DewDoc and Elaine,

Well, what should I write in here? I'm not sure, I can't explain well but I should try...

I saw some movies about Christ and his death. Also I saw many movies not focused on Christ but He was a key person. I saw many times, He was beaten, mocked and nailed on the cross. But every time I think, it was probably me, beaten and mocked and nailed him. That is NOT sympathy but I was convinced.
I'm NOT growing in the good Christian family. I knew just historical fact about Christ and some miracles which Christ and Moses did but I couldn't believe anything. I used to stand against every kind of religions and NEVER believe the existence of God.

When I lost my life, finally I believed in Him. But I felt it took many years.
When I backed to church, I couldn't stand firmly and couldn't see the cross in the front of worship room. I knew I am a sinner and I just afraid of God.
But He picked me up from there. And also he didn't punish me by my past mistakes and sins. Instead of that, he gave me the praise job.

Now when I sat down in church and see the cross in the front of the room, every time I wonder what he did for me. That is great praise but in same time, I'm suffering for all of that. But every time, I found myself really rejoicing!

Even now, when I read Bible or when I pray, many times, I feel real 'pain' for Christ.

John 21:15~17 (KJV)
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

For me, when I read this section, I can feel the pain of Simon Peter. He denied Christ 3 times but every time I think (even now); If I was in there, what did I do? Did I deny him or recognize (accept) him?
And now, every time I'm asking to myself; If my parents ask me "Are you a Christian?" Then I can
really answer "yes"?

Doc, I think; NOBODY can stop the God's work. Even it is 'good' or 'bad'. We can do nothing before His decision. Like Jonah, he didn't want to go to Nineveh and tried to cheat the God. But even if he didn't want to go there, finally, he went there.
Sometimes I wonder if Christ didn't born or if he didn't crucifix, what happened to all of us and today's world? Did we meet in here? Did we discuss about many issues?

Paul wrote; "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

I used to make many questions like that; "God, are you sure?" or "Why you choose me?" something like that. But I can understand now, even if I really want to know the 'answer' of my life, it will be NEVER given to me when I really searching it. Maybe I'll find something more later or God will give me the answer when the 'right' time was come.
Like Journey wrote, I should live for him the best I can.


Thanks for the listening.

I saw the movie last night. The movie is very intense but for me when i left there i felt more of an assurance of God's love for me. While sitting there waiting for the movie to start i heard God speak to me that I love you. The scripture that kept coming to me during the movie was in Psalms 8:4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Job 7:17 says what is man that thou shouldest magnify him? that thou set thine heart upon him?
And then the scripture where it says a sparrow can not fall to the ground without your father knowing it.

shirl

Psalms 127:1

Elaine- thanks for filling me in on the discussion that was already running- I hadn't found it!

Am relieved to hear that others had a delayed-reaction to the film; it's just come out here in the UK, I saw it on Sunday night, and two days later still can't quite take it all in. I haven't been sleeping too well either; the imagery and potency is unforgetable.

Though I agree that Gibson deserves much praise, and has achieved something very special, there are one or two niggles I have. The big one, which no-one else seems to mention, is that the resurrection only gets a couple of minutes; isn't that the real story? The victory over sin and pain and death? And like some of you have said, I too wasn't overly pleased at the depiction of Herod as effeminate (suggesting to the audience he was gay) and the devil as having some feminine characteristics.

There were also a couple of things that baffled me, and I wonder if any of you can help me out? When Jesus is being scouged, the devil walks past carrying a monstrous baby; what is that meant to represent? And what happens to Judas? Does he become possessed by the devil? (Is that what the marks on his lips are meant to represent?) Or does he hallucinate though sheer guilt?

