Editorial: Our sins nailed Jesus to the cross_22304

Posted: 2/19/04

EDITORIAL:
Our sins nailed Jesus to the cross

Who killed Jesus?

More people than ever will ask that question in coming weeks, as millions fill theaters to watch Mel Gibson's new movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” The film offers Christians an unprecedented opportunity to explain the gospel story.

The disquieting shadow of controversy has darkened the movie for weeks. Concerned Christians and Jews alike worried it would set off a new siege of anti-Semitism. History supports their fear. For most of the last 2,000 years, passion plays have sparked persecution of Jews. Moved by the cruelty of Jesus' torture and crucifixion, Christians followed an all-too-human impulse. They placed blame. Taking blame to an extreme, vicious people acted out of un-Christlike madness and extracted revenge on Jews. Some of the saddest pages of history have been written with their blood.

So, you can understand why many people, particularly Jews, have been scared. They fear a literal understanding of “The Passion” will lead to persecution of Jews all over again.

And while fear over Gibson's movie can be justified, it misses the point. Not of the movie itself, but of the historical event itself–the incarnation, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.

It's a good news-bad news-good news situation.

The first good news is–and this is a story Christians must tell–the crucifixion of Jesus is not the Jews' fault. Yes, Jesus historically came and lived among the Jews in Palestine in what we call the first century A.D. Yes, Jewish religious leaders conspired with Roman provincial rulers to crucify Christ. But that was only an occasion of history. God promised to bless all nations through the descendants of Abraham, the first Jew, and God fulfilled that promise in Jesus. But God could have sent Jesus to another place in another time with the same spiritual effect. Later, Britons could've conspired with the French, or Texans could've conspired with Oklahomans. The Jews and Romans acted on the stage with Jesus, but they were bit players in God's drama. Today, Christians must stand against persecution of the Jews. We know the full story.

The bad news is you and I nailed Jesus to the cross. The Apostle Paul explained that every person sins and falls short of God's perfect will. The just consequence of that sin should be “death,” or eternal separation from God. But God loves us so much that God paid the debt of our sin by sending Christ–the only perfect, sinless and, consequently, sufficient sacrifice–to die in our place. So, you and I are just as guilty of Jesus' death as Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, and Pilate, the Roman governor. If people are going to persecute others for Jesus' crucifixion, they should begin with you and me.

But the truly good news is that Jesus' passion is a story about love and forgiveness, not cruelty and hate. Despite the power of the Temple and Rome, Jesus–God in human flesh–controlled this greatest event in history. Jesus loved us so much that he willfully sacrificed himself so that he might accept the consequences of our sin for us. He died. He experienced the separation from God that we deserve. Fortunately, in the moment that defines all creation, he overcame death and arose from the grave. Now, all who accept him as Savior and Lord receive the benefit of his sacrifice. Although we will die physically, spiritually we will live forever with God–our glorious eternal destiny.

View “The Passion” as a movie of love, not hate. Feel the intensity of every blow, every cruelty as a gift from the heart of God, who suffered in Christ for our sakes. This movie tells the who and what, but not the why and how. One small way we can express true gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice is by sharing that gift with others. Use the discussions this movie will generate as opportunities to lead others to a personal, saving relationship with the one to whom this film points–Jesus.
–Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com