Design and Writings by Riz
Bluedfiles Version 17
� April 2005

The Passion of the Christ.
He Took the Fall, and Thought of Me.. Above All.

I'm sure you've read all sorts of commentaries about it already. Some sees it as a legend, a breakthrough in the film industry. Others were inspired, and had their lives changed because of it. In a negative tone however, I just heard from someone that there was this news this morning that a priest actually died upon seeing the movie. Uh, heart attack? Something like that. For the past months, different sectors tried to stop the producers from having the movie shown, because of some controversies and other unbiblical scenes said to have been added to the movie. Well, I'm not about to react on any of these, or comment on how the film was created, or any of that matter. I'm here to tell you of my experience, and how I felt about it.

First off, I was crying 15 minutes prior to the start of the movie. First drops of tears started when one of those soldiers who captured Jesus spitted on His face. At first, all I thought was that it was really disgusting, having someone's saliva on your face. But when the soldier spitted on His face again, I almost felt it. Jesus took the shame head on, because of love. Man, I can't even imagine myself having someone spit on my face for the love of another person. But Jesus went through with it.. in fact, He's done so much more.

And so the agony started.

The thing is, that scene alone gave me goosebumps. For those who have seen it already, imagine now how I felt all throughout the movie. That particular scene, actually, was far from worst. The 12 hours before Christ's death were prolonged, and every single moment were made to look so real, as if it's happening right before your eyes. Now I really hate seeing blood.. but this movie showed blood almost 90% of the time, and even when we had to read the subtitles (which I usually hate), there was no way anyone won't see the whole point of it all. Yes, I know the story well from Sunday School, but there I was, crying non-stop as the story unfolded before me once more, this time in a whole new different light. Most of the time I had to close my eyes shut because I couldn't take any more of the blood, of all the curses, and all the crying, happening all at the same time. And yet, while I had my eyes close, I was sobbing uncontrollably still, even just with the sound of every whip on Christ's body, and every moan that came from His mouth. Many times over, I clung on to my bestfriend sitting beside me, and silently whispered to no one in particular, tama na.. tama na please.. But the torture Jesus went through continued.

I had too much in my mind that I wanted to ask God right there and then, if I were given the chance. I wanted to ask Him why He allowed all that to happen when He's got all the power to stop the pain He's going through in the first place. I thought about what Mary felt, having her son tortured that way in her face, and how Jesus' disciples must have felt.. I thought about all those Pharisees, who for their own selfish reasons, crucified to death the only person who could save them from their sins. But most of all, I couldn't help sending this silent question to God, Lord, why do you love us this much? Then I remembered all those things I've done which nailed Him to the cross. Yes, I am one of those who nailed Him there.. I am one of the reasons why Christ suffered that way.

To be honest though, I wanted the movie to end right away. Somehow I was telling God, Ok, enough of this already.. can we move on to that part where You're crucified so we can have this over and done with? I got you're point na, Lord, tama na po.. But He seemed to really want all of us to see for ourselves how much He loves us. Finally, after less than two hours, after all the torture, and as the climax where Christ's hand was nailed to the cross subsided, I, along with the whole congregation, had a huge sigh of relief. It was accomplished, Christ had said.

He had His last breath, accomplishing that one thing He's destined to do.. to die for our sins.

When the movie had it's closing credits, everyone remained on their seats, silenced. I heard muffled cries everywhere, and in the silence of the movie theater, someone sang this familiar song, Thank You For The Cross. I felt everyone around me crying their heart out. I had to leave soon though coz I had to rush to work, so I wasn't able to hear the closing remarks. But a few minutes after we left the theater, I was at the back seat of our car, crying still.

As for me, this is another song that still keeps on ringing into my mind..

        Crucified, laid behind a stone
        Lived to die, rejected and alone
        Like a rose, trampled on the ground..
        He took the fall, and thought of me
        Above all..

Now that I think about it, the most heartbreaking thing is, He was thinking of me when He was walking His way to His death. In my life, I've suffered so little yet I reasoned out with God, chose my own happiness over His, and disobeyed Him so many times. It always took me so much effort giving up something for Christ. And yet He Himself suffered for me, far greater than anybody ever did, and I ever did, without questions asked. And now that I've come to visualize what Christ has done for me, I found myself falling in love with Him more and more, and hoping to strive even more to be that person that He wants me to be.. to please Him, and to show Him how grateful I am.

My rating for the movie? Very highly recommended. Go watch it out for yourselves.

My rating for what Christ has done? Un-rate-able. Words fail me.

Riz Blabbered @ 10:39:00 AM.

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