Tonight I had the opportunity to join a group of fellow believers in the viewing of Mel Gibson’s blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ. I had seen the film a number of times prior to this evening, but there was something unique about this instance. While observing what the Bible describes as the final hours before His crucifixion, I was inwardly stunned at how not angry I was at those battering my Savior, how I could stare at the piercing of the hands of my God without moist eyes. Now, do not get me wrong: I did not enjoy watching the brutal slaying of Jesus of Nazareth; I did not relish in this recreational murder the way His Jewish and Roman assailants did. I had become irate and bereaved in past viewings, but not on this occasion.

Though I was distressed and somewhat disturbed at my lack of feeling toward Jesus’ situation, once my Lord and His cross were erected on display to His cruel audience, I immediately felt a rush of fervor flow into my heart – a tide of victory, triumph, accomplishment. This was not a demonstration of shame and calamity I was witnessing, but the supreme embodiment of the promises of Almighty God, for “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (2 Cor 1:20).

These evil acts of depraved men did not serve to unravel God’s ultimate will, but as part of the process of His crowning achievement: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’– for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:26-28).

Much more could be said of this fantastic film, but instead I will simply request, by God’s grace, a renewed understanding and appreciation for the horrid yet wondrous death of Jesus the Christ.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
(Col 2:13,14)