With all of the flap about the movie The Passion of The Christ, I think that we may be overlooking something important. People have been so concerned about the scenes of physical abuse that Christ received. They have argued about whether it was a message designed to create ill feelings towards people of Jewish ancestry. People have questioned Mel Gibson's motives for producing the movie as being money-motivated. Personally, I believe that all of those questions overlook the most important question of all.

People have come away from the movie moved to tears to see that kind of human suffering. They have made new commitments to live better after seeing that terrible death on the cross. The movie has been the topic of conversation in almost every meeting between Christians as well as non-Christians. Hundreds of thousands of words have been written concerning it, countless sermons have been preached, but it is all for nothing if we can't answer one question correctly. That question is, "How have you changed after having seen this depiction of how Jesus Christ died?"

If you are like me, you think you probably will never forget those visual images presented on the movie screen. I still see some of them plainly. I bring those super-clear enhanced with movie-magic pictures to mind when I am partaking in the Lord's Supper remembering the broken body and shed blood of our Lord. But, how have we changed and how long will it last?

Probably you think you will remember those scenes forever don't you? Remember the feelings you had after the September 11th terrorist attack? You felt you were changed forever, but do you still have those same feelings of outrage, violation, sorrow, and the commitment to do whatever you could to help that you had when it happened. Most people remember it, but the crispness of the image has faded hasn't it? (Of course those that lost friends and loved ones will never have them fade!) For most of us, the sharp emotions have been dulled with the passing of time. So, what makes you think you will react to seeing this movie any differently?

Think that can't happen? Think that it won't happen! Think again!

We as humans seem to have an infinite capacity to forget! I'm not saying that's a bad thing; some things we need to forget. God created in us the ability to do just that! So let's not beat up on ourselves. Instead, let's determine to do what we can to remember the important, life-changing memories.

Remember what happened with the disciples of Jesus? They saw more than just a movie; they were there in real life and say the very real torture and death of Jesus. Yet just a few days later they gave up and went back to fishing.

In John 21 the disciples are pictured out in the boat fishing and Jesus comes to them standing on the shore. It's quite a story, take a few moments to read it. In that encounter, three times Jesus asks a simple yet profound question of Simon Peter. He didn't ask, "What are you doing here?" or "Why are you fishing instead of waiting for me?" He didn't say, "Do you remember who I am?" He didn't chastise Peter or the others for not waiting around at the church door (synagogue) for clearer instructions. He asked a question. In fact, Jesus asked Peter the same question three times. John tells us:

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you."

Then Jesus simply said, "Feed my lambs."

Jesus' words just helped him remember what was really important in life.
Jesus offered no accusations for Peter's denial or even for his going back to fishing. He didn't reprimand Peter for forgetting what he had seen. Jesus' words just helped him remember what was really important in life and to get his priorities right once again.

The message was, "Help people find what they need to live eternally and daily." That was the job of a shepherd. That was the job Jesus gave Peter.

What is it people need? Notice what Jesus said in John 10:9-11: "I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." That's the message, that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, simply because he loved us that much!

So, how has seeing the movie The Passion of The Christ changed you? Or perhaps more importantly, how long will that change last? Christ simplified that question by his asking, "Do you love me?" — not that he necessarily needs to hear those words, though I think he wants to hear them. I think the reason for the question is that we might really stop and think about what he asks of us in our life and commitment. That my friend is our greatest challenge for today! Are you up to the challenge? How will you answer Jesus' question: "Do you love me?"