any present-day followers of Christ and observers of religious culture have been busy talking about Mel Gibson's movie on the last hours of Jesus' life before the crucifixion. There have been many observations made from lots of different corners of society. Some have been openly hostile while others give tentative support. It has been interesting to watch various groups try to find a way to totally discount the message because it is offensive in some way. Others want to attach themselves to get a "me too" benefit from it without having to take any responsibility for the fallout if there is some.

Apparently nothing has changed. People's response to Jesus' sacrifice is the same now as it was then. All humanity still has the same lessons to learn about a God who loves His creation so much that He is willing to sacrifice Himself to save it. The brutality of Christ's death makes the unwilling stop in their tracks at the sight of it. It is just too much in our "tolerant" society to imagine. How could people be so intolerant of another's views? How could One be so intolerant of the people's sin that He would die to cleanse it? Only in the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth do we see such selfless love expressed.

All of this and much, much more is not news to anyone willing to read God's Word for what it is. Gibson's film does a great job of de-sanitizing the message that has been at the heart of Christianity since its inception. Why hasn't the world always known what they are seeing on the big screen? There is only one reason; churches haven't told it like it really was. We have become too tolerant and too much like the culture we denigrate every Sunday. We have let Satan through his medium, culture; turn our "passion" into merely our "preference". We don't want to offend anybody or let him or her think we're a little extreme. It is impossible to put into words how offensive this must be to the One who died and rose again. What if it was your blood and your innocent life that was spent and the ones you died for were afraid to talk about?

Jesus told Peter in Matthew chapter sixteen that He would build His church on the bedrock of His identity as the Son of God. He is doing it and nothing will stop Him. If God has to use Hollywood instead of groups posing as His Church He will do it. If we don't tell the truth about Jesus, the rocks will indeed cry out. The opportunity churches have right now is a good one. The sad part is that it's the one we've always had but chose not to use. The cross has always been divisive. The precious blood shed on it is what cleanses and unites. It is time to repent of our lethargy and not waste any more time or the blood of the One who so freely gave it.

The Hillside men will hold their monthly breakfast this Saturday morning at 7:30 am. All are welcome to come for the food and fellowship.