Mel Gibson’s much anticipated movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” is opening in theaters.

No doubt any movie release from the Academy-award winning superstar-director would draw the public’s interest, but this film is about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by the star of “Mad Max” and “Lethal Weapon” and that had many people wondering just what it was going to be like.

Even before the final script was approved, some groups were expressing concern over its portrayal of Jews, and there were Christians concerned about the biblical accuracy of a Hollywood film.

I believe these fears are unfounded, and you will want to see this movie.

Here are four reasons why:

First, this movie is a magnificent work of art. From the opening frames, you can see that Gibson has taken great care to craft a movie with historical detail and authentic artistry. It’s an intimate and personal film that keeps you close to the story. It is a film that gets in your face, or rather, puts you into the face of Jesus as he wrestles with – but then submits to – the final steps of his mission on earth.

“Passion” is not your average, sometimes cheesy, Bible movie with beautiful people following a Mr. Rogers-mystical Jesus. This Jesus is real with sweat and calloused hands, and blood and bruises from the beatings. The entire film is spoken in Aramaic and Latin (with subtitles), giving you a chance to hear familiar conversations in the language in which they were originally spoken.

You cannot be emotionally passive while watching this film; it grabs you by the gut from the very first image and does not let you go even after the credits roll.

Second, this movie will be a cultural event that will have everyone talking – similar to what happened when the mini-series “Roots” was first broadcast. This movie will dominate discussions at work, in restaurants, and at church. Your neighbors will be asking about it, and your kids will be wondering about it.

Third, this movie destroys all the sterile stereotypes of a meek and mild Jesus – those myths and caricatures created by the enemies and the friends of Christ. After seeing this film, you will no longer be able to cling to the fantasy that Jesus was a milquetoast Messiah.

Fourth, this movie powerfully tells the story of the defining moment in world history. In the Western world, we’ve dated everything according to these last few hours of Christ’s life. We time the sequence of history with B.C. and A.D., recognizing that the death of Christ forged a permanent line through the days of man.

Even if you choose not to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you cannot deny that his life was the most significant one in human history. Why would you want to miss a film that shows you why he is considered so significant?

David Kobelin is senior minister at Warrenton Christian Church