“The Passion of Christ” Good movie by Mel Gibson. Rather violent; gives viewers the impression that Jesus passion was for a few days only.
This word passion is sometimes refered to as suffering, it having several different understandings. There are,
1. Passions, concerning people:
2. Or passions concerning Jesus Christ:
First; The passions of men:
When used in regards to people, the word passion, or suffering implies the impression or effect of an external agent upon that person’s personal body, and/or mind. People are susceptible to impressions from many external sources, sources that generate these passions. Men’s passions grow over time. They are first thought out, taking shape in the mind, are then acted upon, and finely come full circle if possible.
1. When we consider this word, it’s general meaning signifies how someone feels or thinks about something, this usually triggered by an outward or external cause. It can be a violent event, or agitation by someone or something. Our emotional responses are sometimes caused by our eagerness to accomplish a goal, fulfill a desire, or it may be a spontaneous reaction caused by some other event. Reasons behind human passion can stem from love, hate, desire, happiness, sadness, compassion, fear, anger, jealousy, despair, etc.
2. The disgraceful and indecent uncontrolled passion of men, have caused many horrendous crimes such as murder, rape, thefts, suicide, etc. The Lord Jesus will abandon these people to their own lustful desires. These passions which make an impression upon our senses can be understood by us as being right, wrong, good or evil.
We all have to make decisions, but to make a decision in the heat of passion can be dangerous to your health, well being, freedom, or even your life. Not to forgive will cause harm to a Christian’s physical and mental state, and may cause some to make poor decisions.
Contagious venereal disease’s have their root in the passion of lust. Judges, mayors, council members, governors, etc., who pass, enforce and condone these laws of lust and murder = (abortion, euthanasia) are as guilty as those who perform the act itself. And every imagination of man’s thoughts were evil continually.
Leviticus 20:13, “If a man also lie with mankind, = (another man) as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them. = (they condemn themselves)”
Romans 1:26, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change = (exchange) the natural use into that which is against nature.”
Romans 7:5, “For when we were in the flesh, the motion = (passions) of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members = bodies) to bring forth fruit unto death.”
1 Thessalonians 4:5, “Not in the lust of concupiscence = (passion of lust), even as the Gentiles which know not God.” Christian’s should not walk as unbelievers, for the sin of adultery, is a sin that the Lord will be the avenger of.
This passion of covetousness is to not believe in a Creator God. This is the way of evolutionary thinking. Many follow this belief of superiority by birth right, superiority by wealth, superiority by might, superiority by religion. These are all forms of evolution. Men like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and now some American leaders, public school leaders, and our courts, are thinking like evolutionists. Remove God from our lives, and the schools.
Religious leaders declaring war on other religions. These leaders thought and taught that wars between nations, economic struggles, and religious wars among men were and are beneficial. They say the competition will lead to the survival of favored races, countries, and religions. It’s all about lust, power, and wealth.
There is a right time to defend ourselves and others. Cowards excuse the slaughter of the helpless, and the enslavement of races, removing all freedoms of expression.
Passions of Jesus Christ:
The word passion, or suffering like many other Biblical words, has in these last days fallen into disuse, losing its’ full impact, especially when it concerns Jesus Christ.
2. One of the many passions of Christ can be read in,
Acts 1:3, “To whom He = (Christ) shewed Himself alive after His passion = (suffering) by many infallible proofs = (unmistakable evidence), being seen of them = (the apostles and 500 others after His resurrection) forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom.”
To get the full idea of the passion or suffering that Jesus Christ endured upon His body and mind, can only be appreciated when you consider some of the following situations, and conditions He chose to endure for us. His choices were made, knowing before-hand the full consequence of these decisions. He came to fulfill and finish His Father’s work of redemption, and to suffer for the sins of all people. Jesus gave us a door of hope, one that leads to eternal salvation. It’s the only door, open it and walk in.
When Jesus left the throne of heaven, the passion began. Consider the following:
1. The passion of poverty into which He was born.
2. The passion of contempt he suffered throughout His life.
3. Consider the religious and political power and authority of His enemies. This power and authority used in its’ full force against Him.
4. The passion of both mental anguish and physical punishment used against Him, by those in power.
5. Consider the abandonment of all His friends. As King of the Jews, His countrymen, family, and friends abandoned = (having forsaken) Him.
