christ’s passion – christ’s horrific suffering

being one who can’t keep quiet, i guess sooner or later i’ll just have to blog on the controversial movie by staunch roman catholic, mel gibson – the passion of christ, a movie depicting the last 12 hours of jesus christ.

the 2 main points that bought about all the hoo-haa on this movie are:
1. the movie is anti semetic/jews
2. it is too violent.

ok allow me to tackle point no. 1 first. now why on earth would this movie cause anti-semitism? it was said that in the movie, jews were portrayed as the ones causing the death of jesus first of all, for the non believers, jesus’ death was already part of god’s plan. the bible tells us about ‘a saviour coming to save us from sins by dying on the cross’. jesus’ death was not caused by anyone but it was already foresee and planned. and anyway if we want to take it that the jews caused jesus’ death, so what?? it happened long long ago, in history and mel gibson, turning this fact into a movie, doesn’t mean he is anti jews. it doesn’t mean audiences who see the show will suddenly hate all jews. really! the mentality of some people!

now point no. 2 – the violence. there are lots of blood and gore that will haunt you i understand. some people watching were known to walk away from the theatre, having no stomach to stand the violence.

yes i agree that it is violent… but then again, it is reality, so what? jesus did suffered much prior to his death on the cross. many people do not know the extend of jesus’ suffering. all they know is ‘he suffered’. and this movie shows everyone the extend of his suffering. the ‘many people’ include me too i admit. i was not really aware of jesus’ suffering until 3 years ago, i found something on the net… a doctor’s detailed description of how jesus’ body/condition was (medically). when i read it, it moved me so much that i cried. it’s a pity i did not have the text with me anymore. i knew then the extend of jesus’ suffering. then come this movie, which according to gibson he was trying as much as possible to make the movie as real as possible.

i’m glad that this movie was released (not here i mean) during the lent period, where every fridays, catholics all over the world, re-enact those last 12 hours of jesus via the way/stations of the cross. this year, for me, participating in the stations of the cross, would hold a special meaning for me because of this movie. this movie had shown me the horror and violence jesus underwent to save mankind from sins. meesh put it nicely – “you remember that there is someone out there who cares, who is loving enough to sacrifice his life for you, so that all yours sins may be forgiven.”