|PIC1|Following the drama of Eastenders, the BBC1 announcer said The Passion was 'The One to Watch'.

Millions of us will have just seen the first episode of the retelling of the last week in the life of Jesus. Produced by the BBC Drama department because it is one of the most important stories in the world, and because it raises many issues that are relevant to our modern life. This brand new production presents us all, Christian or not, with the chance to discuss the person of Jesus.

Following the hour of watching the drama unfold, familiar though it is, I am struck by how controversial the words of Jesus were then, and how he is still controversial now.

However, this is not a time to discuss the colour of his hair or the particular interpretation of a key text. This is a time to follow the thoughts of Frank Deasy, who wrote this script, and try and get under the skin of what was going on 2000 years ago.

We are confused to see someone murdered and dumped in a red vat of dye in the market only to find out later it setting the scene for presenting Jesus Barabbas. Compelling, brutal, real, and thought provoking this drama makes us all reexamine the man and what happened that first Easter.

Caiaphas and Pilate are considering the question about who Jesus is. They are confused and living with contradictions and tensions which cause them to react. One of the first followers asks the question 'who are you?', and a prostitute wants to know 'why do they call you a Holy Man?'. Everyone watching is asked the question and Jesus says to Mary Magdalene 'by the end of the week you will know God like never before'.

All of the key players in this drama have people following them. They all ask questions. We are followers of Jesus and we have questions. We also have answers from scripture, history, reason and our experience. They are answers we can share with people considering the question afresh.

The best thing we can do with this drams is pray, both for ourselves as we follow Jesus this Holy Week, and for our friends and neighbours who have been confronted with this question in their living room. Next, we can put up the poster from: http://www.christianity.org.uk/downloads/the_passion_rejesus_poster_A3.pdf in our front window, and finally put our own views about Jesus on the BBC website message Board at:

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/thepassion/peoplespassion/

After the next episode, I'll consider the implications of Jesus on our own lives. These issues are matters of death and life.



Jim Currin represents the Churches Co-ordinating Group for Evangelisation of Churches Together in England.

All advisory material for churches can be found at www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk/passion. The public conversation is to be resourced by Rejesus, as it works on behalf of all the churches in Britain and Ireland. Go to www.rejesus.co.uk/passion for more information.