My friend began to feel faint and had to leave the theater before the crucifixion. It was very hard to watch the horrific treatment Jesus received, even knowing that it was an actor in makeup. I would never have missed seeing the film; it really brought home to me how horribly he suffered for us. The magnitude of his sacrifice has been diminished over the years, and words on a printed page just don't have the power of a screen portrayal. I am very grateful to Mel Gibson for having brought this to the screen.
From our standpoint it's a roller coaster. From God's standpoint the magnitude is constant. All of history hinges on these frightful hours, and Christ's words, "It is finished."
When Moses brought down the Table of the Law all the people were awed. The Exodus forged a people who constantly remembered God's gracious salvation from the Egyptians, and yet they lapsed again and again. The magnitude faded for them, too.
Here's to hoping this Sacrifice will not be lost on us as we traverse our short time in this life.