“Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” — John 18:37
I trust you have seen The Passion of the Christ and many of the other recent movies (Son of God and Life of Jesus Christ) all depicting the life and death of Christ. Despite all the negative publicity put forth by our liberal media and some of Hollywood, these movies are some of the most powerful epics ever made. Where as the acclaimed book The DaVince Code is a fictional work that attempts to disclaim some key Christian doctrines, the three movies listed above are an accurate Biblical and historical view of our Lord’s torture and death.
There is no mistaking the message of these films. At our showings the audiences, who were made up of Christians and non-believers, sat spellbound as they stared silently looking at the final credits and acknowledgements. Most folks were moved beyond words, some even to tears, when confronted by the visual images of what occurred on the cross. These films will forever change our reading of Scripture and our understanding our Lord made for our sin.
In the history of mankind, there is no greater act of love that mysteriously impacts every human being more than the sacrifice our Lord made on Calvary’s Cross. During the next few weeks it will be my pleasure to share with you some thoughts and impressions about our Lord’s life and death. It is my prayer that each person who considers the claims of Christ will never again take for granted the tremendous sacrifice that was made on Calvary’s Cross for each of us.
Let’s start our research with three things: A definition of passion, an understanding of why Jesus came, and some background on the making of these epic films.
Definition:
The definitions of “passion” are wide and varied. Emotion. Desire. Enthusiasm. Anger. Passion is about emotion, an ardent love or desire, an abandoned display of emotion, and most importantly the sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper through the Crucifixion.
“Passion” is derived from the old Latin word, “passus” which means “an undergoing.” The root of the word means to suffer. That’s why Jesus’ sufferings on His way to the cross are called “The Passion.”
Why Jesus Came:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1 He then gave mankind dominion over all His creation. ““I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, “ Isaiah 45:5-6 But man wasn’t satisfied with the role God had established, because of his pride, his arrogance and his desire to take control Adam believed it was permissible to ignore God and to do his own thing. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” — ” Romans 5:12
Our loving God, who desired to have fellowship with His creation, tried to encourage man to fully worship and acknowledge Him. He showed His creation miracle upon miracle and spoke to His children through great signs and wonders. Unfortunately, man eventually turned his back on God. Then God felt that if mankind had great patriarchs like Moses and Joshua then maybe they would return to their Father. Once again, mankind thought they had a better idea by worshipping of idols and pagans.
When people came to an end of themselves they urged God to give them godly men they could follow. God empowered great kings and queens, like David, Solomon, Ezra, Esther, and others who initially did good in the eyes of the Lord but eventually, even these blessed men, fell into temptation and grieved God’s heart. Next God gave men who would speak for Him as prophets. Powerful leaders like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jonah tried to testify of God’s goodness, but mankind turned their backs.
So, finally in a mystical and humble approach to reach a “lost world”, the great Triune God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, provided a perfect and sinless person in the name of Jesus Christ to transcend the holiness of Heaven and come down to earth for thirty-three years.
Unlike the Old Testament offerings and sacrifices that weren’t totally perfect, the God-man Jesus was the most perfect sacrifice – He was blameless and without sin. Upon His death He took upon Himself the sins and the pain of all mankind. It was an act of grace by God that He gave us this unmerited gift of His precious Son.
Please don’t blame the Jews or Romans for His death. They simply carried out God’s plan. It is you and me and all mankind that placed Jesus on that cross. As Jesus said, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” — John 17:4-5
Friends it was His purpose for our salvation. Let’s be ardent, fervent, and passionate about letting people know how much God loves us that He gave His only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life and fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Praise God!
Personal Application:
What are you passionate about? How can you better share your passion for Christ with others? What encouragement and resources are you lacking? Check out our website and see the opportunities and resources that will help you become an ambassador for our Lord.