BillHobbs.com is a frequently updated blog of original reporting and commentary by Bill Hobbs, a longtime Nashville journalist and media relations adviser. I am currently serving as communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party, a job I began on Oct. 29, 2007.
The more I reflect on The Passion of The Christ, the more every character and scene in the picture fades into the background of the central confrontation of the film, the battle between Jesus and Satan. I think this piece by Rubel Shelly captures the essence of the Satan character rather well.
Hollywood’s typical recent representations of Satan are of a sinister, threatening, and overpowering “dark force” without specific form. But he is brutish and frightening. His very presence is malevolent and makes one shudder. His voice is shrill and foretells disaster.
But director Mel Gibson may have gotten it about right in The Passion of the Christ. Satan is so amorphous that we are not even sure if he is male or female. S/he isn’t shrill or threatening. S/he doesn’t menace or portend harm. S/he certainly doesn’t announce a demonic presence by the smell of brimstone or some gaudy, outlandish attire.
The Satan of The Passion is the one I’ve encountered and battled for all my life. S/he blends into the background. S/he speaks in whispers rather than with shouts. S/he makes good sense. You’d deny s/he is anywhere at hand.
So Satan whispers to Jesus and tells him the task he has taken upon himself is too hard. One person can’t fight this battle. It is impossible for him to do anything that could rescue humankind from the morass of confusion and deadly error into which we have fallen.
Satan works the edges of the crowd to get them to take up his chant against the Son of God. He can’t be who he claims to be. He demands too much or presumes too much or claims too much. Jesus – not Satan – is the real threat. Something must be done to get rid of him!
Worse than the beating Jesus takes at the hands of two sadistic Roman soldiers is Satan’s temptation for him to give way to despair. To abandon his Father’s plan. To leave the despicable humans to the fate they deserve.
Despite what you've heard - despite the trailers you've seen on TV - The Passion is not really about the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. It is about the climactic battle in the war for the human soul.
Another portrayal of Satan I thought was quite good was Al Pacino's John Milton in The Devil's Advocate. For much of the movie the viewer wasn't even certain that it was in fact Satan he (Keanu Reeves' Kevin Lomax) was dealing with. All very understated.
I thought that was one of the more interesting characters in the movie. The androgynous, seductive figure lurking around the edges, personified the meaning of "temptation".
This is a message to Bill--a.k.a--stupid and condemned.
Bill...??
SHUT YOUR STUPID AND BLASPHEMOUS MOUTH!!!!
Are you that stupid to fall for the lies of satan who told you himself in your feeble mind, that JESUS is the threat and not him??
Jesus is the threat??
I DON'T THINK SO, YOU STUPID MORON!!
HOW DARE YOU SLANDER THE HOLY SPIRIT!!
If you had any intelligence at all to read the bible, then you would know that Jesus is the son of God, while satan is the tempter and wants all the souls of mankind to bow down to HIM and NOT Jesus!!
Jesus is a holy being and I---Jesus's messenger--aka--christine Davey--will NOT tolerate ANY slander against my Lord and you sir, are an absolute idiot for believing the devil's lies!!
I hope someday you will have enough sense to repent of what you said and go to God, before you die in hell!!
Comments Policy: Your comment is subject to deletion if it is off-topic or includes foul language or personal attack. Readers, please email me if you find comments that include egregious violations of this policy. Comments may not post immediately - do not post twice!
