Editor’s Note: Voices is a weekly commentary by a panel of Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.

The recent release of “The Passion of the Christ” in theaters nationwide has evoked new interest in the purpose of Jesus’ suffering and death.

In the highly publicized film, Academy Award-winning director and producer Mel Gibson graphically portrays the last 12 hours of Jesus’ life, as described in the New Testament.

Why has this film generated so much attention? Why does the ordeal of one person living over 2,000 years ago matter so much to so many today?

Dr. John Piper says “the Passion of Jesus Christ is the most important event in history, and the most explosive political and personal issue of the twenty-first century.”

Perhaps your own passions have been stirred – positively or negatively – by viewing this movie or reading its reviews. Yet you may be wondering, “What does it all mean?” or “What was the point of Jesus’ misery, anyway?”

Here we respond – with related Scriptures – to nine leading questions raised by the film.

Q: What is the meaning of the term “Passion” in “The Passion of the Christ?”

A: In this context, “Passion” refers to the sufferings of Jesus from the time of his arrival in Gethsemane through the Crucifixion the following day (Hebrews 2:9).

Q: What makes Jesus’ suffering more notable than that of countless others who experienced death by crucifixion in Rome between 6 B.C. to A.D. 4?

A: Jesus was Deity – the innocent (Hebrews 4:15), eternal (John 8:58), omnipotent (Colossians 1:17) Son of God (Luke 22:70). In addition, his suffering was not just physical in nature. During his six hours on the cross, Jesus was bearing the sins of the world (1 Peter 2:24).

Q: Do you really think that Jesus could have ever ultimately avoided crucifixion, given his controversial claims and mission in life?

A: Jesus’ submission to the cross was voluntary even from the moment that he departed heaven (Philippians 2:5-8). Until his final moment on the cross, at any instant during the long hours of his Passion, he could have bailed out, calling in vast hordes of angels to deliver him from the horror of all that was happening (Matthew 26:53).

Q: Do you think that Jesus realized ahead of time the full extent of what he was to suffer?

A: Jesus was God (John 10:30). Before assuming earthly limitations, he was omniscient. He had created the very tree from which the cross was fashioned (Colossians 1:16). He knew every detail of the movie before the movie was even made (John 18:4). He absolutely, fully comprehended the reality of the entire horrific ordeal that he was to face – even before time began. In spite of all this, he proceeded with his mission.

Q: Why did he do it? Why did Jesus voluntarily leave heaven, suffer humiliation, and ultimately submit to death on a cross?

A: He did it to save people from Hell (Luke 19:10). He did it to reconcile sinful humanity to a holy God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). He did it because his nature is love (John 3:16-18) and his compassion is great (Psalm 103:13).

Q: Why did God’s forgiveness require Jesus’ death?

A: Because God is just as well as merciful (Psalm 33:5). When someone sins, a penalty must be paid for that sin (Romans 6:23). On the cross, Jesus voluntarily took the place of, and paid the penalty for, all who would eventually believe and receive his offer (1 John 4:10).

Q: Was so much blood and violence really necessary?

A: The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

Q: Do other religions agree with this explanation of how a person is saved from sin?

A: Some religions teach that sin is merely an illusion – an unprofitable act – in which case there is not even any need for a savior. Some religions teach that salvation is attained by human effort and ascetic denial. Most religions stress the fact that humans must seek for God. Only Christianity teaches that the infinite, personal God has come to earth to seek for us in our lost condition, to suffer and die on our behalf, and to redeem us by his grace for time and eternity (Romans 5).

Q: What does one have to do to benefit from the Passion and grace of Christ?

A: Like any gift, God’s grace must be received to be of use. One must specifically ask God to receive his offer of forgiveness in Jesus (John 1:12, Acts 2:38).

The Rev. Daryl E. Witmer is pastor of the Monson Community Church and founder and director of AIIA Institute, a Christian apologetics organization. The views expressed are solely his own. He may be reached at AIIAInstitute@aol.com.