Posted by Dena on February 29, 2004, at 22:47:09
I want to expound on one of my earlier posts, in case my post to dave1 gets me blocked.
I quoted Jesus Christ in that post, & while I don't believe I should be blocked for quoting Him, one never knows. But I figured I'd better post this quickly in case I wake up to find myself exiled yet again...
I posted that I saw "The Passion of the Christ" last night, & I invited others who had seen it as well to discuss it.
I'm sure we've all heard & read about the controversy that this movie has apparently stirred up. I truly believe that those who are declaring it to be anti-Semitic have not yet seen it for themselves.
Some of you know this, others don't, but while I'm a Christian, my husband was born in a Jewish household (he's since come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah). My seven children are half-Jewish, & we've given them Jewish names. This has made them targets in some circles. In fact, I pulled my children out of a particular school because of threats against their safety, because they were Jewish. I understand anti-Semitism. I'm rather sensitive to it, because I've had to be.
But this movie is not against the Jews. It clearly depicts how Jesus chose to die, of His own free will, on behalf of all of mankind. No one killed Jesus Christ. No one murdered Him. He put Himself upon that cross, out of love for us.
Historically speaking, yes, *some* of the Jewish leaders plotted against Him, in their ignorance. And *some* of the Romans were only too happy to inflict pain on Him. Does that mean that Jews in general are guilty of killing Jesus? NO!!! Does that mean that all Italians (descendants of the Romans) are guilty of killing Jesus? NO!!! And what did Jesus Himself say, while He was hanging on the cross, suffering incomprehensible torture? He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Jesus was born to die, & He did so willingly; it was His mission on earth.
So who is responsible for the death of Jesus?
I am.
Because I was born in need of a Savior. I was born already rebelling against God, believing that I could be in charge of my own life. And I've committed all sorts of wrongs against God, and against other people in my lifetime. I've put myself first, I've not loved my neighbor as myself, I've not loved God with my whole heart, soul, strength and mind. I've not been perfect.
This is what I know:
- There is a heaven. It's real. But it can't be earned or deserved.
- I am a sinner. And I can't save myself.
- God is merciful; He doesn't want to punish me. But He's also just, & He must punish sin.
- Jesus Christ is the infinite God-Man; 100% God while also 100% man. He died on that cross, paying for my sins, & He purchased a place in heaven for me.
- I am saved through my faith in Him. Not mere intellectual head knowledge about Him. Not a faith that I put away for "safe keeping", only to bring it down for crises. But faith that believes that He is who He says He is - God - & that He is the means of my salvation.
"The Passion of The Christ" is about what He went through on my behalf. It's about how He was willing to suffer and die for me, because He loves me that much.
That's all.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:318856
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040113/msgs/318856.html