"THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST"
INTRODUCTION:
1. Much controversy has surrounded the movie "The Passion
Of The Christ" by Mel Gibson:
a. Mostly for fear that it might incite anti-Semitic
passions
b. Also because it is violently graphic in its depiction
of Christ's suffering
2. Without question, the suffering of Christ, leading
up to and including the crucifixion was terrible:
a. The beatings, which
must have been excruciatingly painful - Matthew 26:67 Then did they spit in
his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their
hands, Matthew 27:26-31 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he
had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of
the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of
soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when
they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed
in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon
him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and
put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
b. Nailed to the cross,
which Jesus was willing to bear without drugs - Matthew 27:33-35 And when they
were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall:
and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him,
and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments
among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
c. A shameful way
to die, mocked by some, crucified with thieves - Matthew 27:36-44 And sitting
down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were
there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him,
wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it
in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking
him, with the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we
will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves
also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
3. While there may be a place for contemplating upon
the physical passion Jesus endured:
a. He did not want
people to weep for Him, but for themselves - Luke 23:26-31 And as they led him
away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might
bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and
of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep
not for me, but
weep for yourselves,
and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to
say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done
in the dry?
b. His concern for
others was evident, even on the cross - Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them;
for they know not
what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
The significance and lessons to be learned from the
suffering of Jesus should go far beyond feeling sorry for what He endured. For
example, we should never forget that "The Passion Of The Christ" is...
I. THE CONDEMNATION OF SIN:
A. JESUS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF SIN:
1. As foretold, He died for our sins - 1 Corinthians
15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of
us all.
2. He gave Himself
for our sins - Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver
us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
3. He bore our sins
on the cross - 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on
the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
-- May the thought
of His passion remind us of our own sinfulness and the need for redemption - 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
B. JESUS KILLED SIN:
1. He condemned sin
in the flesh through His death - Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in
the flesh:
2. Making it possible
for sinners to destroy their own body of sin, when united with Him by baptism into His death - Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also
in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man
is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth
we should not serve sin.
-- May the thought of His passion remind us of our duty to crucify the sinful lusts of the flesh - Galatians
5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts. Colossians 3:5-11 Mortify
therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,
which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked
some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication
out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new
man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
To motivate us in our efforts to let Jesus' suffering
help us deal with the problem of sin, we should also remember that "The Passion Of The Christ" is...
II. THE REVELATION OF LOVE:
A. JESUS SUFFERED BECAUSE OF LOVE:
1. The love of the
Father for a lost world - John 3:16 For God
so loved the world,
that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. The love of the
Son - Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath
given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.
-- May our contemplation
of His passion never neglect the love that was behind the fact - 1 John 4:9-10 In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
B. JESUS THEREBY DEMONSTRATED WHAT TRUE LOVE IS:
1. We now understand
the meaning of true love - 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren. John 15:13 Greater love hath
no man than this, that
a man lay down his life
for his friends.
2. His love serves as the pattern for our love - John 13:34-35 A new commandment
I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 15:12 This is my
commandment, That ye love
one another, as I have
loved you.
-- May our contemplation
of His passion remind us of the high standard of love we are called to show toward one another - 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
As we strive to overcome sin and love one another,
assisted and motivated by the suffering of Jesus, we should also be mindful that "The Passion Of The Christ" is...
III. THE REDEMPTION OF THE WORLD:
A. JESUS SUFFERED FOR ALL:
1. God desires all
men to be saved, not desiring any to perish - 1 Timothy 2:3-6 For our exhortation
was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed
of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither
at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is
witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when
we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 2 Peter 3:9 The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2. Therefore He offered
Jesus as a propitiation for all - 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things
write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And
he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world.
-- May our meditation upon His passion include thinking
about the need of others
B. JESUS IS THE WORLD'S ONLY HOPE:
1. He is the only
way to the Father - John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and
the life: no
man cometh unto
the Father, but by
me.
2. Only in His name
is salvation to be found - Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
3. Deny the Son, and
one does not have the Father - 1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same
hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
4 Abide in His doctrine, and one has both the Father and the Son - 2 John 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
-- May our meditation upon
His passion move us to do what we can to proclaim the message of redemption to those lost in sin - 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:1
And all things are of God, who
hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us; we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God
in vain.
And so the suffering of Jesus on the cross should prompt
us to look both inward and outward, to address both our spiritual needs and those of others. To what extent effort may be
required in these areas, we should also view "The Passion Of The Christ" as...
IV. THE INSPIRATION OF SACRIFICE:
A. JESUS PROVIDED THE EXAMPLE:
1. His suffering demonstrated
the mind of humility - Philippians 2:3-8 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2. His suffering demonstrated
the example of suffering patiently - 1 Peter 2:20-24 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take
it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened
not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self
bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
-- May our reflection upon His passion move us to consider
what His sacrifice should inspire us to do
B. JESUS' SACRIFICE IS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE US:
1. To walk in love
- Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given
himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.
2. To walk in humility
- Philippians 2:3-5 Let nothing be
done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
3. To suffer patiently
when mistreated for doing good - 1 Peter 2:20-24 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take
it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened
not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self
bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
4. To give of ourselves to others - 2 Corinthians
8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 1 John 3:16-18 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth
the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
-- May our reflection upon His passion inspire us to
a higher plan of devotion to God and others!
CONCLUSION:
1. Certainly more could be said about "The Passion
Of The Christ":
a. Both the movie, and the historical events it seeks
to portray
b. E.g., the fact that any anti-Semitic reaction would
be contrary to the will of Christ
2. But perhaps these few thoughts will increase our
appreciation of Christ's suffering:
a. His passion is the condemnation of sin
b. His passion is the revelation of love
c. His passion is the redemption of the world
d. His passion is the inspiration of sacrifice
3. Have you taken advantage of what "The Passion Of
The Christ" means for you...?
a. Have you been crucified with Christ?
b. Are you putting to death the deeds of the flesh?
c. Are you growing in love?
d. Are you concerned and doing something about the
redemption of the world?
e. Are you inspired in your service to brethren and
the lost by the example of Jesus' sacrifice?
May "The Passion Of The Christ" motivate you to obey
and serve the One who died for you:
"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge
thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves,
but for Him who died for them and rose again." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the
love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died
for them, and rose again.
