Passion of Christ
Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I’m passionate about a lot of things, but 2 pleasures, in particular, are among my most guilty: chocolate and Hallmark Channel. One day, when I get to Switzerland and sit amongst Swiss chocolatiers, I’ll write about the art that is chocolate. Right now, though, as I sit in my living room, it’s about Hallmark. Love stories.
I know… we’re months past Valentine’s and days away from Easter. Love stories? Really? Yes, really! In fact, it’s the greatest one of all…
This year, as I positioned my heart for Holy Week observance, I started to give the Passion of Christ a lot more thought. As I read and reflected, I started to see the cross, not only as redemption, but as romance. The Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa, Golgotha…all poignant scenes revealing a lover’s pursuit.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
Historically, “passion” has been defined as “suffering.” There was one definition, though, that took it a step further and inspired me to re-examine my perspective of the crucifixion. It defined “passion” as “a willingness to suffer for what you love.” Love.
Stories. Done skillfully, craftsmanship of any narrative answers 5 essential questions and is scripted in such a way that it focuses the action and frames the interaction. Jesus the Christ – – – history is HIS-story.
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’”
So…as a woman, I am sentimental. I love love. And as a producer, I am captivated by stories. I love them too.
Which brings me to the Hallmark Channel, the heart of television… The strong male lead. Enraptured by an imperfect woman. Woos her with grand gestures because he can’t imagine living without her. Wants her for forever. Desires to make a home with her, for her. Intends to love her perfectly and passionately.
What a man, what a man!
Which brings me back to Jesus, the heart of the gospel… How do the scriptures tell the story of this Man who loved us so much that He died to have us?
WHO? The strong male lead. Jesus. ACTS 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
WHAT? Enraptured by an imperfect woman. ROMANS 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Woos her with grand gestures because he can’t imagine living without her. I JOHN 4:9-10: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
WHEN? Wants her for forever. JOHN 13:1: “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus know that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” JEREMIAH 31:3: “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’”
WHERE? Desires to make a home with her, for her. JOHN 14:3: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
WHY? Intends to love her perfectly and passionately. I PETER 3:18: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” JOHN 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” JOHN 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
What a man, what a man!
A “hallmark” is “an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity” or “any special indication of genuineness; any distinguishing characteristic.” This Passover, this Resurrection, I am learning to see Jesus as the lover of my soul. The redness of His blood, the redness of His passion, the hallmark of my life.
Passion:
A willingness to be betrayed…
A willingness to be whipped…
A willingness to be accused…
A willingness to be mocked…
A willingness to be stripped…
A willingness to be hung…
for what He loves…
…humanity…
…you…
…me…
PRINCIPLE: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us…” – I John 3:16a
Wow! Beautifully written… I am speechless. Thanks! Tracey
To God be the glory..