The Passion of the Christ (Widescreen Edition)
posted Saturday, 15 April 2006
 | The Passion of the Christ (Widescreen Edition) Mel Gibson, Director Date: 31 August, 2004 — $13.46 — DVD / VHS product page Rating:
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Controversy. Debate. Passion. Some things never change. You'd think after 2,000 years, we'd have moved onto other things. That the Jewish carpenter from Nazareth would have slipped into the recesses of religious academia, resting comfortably in textbooks between the prophet Jeremiah and the historian, Flavius Josephus. But Jesus isn't content to merely be studied. He came to make us uncomfortable. To squirm. His ability to love unconditionally -- to the point of death -- stirs within us a passion that vacillates between sheer horror and utter devotion. The thing about Jesus is that he won't let us rest in the middle. His life, death, and resurrection compels us to make a commitment one way or the other. We are either for him or against him. He is not content with status quo. His teachings are difficult; his call is one of abandon and self-denial; his sacrifice made on our behalf is inconceivable. Controversy. Debate. Passion. He is man. He is God. Try to wrap your mind around that for a couple thousand years. Mel Gibson's film is so beautiful and yet horrifying because it brings the person and pain of Jesus right before us and we can't escape it. His loving and selfless sacrifice far outshines any controversy surrounding the movie. Actor James Caviezel delivers a stunning portrayal of Jesus Christ that brings me to tears and to the foot of the cross every time I watch it. The Passion of the Christ parallels the life of the man. It's a difficult film to sit through because it makes us uncomfortable. To watch Jesus' suffering, realizing that he endured it voluntarily for our benefit, for my benefit, for your benefit, hurts. That's why it's so authentic, so true to the Gospels. The message of Jesus is meant to hurt. And then to heal. Which is exactly what I found in The Passion. Kudos to Mel Gibson for making this profound and moving film. You won't find Jesus idly resting in a history book. He is still in the business of loving, forgiving, and stirring up controversy and debate. Because He is a God of passion.
tags: suffering gibson passion debate jesus christ love resurrection sacrifice god easter controversy
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