'The Passion' Goes Beyond Compelling Movie-Making

SOUTH BARRINGTON, IL (January 21, 2004) - "He didn't just prick his finger with a pin. He gave everything, did the whole thing."

This appreciative testimony about Christ's saving work came from Mel Gibson, director of the upcoming movie The Passion of the Christ that is set to hit theaters on Ash Wednesday, February 25. Gibson hosted a premier showing of the much-talked-about movie at Willow Creek Community Church on Tuesday afternoon for hundreds of invited pastors and other special guests, including not only me, but also Sharon Dotson, administrative assistant to the executive minister of the Department of World Mission.

Gibson's role as brother, believer and Christian worshipper of Christ may be surprising to some who know him only as movie star, sex symbol and celebrity. And for some, the graphic telling of the Passion - a film art portrayal of the final 12 hours of Christ's earthly life - probably was even more surprising. The result of three years of meditative prayer and active research, "the movie earned an honest 'R' rating," said Gibson.

It is not entertainment. It is scripture that is spiritually imagined and visualized - scripture of the tortured execution of the Christ whom we know died for us. If a picture is worth a thousand words, two hours of them provide oceans of insight into the deep, unimaginable love of Christ. The last 10 seconds of the resurrected Christ is stunning.

It takes a degree of maturity to take in the disturbing truth that is portrayed, as well some prayerful time to absorb the heart meaning of what the eyes view. My experience of the Lord's Supper is altered forever because I saw the film. I believe The Passion of the Christ is a real gift for Christ's body here and now.

"I had read that it was going to be very graphic," my co-worker Sharon said following the screening. "And it is. But to me it showed truth in the beatings that were given and the nails going into his hands. It's very emotional seeing what he actually went through in such graphic detail. But it's definitely a 'must see.' It's the best production I've seen of the truth (of Jesus' life)."

Printable version of this page.