"But 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. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:5-6

I watched the Passion of the Christ tonight. Wow. I think Mel Gibson did a stellar job. As far as a Hollywood depiction of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion goes, I couldn't have been more pleased.

Though "pleased" makes it sound like it was some sort of light and happy experience. No, I don't mean that. It's a serious and sobering movie (duh), but through all the gruesome violence (and I was psychologically prepared, so it didn't seem over the top to me - it was as it should be), it was a carthasis, i.e. cleansing, of sorts.

In day to day life, I think it's hard to love Jesus. I mean, it's not that I hate or dislike Jesus, of course not. He's my God. But to really LOVE Jesus... the way you feel towards your mom or your beloved or your cute baby cousin... it's hard. It's too easy for him to be far off and not ever-present emotionally, the first one to turn to in all things and situations.

I don't mean to be or sound sacrilegious to the Bible, but the text of the Gospels have become too familiar. "He was flogged...", "struck him on the head again and again...", "when they had crucified him...", etc etc. It has become too tame, the impact diluted.

But every once in a while, a (good) movie like this will remind you why you LOVE Jesus. Like the way the adulterous woman who wiped Jesus' feet with her tears and the perfume did. Not only in action (obeying his commands) but in true feeling and depth of heart. In giving him your all gladly.

So I came home from the movie and wanted to read the Gospels again. I was thinking, does the text really say that? Oh yea, there was that one scene when... and it makes the text come alive for me once again. What did Christ say? Why did he say it? Who was he speaking to? And tonight, my heart is really warm towards Him. And I want to know Him and love Him better than I do.

So although it's only a movie, and we don't worship Jim Cavaziel (though I admit he was a pretty good-looking Jesus, haha j/k)... I think the Passion will perhaps light a little passion in the hearts of believers who watch it. Thanks Mel!