the passion of the christ

i've only been able to watch the movie the passion of the christ once. that was at the very beginning of my journey with HIM, and to watch the beating and crucifixion of CHRIST was beyond any human emotion i had ever felt. reading about it is hard enough. knowing what CHRIST went through for us when HE died makes our lives seem small in comparison. our justification for sin is nothing compared to what GOD put HIS son through for us.

it's probably been over a month now, but one of our pastors during his sermon asked us why JESUS came to us. all the usual answers came out, in exception to the actual words that CHRIST said; GOD'S will alone. HE came so that we would know GOD. HE came to die for our sin, HE came because that was GOD's will. our trials and hardships, our distress, our fear is nothing compared to what CHRIST did for us.

I think of the extremes that GOD has gone to, to make us aware of HIM; to worship HIM. HE flooded the earth to destroy mankind and then made the promise that HE would never do it again with the sign of a rainbow (genesis 9). HE sent HIS SON to die so brutally in front of us so we could understand what sin does to GOD. if you have never seen the movie, read the story of CHRIST's death, or resurrection you should. it puts everything into perspective about your life. it shows you how blessed you really are.

there are different versions in the books of matthew, mark, luke and john when CHRIST goes to pray at gethsemane before they come to arrest HIM. the wording is different, but the meaning of course is the same. HE is praying for HIS disciples salvation, the world's salvation and HE is in great distress of what is about to happen. the great strength that HE shows us to follow through with GOD's will is empowering; beautiful.

on an old posting i put a visual test out there to everyone reading that if CHRIST was physically standing there and watching you what would you do? well, i thought about that visual and then i thought what if satan was physically standing there tempting you and CHRIST was behind him watching to see if you had the strength, the will and the faith to fight him. would you? could you? right there is what the passion means; are you willing to fight the temptation?

there is so much anger and hatred out there right now that we are more willing to turn a blind eye, then to fight it with GOD and HIS will. it's too hard for some us to face the possibility that we have fallen so far from HIM and given in to our temptations that we don't have to the strength to fight. recently i watched a video of a man that was so angry at the injustice of what was done to him and his way of life that he took it out on a child. at that moment it wasn't the injustice that GOD was looking at, it was the man's anger and how he had allowed satan to feed that anger. you give satan an inch, he'll take a foot, or more.

i haven't been writing as much this year only because i had to face some things that were inside me no matter how hard that was do, so i could be with CHRIST more. in our solitude we learn things about ourselves and the world that we don't want to face, but we have to because HE has given us the strength to do it. when you put yourself out there more you're tempted more. by removing myself from situations i am losing one of my biggest temptations; anger. praise GOD for that. i am finding great peace in my heart that i have longed for, for a very long time.

if you have never read the story of the death and resurrection maybe take some time this easter and search the books of matthew , mark, luke and john (matthew 26, mark 14, luke 22, john 17)

"the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 corinthians 15:56-57