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Sunday Edition


29
Feb
2004
Devotional - It’s Enough - Mar 2004


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Bob Whitehead

There's been a lot of talk recently about the new film, "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson. It is a riveting movie, as one who has seen the movie can tell you. It is the most powerful film I've ever seen. But why? Awesome film-making aside, it means so much because Jesus means so much. I left loving Jesus more than I ever had before. The next day, I put on a new CD, "Walking In The Favor of God" by Harlan Burton and heard the song, "It's Enough." "I know what Jesus did for me so many years ago. On a rugged cross, He paid the cost for my old sin-sick soul. But know every day, in every way. He proves His love again. And that's enough to keep me goin', Enough to keep me growin', Enough to keep me living for Him." As the CD played, I thought back to those vivid pictures from the film, and the realization that it wasn't just a movie, it really happened. Jesus did that for me. In fact, the torture and pain that Jesus suffered was even worse that what was depicted in the film. That almost doesn't seem possible, but it was. I caught myself sobbing during the scourging and crucifixion scenes, and mouthing the words, "I'm Sorry! I'm Sorry!" Because the truth hit me. He did that for me. It was my sin that nailed Him to that cross. He loved me so much; He went through all of that, for me. Yes, He could have called the angels. He could have saved Himself. But He couldn't save Himself and me! Is there any option but to owe Him my life? I think not.

"It's enough to keep my feet on the narrow way, Enough to keep me looking for a brighter day, It's enough to keep me singing that brand new song, Enough to keep me smiling when things go wrong. Everything I need is alive in me. For the Source dwells deep within. And that's enough to keep me goin', enough to keep me growin', Enough to keep me livin' for Him."
It's enough. He lived perfect enough. He suffered enough. He died enough. He rose enough. He did it all… And it's enough!!! Bob Whitehead

Reader Comments

It grieves this pastor that it took Hollywood to present Jesus to so many people. I just wish that Christians could have used God's method of revealing His Son, the Bible as their source of seeing the Son. Yet, that is the problem, isn't it? We have cast aside God's Word and now, Hollywood (Yes, Mr. Mel is a part of Hollywood. He didn't make his millions selling shoes.) has become the preferred method of revealing Jesus to a lost and dying world. Remember this, the physical suffering of Jesus was such a small part of His suffering. Jesus's greatest suffering wasn't physical, but spiritual. It wasn't the cross He dreaded, it was the cup of God's wrath that had to be poured out on Him for our sins. It was His becoming sin for us that caused the suffering. My comments to all those who get their theology from Hollywood is this; please open your Bible and see the real Jesus, not Hollywood's version.


Commented by On 03/16/2004
I respect Dr. Steele's view, and I'm glad I first learned about Jesus from my mother and in church. But to see a depiction of what Jesus suffered in 'Passion of the Christ' enhanced my concept of this incredible sacrifice a zilllionfold. As I remarked to my pastor, if only 10 percent of what Jesus endured in the movie actually happened, it still would have been plenty. I don't 'get my theology from Hollywood' (and I'm not a big fan of Mel Gibson), but I'm grateful that 'Passion' brought Jesus' suffering to my eyes in a new way. And I certainly recommend it to those who never darken the door of a church, who would have the opportunity in very vivid terms to get an introduction to who Jesus is.


Commented by On 03/22/2004
Well said, Jim.

Dr. Steele, let me assure you that it didn't take Hollywood to present Jesus to me. As Jim said, I too do not get my theology from Hollywood. But why wouldn't a Christian rejoice at such a wonderful movie being made? We certainly complain enough about the bad ones (and rightly so), but when someone does something good, we shouldn't rejoice?

Yes, Mel Gibson is a Hollywood icon, but he did not make this movie from that stand point. He put up his own money to make it after all of the Hollywood establishment turned him down. But he made it out of his own deep convictions and his own healing he recived from concentating on this portion of Scripture.

And what has this got to do with the Devotional, anyway? I mentioned the movie, yes. But the point was that what Jesus did, whether you get that revelation from the Bible, or if it was just made real via the movie, it was enough, more than enough for me to devote my life to him.

Blessings,

Bob


Commented by Bob Whitehead On 03/22/2004
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