By Rev Roderick R. Hewitt, Contributor
A scene from 'The Passion Of The Christ'.
ON THE evening of March 3, I responded to an invitation to share in a pre-release viewing of the provocative film The Passion of the Christ with pastors and ministry leaders. I found it to be a very powerful film that grips the viewer from beginning to the end. The film, to a great extent tries to adhere to Scriptural reports about the passion of Jesus, but since it is a Hollywood product that is meant to entertain and make a profit, it often goes beyond the text to give a contemporary Euro-American interpretation of what could have happened.
ANTI-SEMITIC HYPE?
I took extra care to find out whether the film could be deemed as anti-Semitic because I read about the Jewish lobby in the USA that predicted a worldwide wave of anti-Semitic violence that this film would unleash. I find little or no justification for this fear. Anti-Semitism is a real threat in our world for which we should be on our guard. Christians have used the Bible, especially in the Matthew 27:25 passage that states "His blood be on us and on our children," to blame the Jews for the death of Jesus. The director has ensured that the English subtitles used did not state this verse. Instead priority attention is given to Jesus' word that he is the one who is giving up his life for others. The film had no choice but to be true to the fact that Jesus is a Jew, his followers are Jews and Jewish leaders found him guilty for breaking their laws. To do that does not mean that the film is anti Semitic! No one having seen the film can honestly use it as a vindication for hatred and bigotry against Jews. Rather those who watch it will arrive at an understanding of the real cost that Jesus paid for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of sinners.
A CELEBRATION OF MOTHERHOOD
I appreciated the Director's cinematic presentation of Mary the Mother of Jesus Mary who was 'caught in adultery' and women in general. Protestant women who attend this film will certainly leave with a greater spiritual appreciation of Mary as mother of Jesus, not only in his early life but also at the very end of his life.
It was very obvious that the Director has a special love for Mary that is deeply influenced by his Roman Catholic spirituality. Gibson's treatment of Mary evokes a deep maternal love that will surely touch most of the viewers.
Jamaican women in particular who have seen their children suffer at the hands of state, security forces, religious groups or senseless mob violence dishing out rough justice, will certainly identify with Mary as a mother who watched her child suffer excruciating pain and can do nothing to stop it. In the midst of her silence one can observe the empathy of her love reaching out to her son.
A NEGATIVE COMMENTARY ON MALE POWER
Mary's presence permeates the different scenes from the beginning of the trial before High Priest through to the time when he is taken down from the cross. It seems as if Mel Gibson wants to present Jesus' passion through the eyes of Mary. I loved every bit of it however I could not help looking for the absent Joseph by her side.
The only Father present throughout the passion was God; there was no earthly Joseph. The film's failure to mention even a "behind the scene" role for Joseph will reinforce the
negative view of men as absentee fathers within our Jamaican
society. Generally speaking men faired poorly throughout the film of those who lust for power,
perpetrators of violence, betrayers and deceivers who are incapable of doing what is just and having cold hearts that are incapable of relational love.
OVERCOMING EVIL
The surreal aspect of the film is the role of the deceiver-Satan! He is presented as a bald, pale, androgynous figure that taunts Jesus at every turn and uses power 30 humans to unleash an infectious violence on the innocent. In Gethsemane, Satan is ever present as a snake (a western worldview) seeking to promote doubt in God's capacity to fulfil his purpose through Jesus.
This awesome capacity of the great deceiver to lure people off course is best seen in his impact on Peter and more so on Judas. In an absolutely ruthless display of psychological taunt on Judas, Satan transformed him into a mental wreck that is unable to cope with his guilty feelings. In an extra scriptural taunt, Mel Gibson presents a 'Black Crow' as the presence of Satan perched over the cross of the thief who mocks Jesus getting ready to pluck out his eyes!
Go now and read the Gospels for Yourself
My hope is that having seen the film it will motivate more persons to (re) read the Gospels and what they have to say about the Passion of the Christ. They will find out that the Biblical reports are more restrainted in depicting Jesus' suffering and death. However the message is very clear that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".
CONCLUSION
My view declares it to be "a must-see movie with a heart transforming message, beautifully directed, powerfully acted, good choice of music and pleasing with terrific sound." This film is surely not one for children or emotionally unstable adults. I would give it a 13-14 minimum age group for attendance. My prayer and hope is that this film will help people to come to know the Christ of the gospels and his saving gift of salvation. My hope also is that it will serve to challenge and wake up the church about the power of films and other forms of mass media to communicate the message of the gospel.
Rev. Dr. Roderick R. Hewitt is a pastor in the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. E-mail comments about 'The Passion of Christ' to entertainment@gleanerjm.com
