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I made a concerted effort to avoid e-mails, television shows, and newscasts regarding this movie, The Passion of the Christ. I wanted my "experience," as many have called it, to be unbiased. Now, I have to admit I was biased going into it. I expected an unrealistic and sensationalistic film with performances that would not be convincing. However, it was the media and not the movie that was overdone. I was surprisingly convinced and enthralled throughout the film. Having read my share of books on the scourging of Christ, I took a greater interest in the way that Christ interacted with people. What I saw was a personal Christ who spent a great deal of time protecting the people.
Mary Magdalene appears much like a saint the first time we see her. She wears respectable clothing and supports Jesus' mother. Yet, when the film exposes her past, we see a harlot facing judgment under the law. Beyond her sinful appearance, the shame permeates her eyes. That shame compels Christ to act. He does not act according to the law (which required death at that time), but according to his nature which seeks to protect and redeem the shame-filled heart. He draws a line in the sand and the accusers leave. He extends a hand to Mary, protecting her from death.
Mary the Mother of Jesus is presented as a strong woman, but it seems to defy any mother's natural ability to endure pain. A woman of few tears, she bears the injustice of her son's death as if she knows that a greater work is at hand. In this film, Jesus' words on the road to Calvary remind her of his calling, and inspire hope in her fragile mother's heart. I wondered at several points how she could endure such pain. Without saying so, the movie implies that Jesus spent a lifetime preparing her for what must eventually transpire. His message of hope protected her from the despair of appearances. His suffering was great, but his cause was greater.
Pontias Pilate, a man who refuses to hear truth, also receives protection from Jesus. Pontias Pilate questions Christ, hoping to be absolved of his requirement to deal justly with an innocent man. Pilate fears that Caesar will kill him if his refusal to condemn Christ results in a Jewish uprising. Jesus responds, "You have no power over me except what is given to you from the Father." Jesus' words imply that death is inevitable. In speaking these words, Jesus does not hold Pilate to a standard of justice. Instead, he chooses to protect the unbelieving governor by endorsing his own death sentence.
The Apostle Peter denies Christ amid a frenzied mob of angry people. The people want blood, and Peter is afraid he will endure the same torture and death as Christ. Jesus does not call him out during this mob scene. It would be easy for anyone to be angry and scream, "Yes, you are a follower of mine! I've spent months and years with you, and you pledged your allegiance unto death to me just last night!" But Jesus remains silent. He protects Peter from the crowd with his silence. Only his eyes convey a message, one that he had given Peter the night before, a message of courage and perseverance.
Simon of Cyrene, the man who helps carry the cross, also experiences Christ's protection. At first, Simon tries to avoid the task because he fears being beaten along with Christ. Why wouldn't the whips fall on his shoulder or the pieces of glass catch his leg? The soldiers do not hesitate to beat Christ when he is down. Simon responds in fear. Christ responds in love. Simon eventually makes a stand for Jesus and protects him from the guards, or so he thinks. He picks up the cross and carries the majority of the weight. However, the last moment of the scene shows Christ laying his arm over Simon's arm just as the whip comes down. Again, Christ displays his great love and protects a man from what he fears most.
The Thief on the Cross seems to be Christ's crowning joy throughout the movie. Simon of Cyrene tells Jesus, "It's almost finished" as they approach the hill of Calvary. When Jesus arrives, more pain awaits him and he is nailed to the cross. But, when they lift the cross, he encounters the prize. The words of the believing thief infuse joy into Christ's suffering eyes. It is as if Christ's purpose is made complete in that moment—that moment when one person believes. He replies with great satisfaction, "This day, you will be with me in Paradise." It strikes me that while man fears death, Christ celebrates it. Death is the place where God makes mankind whole, free from lingering sin and condemnation. It is where we can be protected from all hatred, all evil and all accusations of our unworthiness. This is the prize of Christ! |
