Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, has caused a stir and raised controversy.

Instead of trying to discern what the director is trying to say, ask yourself this: “How does this movie affect me? What does it mean to me? Does it mean I should change something in my life? Where do I go from here?” If you let this film inspire you to be a better person and to live the way I want you to live, then you’ll come out ahead.

Yes, this is Jesus, and I’m speaking directly to you. And yes, I am alive, well, and very active today.1 I’ll speak to anyone who will listen. If you want to know more about My passion, read on.

The central focus of the film is My suffering and death–the intense, brutal, gruesome torture I endured when I was on Earth 2,000 years ago.

I endured all this for you, because of My love for you. There had to be a punishment for your sins, so in dying this horrible death I took your punishment. I died for you, so that you could be forgiven, cleansed, and be together with Me forever. I gave Myself for you, so that you could be happy and fulfilled in this life, and someday join Me in Paradise for all eternity.

Why?–Because I was driven by love to save you, to pay the price for your salvation. My love for you, just you, the one who is reading this piece of paper, is that great. If you were the only person in the whole world, I would have still died for you. I want you to be happy for eternity. You are My passion.2

Life is all about choices, and I made many choices that led Me to the cross. I could have backed out many times, and I had ample opportunity to do so. I didn’t have to keep silent when I was brought before Pilate, I could have defended Myself, but I didn’t. I died to save you and I have never regretted that decision.

While My last hours on Earth represent a part of the passion I have for you, it didn’t stop there. My passion has been thriving for 2,000 years.

I want you to focus on My love for you right now–today. My love for you is true and lasting. It can never be dissuaded; it cannot be quenched. It never loses hope, and it knows no limits. My love for you is complete. My passion for you is real, and I want it to be a part of your everyday life.

I gave My life for you, and now I have more–so much more–to give you. I want to fill you with the totality of My love, if you will receive it.
I know everything about you, including your flaws and mistakes, and I still love you. I love you intensely and passionately, now and forever. I love you as a father loves his child, and as a husband loves his wife.

My love is forgiving, it is merciful, and it is constant. I care about you, and I want to be involved in every aspect of your life.

Others will fail you, but I will never fail you: I’ll always be here for you. I want to help you, guide you, comfort you, and care for you. Our love can grow deeper every day.

Even if you don’t understand everything about the sacrifice I made for you–why I had to give My life and why it had to happen the way it did–if you will open your heart and accept My love for you, then you’ll know that My love is real, and in time you’ll understand more.
I appreciate your remembrance of My death, and now I want you to move forward and keep on experiencing My passion. By knowing Me personally, you allow My passion to become a part of your life, to fill you and complete you.

If you don’t know Me yet, you can get to know Me right now. Just open your heart to Me. You can begin by saying this simple prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me. Please forgive me for the wrong things I’ve done. I don’t understand everything about Your passionate love, but I want to know You. I ask You to please come into my heart, give me Your free gift of eternal life, and teach me more about Your love. Amen.

If you already know Me, get to know Me better. Work on our relationship. Open your life more to Me. Now that we’re connected, please do not neglect Me.

Read My messages to you in the Bible, and try to apply them to your life. If you read the account of My life and the words I said as recorded in the Gospel of John, and the other Gospels, you’ll understand more about My great love and passion.

I know it’s difficult in this fast-paced world, but if you’ll make the effort to take time daily to get alone and quiet so you can talk to Me and let Me speak to you, it will make a difference in your life. You can talk to Me anywhere, any time, out loud or in your heart–any way you like! Tell Me all that is on your mind. I’ll communicate with you through an impression, a thought, a whisper to your heart. Open your mind and heart to Me and you’ll come to know the depths of My love.
The cross is empty now. I live, and I long to give you a happier life, filled with true love, with good things. I want to teach you about My deep, eternal, passionate love and to help you share that same passion with others. It will change their lives too.

My commission to those who love Me is this: Love Me first with all your heart, mind and soul, and then love others.3

Do the things I ask of you, and I promise that your life will overflow with joy, your satisfaction will know no bounds, and your happiness will know no equal. You’ll not only receive forgiveness for your sins, but you’ll find true freedom, peace of mind, joy, happiness, and above all, true love–now and forever.

Passionately,
Jesus

Footnotes:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23, KJV). For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).
My Passion, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International