For example, we share in Caiaphas’ frustrations as he attempts to keep the peace. We believe him when he says he would let Jesus go if he renounced his teachings. But, Jesus doesn’t. And as Jesus remains silent, somehow he is majestic.
We are so familiar with the events that happen next… the crowd let Barrabas off and send Jesus to his death. Thankfully this scene is played not as something out of Monty Python, but as a mucky, dirty and rough piece of justice. We feel for Christ as he is sent to his unfair death.
And from this point on, it’s impossible to have a sense of detachment from the drama.
Thank goodness it’s Friday and Sunday’s coming.
Christ’s brutal suffering is wisely left to our imagination. Thankfully seeing the after-effects are enough to make us appreciate it – Mel Gibson take note.
As Christ makes his way towards Calvary, we see palm fronds litter the streets. To hammer the point home, Christ has a flashback to his triumphant entry just a few days before.
And then comes the cross. With big, fat, heavy, brutal and violent nails hammered home, Christ is hoisted up to meet his death. As his mother runs up wailing in disbelief, the direction is simply perfect. We share in the sorrow.
To speed up his death, Roman soldiers break Jesus’ legs – a brutal act but one that is meant as an act of kindness.
And then, with a cry of ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabach thani’ – ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ – his eyes close. His head hangs. The credits roll.
There can be no doubt that Christ is dead and we are left to ponder for a few brief moments on what we have just seen – or until the continuity bloke interrupts a necessary silence to tell us that the news.
It’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming.
Bible Society has produced a range of resource to accompany The Passion, which can be downloaded from biblesociety.org.uk. They include materials for use in schools and church groups.
Phil Creighton is TV critic of The Baptist Times and author of How To Be Heard In A Noisy World – Church Publicity Made Easy. This review was written on behalf of Bible Society
