Is sharing Christ the passion of you Life?
March 2, 2004
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On Monday night (Feb. 23), just before the nationwide release on Wednesday of Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ,” my wife, Suzanna, and I were among a group that was privileged to see this movie.
Who was the small person Satan was carrying as he walked parallel to Christ on the Via Dolorosa? What did that mean? Is this movie too graphically brutal? The movie is R rated, so should children see it? Did you see the maggot crawl up Satan’s nose? (ugh!)
This film seems to be receiving more praise and criticism than any other movie ever produced. It is the subject of every television and radio talk show and newspaper. Because of all the analysis, I am going to avoid comments. However, it does stir up questions about passion in believer’s lives for me.
Mel Gibson has said, “(he) HAD to make this film.” The driving force behind the creation of this movie was Mr. Gibson’s personal passion. He was driven to produce it even after being threatened by key Hollywood moguls. He was threatened, that his career in Hollywood was finished, if he released this movie. He was told that he would never get this movie distributed. It seems that he had to take non-conventional routes in order to get “The Passion” shown in theaters across the country. You have all heard and read these stories. It was PASSION that drove Mel Gibson! It seems to be reminiscent of his acting role in the movie, “Braveheart,” playing the Scottish leader, William Wallace. The passion of Wallace inspired an entire nation and Gibson’s personal passion is inspiring now.
Would you take this moment to reflect on the passion of your life? What are the driving forces in your life? The passions of your life set the course of your thinking and actions. The things you are passionate about lead you to take whatever steps possible to fulfill those passions.
For some, the passion of life is material possessions. I have known people who are driven by the need for social position. They have a need for people to recognize them, to be accepted and to some extent, even admired by others. So they spend whatever it takes to climb into social registers.
It is very easy to financially support and talk about the things we are passionate about. It is easy for me to talk about my wife, my children and my grandson! Why? I love them all — passionately!
The question is, “What is the passion of your life?” Is it Christ? If it is not Christ, how will you know? Here are some self-examining thoughts for your consideration:
Do you find it easy to get into a conversation on the subject of Jesus Christ? Is talking about Jesus Christ a natural thing that flows out of your life? Do you easily speak of Him to those people who do not know Him? Do you try to talk to people about Jesus Christ? If conversation about Jesus is not part of your normal and natural life pattern, then I would encourage you to examine the depth of your personal passion for Christ.
Jesus Christ’s passion was His love for His Father and His love for you and for me. It was that passion that drove Him to embrace the Cross. His passion elicited great sacrifice. He gave Himself for you. Do you have a matching love and passion for Him?
If you do, I believe it will show up when you are not fearful of talking about Jesus Christ to anyone, anytime in any situation. Why? Because passion is a driving force. Passionate love for Christ means that I can’t keep silent, I MUST talk about the One that I am most passionate about! Remember the Apostles Peter and John in Acts 1:18-20?
“Then they (the High Priest and his associates) called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather then God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’”
The last line of verse 20 is a statement filled with PASSION!
Passion attracts attention. Passion gives birth to sacrifice. Passion is single focused. Passion requires expression. Passion shakes nations and cultures. Passion requires response from those exposed to it. Passion changes things that get near it. Passion changes lives. Passion changes eternity. Passion cannot be kept silent!
Will your PASSION be to tell someone about Jesus Christ and His PASSION today?
March 4, 2004