Any one else struggling with this?

[DSmom]

I posted the following on another thread but it was closed. I did get a couple of responces but I am wondering if there are more believers out there feeling like I do. I do not doubt the power of the Passion at all but what do you do if you know you are not strong enough to sit through a beating? I am afraid it will haunt me for a long time.
Lee Ann

"I have been saved for more than 32 years now. I know the Bible, I know I am saved, I know if I die without seeing this movie I will still go to Heaven. I am not ready to see this movie and I may never be able to see it. I know what Jesus did for me, I believe even without seeing. The Bible tells me that He died for me and that is enough for me, I get it, I have a personal relationship with the Lord...I do not want to witness the crucifixion. I am not able to handle actually seeing something so vivid. I know I would not be able to handle that emotionally at all. It would haunt me to the point of not being able to deal with it. I have tried to tell my friend how I feel. I know what I can handle and what I can't. I think this is a wonderful witnessing tool for the unsaved and for most Christians who can handle this sort of movie but I just can not bring myself to see it. My friend thinks I am doing a real disservice to the Lord by not seeing it. She says we own it to Him to see what he went through. But what about all of those who have died before us and never saw anything like this movie? Was their relationship with God on a lesser level than those who will see this film? I sure hope not. "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe". I DO believe without seeing. Just one slap with a whip and I would be out....Jesus was beaten and nailed to a cross. I don't have to see it to get a mental picture and feel very sorrowful for my sins that put him there. If my friend, or anyone else, can see this film and grow closer to God or be saved by it then by all means SEE IT but I have to say I am feeling very beaten up by her because I do not feel it is in my best interest to see this film. I do not want her to think I am unstable but she just does not seem to understand the I can NOT see it for my own stability and mental well being. I don't even feel that God is moving me to see the movie, I am actually feeling strongly in the other direction. I have 4 older family members who are Christian's who have seen this film. They have all said the gore was over done for them. These are people who do like to see movies, I do not go to the movies because many things in them disturb me greatly.
Does anyone feel like I do? I know what God did for me and I accept it, totally, completely, without seeing it."


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[blitzkreig]

Originally posted by DSmom
Does anyone feel like I do? I know what God did for me and I accept it, totally, completely, without seeing it.
I am in no big rush to watch it. I may buy a copy of the DVD when it comes out and may watch it in the privacy of my own home... but maybe not either.

I don't think that God has just been waiting all these years for the release of this film to explain it to humanity.

My motivation is fairly similar to yours DSmom. If there was a movie made about the brutal beating and killing of any of my close family members I would be in no rush either.

Just as an FYI I'm not real big on open casket funerals either. Can't see the point. The person is dead and isn't there anymore.

Jesus paid my price and I have read most everything to read that there is in print about it I can get my hands on. I don't require graphics to explain it to me...

[sandy111]

goodness, dont feel guilty! I did'nt see the movie either and
its for my stability, I too feel things very deep and I don't need to see it to understand it.

we do well, to follow Gods word, thats what honors him!
not seeing a movie.

some can watch... others cant.

we need to help one another, holding up the weak,
and not burdening each other with what the one can't do.

so go in peace, Gods not condemning you for watching or not watching.

:nod

[farfromhome]

I posted before that you should not let anyone bully you into going. I too was afraid I would not be able to handle it. But I went mainly for my family. My daughter (18 almost 19) and I cried through the whole movie and at times had to cover our eyes. My 24 year old son also at times covered his eyes, but we were glad that we went. My son whose salvation is questionable told me that at first he did not want to go because of the subtitles, but after the movie he said he barely noticed them and told me that he was really glad that he went. And my daughter wants to see it again. At first I said I would not be able to watch it again, then about the 2nd day after I found myself wanting to see the movie again. If you do decide to go if it gets too much for you, you can always leave. I felt very blessed by the movie and I feel closer to Jesus now more than ever. In the movie they call him Y'shua and it sounds so beautiful when they speak His name. Now my daughter wants to study theology and wants to learn how to speak aramaic.

[RJs here]

I feel as the others do.


.... but FOLLOW THE HS's LEADING!!!! ~ not what other well-meaning ppl TELL you to do!!

[RJs here]

Originally posted by blitzkreig


Just as an FYI I'm not real big on open casket funerals either. Can't see the point. The person is dead and isn't there anymore.

