---

• Actions:
• download this podcast,
• subscribe in iTunes,
• RSS feed,
• comments (0)

 

Program Notes or Transcript

When you watch a film, what do you look for?  I am a video producer so I look at films with a critical eye… Hi this is Doug Flemming, your film critic, on this edition of Take Five…Church of the Nazarene.  If you are like millions of others around the world, you may have recently seen the film, “The Passion of the Christ.” The film was not a fun film …difficult to watch…the trials, endless beatings, the cruel mockery of his accusers.  The film graphically presented His sufferings.  It was bloody and brutal.  Some critics said it was too graphic. But, I agree with Lareau Lindquist, Barnabas International.  The details were necessary.  No film footage could adequately portray the intensity of his suffering…physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  The writers of Scripture also graphically speak of his pain. Isaiah, writing 800 years before the birth of Jesus, foretold of Christ’s suffering in this way: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering; He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; by his wounds we are healed.”  Psalm 22 “the psalm of the cross” gives the most complete description of Jesus’ crucifixion…”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads; a band of evil men has encircled me; they have pierced my hands and feet…people stare and gloat over me.  They divide my garments among them and gamble for my clothing.”  Listen to this song from PCD as you think about the price that Christ had to pay for us.

Today’s Music: You Are My King, PCD

No matter what you think of the film, we must admit, that director Mel Gibson was willing to risk his career to visually portray the basis of his faith. In fact, Gibson was seen only briefly and partially on the screen. His hand and arm are visible holding the nail as it was pounded into the hand of Jesus.  He did this to admit that he, Mel Gibson, was a participant in nailing Jesus to the cross.  It wasn’t just the Jews or Romans who did it.  You and I did it. Our sins nailed Him to the cross.  Let’s be specific…I did it.  You did it.  Despite our guilt, we can sing, “amazing love, how can it be, that you my King would die for me.”