Lenten reflection#1-The passion of the Christ

I will be sharing several Lenten reflections as we draw near to Easter. They were written by me at different times in the past and reflect either my own or a friend's experience. My prayer is to draw your heart closer to what Jesus did for you and me. This first one was written after I saw "The Passion of the Christ".


The Passion of Christ—a personal impact
By Sita Henderson

The loathing
I recently attended a showing of the Passion of the Christ. Did I sob? Yes. During His scourging, during the mob beating, during the nailing of His Hands, the pulling of his arm out of the socket. Violence has always traumatized me. Was it anti-Semitic? Did I become inflamed at the Jews as some people insidiously suggest I might upon seeing what was done to my Lord? How could I? The atrocities crossed all ethnic boundaries, past and present. No, I became incensed at the same evil emotion I have become familiar with in our times. The kind that says, "I’m gonna put you in your place for challenging my status." That look in the eyes of Caiphas, Herod, the Roman soldiers, the mob. The look of demonic hatred. The hatred that brought down the Twin Towers, the hatred that dragged a black man to death, the hatred that killed millions of innocents of diverse ethnicities in civil wars all over the world, the hatred that takes away the innocence of children and teaches them to hate, the hatred that puts guns into the hands of our children, drugs into their system. The same hatred that called me "Paki" and pushed me off the curb. The loathing that has filled my own heart unconsciously and astonishingly at times when I want to see ‘them’ put in their place. I am incensed at the source of that hatred, the silent coordinator of all the atrocities performed upon our Lord, Satan himself.

The Look and the Love
I envied the people of New Testament times who got the opportunity to have Him look deeply into their eyes straight into their souls. One look from Him would surely pierce and bind, expose and forgive, cleanse and restore, satisfy and fulfill. And I am deeply affected by a love that I cannot understand. He could have called ten thousand angels to His side, to erase the smirks, silence the mockery, bind the strong scourging whips, to humiliate the arrogance. Yet He chose to do the unthinkable, to endure till death and utter the words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," and finally, "It is finished." His mission on earth was accomplished.
In the daze of pain, I can’t help but wonder if His mind found refuge at His home where He was worshipped and adored by angels and loved by His Father. He, who created this man was now spitefully betrayed by the same. All our sins were piled on Him that day. Hatred, envy, jealousy, pride, unbelief, injustice. He experienced all our emotions, endearing love, gut-wrenching betrayal, abandonment, isolation, helplessness. And finally, victory!

The Life
Our last brief view of Him shows Him who has conquered death. He has risen. In Him we find new life. This Christ now lives in me! He wants to live in you too, just ask Him.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

John 3:16 (The Holy Bible, NIV version)

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.

For thee all the follies of sin I resign.

My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou,

if ever I loved Thee,

my Jesus,

’ tis now.