The Passion

Rob and I finally saw "The Passion of the Christ". He really wanted to see it and in fact bought it. I wasn't so sure. I don't generally like violent movies and I had certainly heard a lot of mixed reviews. My impression was that people generally liked it depending on whether or not they wanted to like it.

Teh free PRess movie critic didn't seem to like it much. She wrote an article on how she evaluates it being different than those who watch it because of spiritual purposes. She evaluates it as a movie, for plot, effects, etc., others may see it as having beneficial purposes for their spiritual life. I'm not sure the lines are that distinct. Every movie has a purpose, and the purpose of this one was to affect people's spirits. And it affected mine.

The violence was graphic. I can remember many times thinking, "Okay, we got the point already! Enough!" But through it I realized that this too is probably part of the purpose, to recognize that for Jesus, it went on and on, far longer than the 2 hour glimpse that we got. There was no pause button, no fast forward. He just had to endure.

Most of all was a re-realization that he did all this for me, out of love for me, wanting relationship with me. I don't think that has totally hit home, maybe it never will until the other side. After the movie we needed to pray. And we had communion in remembrance of Him.

P.S. I usually have very disturbing dreams after seeing violent movies. But last night I slept in perfect peace.