THE Passion of the Christ is the best movie I have seen in a long time.
Mel Gibson really has created a masterpiece.
The powerful film takes viewers on a fast-paced emotional journey in a compelling saga of a man’s faith, love and forgiveness being put to the ultimate test.
Gibson waits until the end of the movie to allow viewers to come up for breath.
Watching the violence was like being told that a close family member has died from horrific injuries.
It is extremely discomforting to know what happened, but deep down if we love God we don’t want to be kept in the dark. Watching every new atrocity performed on Jesus is challenging.
While watching the movie for the first time Christian viewers may wish that Gibson had glossed over the brutality in the same way we are guilty of glossing over it in our imagination every time we read the biblical account.
Viewing the movie forces viewers to confront the realities suffered by the only begotten Son of God over 2000 years ago and allows us to fully appreciate the love, faith and sacrifice.
The film makes us feel like eyewitnesses to Christ’s death accentuated by flashbacks that add further depth to the events. It shows how Jesus allowed himself to suffer incredibly due to his unshakeable faith, and how he loved and forgave his enemies unconditionally.
I would recommend the movie to anyone who enjoys a good drama and can appreciate an inspiring story, but particularly to Christians who are willing to enrich their commitment to having Christ as their saviour.
After watching the potent film the sacrifice God made for our salvation becomes much clearer.
Priests and their assistants need to brace themselves for many a tearful Eucharist with parishioners drawing a little closer to the living God.
MICHAEL BATES
Clayfield, Qld
