A Really Rugged Cross
AN ARTICLE ABOUT "THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST" MOVIE |
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By Tom Gilbert
"I want to show the humanity of Christ as well as the divine aspect.
It's a rendering that for me is very realistic and as close as possible to what I perceive the truth to be." –
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson made a movie about the final 12
hours of the life of Jesus Christ. I’m sure by now you’ve
heard of it. The Passion of the Christ
opened in American on at least 3,000 screens February 25, 2004
on the feast of Ash Wednesday. The film is extremely graphic
and realistic. Filmed on location in Sassi of Matera, Italy
(the same location used for Pasolini’s Gospel
According to St. Matthew), there is great attention
to detail, even to using only the native languages of the time:
Latin and Aramaic. It was Gibson’s desire to show the
film without subtitles, but he was convinced to include them.
Advance screenings were shown to a number
of groups months before the official release, particularly
church groups, pastors and ministers. This was a powerful grassroots
way to
create
interest.
The movie has been described as a masterpiece, an incredible achievement
of filmmaking, and a spiritual experience. There have been a number of negative reviews, too.
The biggest challenge to the movie is that it would stir up antisemitism by portraying the Jewish
people as the ones to most blame for Christ's crucifixion.
I saw the movie and I don't believe it promotes blame for
the Jewish people as a whole. Certainly it portrays a number
of the religious leaders as intent on having Jesus arrested
and put to death. This is the way the Gospels recount the
story. Historians and scholars are split on how accurate
this is. Regardless, the movie does show that ultimately
Jesus Christ chose this fate out of obedience to the Father
and love for all of humanity. Much of Christian thinking
and theology has construed this to mean Christ's death was
a blood sacrifice to appease God. Unfortunately this leads
to a shallow and dangerous view of an all loving Creator.
The movie has definitely prompted me to go deeper in my study
of Jesus, in prayer and contemplation. Since Christ asked
us to love others (including enemies - and he forgave his), and to pick
up our own cross and follow him, then we must recognize that the death of Jesus showed the
willingness to die for what he believed. The ability to accept life, including the hatred of others,
without resorting to a like-minded response, is trancendance. This is redemption and true love - the liberation of
our deepseated beliefs in an "eye-for-an-eye". Yes, he bore our sins...and our pain, hate and suffering...demonstrating
in a very powerful way that suffering for others shows us the love of the Divine. Can you see that Jesus was showing
us the Father God? He was demonstrating with his death on the cross that God is the love that endures and conquers
death - not a vengeful and angry God intent on punishment.
Read the Living the Solution review
Movies are a powerful medium. Film can be used for entertainment,
for escape, and sometimes for transcendence. It is for the latter
hope that The
Passion of the Christ was
made. Mel Gibson, through his production company Icon, largely
financed the movie himself (at a reported sum of 25-35 million
dollars). Now many churches see
this as a tremendous evangelistic opportunity, perhaps the
greatest in our lifetimes. Many people will see this movie
and a lot
of people will have questions.
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Casting
Call
Getting the story of the passion of Christ made into a major
motion picture is something Mel Gibson felt called to
do for a number of years. Is there a market for this type
of film? Gibson stated in a March 2003 interview: "'Gandhi'
was a blockbuster hit, but it wasn't just for Hindus. (*note:
obviously there is a great interest - the movie may eventually earn a billion dollars)
This film is for everyone. For believers and nonbelievers, Jesus
Christ is undoubtedly one of the most important historical
figures of all time. Name one person who has had a greater
impact on the course of history."
Point well taken.
It’s not surprising that Gibson has been attacked and criticized because of this movie.
Jesus is, and always has been, controversial. He’s a “stumbling block” for
many. Because of the history of Christianity and the emotion that comes from strong beliefs -
one way or the other - there will be a great deal of opinions and soapbox commentary from
all sides.
Among the intriguing things to come to light in the publicity
surrounding The Passion of
the Christ were
the reports of miracles and conversions on the set during
the making of the movie. Jim Caviezel, the actor portraying
Jesus, survived being struck by lightning – walking
away from what should have been a devastating occurrence.
A two-year old girl had her hearing and sight restored. A
multi-ethnic and diverse cast held many deep discussions
about God, Jesus Christ and faith and some resulted in conversions.
These are a few of the extraordinary occurrences I’ve
heard about.
If the intent of Gibson is to show a very realistic portrayal
of the final hours of the life and death of Jesus Christ,
not sanitized but gut-level real, then it has the potential
of confronting every viewer on a deep emotional level.
Audiences and movie critics applaud this approach in movies.
Why not give the “greatest story ever told” the
same treatment?
Most movies about Jesus rarely show in a realistic way
the suffering he went through. It’s largely been
acknowledged by scholars and historians that crucifixion
was the most brutal execution possible during Jesus’ time.
It was much more than an agonizing death; it was a public
humiliation and a way to terrorize the public and help
the Romans maintain control through fear.
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Who Killed Jesus?
If The Passion of the Christ ends
up only sensationalizing the brutal suffering that Christ endured
it will fail to give more than a partial view of the Jesus story.
Yes, Christ suffered
greatly. But, He chose this path, becoming the perfect sacrifice
for all our sins. No one group should be indicted for the death
of Christ (the fears
of the Anti-Defamation League) because we are all guilty.
We
must not miss the message that God knows us better than we do
ourselves. Still, our benevolent
Father loves us unconditionally; his message is one of forgiveness
and redemption. Jesus died for our sins and death could not keep
him down. He chose to lay
his life down and he chose to pick it up again (John 10:17-18).
By the way, if you fear the film ends with the death of Jesus,
the ending will show otherwise..
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I’ve seen this movie - I went on opening day. You can
read my review, or as I prefer, "response" here.
The great suffering
and brutal passion is part of the story. It
should
not be glossed over. But, we
must look to the entire message of Jesus’ life and resurrection.
Jesus came to eliminate classes of distinction, to show that
all of us should revere life and live it humbly. If everyone
truly embraced that gospel message then torturous, violent
executions
would no longer happen in our world. I know that
this is an idealistic vision. The call of non-violence to each
of us as individuals, however, is not.
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Various web sites about “The Passion of the Christ” (news,
publicity, views):
Visit the official movie site: www.ThePassionOfTheChrist.com
The Premier International Fan Website - www.passion-movie.com
The Life - thelife.com
Share The Life - sharethelife.com
Two sites that invite you to explore The Passion of the Christ
(story, questions, discussion and more).
Review, news, trailer, pictures, articles, commentary and collected
links - superb at Hollywood
Jesus.
Many reviews
have been written:
This review is from the Bend
Bulletin. Another review, from the Grand
Rapids Press, offers some
interesting responses from Catholics and Jews who have seen
the movie.
Read
prominent film critic Roger Ebert's review.
Honest
and thought-provoking thoughts from Franciscan priest/author Richard Rohr that
includes considering who and how this film will impact and the
danger of a one-dimensional focus.
This might be the best review I've yet read, by Jeff
Minick of the Smoky Mountain News.
Interesting
"open
letter to Mel Gibson" from Jews for Jesus.
The movie is now playing
in the Middle East and attracting large crowds, including many
Muslims. Read
story.
MSNBC Interview with Jim Cavielzel, the actor who plays Jesus in the movie
Here's a site dedicated to outreach opportunities with the film, The
Passion Outreach.
A Look at Mel Gibson’s “The
Passion of the Christ” (background article and links from InternetforChristians.org)
The Passion of the Christ:
Special Section from ChristianityToday.com
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
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the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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