I don't know that it always was, but a few years ago, I guess it was really all put into perspective for me courtesy of a movie.

Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" was one of the most impactful films I've ever seen.

Traditionally, I hate films with subtitles. The only one I had ever sat through before was "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and as action packed as that was, it was all I could do to complete the multi-hour marathon. But for some reason with Passion of the Christ, I didn't mind. Perhaps it was because I had a pretty good working knowledge of the story to begin with which made it easier to follow.

The vivid images from that movie remain in my mind, and when we begin the annual Lenten and Easter season focus on Jesus Christ's final days, death and resurrection in church - those images come back to life.

Some people saw that movie as too much to endure. Well if you thought it was bad to watch, imagine what it must have been like to have endured that kind of suffering from people who had just days before sat at your feet.

The betrayal of a loyal and trusted friend. Is there any greater pain?

A mother watching the torture and death of her son. And lets face it, that's really downplayed in scripture. The brutality he endured at the hands of the soldiers and guards was probably very close to what the movie depicted.

The feeling of abandonment that came over Jesus in the final moments as he cries out asking, "Why have you foresaken me?"

And then you have us. The people for which he suffered all of the punishment, humiliation and ultimately death.

Yes, I get it. That was the plan. It happened just as God laid it out. He put His Son through it all for us.

So what do we give back in return? What do we do in return for God's greatest sacrifice?

Well some of us try and get to church regularly, as long as it doesn't run too long. Generally we try and avoid those special, long services. C'mon, we've got better things to do than sit in church all day on Sunday.

I mean isn't an hour on Sunday enough time to "give back" in exchange for what we've been given?

And we try to pray. When we remember. And we need something. And it's convenient. And if nobody is looking. But we don't do it out loud because we don't want to offend our neighbor.

We try to make time for others. Unless we're in a hurry. Or it's not convenient. We've got our own lives to live you know.

And we try to show Jesus' spirit by giving back to those less fortunate. Well, once we make sure we have enough for cable TV, the Internet bill, Pay-Per-View and three or four cell phones - and some in reserve should we need to buy a new video gaming system or television. You know life's necessities.

Sure, we carry our crosses. You know everyone has a cross, and I'm willing to deal with it as long as it's not too big, or uncomfortable, or something that might be embarassing. Other than that, I'll carry my cross.

The truth of the matter is, we really give little back in comparrison to what has been given us. And most of the time, when we are called on unexpectledly to give back, to make a sacrifice that by comparrison doesn't even compare, we complain about it and look for a way around it.

Easter is a time of rebirth.

Jesus lives in every one of us. He's in there, trying to get out. Sometimes he's hard to find when we look in the mirror. Sometimes we forget about him when we look at others. But he's in there, in all of us, asking us to love our fellow man and be willing to go that extra mile in his name.

When you think about Jesus and what he went through in our place, there should be a tear in the corner of your eye. If it drips down, that's okay. It's a well-earned tear even from the toughest of us. He's deserving of it. But remember his rising and what that means for us. Let us hope we prove ourselves worthy of his ultimate commitment on our behalf.

Don't let Sunday pass you by without taking some time to think about the real reason for the holiday. The sacrifice, the re-birth, and how we can be examples of both to those around us - strangers and friends alike.