Surprised by all the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson’s, “The Passion of the Christ”? Surprised by the hysteria of some that are denigrating both the movie and its producer? Many seem to be completely caught off guard by all the controversy and the near scandalous reporting of the media. Many in the News media are voicing their outrage and offense concerning this movie. Why? And, should we be surprised by all this controversy? The bible itself acknowledges that the message of the cross is “an offense”. The Apostle Paul called it “…the offense of the cross...” (Gal.5:11)
Some have complained that the movie is too violent, too graphic. Others have said it is an exaggerated portrayal of the brutality. Really? When was the last time someone saw an actual Roman flogging and crucifixion in progress? The historical record is clear; the Romans did indeed flog criminals with rods and whips with pieces of bone and glass entwined in their strands. Spikes really were used to hammer human flesh unto a beam of wood. How do you exaggerate that? Graphic? Brutal? It’s about time we de-sanitized the crucifixion.
The Prophet Isaiah, approximately 750 years before Christ, foretold of the brutality that would be inflicted upon the Christ; “…Many were amazed when they saw him—beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person…” (Is.52:13 NLT)
The reason so many are shocked by this portrayal of the passion of Christ, is because we have reduced the cross down to a pretty little piece of gold Jewelry devoid of any real meaning. In other words, to put it as the Apostle Paul does; “…the offense of the cross has been removed.” (Gal. 5:11)
The original language word for “offense’ is the Greek word “skandalon”. The Greek dictionary defines “skandalon” this way: “a trap, a snare; any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling), i.e. a rock which is a cause of stumbling…”
So then, biblically speaking an offense is something that causes someone to stumble. It cause’s them pain and discomfort. It offends them. For over 2,000 years the message of the cross has been an offence. They stumbled over the message then, and they are stumbling over the message now.
Pastor and Author, Doug Giles, of
Clash Christian Church, Miami, Florida, in a recent column said it best;
"But what are these critics really concerned about? What is it about “The Passion” that really worries them? Are they afraid that Jesus Christ and his principles are going to have a national/global renaissance? Are they afraid the film is going to assist a Judeo/Christian effort to bring truth and dignity back to this country? Are they afraid that righteousness is once again going to be re-introduced into our land before they secularly sink it? Are they afraid that biblical absolutes will be strongly resurrected into the public arena and thus potentially ruin their moral relativism? Are they afraid that the moral law is going to wreck their amoral life? That’s it, isn’t it? That’s why they’re working so passionately to vilify “The Passion of the Christ.” That’s their real agenda."
So again, we are made to ask, why is the cross of Christ an offence? Is it about politics? On one level, sure it is. Politics was certainly one element in the trial of Jesus. Politics permeates all of life, whether a society as a whole is aware of it or not. Yet, there’s something much deeper to it then that. Is it about religious sensibilities? Again, most assuredly the historical record indicates that as well. The New Testament writings show us Jesus was certainly upsetting the religious leaders of His day. (And truth be told, many religious leaders today don’t quite know what to make of Him either!) The so-called controversy surrounding Jesus of Nazareth has not changed all that much in over 2,000 years. Jesus was, has been, and still is an enigmatic figure to many people.
Politics’, religious institutions and sensibilities, human philosophies and the societal status quo, unquestionably these things all feel threatened by the message of the cross. But the deeper, more foundational and underlying issue really comes down to this:
The cross of Jesus Christ stands alone as heavens remedy for a world gone wild.
Mankind needs more than a prophet, it has plenty. Humanity needs more than a good moral teacher. There are many. Jesus is both prophet and teacher, but He is also something far more than those things. What is needed is a savior and that is what He is. Furthermore, He is the only Savior. And, that is what the world has a hard time accepting. It is an offense to our humanity that we are in need of a savior, and furthermore unable to save ourselves through our own efforts. Moreover, it is an extreme offense to our human philosophies and personal opinion’s that there could only be one way, and one way alone, to be saved and made “right with God.”
Therefore the apostle Paul tells us,
“I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense.” (1Cor.1:18-20 NLT)
For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Rom9:33)
Jesus Christ is that stumbling stone and that rock of offense that Paul speaks about. As previously stated, the original Greek word for offence is ‘skandalon’. We get the word ‘Scandal’ and ‘Scandalous’ from that word. The Passion of the Christ is a scandal! It scandalizes humanity. It scandalizes our sins and bankrupt morality. It scandalizes our vain and empty philosophies.
“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense”. (1Cor.1:23 NLT)
However, Jesus said, “…blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Jn.7:23 NKJV)
Therefore the Prophet Isaiah said; “…he was wounded because of our sins, crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisement that made us whole, and by his bruises we were healed...My righteous servant makes the many righteous, it is their punishment that he bears…:.” (Is.53:4-5; 11 JPS)
Jesus paid the price in full for your sin and mine. It all comes down to this; the scandal of the Passion of the Christ will do you no good unless you appropriate his Sacrifice and His suffering to yourself. Unless you understand and believe that He died for your sins, that He took upon Himself the punishment for your sins against God and man.
In order for the Passion of Jesus Christ to be applied to your account you must receive Him into Your life as your Lord and Savior. Recognizing that it is not any religious affiliation that you may belong to that will save you, but only the affiliation you make with Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone that matters. Confess your sins to Him today. Believe that He was raised from the Dead. Receive Him into your heart and life and you will be saved.