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Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is the story, as told in the Christian gospels, of the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. It chronicles his arrest, his trial, his scourging, his crucifixion, and, finally, his resurrection. The movie is a two hour exhibition of, what seems to me, the limits of human suffering. It is far different from any Passion presentation or interpretation I have ever seen. Whereas Jesus is usually portrayed as aloof and immune to the pain of the Passion, in this adaptation, the human vulnerability of Jesus is brought to the forefront. The movie uses the violence of the Passion to illustrate the humanness of Jesus, at the same time, however, his ability to endure and forgive the vices of man allude to some greater power.

The movie begins as the Christian Messiah prepares for his forthcoming arrest and condemnation. He knows he will die but he does not know how or when. One of his disciples, Judas, betrays Jesus to the Pharisees who immediately send soldiers to seize him. Upon his arrest he is beaten, spat upon, and condemned as a blasphemer by the leaders of the Jewish Church. He is taken to the Roman governor, Pilate, who, finding no crime, sends him to King Herod, who also dismisses him. Jesus is taken before Pilate once again and, to appease the crowd, Pilate sentences Jesus to be scourged, and he is, to within an inch of his life. Still not satisfied, the crowd cries out for his crucifixion. Pilate is finally forced to "wash his hands" of Jesus and leave him to the bloodthirsty crowd. Jesus drags his cross to the top of Golgotha where he, along with two other convicts, is crucified. Unto his final breath, Jesus begs God to forgive those that have condemned him, for, "they know not what they do." Jesus dies upon the cross, whereupon there is a great earthquake which splits the Temple. Three days later, as promised, Jesus miraculously rises from the dead.

Though I do not claim any religion, I am a student of history and understand the great impact that religion has had upon its formation. Moreover, I was raised in a Christian household and, consequently, exposed to the power of the Passion story at an early age. Never, however, have I felt the reality of it until I watched this movie. To me it would be impossible not to have an emotional reaction to this movie, whether one is Christian or not. To watch a human being suffer unfathomable pain for something which he so passionately believes is truly inspiring.

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