Mar 6, 20194 min read

Passion of Christ Study: Part Three

INTRODUCTION

In the movie The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson tells the story of the last 12 hours of the life of Christ from the perspective of three witnesses, Mary - the Mother of Jesus, John - the beloved disciple of the Lord and and a third woman. In this study we want to examine the passion of our Lord from the unique perspective of His mother, Mary.

There has been a great deal of controversy about the role of Mary in the film. While many believe the role as portrayed in the film goes far beyond the biblical account, we do know that Mary was at the cross when Jesus died. As Christians we do not worship Mary but we do respect her as the mother of the Lord.

He was her child. Even before He was born, she knew this child was different. As an adult, sometimes the things He said made sense. Other times she struggled to understand Him. She had seen Him heal the sick, the blind and the lame. Some called Him “Messiah,” others called Him a blasphemer. She called Him “son.”

PART 3

LORD

John 2:1-5

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’” (John 2:1-5 NASB). The scriptures tell us a lot about the mother of Jesus. We know that she was betrothed to a man named Joseph. Before they were married, however, an angel appeared to her telling her she would have a child by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). We know that she gave birth to the child in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). We also know that both of these events were in fulfillment of the Scriptures. But for me the most telling verse relating to the relationship between mother and son is found in John chapter 2.

Mary was invited to a wedding and the party ran out of wine She told her Son about this and He replied that it was not yet His time; this was not His wedding. But Mary told the servants in attendance at the wedding, “Whatever he tells you, do it” (John 2:5 NASB). Jesus told them to draw water and fill the water jars. Then He turned that water into wine. It was a great miracle. Miracles are always attention getters but that line, “Whatever He says to you, do it,” is what rings in my ears. The Bible tells us that Jesus died for our sins. He bore our iniquities on the cross. How do we respond to such a sacrifice? I think the best way is to follow Mary’s advice. We should read His Word, and then whatever He tells us to do in that Word, we should do it. Jesus told us to forgive those who do us wrong, to pray for each other, to love God. We should take these as more than mere suggestions.

In the Book of Romans we are told: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). This verse does not say confess Jesus to be a great man, or the Son of God or even Savior, it says confess Him as “Lord.” The title “Lord” implies supreme authority and control. As Lord, Jesus should have our allegiance, obedience and our love.

Mary followed Her Son all the way to the cross. From the beginning of His life to the end, she was there. And though she was His mother, it is recorded that she told us to obey Him. If the movie The Passion of the Christ touched your heart, if you came away from it feeling different, then make a commitment to do what the mother of Jesus told those waiters to do over 2000 years ago. Make His lordship of your life more than lip service and whatever He tells you to do, do it.

REMEMBER IT

Review the passage of scripture and answer these questions:

1. Jesus turned _________ into wine at a wedding. 2. Mary, the mother of Jesus, told the servants at the feast

“__________ He tells you, ____ __ .”

3. Romans 10:9 says if you _________ with your mouth Jesus as ___________ and _________ in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved.

4. If Jesus is our Lord, He should have our __________, _____________ and _________.

APPLY IT

Have you accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life? For many years I saw Jesus as a friend, as the One who died for me, as the Savior of all mankind, but He was not the Lord of my life. My relationship with Him did not dominate my life. His words and teachings did not set the limits of my personal behavior. I did

not order my personal relationships in line with His teachings. He was not my Lord. I made a change several years ago and put Jesus as true Lord of my life. Now, when tough situations arise in my life, I go to His Word and look for His wisdom on what to do. I pray, asking His advice first before anyone else. Analyze the place Jesus has in your everyday life. Is He Lord? If not, take Mary’s words to heart and whatever He tells you, do it.

EXPRESS IT

Jesus, I recommit myself to You. You are not only the One who died for me, but You are my lord. I put You in the place of authority over my life, my actions, my words. Show me Your ways from Your Word and help me to follow You every day.