The Passion

[Judith]

No problem Michelle. I do not intend to see the movie, its just not something I am interested in. Judith

[Michelle in KC]

Hey, Judith. Thanks~ I must have been brain dead at the time I posted that. I appreciate the clarification. Did U see the movie yet? It bears the wait in line to see it. Michelle

[Judith]

Michelle in AR, just wanted to clarify- there is no language called Jewish. The language that Jews speak is Hebrew. There is also Yiddish, but that evolved long after The Passion happened. Yiddish is a mixture of German, Polish and other Eastern European languages. Judith

[Zookeeper]

I too am going to see this movie.
I realy like the posts on this subject it has been so touching to read them all.
May god bless you all and shine down on each and every one of you.
Thanks for every thing group.
grouphug angel
Take care.Love always, Zookeeper Kim

[ranshar2]

I, like you, Michelle sobbed with Mary. I told my husband, after seeing the movie, that I had been able to keep myself together unil "the mother's heart" was portrayed so beautifully. I believe that most mothers who see this movie will feel the same way. I was prepared for the graphic scenes of the torture of Jesus. I had seen many promos and had even bought and looked at a book of photos taken from the film that I found at Sam's, but I was not prepared to see Mary's side. Her pain and grief were beyond measure and depicted so well. I kept thinking about my own son and what it would have been like to be her and watch my son go through what her "baby" endured for me and for all of us.

It is an amazing movie and one of great importance. One I will never forget. It will remain in my spirit, always. Thank You, Lord.

[Michelle in KC]

Ok. I went and saw the Passion last night. It was myself, my hubby, and our almost 12 year old daughter, Emilee. It was not as graphic as I was expecting it to be. I did close my eyes a few times but that is to be expected. It was long, and it was intense. I did not get up to pee once. (I took a ditropan about 2 hours before) There were so many things to say about this movie. First, it is not - in my opinion anti-sematic. It is true that Jesus was crucified by hos own people - the Jewish people. But Jesus forgave them and died to save them, and us. Second, It is a true picture of how things were at that time. The beating that Jeses took and the pain. The open, bleeding wounds. The chunks of flesh torn off. That's how it was, people, and that was not glossed over in any wa. The crown of thorns was beaten into his head. All through the movie I prayed and thanked Jesus for dying for our sins, for MY sins. Third - Yes, I cried. I was not crying during the beating scenes, but what got me was Mary's torment in seeing her son beaten and crucified. And how she was strength for him. That got me. I think the rest of the movie was an excellent example of showing the world what is in thebible. But I never felt the emotion of Mary until this time. Like I said, that got me. Emilee had a lot of questions after the movie. She wanted to know why there was an earthquake when Jesus died. She wanted to know why the first raindrop triggered that. I answered the best I could. And the earthquake was to rock the world and to tear the temple curtain so all were welcome into the temple, not just the important people. I reminded her that last Sunday's sermon was about that subject. I highly recommend seeing this movie. Take a friend. Take lots of friends. Just see it and draw your own conclusions. Good Luck and bring your kleenex. Michelle

[felineperson3]

Very touching, Michelle!

Thanks for sharing the reminder as that is something I think most of us have to pray about is being able to forgive others and to love others as Jesus loves us. It is so easy to love the loveable and so difficult to love the unloveable. It is also hard to pray for some one that persecutes you. But with Jesus's help, we are able to do all these things we could not do on our own.
May God bless you- angel

[Michelle in KC]

I thought this appropriate.

Subject: How To Forgive -- WOW

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was
walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew
many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about
him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated
him.

He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the
illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with
anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find,
knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak
tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in
his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You
have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today,
you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I
don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs
that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect
as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how
to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but
I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me
To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt
something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the
corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.

He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree
had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised
his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through
them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw
Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His
side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head.
Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their
eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to
speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus
asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain? "
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying
became
uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man
felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it
was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of
Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known
before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something,
but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement
is. Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.
Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, today. For
without You I can do nothing.

[Michelle in KC]

Yes, Christine. I am glad you said something. I knew this, but my hubby dod not. It is in Aramaic and (I am not sure, maybe jewish) This is the actual tongue spoken at that time. Amazing, I think. Michelle

[Misery]

I dont know if everyone is aware of this, but the film has english subtitle.

[lwilke]

Here in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada, one of the smaller theatres has been totally booked up by one of the churches to the the new Mel Gibson flick The Passion of the Christ. Apparently this is a first in Yellowknife!

Arcticfox hi

[Michelle in KC]

there is a talk tonight and also tomorrow at local restaurants by some local churches. Unfortunately, I am home already for the night and tomorrow I have to work. Not to mention moving into the new house this weekend. BUT ~ I am taking time out to see it on Sunday afternoon at 4:30. By the looks of the theatre lines, we'll be getting there at 3:45! Michelle.

[jaime15]

Well I just found out that we won't get to see it here for about a week. All our cinemas (locally) are sold out through the 9th of March.
But that is sooo great for Gibson!
A lot of the bigger churches have been renting the whole theatre for viewing. And then going back to their church and having a discussion if people have questions.

[felineperson3]

Carly,
Sorry my post appeared twice. I thought it didn't go through the first time I hit the Add Reply so then I hit the Add Reply button again--"Big Mistake", I see. Also sorry that I spelled your name incorrectly--
Have a good night and again may God bless & help you as you make your decision.
hat

[felineperson3]

Carley,
I would be hesitant to offer advice about your 13 & 14 yr. old sons seeing this movie. You would be the one to know how mature they are and their exposure and ability to handle a film this graphic. I definitely recommend it for all adults, even though it is so emotionally wrenching to see our Savior endure such torture, because I feel so many lives will be changed spiritually forever from seeing what He suffered and went through just because He loved us that much!!!
Forgive me for not feeling that I can offer any advice on your question, but if I try putting myself in your position, I feel your husband is probably right about your seeing the film first and then you will be in a informed position to make a sound decision about your sons seeing it.
Let me hear what you decide. Prayers going up for you as you make your decision. angel