Reflections...

Today is good Friday, so I figured Id actually watch the DVD The Passion of the Christ that I purchased mid last year but have never watched as its not really the type of movie Id normally watch. When I saw it in the cinemas about 2 or so years ago was about a week or so before Easter, and thought it would be a great movie to reflect on what Christ has done for mankind. I couldnt believe how graphic it was! The majority of people think that the crucifixion was just as simple as Jesus being placed on a cross and dying for us, but wouldnt have felt anything as he is god.

Not the case at all as I was watching the movie today I was pretty disturbed viewing it from start to finish. I watched over 2 hours of Jesus getting beaten, bashed, whipped, dragged, spat on, lynched, kicked, thorns hammered onto his head, crucified and have his heart/lungs pierced to ensure that he was completely and utterly dead. This cruelty didnt go on for 2hrs it went ALL day PLUS the night prior. Everyone sees the pictures of Jesus on the cross, with no blood on his body, a nice crown of thorns placed on his head and a loin cloth covering his private parts. Not the case at all, look at the things that these people did to him above do you really think that he would have no blood on him, hed be drenched in it, open cuts and gashes everywhere exposing organs and bones, the thorns would have been at least 5mm long, and do you really think he would have had a cloth covering his private parts? .. think not.

One of his best mates/disciples Judas deceived him and told those that hated him where he was located all for just a handful of coins. His other 12 mates all ran away when the solders went to take him away to be punished, yet he was completely innocent and blameless of any crime. When people of the town questioned his closest friend/disciple Peter about his relationship with Jesus, he completely denied that he even knew him three times. This was the same guy who said to Jesus the night before he will follow him everywhere, even if it led to prison, or even death!

BUT although all of those things occurred, one amazing thing happened. On the Sunday HE CAME BACK TO LIFE! and was raised into the sky/heaven to prove that he is king in his promised place of harmony. Now you say hey chad thats a great story, but whats the relevance of this? . Uh well do you REALLY think that we have a 4 day break just so we can have a family gathering to eat chocolate & hot cross buns? Its to celebrate the fact that there is one true God who died for our wrongdoings/sin, on Sunday came back to life to prove that is God which entitled us to a free ticket to the place upstairs.. a place we can reside forever, free of crime/hate/war/pain .. pretty great place hey?

If youre wondering how you can score yourself one of these tickets all you need to do is believe what I have written here actually occurred 2000 years ago and pray a prayer similar to this

Dear Lord Jesus
I need you.. I need your grace to forgive me and your love to change me. Thankyou for your amazing love, for giving me life and eternity. But above all, Thankyou for dying on the cross for me. I accept you as my lord and saviour, now I am a Christian, which means you live in me. I belong to you, help me to live my life for you.
Amen

For all you Christian crew, next time someone asks what youre doing over the weekend (church/youth group) or what you think about Christianity, dont hesitate to cover up with a vague answer like Uh not much, or I dont know be specific. You may get a laugh or snigger from your friends who think Jesus and church is a load of crap, but remember a bit of mockery compares no way near to what he did for you.

I'm in a band called Scarlet Brow I came up with the name last easter when I was listening to a sermon about the crucifixion. In the dictionary Scarlet is described as a blood red colour and brow .. well thats the top of your head. If its still not clicking yet when the crown of thorns were set on Jesus head, resulted in a Scarlet Brow. Check us out if you want
http://www.myspace.com/scarletbrow

Strongly recommend watching The Passion of the Christ is VERY graphic.. but really hits home what he went through for you

And have a read of the gospel of Mark to get the full story of this guy called Jesus

God Bless Guys
Chad