Proof of the Passion.
by Craig Emerson Strain.
Many people have seen the Movie by Mell Gibson on the Passion of Christ. I finally got to see the movie. Someone brought me the DVD that I watched on my computer. I'm not much of a movie goer. I have been in a movie theater only once in thirty years. But I have read the Book called the Bible.
Some people said that the movie was too violent. But the blood and the gore of the movie is nothing compared to the inactment of the violence of the men who were scourging Jesus. To me, this was the stark reality of the violence of men without Christ.
Some people feel that they will never deny Jesus in their life. Even Peter said that to Jesus.
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall
be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before
the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matt 26:33-34
Even Herod, wanted to see Jesus, but for all the wrong reasons.
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Luke 23:8
Pilot was warned by his wife to release Jesus.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matt 27:19
The stark reality is this. You can't straddle the fence. The Bible spoke of a Church age that so clearly describes most American citizens today.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning
of the creation of God;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou
wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest
be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the
shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see. Rev 3:14-18
It is a time to question, are you lukewarm? I would assume that since you
are reading this, that you are not. BUT. . . .
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:3
When we compare the faith that the early saints had to what we currently see, it makes me realize that we need to awake from the sleep that we have allowed ourselves to get into. Make a difference in your life. Jesus doesn't want you to have religion, He want's you to have a relationship with Him.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek,
and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:9-10
There is a real blessing to receive from the Lord if we are willing to seek Him.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Psalms 119:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:3
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: I Peter 3:15
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Prov 11:33