Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ was by far the most impacting movie my husband and I have ever seen. After watching it in the theater, we walked out speechless. All either of us could say once we did speak was, “Whoa…” Just like anything else, much of the impact wore off after time and we decided to buy the DVD to watch on occasion when we needed a fresh reminder of what Jesus did for us.
This movie, by my assessment was biblically accurate. It covered the last hours of Christ’s life prior to His crucifixion. It didn’t go into His miraculous healing or weigh heavily on His ministry; rather it told of the allegations and process to the cross and very graphically showed much of what He willingly endured for us.
I would truly call this movie a masterpiece. It was very well directed, in my opinion, and each scene got the intended message across. An impacting moment for me in the movie was toward the end as Mary; Jesus’ mother looked up into the camera as if to say, “What have we done?” Yes, it was my sins right along with everyone else’s that put our Lord on the cross. To this day, the movie has had an incredible impact on me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a cross in quite the same way again.
I know of many who have chosen not to view this movie because of the graphic nature, or because of the emotions it might bring out. It should impact us; grieve us; as it was for our sins that Christ endured what He did. I really feel that if ever there was a graphic movie to watch, it should be this one. I did not feel that the violence was portrayed distastefully; in other words, I felt the violence shown was placed to drive a point across, not to add “entertainment” value. I would like to encourage anyone who hasn’t yet watched the movie to do so when you have some time to spend with the Lord afterward. I would not recommend it for young viewers due to the film’s violence. The movie is done with caption so a younger viewer would likely have a harder time following as well.
“Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:13-14)