It's also got my girlfriend and I talking about some theological implications that we hadn't thought of before. For example, was the dying, repentant thief the first person to enter heaven? And did Judas and Pilate go to heaven? In Judas' defence, he was bound to betray Jesus; that was God's plan. And he did regret it immediately afterwards...maybe it's wrong of me but I've always felt a bit sorry for him. And when Jesus died, did he literally descend into hell? What did he do there? It's not something I've ever heard preached, but it is part of some Protestant creeds. I guess another thing the film does, as well as re-telling the Passion to a society that has largely forgotten it, is to force Christians to think again as well.

Would be keen to hear what you think. It's an incredible film, but it's got my tiny mind working overtime!

Love and blessings

Kathyf

Nothing like writing a long response only to hit the wrong key and watch the whole thing go *poof*! Ugh! So Kathyf here's my short response now! Lol!

a) I agree a scene or two concerning Jesus resurrection and destruction of satan's authority would have been really cool. My guess is that Gibson was trying to stick to his primary story line, which I took to be Jesus' faith, love and strength, which carried down the road He was destined to travel. There are so many themes / story lines which could be developed perhaps we may see another movie or two or three?

b) I don't have a clue about the thief being the first one to heaven? There are Scriptures that refer to the Jews in 'heaven' (or someplace in between?) that Jesus goes and preaches to. There are also references in the New Testament concerning the 'heroes of faith' whose faith was reckoned unto them as righteousness. Doesn't that scripture refer to a heavenly reward or something? I'd have to research this out because I don't have a clue!

c) When Jesus died scripture refers to Him going down to Hades and taking away satan's authority. I cannot find the Scripture that directly refers to this though. I will need to search. I believe the scripture talks about taking satan's keys of authority. We see these 'keys' again later on in scripture (e.g. rev 1:17-18, 9:1, 20:1).

Sorry I can't be more definitive in my answers right now. You raise some excellent questions that I'd have to study a bit to find the Scriptural references too. My time is kind of limited right now so perhaps someone else can take up 'the hunt' for what happened when Jesus went down to Hades?
It IS an important Scriptural passage.

1 Cor 13:13 (NLT)
"and the greatest of these is love."

Did Jesus go to Hell?

Another Question about Hades

Did Jesus go to hell (the place of eternal torment), while His body was in the grave?

I don't know if any of this helps but it is interesting to read in light of some of the questions asked in previous posts. I'll keep looking for other information though.

~BLU~

Thank you for your replies (and your two replies Elaine!). Am on the hunt to figure these ones out too, so will get back to you if I come up with anything worth sharing.

Another less serious question: any other parts of the Bible you'd like someone to have a crack at depicting on film? I'd love one on the early church, or maybe the life of Paul. As the Passion shows, even if no film can ever capture the reality of what happened, they do provide much food for thought...

Catch you again girls soon,

love

kathy

I just rewatched this movie this evening and then came upon this topic I thought I had read all the old post and topic's old well The thing that hit me this time was Peter and how he denied Christ and how it broke his heart I was thinking what would I do. I fear I would not do much better than Peter I would declare my Faith but in a pinch I am not sure what I would do but it did my heart Good to know that Peter went on to have quite a minestry despite all that happen on that day.

Sometimes the things that pop into my head are....well...I don't know how they get there...

Anyway, just last week, probably I was watching something on TV and it made me think about what it would take for me to deny my faith. I don't mean in my heart....that could never change...but to deny it outloud to someone. It must have been whatever I was watching that made me think of it this way...but I started to think....how many fingers would someone have to chop off my hand for me to deny Him. (I know....gory, but it was what I was thinking.....and I suppose it not THAT unrealistic. I guess I was thinking about if I was being totured because of being a Christian....)

Anyway, I was saddened to admit to myself that it would take one finger. I could have the courage and the strength to hold out for one finger...and then with the threat of losing another....THAT would be my breaking point.

I LIKE to think that my faith is so strong that nothing could ever make my deny it, and it hurt to realize that week that I just am not strong enough for that.....but you've reminded me that not even Peter was strong enough. You're right...it does help to know that even though a man like Peter could deny Jesus three times...he carried on after that to do so many great things.

shy