Its
Historical Message
The Passion documents a 15 hour period in Jesus' life
with occasional flashbacks to earlier periods of his life
and ministry. It was during this short period of time
that Jesus gave up His life in obedience to God's plan
for man's redemption and salvation - a plan that was foretold
hundreds of years before Christ's death and resurrection.
The
Passion shows in graphic detail the sacrifice that Jesus
made on our behalf to reconcile us to God. The following
Bible passages, which relate to God's plan of redemption
and salvation, document the historical events that led
up to these 15 hours.
Old
Testament scripture, written hundreds of years before
Christ, foretells of God's plan for man's salvation including
Jesus' death on the Cross.
Christ's suffering is prophesied in Isaiah 52:13 -53:12
Why did this have to happen? Isaiah 53:6 explains that
we "all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has
turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him (Jesus)
the iniquity of us all." In other words, Jesus took
the blame and the punishment for all our sins.
In the New Testament, the disciples, who knew Christ personally,
give us a first-hand explanation of Christ's role in history
and in our salvation.
In John 3:16-17, Jesus' beloved disciple John tells us
that "God so loved the world that he gave His one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into
the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him."
Key scriptures from the Bible which confirm that Jesus is our
Savior and Lord can be found in Matthew chapters 26-27, Mark chapters
3, 12 and 14, Luke chapter 23 and John chapters 13,14 and 19.
History tells us that Christ's death on the cross took
place on the day we know as Good Friday and that His resurrection
followed three days later, celebrated on Easter Sunday.
In the movie, we see Christ arising from the tomb and
walking out into the light.
This resurrection is confirmed in Matthew Chapter 28,
Mark Chapter 16, Luke Chapter 24 and John Chapter 20.
These first-hand accounts describe instances where the
risen Jesus was seen by different individuals and groups
including Mary Magdalene, Mary, two disciples on the road,
eleven disciples (Judas, the betrayer, was the 12th) and
the disciple called 'Doubting Thomas' who touched the
arisen Jesus' wounds.
After
these appearances, Jesus tells his disciples to go and
make disciples (followers or believers) of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20 explains that Jesus came to the disciples
and said, "all authority in heaven and earth has
been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age."
Its
Eternal Meaning
As the risen Lord, Jesus is the eternal "bridge"
between man and God. He sits at the right hand of the
Father. He interceeds for us. He has promised eternal
life to all who believe in Him.
In
Romans 8:34, we are assured that "Christ Jesus,
who died-- more than that, who was raised to life--
is at the right hand of God and is also interceding
for us.
In
John 6:40, Jesus says, "For my Father's will is
that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him
shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at
the last day."
In
John 14:6, Jesus tells us, "I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me."
The
eternal meaning of Jesus Christ is found in the forgiveness,salvation
and eternal life that is promised to all who accept Him
as their personal Savior and turn their lives over to
Him.
Its
Relevance to You - As a Seeker
If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus
as your Savior and Lord, it is yours for the asking. Just
pray (talk) to God telling Him that you know you have
made mistakes and have sinned, ask Him to forgive you
and tell Him that you believe that Jesus is the Christ
and that you are putting your trust in Him for your redemption
and salvation.
Your
prayer might go something like this: "Here and now,
just as I am, Lord Jesus, I turn my life over to You.
I know that I am a sinner and humbly ask Your forgiveness.
I entrust my life to You. Thank you for cleansing me of
my sins and giving me the desire to live a life pleasing
to You. From now on I will look to You in all that I do.
Thank You for giving me Eternal Life. In Jesus' name,
Amen."
After you pray, go tell someone you know about your decision,
and rest in peace, knowing that from this day forward
you are one of His children and that you can look forward
to eternal life with Him.
Its
Relevance to You - As a Believer
If you already have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ as your savior, think about the love story behind
the movie - a love story between God and us. That "God
so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life. And think about the beauty and purity of
His Son - how He forgave those who crucified Him. They
had just put Him through agonizing torture, laughed at
Him, spit at Him - and He forgave them! The movie might
make each of us think about what grudges we might be holding
onto today? Who do we need to forgive? Nothing can be
as bad as what Jesus experienced, and yet He forgave His
enemies. Holding on to a grudge only hurts us, not the
other person. It keeps us bound. Jesus came to set us
free, so let us forgive today and begin to live freely.
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