6. The passion concerning the distortion of His law, by those who had been empowered to keep it sacred.
7. Consider the slow and painful nature of His death.
8. Consider the blindness of the people to the will and work of the Father, and Son.
Because Jesus Christ is, “God, manifest in the flesh,” does this imply that His suffering was in appearance only, and not real?
Bishop Pearson, a 17 th century Bishop, wrote the following. “If hunger and thirst; if revilings and contempt; if sorrows and agonies; if stripes and buffeting, if condemnation and crucifixion, are sufferings, Jesus suffered. If the infirmities of our nature; if the weight of our sins; if the malice of men; if the machinations of Satan = (the act of scheming for some evil purpose); our Savior suffered. If the annals of time; if the writings of the apostles; if the death of His martyrs; if the confession of Gentiles; if the scoffs of the Jews, be testimonies, Jesus suffered.
Things of a spiritual nature can excite a person’s passions. The thought of heaven, a coming Judgment day, the resurrection of the body, the future coming of the Lord, these and many other Scriptural truths can bring a person into an excited state of mind.
The rise of these passions can put spring back into your physical step, and bring life back to your mental state. When aroused and put to good use, these passions will give birth to creative thinking, art, music, poetry, etc. You can again breath deeply; your body will again become alive. Your God given abilities will begin to bear fruit for good. Concerning spiritual truths, your powers of understanding will become focused. Combined with guidance from the Holy spirit, your temptation to sin weakens, rendering us to be more like Christ.
As many things need a regulator, so do our passions. Regulators restrain things, keeping them under control. Our passions must also be regulated, and directed to good goals, and proper thinking. Our passions will influence our decisions, and opinions. If our desires run before our understanding, engaging in non essential things, and neglecting that which is important, we must apply the brakes, so that knowledge with understanding can be introduced, remedying the situation.
Do your passions lead you into a dark and deep maze of trials? Or do they become a source of good? God’s Word will regulate our passions, leading us from that maze of darkness and confusion.
It is natural that these things which most concern us about ourselves must be dealt with. You must first understand the working of your own mind, and how external things affect it. You must first find the nature of your emotions and affections, then understand the reason you are affected in the way you are. The working of our minds does have a direct influence upon our character, emotions, goals, and happiness.
Speculation does not work concerning our inner human nature, this being the condition of our soul, the joy of our spirit, spiritual knowledge and the intellectual powers of thought and reason. When you begin to understand these things, you will become useful to yourselves and others. Your understanding of these things will float you to the top, or, your lack of understanding will sink you to the bottom of contempt. You chose.
The true understanding of your passions and affections is to a moral person, what a good telescope and its proper use is to an astronomer. Those who hold to the good morals of Jesus Christ, constitute the first principles and steps of rational practices. In a moral view, it can be compared to having a healthy heart, it bringing good health to your mental and physical person. In other words, you will begin to understand what makes you do what you do, and the reasons behind these choices.
A full and complete understanding of God’s word, will lead a person to a healthy state of mind, enabling you to detect or discern deceptions that cause moral decay, putting in your hands, remedies that can be applied to the open wounds of your suffering.
Jesus had courage: Aristotle said, “Courage lies midway between cowardice and recklessness.” Jesus lies in a very favorable light concerning courage. No wild unstable reckless action could be found in Him, yet He did not lay down on His back as a beaten dog, when confronted with evil outside sources. Jesus was not a coward. His passions held true to the things He taught, He had the courage of conviction.
Peter may have been the boldest of the disciples, yet he denied the Lord when the pressure was turned up. Men become bold when backed by many, but fade away when standing alone. Jesus stood alone before a powerful well organized enemy. He spoke of the who, why and where of His origin, this infuriating His enemies. Knowing beforehand their response and by what means He was going to be killed, Jesus stood as a great light stands before a dark, churning, overwhelming ocean of water.
Jesus had many passions from birth to death. He understood His human passions, overcoming them all; this setting precedence with a future goal for all who chose to follow His lead. This is why He is called the Way, the True light, and the Life.
Our great Light, shining bright and standing firm against the great wall of darkness. But we are in the Light, and understand the power and the glory behind that great Light. The passion of salvation by faith, can not be bought, traded, or stolen. It has to be sought after, by our deep inner passion, and love for Jesus Christ.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com