Wednesday, March 10, 2004

‘Passion’ shows reality of Christ’s sacrifice

This letter is in response to Mr. Ed Nelson’s letter to the editor regarding “The Passion of the Christ” movie.

Mr. Nelson states that he is a clergyman. OK, I’ll accept that. He also appears to be a very knowledgeable and educated man, although a bit pompous with his word usage.

But, is he knowledgeable about the basics of the Christian faith? Apparently not! But, then, the Bible states that it takes the innocence of a child to come to Him.

Is the movie violent? Yes. Is cruelty portrayed? Yes. Was all that necessary to show what Jesus went through as a sacrifice so that anyone who wants to can experience the forgiveness of sins and eternal life after death? Yes!

It was all necessary, even if unpalatable to us modern-day, spoiled, comfortable, materialistic Christians.

What makes no sense to me about the objections to this movie is the fact that many of the same folks who object to the violence in “The Passion” have probably had no qualms about going to see extremely violent, fictional movies in the past.

Whether people like it or not, what Jesus endured was real, it is the truth, it really did happen, and God’s truth will not be censored.

Mel Gibson is human and therefore did not make a perfect movie. God’s hand is still in it. His message will still get across to those who are ready to hear it. Those who aren’t ready, like Ed Nelson apparently, will still be blind and deaf to what Jesus did and the reason He did it.

Mr. Nelson mentions being abused “growing up in the church.” It appalls me and saddens me that happened, but I would also venture to say that those who abused him were not really Christians. Claiming to be a Christian does not automatically make you one. I urge those who are abused under a cloak of religion to look past that lie and see the truth.

Mr. Nelson comes across in his letter as an extremely angry man. What a contrast to the love and forgiveness shown in “The Passion of the Christ.”

Go see this imperfect movie about the perfect sacrifice, Jesus. It will change the way you live your life, the way you think, and you will definitely no longer have a ho-hum attitude about what Christ suffered for you. You will cringe at the violence, but the extreme love and forgiveness shown will touch you more.

Willa Stewart

Jonesboro, Ga.