The Passion of the Christ

This evening at our church we will be showing Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” in it’s original uncut, R-rated, horror. There has been much controversy surrounding this film for many reasons but on this Good Friday, I want to say just this.

Jesus came to take upon Himself the due penalty of sin of everyone who puts their trust in Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Many were amazed when they saw him—beaten and bloodied so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person.” Isa 52:14

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

So if you somehow think that Hollywood’s depiction of the suffering of Christ, with all its graphic innovation and creative imagination is over done, it only underscores one thing. You understand neither God’s holiness nor your sinfulness.

And if you don’t understand those two things, I don’t see how you can possibly appreciate what you have been saved from. Maybe that explains the dismal state of church growth, church health, and church holiness.

So tonight, there will be one showing only at 6:30; children under 18 will not be admitted without an adult or written permission. As always, admission is free but by all means bring someone who doesn’t yet believe.