Jesus paid my price and I have read most everything to read that there is in print about it I can get my hands on. I don't require graphics to explain it to me...


and I forgot to add..... I REALLY liked this!!

[Beth]

Originally posted by DSmom
Does anyone feel like I do? I know what God did for me and I accept it, totally, completely, without seeing it."



Yes DSmom. I feel just that way. From Scripture, I know what my Lord did for me, and accept it just as you say there.. :):

[daveleau]

I don't feel the same as you, but I can respect your feelings. Thank you for not taking a stance to slander the movie like others have. The movie is a blessing to Christians, but it is not meant for everyone to see. It is your choice. I believed wholeheartedly before seeing the movie, but the movie was a true blessing to me. In my weak flesh, I take the opportunity to hear God's Word whenever and however I can, provided it is correct (which in this instance it is).

[blitzkreig]

Originally posted by Beth From Scripture, I know what my Lord did for me, and accept it just as you say ... Joh 20:29b ... blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. :D:

[D'Light]

DSmom,

I did see it, and thought very graphic, I am so glad I saw it. (I though, have worked in dentistry for 18 + years, so I am used to seeing blood).

No one should condem you if you feel you cannot watch it, and if they do, just ignore them. We are all indiviual, and know what we are to do or not do.

Love ya sis!:wave

[cindyw]

DSMom,

Follow YOUR heart. Don't do this because of what others may think or not think of you. This is YOUR life.

The truth is that this is a VERY graphically violent movie. I saw it the other night with an unsaved friend of mine. We both cried most of the way through the movie and even after. It is HEART RENDING. The violence shown against Jesus is almost unbearable to watch. I am truly glad that I did see it----seeing the WORD written on the big screen for all to see and the visualizations to go with it, that was awesome. However, unless I went to be with another unsaved friend, I don't feel like I want to see this movie again. Once was enough for me. I now would rather focus on what's coming next on Christ's agenda and being made ready for Him...........JMHO. Blessings in Jesus, Cindy:):

[GloryBound]

I agree with the above. Don't go if you don't want to. But I suggest you try to see the PAX TV special on the making of the passion. Mel talks about that, and you may want to hear what he says.

People on this board have actually complained that if Mel wanted to make the suffering of Jesus accurate, he should have been even MORE graphic. To be truly accurate, it should have been worse. Well, Mel talked about that. He considered it, even wanted to, but he said people would run out of the theater screaming. (Remember, most of the disciples DID flee). He wanted people to get the idea, but not so much that they couldn't handle it.

That said, I'm not pushing you to see it. But if you do decide to, remember that Mel Gibson did want to shock people into realizing what Jesus did for us, but not to push us over the edge. He wanted people to be able to sit through the whole thing.

[RobinB]

I am the same way--I will buy the film on DVD, and probably watch most of it at home. I have the book with the still photography. But I cry just reading the reviews and then I get this huge sinus thing going on and no way would I be able to handle that in a crowded theater. It's not a pretty site when I blubber :P: :cry :P:

[DSmom]

Thank you for all of your responses to me. I do not feel so bad now! I was feeling like a pretty bad person for not wanting to see this. I have the "Jesus" movie and it is wonderful. I can watch the whole story but I do have to say there are a couple of places in even that movie that cause me to cringe!!
I fully support this movie. There are many people who need to see it. I think it is a wonderful tool to reach the lost. If I had close family members who were not saved I would go and sit through it (with my eyes covered!) just so that person could see the movie but God has blessed me greatly in that I do not have any close relatives who are not saved. I do have friends who are not saved but they are going to see the movie with other people so that works for me!
None of what I feel has anything to do with the movie itself it is just I know what I can handle. I think Satan works over time on me at times. I can be tormented pretty easily and I have to stay close to God's side so I can stay sane!! It is just a personality thing I guess. I can see that God's hand is really moving in this and that is wonderful! I just wondered if I should feel guilty for not feeling the desire to see this movie. Maybe I will be able to watch it someday. If it comes out on DVD and I can watch it at home and not be so over whelmed by the movie theater then that may work for me. I would love to see Mel Gibsons special but we don't have cable.
Again, thank you so much for your answers and understanding!:):

[4everHis]

I don't blame you or think badly of you for not wanting to see the movie.

I can only say that for myself, seeing the movie helped me more fully realize and understand the price that was paid for me by the Lord.

I think any Christian will be moved to a deeper walk with the Lord by seeing the film.