It's high time to bring on 'Passion' film
The Shepherd's Heart by Bob G. Stewart
Thursday, February 26, 2004
It's about time!
For years, Jesus of Nazareth has been left out of nightly news programming, prime-time television, and newspaper editorials. Now, thanks in the most part by the controversy created by the coming release of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," everyone's talking about Jesus. And I repeat, it's about time!
News network CNN recently ran a special titled "The Search for Jesus." Dianne Sawyer and ABC have been playing and replaying portions of the interview the reporter did with Gibson. Several other cable networks have run specials about the motion picture. Seems Jesus is suddenly big news for the media folks.
In addition, all types of special interests groups, religious leaders, television preachers and so-called experts have come out for or against the movie. Some have sought to demean Gibson for his portrayal of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus. Some have criticized what they say is an obvious slant against the Jewish community as a whole. Some have said that scenes portraying the beatings and crucifixion of the Savior are just too graphic … too bloody … to violent.
The facts, if you believe the Bible, defend what Gibson has apparently put on film. Jesus of Nazareth did die at the request, even if not technically at the hands, of the Jewish priesthood of is day. Scourging and crucifixion were bloody, violent and inhumane.
As I have stated before, those of us who consider ourselves Christians have collectively kept our heads in the sand far too long concerning such things as those mentioned above.
We don't talk about "who killed Jesus" because we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Easier to blame the Roman governor Pilate than to suggest that the Jewish leaders of the first century could and would do such a thing. Easier to say Rome was at fault than to suggest that the priesthood, in light of the fact that they had no law to sentence a person to death, could have coerced Pilate into doing their will concerning the prophet from Nazareth.
We don't (or didn't for many years) talk about how utterly horrible and inhumane Roman scourging and crucifixion really were. Do the research and you'll find out. Better yet, see the movie. From what I've seen and heard, Gibson's interpretation of the ordeal is very true to what really took place.
We've looked at the "Passion" through somewhat rose-colored glasses for years. Maybe Gibson has forced us to realize that it's time to take off the blinders and face the raw truth.
I certainly hope so.
marshallnews.com |
