Christ paid a debt he did not owe! - The Passion of the Christ Reviews

In God?s grand design of things there is no separation between Jew, Roman, Gentile, Christian, Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, etc?God sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice to any and all who would believe in Him. Jesus wasn?t just a cozy little baby in a manger that prompts us to have tinsel and glitter and tons of materialism in December at Christmas ? He was born to fulfill God?s will ? of reconciling all sinners to Himself ? by bearing our sins for us ? and paying the ultimate penalty ? death on the cross and rising from the dead. Jesus endured rejection and denial from His closest friends, He was bruised and beaten for ALL our transgressions ? and by His wounds we are healed and promised eternal salvation. We live in a world that is so desensitized to our own depravity and sin that many cannot accept the graphic brutality that was captured in this film of Christ?s sacrifice on the cross. This isn?t just a one-time occurrence ? study Roman history and the overall history of crucifixion. We have become so conditioned to accepting adultery, rape, incest, blood, gore and truly tasteless ?entertainment? ? even the local news can become something that sets violent and brutal images in our minds and instills fear into people just by watching TV ? but now people are so against Mel Gibson?s visual interpretation of what Jesus went through? What about the impression that movies like: ?Monster; Silence of the Lambs; Children of the Corn, and Dean Man Walking, among others? can leave on ourselves and our children? We live our daily lives in denial and adorn ourselves with our own ?goodness? and achievements and monetary successes and think that we are somehow more important than others or beyond the need of an Almighty God. People who refuse to acknowledge the depths of suffering that Jesus endured, who refuse to ?watch? the brutality of His beating and death ? should take equal inventory of their daily lives and the other things they subject themselves to that influence their lives. This is a movie based on historical fact with a message of Love, Forgiveness, and Hope. To realize the cost that Someone paid for our salvation ? THAT is worthy of watching and embracing. Mel intended this to be pivotal for our souls?not just to entertain us. I am so very appreciative of Mel?s conviction to go against the ?accepted? approach of Hollywood and even to the point of rejection and judgment of his colleagues, to be true to the One, and only One, that he will give account to one day?God. Mel believes so deeply and personally that Jesus is his Lord, Savior, his trusted friend and most important critic that he took years to research and plan this project to give us all a glimpse of the passion he personally feels in his heart over Christ dying for his sins?for loving him enough to bridge the gap that separated him from truly having peace with God and the assurance of his salvation. There are so many people who have strong opinions ? who have never picked up the Bible but seem to believe they are the authority on it?s validity and truth. There are some people who will probably never see this movie yet also have an ?opinion? ? but not based on personal knowledge or experience. Ignorance breeds fear, anxiety and inaccuracy ? This movie emphasizes the most pure form of Agape love ? an unconditional gift. What will you do with it?