THE PASSION OF THE PEOPLE—GOD'S PEOPLE—FOR PEOPLE
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“No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are my friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.”
—John 15:12(Amplified Bible)
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Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ” has awaken the Church of Jesus Christ and stirred up the passion of God's people in this Nation. It has upset the powers of darkness, and the principalities of the air! All the controversy and the personal attacks against Mel Gibson gave evidence that the powers of darkness were teaming up in an attempt to discount his motives and sabotage his mission. Nevertheless, God’s purposes always prevail! The Gospel of Jesus Christ shall go forth by any means necessary.It is astounding how biblical truth causes controversy and opposition! No one took issue with Mel Gibson, his father, or their beliefs until the truth was about to be revealed in an unprecedented way; and, of course, all hell broke out.
Ironically, the same thing happened over 2000 years ago—people did not accept Truth. Instead, it caused controversy and opposition. After an attempt to suppress it failed, killing it was surely to be the end, so they thought! This is status quo among those trapped in religious and legalistic systems. The rejection of the truth really has nothing to do with ethnicity, or cultural backgrounds. Rejection of the truth is a matter of the heart. And according to Jeremiah 17:9, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick!" Therefore, when the light of truth penetrates into the dark crevices of the mind resistance manifests by either reprisal or repression.
However, what I find more fascinating is how this movie ignited the evangelistic flame of the Christian church. A passion for souls emerged now that we have been reminded of God’s passion for people. Not only has the powerfulness of The Passion pierced the hearts of sinners to confess their sin, it has penetrated the hearts of God’s people and stirred us to a new level of commitment.
Weeks after opening night the scenes replayed in my mind like pressing a rewind/play button on a remote control of a VCR. Reality consumed me...He did not have to go through the pain, suffering, ridicule, mockery, and torment…He did not have to do it... Then, John 15:12 became profoundly clearer, “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are my friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.” His desire to is to have personal relationship—relationship born out of sacrificial love and developed through submission and obedience.
However, somewhere along the way, a desire for that level of commitment to Him was minimized. Instead, the pleasures of life mesmerized church folks. Its complexities distracted them from the plan and purposes of God. In addition, their own lust lured them into compromising situations, which held them captive in religious systems that promoted condemnation rather than reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18-20). Consequently, relationships with others were broken. Moreover, broken relationships cause broken homes, deadly diseases, economical crises, unforgiveness, crumbling corporations, and ultimately a sin-sick society.
I am convinced that God is demanding that His people rise up—commit totally to Him, walk steadfastly in His ways, and live in radical obedience to His Word. He is calling us to a higher standard so that we might walk in the abundance that He has destined for us for the fulfillment of His purpose in the Earth. But we needed to be visibly reminded of the price that was paid to redeem man from the death he justly deserved. The Passion is that reminder!
No doubt, many of you will agree that seeing “The Passion of the Christ” provoked you to another level of commitment. Like me, you probably wept as you staggered out of the theatre; gripped by the power of the Holy Spirit, and overwhelmed with a passion for purpose— desiring a closer relationship with the Christ, and recognizing your need to do more. Simply said, this movie deepened my love for the Lord! Remember, He did not have to “lay down” his life but because of love…
Again, I am convinced that this is exactly what He wants to happen— A rekindling of love for Him that will stir up a desire for Him that only He can satisfy. When we allow Him to satisfy our desires, His passion becomes our passion—love and compassion for people! This movie reveals that the passion of the Christ is love for people—ALL PEOPLES. Moreover, this passion took him to the cross. Yet, more importantly, because of this passion He resurrected Himself so that it would be passed from one person to another. “This is my commandment; that you love one another [just] as I have loved you” ( John 15:12).
For years, we have read the Holy Scriptures, preached the good news of his death, burial and resurrection, seen movies in the past, but nothing has stirred us like this movie. Why is that? Timing. There is an urgency that demands redeeming the times—seizing every opportunity to share the love of Christ in word and deed. After all, it is the least we can do for the price that was paid for our pardon. However, unless we experience this passion we cannot effectively pass it on.
The Passion of the Christ is a perfect example of the truth recorded in I Corinthians 1:25, 27-28; 25 “…because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men. 27[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. 28And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are…” It has forced the world to take notice and recognize that something is different about this movie whether admitted or not. God selected what would be treated with contempt and insignificance to put to shame the weak and wise of the world’s system. However, all whom have been eternally changed by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit know, without a shadow of doubt, that the passion of the people—God’s people must be for people—ALL peoples, so that the plan of salvation is revealed to the whole world. Knowing this, we must work together to share the message of reconciliation entrusted to us as ambassadors for Christ committed to carrying out God's agenda with passion and purpose until Christ returns.
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Copyright 2004 Queen E. F. Phillips. All rights reserved. NOT-FOR-PROFIT use only requires prior written permission from the author. Credit must be given to copyright owner.