Moving Mel-odrama

You cannot have escaped noticing the current furore about the new film by Mel Gibson, 'The Passion of Christ'.  As with other film and theatrical portrayals of the life of Jesus that have been before it, Gibson’s film has been surrounded by the usual controversy.
Some critics claim that ‘The Passion of Christ’ is too graphic in its portrayal of violence.  Others claim that it is anti-Semitic.  I have not seen the film, so it would be wrong for me to comment on either perspective.
But what has struck me is the fact that the emphasis of the film and the discussion around it has been centred on the suffering that Jesus underwent on behalf of all mankind.
It is truly shocking that any person - let alone the Son of God - should have to endure such pain and indignity for anyone.  So, it is a humbling and disturbing moment when we realise that this suffering was endured on our behalf.
But there are two parts to the Easter Story.  First there is the suffering of Good Friday and the darkness that covered the earth.  Then there is the brightness of the men clothed in white on Easter Morning - the time of resurrection and the overcoming of death and evil.
So, why doesn't this part of the Easter Story attract the same amount of interest and captivate cinema audiences in the same way as the Passion does?
Without the resurrection, the suffering of Christ remains a terrible travesty and tragedy.  It only becomes meaningful when it is seen in the light of the empty tomb.  It is the empty tomb that demonstrates that the price of our sin has been truly paid: death and evil defeated.
It is the empty tomb that is the evidence that Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 7:23 - 8:2).
The despair of Good Friday gives way to the hope of Easter Day. It is a message of hope that all the world needs to hear at this moment.
I believe that it is important that we do not get frozen in time on either Friday or Sunday because, if we do, we will never see the completeness of God's great love and mercy.
So the next time I see Mel Gibson, I think I’ll suggest that he makes a stunning sequel - 'The Resurrection of Christ', full of light and joy and hope.
I hope that you will be moved by realising the extent of Christ's suffering for us.  But I also hope that you will be able to celebrate the joy and hope of the empty tomb this year.

by Graham Clarke.