The Passion

Every year around Easter time I like to watch Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Well, I shouldn't say like. I think it's a very well made movie in the sense that it's a very accurate portrayal of the suffering Jesus went through when he died. But that's not to say that I want to sit down every day and watch it! It's a horrible movie in the sense that there's an incredible amount of blood, pain, torment and agony. I've watched it once every year since it came out, usually around Easter time and I still bawl like a baby. This scene in particular gets to me:





As a parent, how devastating would it have to be to watch your child suffer like that? Have you ever felt that way before? I know I have. When my son was incredibly sick last year with a viral infection and couldn't stop throwing up, there was nothing more I wanted than to fix his problems. He would start screaming every time he would feel like he had to throw up because he knew what was coming and did NOT want it to happen. He didn't want to play, he couldn't keep anything down - I comforted him as much as I could but I still felt helpless. After a trip to the ER, we got medicine for him and thank goodness, my little guy was right as rain within a day or two. That's just a small problem in the grand scheme of things - I can't imagine the pain and heartbreak parents of children with cancer, chronic illnesses and diseases must feel.
Someone told me they didn't know how I could stand to watch that movie. I understand that. As I said before, it's not exactly a pleasant, feel good type of movie. The story of Jesus' death isn't. He endured a horrible amount of pain. I read this article on medical aspects of the Crucifixion - it's horrible and incredible at the same time. I guess it's no coincidence that excruciate (to cause great agony or torment) is from the Latin - ex, meaning out of and cruciate, meaning cross.
I can't say that I enjoy this stuff but life isn't all pleasantness and sunshine either. I think it's good to be reminded of what Jesus had to endure for us, so that our sins could be forgiven. It's also great to know that the pain and suffering wasn't the end of the story either! For more on that though, you'll have to wait for my Easter day post. :) For now, take a moment today to stop and thank Jesus for all he did for you.