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From the beginning, certain forces have not wanted The Passion of the Christ to be successful in drawing people to the theatres. Having passed the $200 million mark this weekend, that is no longer a factor.

Early complaints were centered around anti-Semitism and the degree of violence portrayed. I wrote in defense of the film on both counts in earlier newsletters. But now a new charge is arising. This one can't detract from the box office, but seeks to weaken the impact and distort the message of the film.

Proponents of the new criticism point out that Jesus came to deliver a message of love, peace and tolerance, and that Mel Gibson's "blood soaked" portrayal does not do justice to Jesus' life and teachings of love.

There are many answers to this criticism, but let's start with the most obvious. Gibson was dealing with the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, historically called his passion. The portrayal of these hours does not deny the truth of his earlier life, but seeks to emphasize the redemptive value of these climactic hours.

"Where is the love?" they ask.

I can't really identify with critics who ask this question. For me, it's all about love. The whole movie is a depiction of what Jesus was willing to go through for you and me because of His love for God the Father, and His love for us.

Consider the scripture, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). And again:"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Are these two verses not at the heart of the movie? Are they not wonderfully, and even graphically, portrayed in the film? It is true that those familiar with the scripture have a head start on understanding this. But all who witness what Jesus is willing to endure must come to question by the end of the film, why He would willingly go through such a painful death.

For specific portrayals of love, recall what the film shows of the following:

• While everyone else is fighting in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus stoops to heal Malchus' ear. It is an act of love for one coming to arrest him, and the expression of amazement on the victim's face makes it clear that he was touched by Jesus' love.
  
• Throughout the beating Jesus receives, never once does He resist, speak evil of His persecutors or do anything but comply. This speaks volumes about His own teaching of turning the other cheek.
  
• The love relationship between Jesus and His mother Mary is clearly and emotionally shown in scene after scene. Flashbacks tug at the heart of every mother in the theatre and tears well up in the eyes of all parents as they observe the dynamic of this relationship. The fall of the child Jesus linked with that of the battered and bruised Savior are not lost on anyone with eyes to see and a heart to feel what that would have been like.
  
• Forgiveness is love in action. Jesus forgives the repentant thief. His words of "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing," are uttered directly to the high priests as well as generally towards humanity in an earlier scene. Those familiar with the scriptures also know of the later forgiveness of Peter, whose denial and remorse are openly shown. The flashback to the thwarted stoning of Mary builds on the forgiveness theme as well.

Much could be written of the loving character of Mary, Mary Magdalene, John and Simon of Cyrene, but let's move on to the most important treatment of love in the film.

Jesus speaks words of love

To me, the positioning by Mel Gibson of Jesus speaking in flashbacks amidst the depiction of his suffering and death is both brilliant film-making and powerful preaching. I can still hear Him saying:

"When I am gone, this is My commandment, love one another. As I have loved you, you should love one another."

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

"You have heard it said, 'love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you....If you only love those who love you, what reward is in that?"

Have more clear words of revolutionary love ever been spoken? I don't think so; and they are all in the film. Let those who have ears hear what is being said.

A final word on the criticisms

Early criticisms of the film have been answered. There was and is no intended or implied anti-Semitism in this film. Any violence portrayed is there to show the enormity of the sacrifice God required, and Jesus paid, for our sins. Scenes, depictions and dialogue not found in the Bible are in the film as artistic choices to help transpose the story from the written page to the screen. This has been characteristic of Biblically-based films for years. Just look at The Ten Commandments, The Robe and Ben Hur.

In a similar way, charges of brutality overshadowing Jesus' message of love miss the whole point. It was His love for us that sent Him to the cross. All along the way we are reminded of that love, which paid the penalty for our sins and makes eternal life a possibility for all who believe.

Those who want to be critical of the film will continue to attempt to poke holes in Gibson's work. Let's not get sidelined, but use the opportunity of discussing the film, its strengths and weaknesses, as an opportunity to talk about Jesus.

For when all is said and done, it's His love for every person who ever walked on planet earth that the film so wonderfully portrays. Jesus willingly laid down his life. There is no greater love.

Breaking News

• Operation Come Passion continues to grow. Last Thursday a couple in Edmonton wanting to reach out to the needy, but having no funds to do it, through a series of divine circumstances, were put in touch with a businessman wanting to help more people see the film. A sponsored showing is arranged for this week complete with gospel presentation and food coupons. Today, a businessman in the Fraser Valley phoned to say he wants to do the same thing in his area. More info >>
  
• The Los Angeles Times just reported, "Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ remained the top film for a second straight weekend, taking in $53.2 million and pushing its 12-day total to $213.9 million." It went on to report that this weekend total was greater than the second and third place films, Starsky and Hutch and Hidalgo combined.
  
• A CNN and Time Magazine poll of people exiting the theatres this weekend showed that 92% of attendees had a favorable rating of the film compared to 8% unfavorable.
  
• More importantly, reports are filtering in of people leading their friends to a relationship with Christ in discussions after the film. A future newsletter will be devoted to reporting these stories. To submit your story write to newsletter@sharethelife.com .
  
• The film is set to release in a variety of European countries over the next number of weeks. Please be in prayer for God's grace and protection on the release and efforts of Christian groups to utilize the film in the weeks ahead.

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