Reflections: "The Passion Of The Christ" by James R. Harrigan

While the season of Easter is upon us, and the crucifixion is being now commemorated, it is fitting that our attention be directed towards the sufferings of one man whose solitary life of austerity, love and sacrifice has forever changed the course of human history.

It is remarkable though, that in many social and cultural circles, as well as in certain religious ranks, pronounced observance and celebrations are usually generated to highlight Easter with all its trimmings and fanfare, whereas little emphasis is placed on the sufferings and death of the source of Easter, Jesus Christ Himself. And while Easter and the phenomenon of the resurrection is regarded as the Christian’s greatest hope, it is a marvel that one so lowly, yet so mighty, would be allowed to suffer immense battering, bruising, bleeding and death for the transgressions of mankind, as a means of procuring our eternal peace and perpetual security.
Mel Gibson’s extraordinary “blockbuster” movie, The Passion of the Christ, is highly accredited for being the most successful Hollywood feature in recent times. Its ultimate success stems not from its intricate planning, its unique production, nor from the multi-millions realized in revenues during its first three weeks of viewing, but rather from the impact which it has had upon the hearts and minds of its multitudes of viewers.
According to many varied accounts, the lives of millions worldwide have been touched, enthralled, and changed for good by the absorption of the passionate content of this riveting theatrical film, which leaves its audience much more than spell-bound. Though I have seen certain dramatic clippings of the film, I have not yet had the opportunity to view it in its entirety. However, my brother, John, had been privileged to be among a large audience at its showing in the comfort of Simpson Bay’s Sunset Theater on St. Maarten a couple week-ends ago.
Here are a few extracts from John’s excellent account: “This highly dramatic movie showcases the talents of a capable cadre of actors and actresses, among them being Jim Caviezel, who aptly plays the lead role of Jesus. Other key roles, such as Peter, Mary, Pilate, Ciaphas (the high priest) and Judas, are portrayed by persons who absolutely fit the profile of their respective characters. This true-to-life drama is a tribute to the ingenious abilities of its producer and a fitting testament, in terms of media dramatization, to Jesus’ last twelve hours in Jerusalem.”
“The Passion of the Christ, John cites, “Opens with Jesus agonizing in prayer in the olive garden of Gethsemane. The eerie spectacle, highlighted by a pale full-moon, is made profoundly more intense when Satan appears to Him in the form of a subtle woman clad in traditional Jewish garb. This sinister figure seizes the opportunity as Jesus prostrates in prayer to His father, to unleash a deadly serpent in an attempt to thwart the plan of redemption. But the head of the serpent is triumphantly crushed by Christ, symbolically fulfilling prophetic scripture. This bold, triumphant act, in effect, symbolizes Jesus’ ultimate victory over His arch-enemy, the devil.”
John continues: “The Passion of the Christ is an uncensored and grueling account of Jesus’ barbaric betrayal, his lonely trial, his mockery, merciless bloody beatings and his eventual hanging on the cross. There is where he died while taking upon Himself the sins of the whole world. The movie has been assigned an “R” rating, for it is, by human standards, an“ overkill” in many respects.”
To wrap it up, John claims, “The Passion of the Christ is a “must see” for everyone. Having viewed it has brought to me a renewed love for, and devotion to, the Christ of Calvary. In my opinion, the initial ‘shock and awe’ experienced at witnessing His unimaginable, brutal scourging at the hands of Roman soldiers might cause one to not want to view this graphic drama again. Others though, may want to see it twice out of a sense of heightened curiosity. However, a desire to fellowship in His suffering will be evoked after the gravity and stark reality of the Saviour’s unspeakable punishment and suffering has sunk in.”
Well, the very fact that the Son of God would surrender himself to the hands of men of evil intent; the very fact that amidst all of the “political” commotion and the hostility of His own Jewish people he could have still stood alone with unflinching bravery, speaks volumes of this Christ as a master example. There, through the brunt of cruel criticism and unsurpassed persecution, He stood tall, maintaining His cool and dignity in the face of rising tensions and blame which were severely leveled against his noble claims of divinity. All this proved that indeed this was no ordinary man.
But, Ah! This kind of love which Christ displayed by voluntarily laying down his life “for His friends”, is a winning kind of love – one that is divine in its order, and one unparalleled by the likes of our human nature. Once exposed to it, it proves to be a drawing kind of love that is both captivating to the human spirit and overwhelming to mortal sentiments. It’s a love that transcends all earthly emotion; yes, a love that demands our best in return. One, therefore, can’t help but succumb to its sacrificial charms and react to its wooing with their own yielded passions.
The Apostle Paul, in an effort to edify the faith of the Romans, plainly makes it known to them and all who would trust in Christ for their salvation, that yes, Christ has taken our place for all the sins that we would have committed against God’s divine character. In Romans 5, verse 6 to 9, he writes, “When we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die, but God demonstrates His love to us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
So, as Christ willingly surrendered His “rights to life” so that we through His love and sacrificial death might “live”, let us likewise surrender our selfish passions and fancies to his control, that we may indeed fellowship with him in the similitude of His sufferings. No wonder why so many lives have been dramatically influenced by The Passion of the Christ – a magnetically charged drama of a Christ of Love which takes away the masks of skepticism that obscure His very identity.

James R. Harrigan