THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

I just returned from watching The Passion of the Christ. The movie covers exactly what the title states, the Passion, from the Garden through the cross, with a very brief statement of the Resurrection. People with Roman Catholic background will recognize the movie as basically a two-hour enactment of the Stations of the Cross. To say that the movie is graphic and powerful is an understatement. As Michael Wilson said, I am still trying to process its impact on me.

One of the most powerful scenes is the scourging of Jesus. Biblically and historically accurate, the soldiers begin by chaining Jesus up to a post, and then they take turns using rods to soften Him up. Then they switch to give the Lord 39 lashes with a cat of nine tails, and the lashing itself nearly kills Jesus.

I have heard that every time I sin, it drives a nail into Jesus' hands. Well, on the way home from seeing the movie, I thought how powerful it would be for me to see that scourging scene again, with every blow having a sin attached to it. As the movie clip goes by, I would narrate it to myself:

"Remember when you were in third grade and you lied to your teacher in order to win a contest? (lash)
"Remember in fourth grade when you joined in on making fun of the fat girl in class? (lash)
"That first exposure to pornography at your uncle's house? (lash)
"When you lied to get your sister in trouble? (lash)
"Cutting through the neighbor's yard without permission? (lash)
"Stealing donuts from the bakery in seventh grade? (lash)
"Telling dirty jokes on the way home from school in junior high? (lash)
and so forth.

Then with the scourgings come the adult sins. Yes, they are uncomfortably graphic and personal, even more serious, with a greater impact on the body of Christ.
"Remember crossing that line into sexual sin in high school? (lash)
"Remember returning to it again and again? (lash)
"What about when you thought you were an exception to the rule about church budget and you obligated the elders to back you up? (lash)
"And when you hurt your best friend by telling a confidence to someone else, and it got back to him? (lash)
"When you joined in on complaints against the senior minister? (lash)
"When you went to someone behind someone else's back and said hurtful things? (lash)
"When you hated that enemy in your heart and refused to forgive? (lash)
"When you said you would go to someone's event, but you never really intended to go? (lash)
"When you led in prayer, all the while thinking how godly your wording makes you seem? (lash)

and the list goes on, as do the lashes.

Only I know the sins that were really hurtful to my conscience, but that scene makes them more heinous to realize that Jesus had to die because of my sins.

"Thank You, LORD, for Mel Gibson, and for the visual and graphic reminder that Jesus bore the punishment for my peace. Instill in me a desire for holiness. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, Crucified, dead and buried and raised again on the third day. Amen."
-ker