The new Mel Gibson film "The Passion of the Christ" is now on general release and is impacting all who see it. You need to see it to have an opinion on it, and it has been very effective in making Jesus the main topic of discussion throughout the land.

If you want to learn more about this film, check out the www.hollywoodjesus.com website on our links page.

In the mean time, here is a review of the film by Brendan Munro

Where do you start? Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be there in Jerusalem when Jesus was tortured and crucified? Have you ever wondered what your reaction would have been? Would I have been part of the baying mob? Would I have wept with the heartbroken? Would I have been an indifferent passer by? Would I have been appalled at the violence done to an innocent man? Would I even have realised that I was a witness to the most significant event in the history of the universe?

Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" has taken virtual reality to new heights - it brutally, relentlessly, mercilessly catapults you into a ringside seat. No, even worse, places you at the crucifixion of Jesus as a participator, rather than mere spectator. I wanted to jump up and scream "stop, stop" - but I could not. I was powerless to stop the cruelty. I was forced to watch it, to endure it, to face up to the reality of what happened.

To watch this movie is an intensely personal experience. It's not easy to review it objectively, because Mel Gibson is not offering an interpretation or explanation, but rather the starkest possible statement of what happened to Jesus in the last 12 hours of his life. What you get out of the movie depends largely on what you take in to it. While Gibson is shouting "This is what happened" God is whispering "What are you going to do about it?".

Gibson himself says he was strongly led by the Holy Spirit to make this film. He has delivered the message - it's now up to his hearers to respond. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said in his statement about Jesus: "This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross….be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.". At that point, his hearers made the heartfelt response "What shall we do?". Gibson has made the statement - it remains for people to respond. Indeed, in this politically correct world in which we live, where people strive to marginalize, downgrade and discredit Christianity, Gibson ought to be congratulated for putting the message of the cross centre stage. He has succeeded in making Jesus the number one topic of conversation in our work places, among our family and friends, and even among those of other religious persuasions. Quite a feat by any standards!

But herein lies what is probably the most important issue with this film. Gibson has made the statement, he's put Jesus in the limelight - but there is no context to what he is saying. The film raises more questions than answers. Other than the opening screenshot of the Scripture from Isaiah 53:5 "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…. and by His wounds we are healed.", there is nothing to explain why these things happened, why the Jews rejected him, or why Jesus submitted himself to it all. The flashback sequences, though brilliantly done, tell us very little as to who Jesus was, what he was like, or his credentials as Saviour and Messiah. For the unchurched with little or no knowledge of these things, there is simply no context. They will leave the cinema with two massive questions - Why? And What's it got to do with me? But this is precisely where we come in.

Gibson has posed the question and it's up to people to ask for the answers. And when they do, we need to be there for them. This is so typical of how God works and how humans respond. Jesus tells us blessed are the ones who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be satisfied. He told us that those who seek, find; those who knock have the door opened and those who ask shall be given. The onus is on people to ask, seek, knock, hunger, and thirst. The film is not awash with answers, but rather designed to provoke the questions, to make you ask, inquire, seek, and knock. Call it a quirk of our human nature if you like, but we seem to be more receptive when we've searched for it ourselves rather than have it shoved down our throats.

It's for this reason that I didn't think it would be good for Christians to be standing outside cinemas waving tracts and flyers in the faces of shell-shocked viewers as they exited the film. But on the other hand, through our personal network of contacts - friends, neighbours, work colleagues and family members - who go to see the film, there will be countless opportunities for us to gently offer answers and point in the right direction. The film isn't going to start worldwide revival overnight - that was borne out for me when I saw the film on its opening night. The cinema had been pretty full, but they weren't queuing to get in. When I left, however, I noticed young people across the street queuing three-deep to get into a nightclub. There's a long way to go yet!

Everyone needs to see this film, and particularly Christians. You cannot offer an opinion on it unless you've seen it. I've felt from the start that it would be as significant for believers as unbelievers. When Christians see it, they have a context in which to understand it. We know what Jesus did for us - and to see it portrayed so graphically brings it to life, so to speak. It re-ignites your passion for Him, your sense of awe and amazement, and deep, deep gratitude at what the Son of God did for you. And I suspect that for any "religious" ones, or ones whose hearts have gone cold, or strayed, they will once again be enflamed with love for Him.

As to the charge that the film is anti-Semitic, I can only say, not if you understand why Jesus died. It's true the Jews were the prime movers in calling for the crucifixion of Jesus, but that is simply a historical fact. And the Gentiles (represented by the Romans) were equally culpable. As much as the film highlights the complicity of the Jews, it does even more to show the spineless attitude of Pilate and the mindless brutality of the Roman soldiers. But when the film opens with that verse from Isaiah - he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities - the finger of blame is being pointed fairly and squarely at every single one of us, past, present and future. And Gibson has been clear in including himself in that. I found the film so painful to watch not just because of its shocking realism, but because of the knowledge that it was my sin that put Jesus on the cross - He died for me.

My first church service after watching the film was traumatic. It was a deeply moving experience to take the bread and wine at communion - I wept as I considered again what my transgression had cost the Lord, and was so deeply thankful that He paid it for me. The mystery of grace - that He bore what I deserved that I might receive what He deserved. We sang the hymn "How deep the Father's love for us" by Stuart Townend, and the words seemed to have fresh meaning………

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father's turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in any thing
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom