Personal Reflections after seeing

The Passion Of The Christ

Preaching: Am I preaching Christ crucified? Do I trust in my own wisdom? Why am I surprised when the cross is offensive? “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.

Priorities: Am I arguing over matters of lesser importance? After watching the movie I have a very difficult time getting my mind around the concept of church leaders arguing over the evils of “simultaneous acts of worship.” Is the cross the centerpiece of our faith? What are the distractions that need to be eliminated? “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. . . ” 1 Corinthians 15:3.

Marriage: Am I looking to Jesus as the model husband? Do I “lay down my life” when only my family can see? “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7 Note: “in the same way” refers in the context to the example of Jesus in the previous chapter summarized in the following verse. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed”
1 Peter 2:23-24.

Lifestyle: Am I dead to my old life and alive to Jesus? Has my life been shaped and molded by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross? “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20.

Discipleship: Am I taking up my cross daily? God forgive us for the times we have complained “I just have to bear my cross” while referring to minor inconveniences. “Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” Luke 9:23.

Forgiveness: Who is it I can’t forgive? “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots”
Luke 23:34.

— Bob Clark

3/2/2004