Description 

Synopsis:
• A white sheet hangs in a redwood grove as sunlight shines down through the branches.
• Upon the sheet is the text of Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
• Close-ups reveal the words of the text.
• It is a peaceful, calm, pastoral scene.
• Another close-up shot reveals the tines and spikes of a an ancient-looking Roman cat-o-nine-tails behind the sheet.
• A hand approaches the sheet holding the whip and begins to whip and beat the sheet containing the scripture.
• As the beating continues, the sheet rips and tears.
• Blood begins to drip down the sheet.
• Finally, the sheet is torn to bits and destroyed.          

Conversation:

• We seem to know in the abstract that Jesus was pierced and beaten for us. How do we grasp the macabre truth of his suffering?
• Is it difficult to imagine the physical sufferings of Jesus?
• Do we pay too much attention to Jesus' physical passion, or too little?
• Why does the salvation story of man revolve around such a bloody transaction?
• Why do people of faith sometimes distance themselves from a frank examination of the suffering of Jesus?
• Why did Jesus go to such painful lengths of torture without defending himself?
• In what ways are you / we 'healed by his wounds?'

Scripture References:

• Isaiah 53:5
• Hebrews 10:1-10
• Matthew 5:38
• 1Peter 2:24