Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Adventures in Missing the Point
Yes, I know this is someone else's title, but it really applies. After what seems like years of hearing about it, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ opens today. I have to admit the furor in the press has been wearing me down. I can't imagine what Mel is feeling like. The story of the Crucifixion of Jesus has turned into the crucifixion of Mel Gibson in the media. This story has shown me a couple of things:
1. Hating Jesus and Christians has become chic in some really big circles of society. Jesus said men would hate us for following Him so no Christian should be surprised.
2. The world is more lost and more in need of Jesus than I could ever have imagined.
3. The correct response from the Christian for all this anti Christian backlash is not backlash but prayer. Anybody remember, "pray for those who persecute you."
4. If you had any doubts that Romans 8:28 is true, the box office figures and the corresponding interest (dare I say revival?) in Jesus that will rise from all this malarkey should bear it out.
Will there be stupidity after the film is shown? Almost certainly, but there will also be people wanting to come to Jesus as a result of seeing so graphically what Jesus did on that cross? Absolutely and that is the point we Christians should make our focus. Let's not miss the point.
And one last thing while we're on missing the point, A charge of anti-semitism has been made against the film. It's been said before, but I want to be on record as having said this. Any Christian that walks out of this film with hatred for Jews has missed the point not just of the film but of his/her faith. If you want to pin the blame on someone for nailing Jesus to the cross, the hammer's in your hand. Love put Jesus on the cross, sin nailed Jesus to the cross, and God raised Jesus from the grave and because he rose so can you.
There was a line omitted from the film. The line says something to the effect of let His blood be on our heads and on the heads of our children. I used that verse in a service once and someone shouted hallelujah. I never thought of it like that before, neither did the critics who fought to remove it from the film. Guys, that blood is the blood that set me free. That's the point!
Yes, I know this is someone else's title, but it really applies. After what seems like years of hearing about it, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ opens today. I have to admit the furor in the press has been wearing me down. I can't imagine what Mel is feeling like. The story of the Crucifixion of Jesus has turned into the crucifixion of Mel Gibson in the media. This story has shown me a couple of things:
1. Hating Jesus and Christians has become chic in some really big circles of society. Jesus said men would hate us for following Him so no Christian should be surprised.
2. The world is more lost and more in need of Jesus than I could ever have imagined.
3. The correct response from the Christian for all this anti Christian backlash is not backlash but prayer. Anybody remember, "pray for those who persecute you."
4. If you had any doubts that Romans 8:28 is true, the box office figures and the corresponding interest (dare I say revival?) in Jesus that will rise from all this malarkey should bear it out.
Will there be stupidity after the film is shown? Almost certainly, but there will also be people wanting to come to Jesus as a result of seeing so graphically what Jesus did on that cross? Absolutely and that is the point we Christians should make our focus. Let's not miss the point.
And one last thing while we're on missing the point, A charge of anti-semitism has been made against the film. It's been said before, but I want to be on record as having said this. Any Christian that walks out of this film with hatred for Jews has missed the point not just of the film but of his/her faith. If you want to pin the blame on someone for nailing Jesus to the cross, the hammer's in your hand. Love put Jesus on the cross, sin nailed Jesus to the cross, and God raised Jesus from the grave and because he rose so can you.
There was a line omitted from the film. The line says something to the effect of let His blood be on our heads and on the heads of our children. I used that verse in a service once and someone shouted hallelujah. I never thought of it like that before, neither did the critics who fought to remove it from the film. Guys, that blood is the blood that set me free. That's the point!
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