| Dear Friends in Christ,
Passion is any intense emotion of love, desire, anger,
fear, grief, joy, hope, etc. These intense emotions can be found in the
events of Holy Week, the week in which we celebrate Christ's suffering,
death, and resurrection. This month we will be celebrating these events
that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago.
This year's celebration of Christ's passion will likely be more intense
for many. This is due to the reaction that many have had to the film The
Passion of the Christ, a film directed by Mel Gibson that has portrayed
Christ's sufferings so well.
Rev. Karen, Rev. David, and I have had a chance to see
this film and found it gripping. It is an intense and graphic portrayal
of the final hours of Christ's life from his agony in Gethsemane to his
betrayal, his scourging at the hands of the Romans, and then his crucifixion.
If you have not seen the film as of yet, we would recommend that you see
it. Viewing it undoubtedly will help you appreciate the horrors of the
crucifixion that our Savior experienced for us. It is likely the best
portrayal of crucifixion that we have on modern film. We would not, however,
recommend it for those who have a difficult time with violence or for
young children. The violence within the movie is quite graphic.
What this film highlights so well is the suffering that Jesus endured
for each of us. Jesus' suffering and death was like nothing that this
world has ever experienced. Jesus, the Son of God, who could have had
10,000 angels attend to his every need, gave of his life dramatically.
He left the throne rooms of heaven, descended to earth, and lived amongst
us. During his passion, he was betrayed, despised, rejected, scourged,
and crucified even though he was innocent. His sacrifice was enormous
in proportions, and he did so for you and for me.
As we celebrate Christ's passion and resurrection this month, let us all
be thankful for his sacrifice as we remember the incredible price that
he paid for us. Indeed, it is as Isaiah 53:5 says, "he was pierced
for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment
that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
May you have a blessed Holy Week as you remember our Savior's sufferings
and resurrection!
Rev. Dr. H. Drake Williams, III
|
