The Passion [suffering] of the Christ. Cinematic history is made before my red puffy eyes. The question everyone seems to be asking is who killed Jesus. Mel's answer, "We all did." pretty much did the job for me. Beyond that, it wasn't the Romans, and it wasn't the Jews either. If any earthly system had any hand in this it was the system of religion. Those who fear anti-semitism are missing the wonderful scenes such as the conflict of the Pharisitical council itself in its pronouncement of judgement. Simon, who is forced to carry the cross when Jesus can't take another step, is called 'Jew' with all of the hatred of a curse word by a Roman guard. When Simon and Jesus, in struggling with the cross, lock arms and carry it together I dare your tear ducts to be dry. When their eyes lock in a bond of brotherhood that would leave Simon changed forever, you can't help but see the depth of God's love for the Jewish people, His people. The New York Times called the film 'artistically flawed' due to it's inability to see the point of why Jesus was suffering such torture in the first place. They chided Gibson for failing to give the backstory. Did they not see the scene in the Garden? Literally the first scene of the film, when Jesus is subjected to satan's mockery in saying, "Can one man bear the sin of the whole world?" That's the point! Oh my Lord. I was stunned to read review after review of this film written in blindness. That there are actually people in this world who can't see this after watching this film is dumbfounding. What do they use their eyes for? What good are their ears? This film offers no excuse and I would gather that more people will see this in the coming weeks than Billy Graham has seen in a lifetime. Beware, watcher, of the responsibility of what you consume here for you are without excuse. The opening scene sets up the task, to bear the sin of all mankind. The final line reveals whether or not the task was done. "It is accomplished." If your eyes see and ears hear these two lines you are without excuse. You have come to a crossroad of which there are only two choices. Acceptance or rejection. Forget the coming presidential campaign. God help our nation if we fail this election of eternal importance. God help us.
People have asked me what I, as a believer, came away with. Simply this. I was glad to see that I hadn't really become as cold as I thought I had. I pray differently today. I hope you find this to be true as well.