Dear S:
I read and viewed your referred video sermon on, "It's Friday, Sunday's Coming." I deferred replying in part due to an epistolary inertia; this refined expression I owe to Harry James. Also in thinking the better, I should not sport with your kind intentions for sharing this article by offering crude and premature remarks. Some coherent thoughts have finally emerged today.
Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" I have not seen, although I own an unopened DVD version of the movie. For its portrayal of the last dozen hours of Christ leading up to his crucifixion, I recall this movie was generally well received. The referred sermon through its tenancy with the "The Passion", however adroitly elicited resounding amens from the fold, I weighed it, and found wanting.
Given the focus of the sermon centered on juxtaposing the many iterations of "It's Friday, Sunday's Coming" with selected imageries from the "Passion", it could never free itself from the snare of the latter. The result then was almost a haughty yet inchoate explanation on God's word to the affect the "cross of Christ would not be made void."
As Spurgeon insightfully considered, "No art like the art displayed in our salvation, no cunning workmanship like that beheld in the righteousness of the saints. Justification has engrossed learned pens in all ages of the church, and will be the theme of admiration in eternity." So it is, cinematic arts and any humanistic expressions, sacred or profane, can never triumph above or mock God's providential grace and promises. On that ordained Friday, the first to enter into God's kingdom was one of two criminals being crucified alongside Jesus. Hanging on the cross beside, our Savior said to the repentant man, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” The glory of the cross and the salvation of the first condemned soul beyond physical death began on that day at Golgotha.
In the resurrection of Christ, there was put forth nothing short of divine grace and power. In His resurrection, as in our salvation, Christ has overcome death; so that He makes His own to share in the righteousness He won. By His power, believers are too now resurrected into a new life. Finally, by Christ's resurrection, it is ensured there will be a glorious resurrection of those whom He called by name.
"Sin's bonds severed we're delivered;
Christ has bruised the serpent's head;
Death no longer is the stronger
Hell itself is captive led,
Christ has risen from death's prison;
O'er the tomb He light has shed."
To Him be glory forever!
L'
- a L'envoi iPad 3 post
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