Pastor's Corner
March 2004
As I write this article this morning it is the day of the nationwide release of the film The Passion of The Christ. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) is talking about this movie, Christians and non-Christians a like. Many Christians have enthusiastically endorsed the movie as a tremendous opportunity for evangelism as people watch the story of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life unfold on the big screen. While admitting to the films graphic depiction of what Jesus suffered in being beaten, forced to carry His cross and then crucified in all its agony, many have stated that this depiction is necessary to have us clearly understand what our Lord Jesus endured for sin to be dealt with.
Now I need to say up front that the brethren may be right about this on all counts and I in many ways take the position of what Jesus said in Mark 9:40 - "he who is not against us is for us." In other words, if this film causes people to see who the real Jesus is and how He did die for our sins and that they need to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved" then Hallelujah! If this film creates dialogue and opens doors for the true gospel to be shared with our friends, neighbors and family members then Praise God! However, having said all this I feel led to share with you two nagging "cautions" that are rattling around in my head this morning. I share these with you not to pour cold water on what this film will do or mean nor to judge any of the brethren who have so enthusiastically embraced it. Not having seen the film yet I may be out of line to comment at all or to in any way come across negative. However, my desire is to have us think critically and carefully about any depiction of the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be it this or any other film. So here are my "cautions":
- Be careful to examine Scripture. The Bereans were "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (Acts 17:11). We cannot deny how Scripture predicts the horrible sufferings of Jesus (Isaiah 53) and the crucifixion of Jesus (Psalm 22) nor how it depicts the events surrounding Jesus' arrest, trials, beatings and death on the Cross (cf. the Gospels). However, Scripture must be our guide and not a screenwriter. (Note: All accounts I have read regarding the film say that it is faithful to the Biblical accounts.)
- Be careful to know and share the whole story. The death of our Lord Jesus, God dying for our sins, the Cross - are central to our faith. Scripture after Scripture emphasizes the centrality of the Cross. We have a cross on top of our church building and prominently displayed in our sanctuary! We believe in a salvation purchased by the blood (death) of Jesus on the Cross (I Peter 3:18). However, we also know the whole story which goes on to say that Christ was buried and rose again to live today. Jesus for us (and for good reason) is not left on the cross. We know that "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins" (I Corinthians 15:17). We also know that none of the suffering (what the English word "Passion" originally meant from the Latin "to suffer") "counts" unless a person recognizes that their sin must be dealt with by their repenting and believing in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-9). Christ's death is sufficient for all but only efficient for those who again receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9 etc.). This "whole story" is where we want to end-up with people.
Once again I want to emphasize that many, many Christians have enthusiastically endorsed this movie as an evangelistic tool of monumental proportions. If you see the film and feel that way (or I do) then you (we) need to use this opportunity as individuals and as a church to share the gospel. We want to be a church that uses whatever is informed by the Word and guided by the Holy Spirit to tell the world of a Savior who is Christ the Lord! Paul made it clear in Philippians 1:15-17 that God was using even those preaching Christ out of wrong motives to bring people to true faith in Christ! His conclusion is ours, "only in that every way whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice (Philippians 1:18)".
Serving with you,
