The Passion
Beware: This post may contain some material that could be deemed as “serious” or “mature.” Regular readers of E&H.com may feel confused or disoriented by the graphic displays of personal feelings and introspection. Viewer discretion is advised.
I saw the passion of the Christ this weekend, and came away with a few things to think about.
I think that the biggest thing I came away from after watching it was nothing. Most of the Christians I knew who had seen it said stuff like, “you better bring a lot of tissues,” or “you don’t watch The Passion, you experience it.” Perhaps it has to do with my nature to be unaffected during emotional situations, my cynicism or my critical eye at the movies, but I didn’t really feel much of anything after watching it- which did make me feel a bit weird.
It was intense. It was graphic. That was pretty much it’s purpose. It’s called the Passion, which is a title given to the suffering and agony of Jesus Christ- it’s not intended to convey a church picnic or bingo game. Anyone sitting in the theater is there to see Jesus tortured and killed. Now you would expect that to bring me to tears, but it didn’t.
I did think that the movie was a powerful expression of the Passion. It seeks to accomplish something that today, 2000 years after Christ died, seems so distant and inaccessible- that is to truly understand Jesus’ suffering. That’s a tough job. We live in a mix of culture that sees the world thru totally different eyes than did a first-century Palestinian. At least in America, I am so far removed from true suffering, how can I really understand?
So Gibson sets about conveying his suffering through simple graphic images. That is one way to approach it, but I guess not the one that will invoke emotion within me. I can never tell what will make me shed a tear- it’s weird. I cry if I see All Dogs Go to Heaven, but when a family member passes away all I can think about is “what needs should I attend to?” Heck, I turned to a stupid reality TV show and a tear popped out when this guy proposed to his girlfriend and I looked at Heidi.
So am I a lesser Christian? Am I a callous jerk? Am I an Atheist? A commie?
Truth be told I ask myself those questions all the time (nix the commie one). I’ve always had a tough time relating to what Jesus went through, and I think I’m much more moved by how he lived than how he died anyway. You hear the phrase “he died for your sins” all the time, and while I know that this move will get most people emotionally and spiritually in touch with that in a way they need- I am left looking for something else.
I’m moved when I think about the shattered lives he healed, the people he served, and the vision he gave people of their worth to God. Its when I think of those things that he comes to life to me and his sacrifice on the cross means everything.
What brings me in touch with that? Serving people. Finding out what people are going through. Loving Heidi. Talking to old people and learning what they think of their lives. Having someone forgive me. Thinking about the intense responsibility I will bear when I become a father someday and wondering how on earth I will teach that young man or woman what life is about, who God is and why they should stay away from techno music.
Well, that’s it for now. I think I’ve let you guys have enough. Regular whacky humor will resume momentarily.
March 1st, 2004 at 4:27 pm
For me, it wasn’t the violence and suffering that evoked emotion, it was the expression of humanity as opposed to just the spirituality. I’m a Christian, and I agree that places me in a slightly different viewer category than many (and probably an inherently more attached/emotional one), but I wasn’t expecting the filmmaking itself to be as brilliant as I found it to be. I already knew the “story,” but what got me was the way Mel Gibson chose to combine history with spirituality with just plain human emotion and life.
March 1st, 2004 at 4:50 pm
I’m watching it tomorrow…stay tuned for my comment…
March 1st, 2004 at 5:07 pm
I really enjoyed the flashbacks, esp. the one with Jesus and his mom while he was working on that table. I also really like how he was a real guy rather than the effeminate stoner Jesus we get from movies made in the seventies.
I was talking to another friend of mine who also used to work as a minister and he and I both have seen a few movies like this- the fact that we’ve seen so many kind of lends to our sort of technical eye rather than emotional one. I was distracted at times with what I considered exaggerations in the case of the scourging and in some of the portrayals of the Jews and Romans. These things didn’t make me dislike the move, but rather pulled me away emotionally.
Overall though, I think it was a great movie and a very intense way to get in touch with Jesus.
March 1st, 2004 at 6:09 pm
I’m very disappointed in your decision to teach your children to stay from techno. Very disappointed indeed. A music that has influenced us culturally and nourished a generation of raver kids with it’s beep-boops, sirens, and whistle blowing deserves respect. How dare you suggest otherwise? Your failure to recognize “The Passion” as the movie we should worship in 2004 can only stem from your blind-hatred of such fine culture: techno. How dare you indeed.
You commie.
js
March 1st, 2004 at 6:10 pm
By the way, I haven’t seen the movie yet.
March 1st, 2004 at 7:48 pm
Jason,
I warned readers of the graphic nature of the post up front. If you can’t handle serious material like my deep hatred for Techno music, you are obviously not ready for the awesome responsibility of child rearing.
March 1st, 2004 at 8:54 pm
I agree with your comments about techno music. It ranks right up there with country.
March 1st, 2004 at 9:17 pm
Dude, I swear I heard you say something about a Crystal Method concert, but maybe I’m crazy. or is it not considered techno if you have to e hopped up on speed to understand it? But isn’t that what techno is? Man, I love techno.
March 2nd, 2004 at 7:48 am
CM is not techno. Also, your tastes continue to disturb me Jerz.
Is it me or is my entire readership deathly allergic to serious discourse? I guess that’s what makes us all so special.
March 2nd, 2004 at 10:10 am
A. John Tiesi agrees with you about techno, so that in itself is a problem.
B. Jerz is right! I have heard you say you like Crystal Method, which is truly Techno! Ask anyone who’s listened to CM…techno it is. If you think otherwise, you are in serious denial.
C. Child rearing…hmmm…I won’t touch that one.
js
March 3rd, 2004 at 8:35 am
Cats dance to Techno music in Hell!
Anyway on the Passion…
I also feel like there were many things distracting me from getting emotionally tied into the movie, here is a list:
-The woman behind me kicking my seat the whole time!
-Sniffing and crying noises all around me.
-The stinkin subtitltes…can’t read and cry at the same time.
-Monica Belluci
…I firmly beleive that without these obstacles I can truly connect with the movie…
March 11th, 2004 at 8:25 am
My big question is what effect will this have on all the kids people are taking to see it.
“Mommy, why are they hurting that man so badly?”
“Because you’re a sinner.”
It reminds me of a Jack Handy skit on SNL:
http://www.cco.net/~jpete/deepthou.htm