We didn't really laugh.
We didn't really talk.
There was no popcorn.
The movie was The Passion of the Christ, and if you are not familiar with it, it was produced in 2004 by Mel Gibson, and depicts the final hours of Jesus' life. With Resurrection Sunday just around the corner, I felt they needed to watch it. I think it is a great movie, but I do not enjoy watching it, for obvious reasons.
I have written the past few years about a different approach to Resurrection Sunday, and how I feel it is important to focus on both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, to get a proper perspective. I felt the boys were at an appropriate age to use this movie as a time of awareness to begin to focus our thoughts toward the events of Good Friday.
Before starting the movie, I explained to them why I wanted them to view it, and a little about what to expect, to prepare them for the brutal depiction of Jesus' mock trial, scourging and crucifixion. They asked if we could watch it in the dark, which we did. Zachary, who was sitting several cushions away from me on the sectional, asked if he could sit close to me, so he sat between Dylan and myself. We have a pretty big sectional, but we didn't use much of it that night... we sat packed together and watched the movie in relative silence.
I could not see the boys reactions throughout the movie, but I could tell from Zachary's breathing next to me, that parts of the movie bothered him quite a bit. And, well it should. After Pilate's scourging of Jesus was finished, when one would hope to catch a break in the brutality between there and the actual Crucifixion, Jesus then carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, where the throng of people and soldiers continued to unmercifully brutalize Him. At some point during this walk to Golgotha, Zachary could take it no more. He broke the silence, and with much emotion in his voice, he simply asked, "How much more are they going to do to Him, Dad?"
I did not have a good answer.
Ultimately, we know that section of the story ends in death. But, I know what he was saying... when I watch these scenes, I wonder how humans could have been so brutal to Jesus. It is very tough to view. I find myself wondering how He endured it... for me... for you? I find myself wondering how much worse it actually was than what is depicted on the screen?
Focusing more heavily on the Crucifixion at this time of year has implications that reach far beyond the celebration of the Resurrection, however. This focus has also energized the observance of Communion throughout the year. For years, I participated in the observance of Communion, but it never had great significance. I understood what it represented, but it fell fairly flat.
I love the scene in this movie that flashes back to the Last Supper, with the Disciples in the upper room, because it puts our modern day observance of Communion in perfect context. More recently, when I have participated in Communion observances and the bread is broken and passed, and then I personally break it further by the act of chewing, I actually think back to Good Friday and focus my thoughts on the pain and brutality that Jesus physically bore in His body in those last hours before His death. It is humbling and sorrowful to really engage my thoughts in the symbolism of the broken bread. As the juice is passed, I focus on His sinless blood that was shed in payment for the sins of mankind... me, personally. This is what Jesus meant when he told the Disciples, both then and now, to "remember".
If you partake in Communion in your religious observances, do you remember? I mean really remember?
In the words of a sermon made famous by Tony Campolo, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!" Praise God, Sunday's coming and Jesus was victorious over death! It is truly a time for Christians to celebrate!
But, don't overlook Friday. Have you ever found yourself wondering things like, "How much more are they going to do to Him, Dad?" Spend some time focusing on Friday and the victory of Sunday will be that much sweeter. Spend some time focusing on Friday, and the meaning of Communion will be that much deeper.
No popcorn just yet... it's Friday... but Sunday's coming!
