It took an extra week to screw up my courage, but I finally did it. I finished my personal journey through Holy Week tonight. I watched Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ. Anyone who has seen it will know why courage was needed to watch.
It is only the second time I have watched this biblical version of the original Holy Week. The first time was in a theater. I was tranfixed. I was horrified. I was crushed. I was guilty. God forgive me if I ever react any other way to the story of what Christ went through for me.
We all go through our miniscule versions of the sufferings of Christ. We are rejected. All appears lost. God seems nowhere in sight. But the story does not end there. If you are reading this post, chances are you have lived through your own crucifixion. And you have seen the Father's hand of deliverance. You have experienced your own resurrection.
As we end this holy season, may we remain ever mindful that Sunday always follows Friday - that God is faithful. Just as He did for Christ, God will do for us what He said He would do. He will redeem us. He will crush our enemies. He will receive us to sit at the hand of the Father. Hallelujah, indeed.
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
The last Word:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3: 1-3, NIV.
7 comments:
Amen, praise God my friend.
Hey Gail! I've never allowed myself a 2nd watch of that movie. Perhaps in time. Yes, Sunday is our truth, and yes, I've known the death of my own Friday (in part).
Gail, I would appreciate your prayers for my current WIP which is near completion. I'm now in the proposal stage and hold some excitement about the final product. That being said, I only host a little hope as it pertains to the publication process. If I had the resources, I would self-publish at this point, but I don't. Thus, I'm stuck and need some wisdom about how to proceed.
Been here before, and I am more cautious with my hopes than ever. I don't want to live this way, but past rejections have stirred me in this direction.
I know you'll understand; thanks in advance for your prayers if you have the time.
peace~elaine
Hi, Gail. I have only seen The Passion once, and like you, it was in a movie theater. It was a heart-wrenching experience. When I think of it, it stirs my heart, for the suffering Christ went through for us is beyond my comprehension, and He gave Himself as a lamb, so meekly.
I love the scripture you shared today, which reminds us that we are continuously on a journey of crucifixion, one of hope, a glorious hope for our future in Christ. And this hope invokes a process of purification. I praise God for His word. And thank you for sharing so inspiringly.
Take care, and the Lord bless you mightily as you serve Him.
Your Sister-in-Christ,
Andrea
Hi Gail, I've waited for a new post from you for weeks! ANd now here it is. You are courageous to have watched The Passion a second time.
I have to confess, I never had the courage to watch it even once. Purposely, I stayed away from that movie. Just seeing the film clips made me decide I won't watch it.
Thank you for the words you wrote about our own crucifixion, rejection, and resurrection.
Thank you for the hope that you speak of. God be given glory for how you express your thoughts that bring such a healing impact upon my heart.
Gail---I am with you. It seemed hours before I could speak after watching it when it came out. Then--I just wanted to buy tickets for others to see---because I felt like "seeing" it---what Christ went through...revealed the "me" that I had not dealt with. Oh my---what God has given us....I am undeserving of HIS great love.
You are such a blessing girl. I love you dearly!
Yes, I understand why courage is needed. This year, we watched the movie with our two sons (10 & 12). We had to edit some parts, but it was amazing to watch the realization of the suffering our Lord went through sink through their young brains. We had a good talk and above all, they were told that He did this for them.
Amazing Grace.
Gail,
My daughter and I were just discussing the movie last night.
" We all go through our miniscule versions of the sufferings of Christ"
Yes! they are but a glimpse of what He suffered for us.
As always, I love the verse you chose for the last word!
I am so thankful that God is Mighty, Powerful, Omnipotent! but he is my Father and I am His child!
In Him,
Tina
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