I was precious in His eyes - Teresa Cho, Orlando, Florida

I received my religious education at my catholic elementary and middle schools. I don't know whether it was their teaching methods or their lack of passion that disinterested me, but I began to grow a deep apathy towards my own religion - particularly when it came to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, through which I was supposed to have gained my salvation.

"He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [Peter 2:24]"

As significant as that verse is, it never had any impact on me, and subsequently had no affect on my life, my thoughts, or my actions. I knew the story, I knew the verse, and I knew the meaning of those words, but I couldn't, for the life of me, relate it to myself in any way, or even begin to imagine the significance of His sacrifice for all of us.

Holywood changed this all for me; more specifically, Mel Gibson Opened my eyes - through his portrayal of Jesus in "Passion of the Christ." I could finally SEE what Jesus went through for us, how much he suffered for our sins.

We all know why he sacrificed himself for us, but how many of us actually FEEL his pain? Up until that point, I had yet shed a single tear for Jesus - Jesus, who had given up his life to save mine!

Watching the movie, I started crying uncontrollably, because it was at that point that I realized what the Son of God had gone through for my salvation. It was then that such words as "I love you. I love you all so much," from Jesus actually carried meaning for me, for the first time in my life.

Now when I hear the words "He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. [Peter 2:24]," I can understand, in my heart, the weight that those words carry.