How come the "Passion" movie didn’t show more of the good things Jesus did ?

That’s a great question. The movie "The Passion of the Christ" focused mostly on the intense suffering that Jesus endured. Watching two hours of intense suffering and violence can be really rough. Especially when you know that you can’t say "It’s only a movie," because you know this really happened.

I found myself wishing that there had been more "flashbacks" to things Jesus said and did (like his preaching and miracles, etc...) in the three years leading up to his execution The movie was very "dark" in an emotional sense. I longed for something that would bring a little "light." Something to smile about. Something to restore hope. That light and hope came at the very end of the movie as we witnessed the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But other than that, there wasn’t much to make you feel good.

A couple thoughts came to mind when I heard this question. First, I know that the director’s goal in the movie was to focus on the twelve hours that led to Jesus’ execution. He felt that adding too many things Jesus did prior to his last twelve hours would detract from the focus on the suffering. And it probably would have. That meant there were three years of good things Jesus did that wouldn’t be included in the movie. Maybe there will be a sequel where the focus will be on presenting some of those great parables (like the Prodigal Son) and miracles (like healing the man whose friends lowered him through the roof).

Secondly, I thought "You know, if we were to list all the "good" things Jesus did, what we witnessed in the movie would have to be at the very top of that list. Think about it.... What’s the name that we give to the day all this suffering took place? Good Friday. Jesus’ suffering and death was the greatest of the good things he did. It was the greatest good because of the result: The punishment for our sin was taken. Our wrongs against God were righted - by no less than God himself!

As our memory verse from last month put it so plainly:

"Christ died for sins. Once for all. The righteous for the unrighteous. To bring you to God."

We call it "Good" Friday, because it was good - for us sinners. Jesus standing in for us and taking the punishment for our sin was what was required in order for us sinners to be able to stand before a sinless God. And when you trust that Jesus, the very Son of God, took your punishment for your sin, you can look forward to spending eternity with God, not separated from him. And that is Good! The greatest Good.

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