Yeshua

yesterday night i went to go see the passion. its really hard to write about, cause so much has been said already, but i'll try and make this more personal and give it a shot. overall, i thought the movie was very well done. the artistic liberties taken were for the most part well warranted. very real, very moving. a few afterthoughts:
1) the magnitude of my sin: the bible says that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sins. what really gripped me was how depraved our condition really is, the idea that Christ had to endure all of that suffering, as if it was the only way. it couldn't have been done any lighter, he couldn't have died on the cross any sooner, beacuse our sin was just that much. how evil am i? how bad is my sin? bad enough to hold Christ on that cross.
2) my unworthiness: i am so unworthy, especially to have someone die for me, in this way, and someone so pure, so true, so holy. what a stark contrast.. my disgusting sin, taken away by a perfect man dying a gruesome death. it just doesnt make sense.
3) no excuses: passion can be defined as 'unfailing committment'. i thought the film portrayed Jesus' struggle very well. he was so human. i have absolutely no excuses of not giving my all, not following through on my word, or not giving him the glory and worship he deserves. i have no excuses to not carry my own cross, even if it means a tough road ahead.
4) the love of God: God loved us enough to watch Christ go through such pain. think about how much God must love his son. then think about how hard it must have been for him to turn his face away in Christ's hour of need. that might just give you a glimpse of how much he loves us, and how he must have thought, heaven's not quite complete without Justin, so Jesus, you gotta do this.
5) the cross: Christ embraced the cross. what a remarkable thought.. embracing the very thing that takes your life away. so we too must embrace the cross, and daily march up the hill to crucify our will, our pride, our hatred, our prejudice, our greed, our deceit, to crucify our sinful nature.

Here is love vast as the ocean
Lovingkindness as a flood
When the Prince of Life for ransom
Shed for us His precious blood

Who His love will not remember
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout heaven’s eternal days

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains open deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed the vast and gracious tide

Grace and love like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love

you've kissed this guilty man in love..