The Passion of the Christ

Along with a number of church leaders I was invited to attend a pre-screening of the latest Mel Gibson film "The Passion of the Christ". Bearing in mind that I am the kind of person who struggled through 'Watership Down' (aged 9), I nearly didn't go!   The distinctiveness of Mel Gibson's film and behind much of the media attention is the directors decision to focus almost entirely on the last hours of Jesus' life. Other films about the life of Jesus, of which there are many, skip through the sheer horror of the trial, torture and crucifixion of Jesus. If you see any blood it is a fleeting reference. Make no mistake, 'The Passion of Christ' changes all of that.

For that reason the film, in my view, has been rightly classified as an 18 certificate. This is not family viewing! But Gibson does not indulge in gratuitous violence. In line with the Gospel accounts (with some Hollywood additions) the suffering of Jesus is profoundly portrayed. The audience are not spared the barbarism of Roman execution and this will have a lasting impact on any Christian who reads the Easter story. The extent of God's love for us is revealed in the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus. In Him God takes our place on the cross to reconcile us to himself (1 John 4:10).

Whether this will have any impact on the non-Christian remains to be seen. Down through the centuries many have been tortured, killed, beaten and made to suffer unjustly. But not everyone can lay claim to be God made flesh. The birth, life, teaching and miracles of Jesus bear testimony to his death. And then there is the 'small' matter of the resurrection! Here is someone whose death carries enormous significance when you understand who that person is.

Certainly this film will provide a talking point. Here is an opportunity to engage with ordinary people who will want to discuss this film over dinner, at the office and in the student bar. If in conversation we can help them see how the death of Jesus relates to them we will bring them closer to the life of Jesus that can be found in them. Too often as Christians we live in holy isolation and have little comment to make because we refuse to cross the religious divide. The day we share the passion of the Christ for the people we meet every day, will be the day this film proves its value.

The film goes on general release in the UK from 26 March.

Please tell us what you thought about it here and what others make of it.