Well written. I agree with your assessment - this is no easy film. Somehow, I managed to remain open to the horrific imagery throughout it, but what torture!

I also interpreted the fragility of Jesus, both in the opening scenes and in the final moments, as reminders that whether or not we agree Jesus was God, Jesus was human, and through his final hours, he bore the weight of humanity not on God’s shoulders but on his own. If Jesus, as human, could respond to the violence and hatred inflicted upon him while also struggling with what seems like God’s betrayal, and NOT slip into hatred and denunciation of his own, how petty must we seem in this modern era, where we slip into hate like a pair of shoes, and instead of turning the other cheek we slice our attacker’s cheek open in response and claim that God is on our side.

I grew up Protestant, later becoming a Buddhist, but of course Christianity continues to live in my psyche. I am one of those who killed Jesus; I remember in my younger days cursing God for forsaking me… for what? For giving me a peaceful place to live, a good family, food to eat, a good education? No, for not being more popular in middle school, in one instance. And though a different tradition speaks to me now, I still believe in the message of Jesus’s life.

As the Sons and Daughters of God, or as seekers of our own awakening to the ultimate truth, should we not aim to be like those who have shown us the way?

Thanks again for this post. It’s important.