| The Passion of CHRIST | Added: March-05-04 |
On the other hand, there were things I did not like about the movie that stretched beyond poetic license. As the movie director is Catholic, we should not be surprised to find subtle overtones of paganism. Such overtones or embellishments are found in the exaltation of Mary to a worshipful position. In one scene -after the denial- Peter knelt before Mary and called her "mother." This is a direct reference to the exaltation of Mary by Catholics. In addition, most Catholics, if not all, consider Peter the first Pope. This reverence was also demonstrated by John and Mary Magdalene. Note:While on the cross, Jesus told Mary, "behold thy son," although John was not her son. He told John, "behold thy mother." This reference does not refer to Mary as a "Mother" in a religious sense. It does reflect that John was to consider Mary as he would consider his own earthly mother. Simply put, Jesus was telling John in loving terms to "take care of my mom." This is clearly seen in John 19:26-27:
"When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."
This plea was directed to that disciple, not all disciples. Although Jesus would return from the dead, He would be involved in setting the stage for His ascension and subsequent coming spiritual kingdom within the hearts of men. Therefore, we see not only the immediate need, but the extended need for John to attend to Mary. Apparently Joseph had died by this time.
The film also depicted Mary at the foot of the cross when Jesus was taken down. This is taking a bit too much liberty with Scripture (Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38), especially as the scene shows Mary holding Jesus in her lap and her hand placed in a subtle position as if to portray that Jesus was her sacrifice to the world. This, again, is purely Catholic and unscriptural. Mary's sacrifice as an earthly mother was awesome, however, she did not/does not have the power to offer a sacrifice for sin, especially for the sin of the whole world. Only the Father through Jesus (God in the flesh) could and did offer such a sacrifice. The exaltation of Mary with Jesus in her lap is a throwback to the paganism of Rome when the Emperor desired to consolidate paganism and the new-found Christianity into a compatible religious force. Mary with baby Jesus in her lap was adopted from the Roman astral gods Venus with baby Jupiter in her lap; purely a paganistic approach to compatibility. The Shroud of Turin was embellished in this fashion as well.
Again, my desire is that many will come to Christ Jesus for Salvation due to this film. Remembering Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; Not of works, lest any man should boast."