Jesus' Heroic Courage

Saturday evening, a dear parishioner mentioned after the service that she would never forget the time I preached on the crucifixion. [Some years back, I chose to actually describe in detail what it would be like to see a crucifxion.] She shared, "I had never thought about it before that, but now I cannot forget."

In the first Lord of the Rings movie, Sean Bean plays Boromir. He is a warrior and Sean was perfect for the part. Beefy and brooding, His appearance and demeanor resonated with a sense of courage and power. Toward the end of the movie, the little band of 'good guys' is attacked by a larger force of orcs (think ugly, cruel and vicious). Boromir stands to protect two small Hobbits during the raid. Outnumbered and alone, he manfully fells one Orc after another in a theatrical display of heroism. None can successfully defeat him in sword battle until an archer lets fly his arrow. Suddenly, with a look of shock, Boromir sees the twisted shaft of the arrow protruding from his chest. It is a poignant moment where one realizes that mortality is real. While he battles on, there is a sense of exhaustion and weakness. Even so, no Orc can slay him, as he swings his sword and slays one after another. Then a second arrow finds its mark. His courage and strength are magnificent. It stirs the hearrt. Then a third. The horror! It is too much. He slowly slides to the ground. A magnificent display of a mortally wounded hero.

We are used to such movie images. The hero who takes many blows yet goes on, refusing to quit, unyielding in battle and unwilling to give up in his heroic quest. But it was not until Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ that I was introduced to the concept that Jesus shared in that role.

I had always imagined Jesus as victim. We even use the word to describe the cross. I reflected long and often on the horrors of His suffering. I knew of the love and the obedience. Yet always, I unconsciously assumed, it was something the mean people (Jew and Roman) had done to Him (and always for us, because of us). Gibson, in his portrayal of the scourging changed that for me forever. In the brutal scene, where the Lord is whipped, the two soldiers alternate dealing blows. The Roman scourge was created to deal horrific damage. There is little doubt that the beating itself could be sufficient to kill. As one blow falls after another, Jesus is driven to His knees. A close up of His twitching hands is used to convey the unbearable agony and pain. Finally, He hangs there, apparently unconscious. It is all too much to see or ponder. The soldiers, exhausted from the physical exertion, bend over panting. Then it happens, an image which changed my understanding of Who Jesus is. Jesus struggles back up. He stands. The brutal soldiers' dumb looks of amazement convey the power of Jesus. He is somehow in charge even though He is bound and beaten. Who is this man?

Throughout the Gospels Jesus is portrayed as a warrior king in the spiritual realm. He bravely resists temptations and does battle with evil. He defeats many demons and conquers illness and death. He battles ignorance through parable and teaching. He marches bravely to Jerusalem, His face set like flint, disdaining Herod (that fox) and never backing away from confrontation with the powers of the secular and religious world of His day. I always knew that Jesus understood the danger He was in, He had seen the cost of resistance in the death of John the Baptist and the many unknwn victims of crucifixion and death which were part of His environs. He repeatedly prophesied about His passion and death (and resurrection). I knew how much He suffered, too, at least to the extent that I could imagine it. Yet as Jesus stood back up in the movie I had a deeper insight into His active role.

Jesus not only suffered, He suffered bravely. Jesus not only was taken, He also gave Himself. Jesus drank the cup to the dregs, tossed it aside, and said, "Give Me another." Whatever personal demons have ravaged Mr. Gibson, I am forever thankful for his film. It provided another angle on Jesus for me, one which made sense in light of scripture.

This week as we read and ponder The Story, I intend to keep in mind that Jesus chose. He chose bravely and with magnificent courage. They did not drag Him off kicking and screaming for mercy, begging to be set free. He chose to embrace His Father's will. He chose to embrace, with unimaginable courage, the torture, the shame, the darkness of wretched death... He chose when He had other choices available. He chose it out of love. He chose it as a warrior hero. Strong and powerful, enduring bravely the enemy's blows. Jesus is a powerful man who loves with gentleness. He is a mighty man, who meekly receives blows while never delivering blows. He is The One, Who relinquishes His army of angels and Heavenly crown and throne, and instead hangs enthroned on a cross, His regal diadem  twisted thorns pressed into His head, His battered face and shredded skin hiding the hero's heart which beats within the beaten body.

Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, Brother and Friend, Master and Teacher. Jesus the Hero. Jesus our model. O Come, let us adore, Him.