Jesus is crucified

Visually, the most striking feature of The Passion, compared to the many other films which have depicted the death of Jesus, is the camera shot looking down from above at the moment when the cross is dropped in to the hole in the ground. Jesus is looking heavenward as his body bounces on impact. You still have the screams in your head from the banging in of the nails which ripped through his body. Now you see it bounce and you flinch at the thought of the extra pain which has just been inflicted. It is obvious from this angle that flesh will have been ripped as Jesus looks to his Father.

Theologically, the most impressive interpretation depicted in the BBC1 drama is the moment just before this when Jesus puts his hands to the cross. Despite the obvious suffering he about to endure, he does so willingly. Having been arrested, imprisoned, whipped, mocked and led through the streets to the place of execution on the hill outside the city, it is clear that Jesus is about to be crucified with suffering which is savage. However the point is made. Even in this inevitable moment Jesus makes a choice. Without being forced, he places his hands on the cross. He takes it with both hands.

It is as if Jesus has just put his hand to the plough and is not going to look back.

People have always thought that suffering should be avoided and today we can go to great lengths to make life easy. Here, we are reminded again on this Good Friday, that sometimes resurrection is only possible by enduring the pain and facing the consequences. It is not to be avoided but accepted with both hands. As Christians, we believe Jesus was a willing lamb sent to the slaughter. It is not a popular thought, but sometimes we need to be willing as well. We sometimes say we have our own cross to bear when we have to put up with something. Today we are taught that 'taking up our cross' is more intentional.

We tend to think that God's blessing comes from health and happiness. Many preach that it also comes from wealth and well being. Today we should consider the pivotal point of the Gospel - the Good news - that 'God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life'. In hindsight we know the words of prophesy came true and he rose again, transforming the lives of Peter and the other frightened followers into preachers prepared to lose their own lives for the sake of this same Gospel. For the moment though, we should stay with Jesus and remember the confusion, the dark times, the pain and the suffering and remember that, even or especially here, we find the very place, point and power of redemption. Like Jesus we need to trust our Father in the times of trial.


Jim Currin, Church Army, represents the Group for Evangelisation of Churches Together in England.