The Real Message of Mel's Movie

Common Sense America ^ | 2-24-2004 | F. R. Wilcox

[redangus]

There has been a lot being said and written about the upcoming Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ" in recent days, and a good bit of it has centered on whether the movie is anti-Semitic. The arguments seem to revolve around the portrayal of the Jews and the Romans, and exactly who was responsible for the crucifixion. If people would only take the time to read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and death they would understand the placing blame for his death is not an issue. Jesus was born of a woman and took the form of man for one express purpose, to die for our sins. It is arrogant for mankind to think that any group of people was directly responsible for his death because it was pre-ordained by God. Was the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem involved in the drama? Yes, as were the Roman authorities. Each had their part to play and each did it well. I watched an NBC special the other night where expert went back and force debating who was responsible and how one event was not in keeping with Jewish law and another was uncharacteristic of Roman rulers of the time, but no one made any reference to the divinity of Christ and the purpose of his life. No one can understand the importance of this event and those leading up to it, if they are not willing to accept the fact that Jesus was God made man, fulfilling a pre-destined role. For years in this country there has been a very successful movement aimed at removing religion in general and Christianity in particular from public life, possibly the discussion about man and his relationship to God that Mr. Gibson's movie is creating will help combat that trend. Hopefully more and more people will come to understand that the message of the movie is not one of blame, but one of the extreme love God has for his creation and the sacrifice made to show that love. If that comes to pass then it will truly be the greatest story ever told.

[redangus]

No comment really. I just thought this was well said and wanted to share it. I haven't seen the movie, but probably will go this weekend.

[concerned about politics]

Hopefully more and more people will come to understand that the message of the movie is not one of blame, but one of the extreme love God has for his creation and the sacrifice made to show that love. If that comes to pass then it will truly be the greatest story ever told.

Yep. That's the real reason the left wing minions are trying to stop it. Someone might just watch it and understand.

[knarf]

There has been a lot being said and written about the upcoming Mel Gibson movie "The Passion of the Christ" in recent days, and a good bit of it has centered on whether the movie is anti-Semitic.

The arguments seem to revolve around the portrayal of the Jews and the Romans, and exactly who was responsible for the crucifixion. If people would only take the time to read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and death they would understand the placing blame for his death is not an issue.

Jesus was born of a woman and took the form of man for one express purpose, to die for our sins. It is arrogant for mankind to think that any group of people was directly responsible for his death because it was pre-ordained by God.

Was the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem involved in the drama? Yes, as were the Roman authorities. Each had their part to play and each did it well.

I watched an NBC special the other night where expert went back and force debating who was responsible and how one event was not in keeping with Jewish law and another was uncharacteristic of Roman rulers of the time, but no one made any reference to the divinity of Christ and the purpose of his life. No one can understand the importance of this event and those leading up to it, if they are not willing to accept the fact that Jesus was God made man, fulfilling a pre-destined role.

For years in this country there has been a very successful movement aimed at removing religion in general and Christianity in particular from public life, possibly the discussion about man and his relationship to God that Mr. Gibson's movie is creating will help combat that trend. Hopefully more and more people will come to understand that the message of the movie is not one of blame, but one of the extreme love God has for his creation and the sacrifice made to show that love.

If that comes to pass then it will truly be the greatest story ever told.

[LS]

It was the Romans, many "non-religious," and the religious Jewish leaders who crucified Jesus. But it is worth noting that you cannot go through, say, John's Gospel or (obviously) Acts and NOT pick up the spiritual death and decay of Israel. For ex:

It is interesting in John's gospel that he continually uses the then-common term, "The Jews' Passover." This is a statement of Israel's moral depravity: it was in truth "God's Passover." The intentional wording by John isn't an accident. Or, the speeches by Peter, who NEVER misses an opportunity to say to the Jewish leaders, "Jesus, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED." In our haste to "blame everyone," I think we may be getting too far afield from the fact that Jesus came to save the Jews first, and they rejected Him.

[Falcon4.0]

Just once I'd like to see a movie from the Jewish perspective about Jesus Christ. I'd bet it go's something like,,,

He was a raving lunatic running about the country side spewing vile hatred against the Emperor of Roman, the Pharisees and Mosses. We tried to save him, but his tribe of henchman slain all who dared to question him.

You'll notice they NEVER discuss the Jewish perspective of Christ, they just attack the Christian perspective of Christ.

[wgeorge2001]

20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

We can't savage the left for their pornography or their crucifix in a jar of urine "art." We can't decry nudity in Hollywood films. We can't trash the race-baiting leftist rhetoric on college campuses. All of that is CENSORSHIP.

So what does the mountain-high pile of human excrement on the left try to do to Mel Gibson over his movie made literally from the pages of the New Testament?

Censorship!

They don't want a man who made a film about Jesus, using his own money, to screen his own film.

These people on the left are WICKED! Shame on the trash trying to control the media in the U.S.

[Tennessee_Bob]

We all killed Him. His blood is on us all, and we are saved through that.

[freekitty]

I agree and thank you for sharing.