- The preparation (becoming the chosen one);
In the passion of the Christ, Jesus is the main character who was born to die for the sins of humanity. Since when he was born to the time when he was baptized to begin his ministry, he goes through various preparation stages. We seem him learning obedience by being brought up by his parents and learning basic skills such as carpentry. His main test of obedience at a younger stage was when he remained in the synagogue and his parents had to come back looking for him. He recognized the fact that he was in the house of His Father of which he was sent to fulfill his will. He however followed his parents back home
- the departure (either as a physical or psychological one);
After his baptism, it marked the beginning of his journey into ministry. He isolated himself for a time of prayer and fasting in the desert for forty days where he had to overcome temptations by the devil. It is from this stage that he fully engaged into the ministry of healing, teaching, performing miracles and extensively praying.
- The confrontation with a message/gift/powers;
Just when he was at the peak of his ministry, he was confronted by the powers of the Jews culture where he was reported as claiming that he was the messiah. He had to stand before Pontius Pilate and defend himself as well as justify whether the claims were true or false. He surprised and angered many by how he responded to the claims, which ultimately led to his arrest and crucifixion.
- [internal resistance/struggle to remain the same or be transformed]
While on the cross, Jesus realized how tough it was to fulfill the will of the Father, who had sent him to die for the sins of humanity. Amidst all the pain that he was going through, all his disciples had deserted him. It also occurred to Him that the very God who had commissioned him had also forsaken him. It was a struggle that he ultimately had to overcome by dying on the cross.
- The transformation, [internal resistance/struggle to stay versus return to community];
Three days after his death, Jesus resurrected and his first encounter is his mother. He does not allow her mother to touch him saying that he is a different being from what he was before. Later on, he appeared to his disciples where they had a conversation before ascending back to heaven. He ascended with a promise to send them a helper that would guide them in their spiritual walk.
6. The return with a message/bounty/gift;
After a few days, just as he had promised, Jesus sends his disciples the gift of the holly spirit while they were in the upper room praying. The power of the Holy Spirit brought back his disciples who had scattered and gone back to their previous careers. They regained their boldness and returned to ministry. Though their ministry, many more people were revived and joined the church.
- [external resistance/struggle from community]The reorientation of the community (if the gift is shared and received and accepted)
The ministry of the disciples was not easy after Jesus left them. They had to face a lot of opposition from the people and rulers. They were persecuted and most of them martyred. However, this did not hinder them from making more disciples who have continued with the ministry of Christ. This is done in preparation of His second coming, which is believed to be soon. The power of the Holy Spirit however remains evident in Christian believers who are continuously preaching the gospel of Christ.
Works cited
The passion of the Christ, the movie
