Easter Message - The Passion of Christ
by Paul Harrington, Senior Pastor, Holy Trinity Church Adelaide Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' has attracted a lot of media attention in recent months. Some have criticised it for being racially prejudiced against Jews. Many have commented on its level of violence. I came away from seeing it feeling touched at the deepest level not just by the physical abuse Jesus unjustly suffered but by the sense that I had a part in it. Mel Gibson himself made the comment that in directing the film he became even more aware that his own sin was responsible for Jesus determination to die on the cross. However, its the end of the film which raises some sharp questions. The last scene is days after the crucifixion. The bandages that Jesus was wrapped in after his death are shown to collapse and Jesus, vibrant and alive faces the entrance of his own tomb. Given the bloody and vicious beating, whipping and killing of Jesus the amazing claim that he came alive again defies logic. People who are that dead don't make a come-back! History supports the death and the resurrection of Jesus and most people don't have a problem believing Jesus could have annoyed the Jewish leaders of the first century so much that they plotted to kill him. Many do hesitate to accept that Jesus could have been thoroughly dead and then come back to life, never to die again. People dying is within our experience. People coming back to life again isn't. This is all part of God's compassion for us. We thumb our nose at God and what does he do? He sends his own son to die for us. We all face the great reality of death. What does God do? He tells us its not the end. His explanation isn't just in words but illustrated by raising his own son to life after death. Easter is all about the fact that Jesus died for Mel Gibson...and me...and you. Knowing we are so loved by God is powerful and hits us at the depth of our being. Conviction that we can be in relationship with God now and for all time is liberating. If you can join us over the Easter weekend at Trinity we'd love to have you. We're sure you'll find it a compelling journey as we trace the steps of Jesus to the cross and then reflect on the most unlikely victory in history as Jesus emerges from the grave. All the details of our meetings are enclosed. Paul |
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