arrogance and superiority. No, it is not. I'm not saying that we can earn our way into heaven. To say that would be the height of human arrogance and superiority. Christ did this for us already and this film is just a glimpse of what Jesus suffered.
I think Mr. Gibson has shown that he is putting his money where his faith is and I applaud him for it.
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