The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Pastor Brian Gold Pentecostal Church Rumour has it that our community will obtain the movie "The Passion of the Christ" sometime in late April and viewing will be at the drive-in theatre. This film has remarkably remained at the number one spot for dollars taken in since its release in late February. It is not without amusement that "Hellboy" is playing at number 2. Satan has always played number 2 fiddle when it comes to God and His great unfolding plan. Do not expect the "Passion" to be your average run-of-the-mill movie. It is riveting and most engaging, as the producer/director Mel Gibson tries to purposely, with accuracy to the texts, reconstruct how the last 12 hours for Christ were played out. The word "passion" means suffering, and Christ really does suffer in this movie. Many people who purchase popcorn have most of it left at the end of the movie, revealing how captivating and mobilizing this interpretation is. Truly it is punishing, especially for mothers that identify with Mary and the maternal instinct, watching her very own firstborn subjecting Himself to such torture and cruelty, vicariously taking some of the pain upon herself. About the anti-semetic notion that has dogged this film, I would say that it is a total red-herring. Sure, the Jews bring the charges against Christ, but it is the Romans that do much of the torturing. In fact, Gibson ensures that the audience is engaged in some of the beatings that Christ receives. Gibson's own hand helps nail one of the spikes into Christ's hands. Some license is left to Hollywood devices and imagination. Satan is seen lurking around in the crowd, glad he finally has Christ where he wants Him, yet tempting Him to come off the cross so Christ's purpose would not be accomplished. No where does one notice that Christ is not in control of His own life, laying it down of His own accord, for God's own sovereign purpose of building a bridge to bring humanity back to Himself. As Gibson relates at the start of the movie: "He was wounded for our sins; He was bruised for our iniquities; by His stripes we are healed." I am thankful that Christ took those stripes, as it was me that was deserving of them. The stark contrast between Christ and the thieves crucified on either side of Him reveals that He took their sins and the sins of the world upon Himself, so that we could go free, if we put our trust in Christ. Where is your "passion"?
