The Sacrifice:
Rated (E) for Everyone

Philippians 2:5-8

They say that music moves the soul, but I say that Hollywood gives that soul a face. With today's technology, special effects, and brilliant actors, Hollywood has an ability to speak to people in ways never before possible. From Romance to Comedy, and from Action to Horror, no one tells the story quite like the silver screen. However, Hollywood is founded on sensationalism, and the bigger the better. Today, it seems as if the mode in telling the story has taken precedence over the story itself. Facts have become nothing more than a diving board the movie industry uses to leap into, and take control of, the audience's imagination; and Christian movies are no different. Now, I don't want you to misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with Hollywood or the movies that depict Christ on the cross. On the contrary, they not only continue to be a priceless tool for the ministry, but are also awe inspiring and moving to say the least. Unfortunately, most Christian movies don't always tell the full story. We need to remember that the sacrifice of Christ was not only the means of our salvation, but it was, at the same time, the ultimate example of His humility. The God who is all powerful allowed Himself to be powerless. The Creator became the creation. The King became the subject. The Prince that was due all honor and glory, gave up His honor and was rejected by His own people. He was the Righteous Judge who allowed Himself to be judged by those not worthy enough to be in His presence; and in the end, the God who was able to do all things chose to do nothing in His own defense. This was His passion, His sacrifice. It was the humiliation from throne to cross that made paying the penalty for all man's sins possible. Paul said, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8)." This humiliation was not only the prologue to His sacrifice, but it was His testimony to man as well. Christ reminds us of this when He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29)." The God who is separated from, and above, all sin, made His home among the worst of sinners; and the God that built for Himself a majestic temple was found in the smallest room with nothing more than a mercy seat. He has the power of a lion, but chooses the nature of a lamb. You cannot separate the humiliation from the sacrifice. For the humiliation of Christ from king to peasant crucially illustrates the extent of His sacrifice. Yes, Christ suffered on the cross, and He suffered at the hands of those who imprisoned Him. However, His sacrifice goes well beyond the stripes He bore upon the flesh. His beating was only the end of the humiliation, which began the moment He traded His kingdom for a manger.  [mp]

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Michael D'Urbano
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