He Chose To Die
2-25-04

The Passion of The Christ will open today in 2800 movie theaters across the US and I'm certain will soon be seen in every country where it's not expressly forbidden. I highly recommend this movie for anyone mature enough to watch and comprehend the significance of the graphic violence of crucifixion.

If you view this movie, please understand that every depiction of humiliation and pain - every slap, punch, whip, spit, thorn and nail - was true. But also understand that every drop of blood shed by Jesus was done so by choice according to the predetermined plan of God. The gospel is not a message of evil men inflicting cruel suffering, it's a message of a loving Savior who willingly gave Himself so we could live. A sacrifice for sin has always been required, but Jesus became the final and everlasting sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:13-14
"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

Most of the discussion leading up to this movie has been focused on how it may cause persecution against the Jews around the world - persecution by the hands of "Christians." It's a VERY sad truth, but for almost two thousand years misguided and ignorant people have caused great harm in the name of Christ. Such actions reveal a lack of basic understanding of the Word of God. Jesus GAVE His life, no one took it! And He did so for our sin...MY sin!! My sin sent Jesus to the cross, and He willingly surrendered His life because He loves me: "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly... But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6,8).

The damage done over the last two thousand years affects how the gospel message is received today. Many groups need to know the saving love of Jesus, but maybe they first need to know that a Christian knows how to love. Father, forgive us for the barriers we've erected and for those we've kept from knowing Your Son.

I pray that many lives will be forever changed by the viewing of this movie. I pray we can see the true love story of a Father who gave His Son, and a Son who gave His life. Every detail was planned before the beginning of time; "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge" (Acts 2:23). His death was horrific in order to demonstrate the ugliness of sin and the extent of His love. He walked every painful step so we could be united with the Father for all eternity. He surrendered Himself to the cross because He loves us so much that He chose to die.

Have A Great Day!