It Makes Me Sick

I'm reflecting on Easter Weekend...specifically thinking about Sunday and the treatment of Jesus.

“The Passion of the Christ” helped me to visualize the violence that Christ went through, being flogged and crucified. Probably the movie in all of its bloodiness is still not close to the real thing.

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. In church someone read to us a report of the flogging and crucifixion from the perspective of a trained doctor. Without getting into too much gore, we were taken through the flogging, the cat tails, how it ripped the flesh, battered the capillaries, broke open the arteries until blood was spurting. And the story continued like that for 20 minutes.

Here is what I’m wondering. How can people be so awful to each other?

The world is so full of violence that we're used to it. But, I just don’t understand it. Even posting these photos from the film makes me sick.

Can I take this one step further?

I don’t understand how people can pay to watch a movie where people are beaten and mutilated and call it "entertainment". I guess each of us draws the line, somewhere. (I'm not referring to "The Passion of the Christ" as entertainment.)

Now, back to Easter. Jesus knew this was going to happen to him. I’m told, that if I was the only person alive, he would have gone through all of that torture just for me because he loves me that much. I cannot fathom the love. Not even close. The whole scene makes me sick.

This Easter I am more grateful than ever for a God that loves me that much. I don't get it - but I am thankful.