Expert: Paul Walker - 3/1/2004

Question
Hello I have a few questions regarding the movie " The Passion of the Christ"  I hope you have seen it, well my question comes in the part where Satian is holding a child.  Why is this so and what is the significance and interpatation of this?  Also was Judas an evil man?  Or did he just turn in Jesus for the money?  Why did Jesus say when he was being curcified " You have forsaken me? He was speaking to God but what did this mean?

Answer
Dear Vanessa,

I have not seen the movie but I can answer some of your questions. As for Satan holding a child, there is no mention of this in the Scriptures. I cannot say where Mr Gibson obtain this information nor what he was attempting to communicate in this portrayal.

Concerning Judas, he was a thief and in the case of betraying the Lord was the slayer of innocent blood, i.e. a murderer, as well as those that urged on his crucifixion. Turning Jesus in for the money would also be an evil act. What would you think of someone who would do such a thing to you?

Psalms 94:21  THEY GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER AGAINST THE SOUL OF THE RIGHTEOUS, AND CONDEMN THE INNOCENT BLOOD.

John 12:6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because HE WAS A THIEF, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Some teach, and there is some evidence, that he was more than just a man himself being described in the Bible as the son of perdition.

John 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but THE SON OF PERDITION; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Speaking of the Anti-Christ:

2 Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION;

Concerning the Lord's statements on the cross:

Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

God forsook Christ just as he forsakes everyone that goes out into hell. He bore our penalty, he bore our sins. Praise be to God, he has risen and we bare our sins no more.

I hope this helps,

Your Servant In Christ Jesus,

Paul Walker
ysicj@aficj.org