The Passion of the Christ

Some years ago we saw the Passion of the Christ, produced by Mel Gibson when it first came out in the theaters.  It is so hard to watch... the cruel violence inflicted on a loving and innocent man. Even worse is the cruel violence inflicted on the Son of God who came to save mankind on all earth and time!!!  It was likely true to what really happened to Jesus, as gruesome as this movie is. Now as more and more study has been done on the Shroud of Turin using 3D imaging, not only do you see the blood dripping down His face; but also the marks on His body of the whipping and scourging. The Passion of the Christ was no exaggeration, it was reality.

You see, over 700 years before Jesus came to dwell among us, a prophet named Isaiah, through the Spirit of God had a vision of a suffering servant who would come and bear the sins of many, he would intercede for transgressors. This description of the suffering servant describes what I saw on the movie. Many times I covered my face from the horror of what was playing. Here is what Isaiah prophesied:

“Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness... He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” Isaiah 52:14, 53:3 NIV

How does the Bible describe the torture of Jesus:

“ after having Jesus severely whipped (scourged), he handed Him over to be crucified.” Matt. 27:26 AMP

”A victim to be scourged was stripped and tied to a whipping post. Then he was beaten mercilessly with a whip consisting of several leather thongs, each loaded with jagged pieces of metal or bone and weighted at the end with lead. Fragments of flesh would be torn from the victims, some of whom did not survive the ordeal.” Footnote - Matthew 27:26 NSFL Bible

As awful as the scourging scenes were in the Passion of the Christ, I don’t believe they were exaggerated.

Going back a bit, to Jesus being taken to Pilate:

“When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” Matt 27:1 NKJ

Jesus was quiet as His accusers make accusations. Pilate spoke with Him and he realized that the Jewish leaders handed Him over because of envy. While he was sitting on the judgment seat his wife sent a message to him say, “Have nothing to do with this just Man, for I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him.” Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus... he tried to release him, or Barabbas as was his custom on the holiday. At that time the Roman leaders were encouraged to keep peace in their jurisdiction.

“But the chief priest and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. Pilate asked, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ They all answered, ’Crucify him.’ ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate. They shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but instead an uproar was starting, He took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ’It is your responsibility!’ All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’’ Matt 27: 20-25

Sadly, they had no idea what they were doing and the misery that would soon come upon them and their children. On Palm Sunday, in the midst of all the praises of the crowd, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it and said this:

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden form your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Luke 19:42

And yet in so many of the poignant scenes of this movie, verses came to mind that I thought to share a few with you.

Prophesies locked up for centuries... people puzzled by what they could possibly mean, until they were fulfilled before His disciples own eyes... I would imagine His disciples, sometimes during the horror of it all and other times; they remembered the things He had told them before this day.

Jesus said to His Disciples, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written, "I will strike the Shepherd,  And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  Zech 13:7

Peter said to Jesus that "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." Jesus said to Him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"

Matthew 26:31-35

Later all the disciples left Him and fled... But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priests courtyard. As He sat outside, a servant girl said, "You were with Jesus of Galilee." But he denied it, saying "I do not know what you are saying. " Then he went out the gateway and another girl said, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied again. "I do not know the man!" Later, some came up to him and said, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then Peter began to curse, and swear saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Peter remembered the word of Jesus who said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out ad wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:56, 58, 69-75

John was watching the crucifixion, expression on his face... and him having memories of being with Jesus, and hearing His closing words for His disciples before He leaves them. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” He recorded this in his gospel of their life with Jesus.

The Pharisee’s shouted to Pilate... “His blood on us and our children” ... Luke 19: 37-44... Jesus’ prophecy... Romans destroying Jerusalem
While the Romans whipped and beat Him“He was pierced for our transgressions...
When Mary was wiping his face after they took him down from the cross... the expression on her face dull with the trauma and pain, reminded me of Simeon’s prophecy to her when Jesus was just a baby...“A sword will pierce your own soul...”

The first time I saw this movie in the Theater, I had met my husband in town and was driving home alone, completely overwhelmed by the horror of the crucifixion. I had to pull over, sit in my car, cry many tears and process what I had just seen.