The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson)

This past Easter I had an opportunity to watch this movie for the third time. It is still a very emotional view for me. I had my stuffed lion accompany me to the viewing... and I'm sure if he was human, he would have been screaming when my nails clawed into his fur.

I have come to accept the reality of what Jesus did for me for my salvation and for the relationship He wants with me... but the extreme measures are still unfathomable.. He endured so much...

This movie is an artist's depiction of the crucifixion...but not far off. And that is the power of the movie... it's not just a story... it's a message the wants to drill itself into your very core. Jesus really did that for me, for you...

I like how Mel Gibson put himself into this flick. The first time I watched it, I picked it apart from a director's viewpoint. I didn't want to dive into it emotionally without knowing what to expect. So I looked for the little things and was impressed at how intricately Gibson wove the idea of relationship into the movie. His flashbacks of Jesus life add so much to the final moments. His relationship with his mother and disciples and others did so much to emphasize the real cost of the cross. He did it for them.

He battled Satan, and I was pleased that Gibson depicted that. I got excited when he crushed the snake's head in the garden. That is the symbolism that is scriptural, but easily missed if you aren't looking for it.

Good movie to watch... but to get the most out of it... put yourself in the place of the person that He did all that for... And then remember that He did.