The movie, "The Passion, " focuses primarily on the last 12 hours of Christ's life; with a few minutes at the end concerning the resurrection. While Mel Gibson obviously had his reasons for concentrating on that part of Christ's story, Reverend Gary Morton, Music Minister at Second has his own reasons for making sure his audience sees a larger portrayal of Christ's life.

"For Christians, the resurrection is the beginning of the story. The movie is the story of the road to Calvary, " Morton explained. "We give a different perspective by focusing on why he came and then what happened. " By their own admission, Second Baptist's production cannot compete with the Hollywood special effects. The Warner Robins Passion Play does, however, go into much more depth of the reason why Christ came and His relationships with others such as the disciples and Martha and Mary.

The Warner Robins Passion play is not as intense as the movie but the perspective of the story is broader. Morton said that he had encouraged those involved in the play to go to see the movie.
"The movie, " he said, "does remind us of the physical price Jesus paid. It took Him shedding His blood for our sin. " Since the Passion Play is an annual production of a timeless story, the actual plot of the Passion Play doesn't change much from year to year. The staff makes major overhauls to the script about every other year with minor changes in between and tries telling the story from the eyes of different characters and different aspects. "It is very hard to change the story, " Morton said. "at least the ending. " This year, Christ's last days of earth are told from the viewpoint of Lazarus, with whom Jesus shared a special bond. Keith Lauritsen, who has played many roles in the play over the years, is Lazarus. He explained his thoughts on Lazarus' role in the production.

"Early in the play, Lazarus tells his sister that he hasn't heard God voice, meaning knowing God's direction in his life. After his death and Christ's command to come forth, the first thing Lazarus says is that he heard His voice, " Lauritsen stated.

"That is what I think is the central theme of the play; if you listen you can hear God speak to you. He calls sinners to repent and be redeemed. " The story depicts the humanity of Jesus and shows how Christ is involved intimately in the lives of his believers. "Jesus could have healed Lazarus, " said Morton, "Several times He was begged to come but He had a greater work in mind for Lazarus by raising him from the dead. " While the motives behind Mel Gibson's "The Passion" are still being discussed, there is only one reason that the congregation of Second, 350 cast members and production workers, choir and orchestras have been involved in the Warner Robins Passion Play for the last 20 years.

"We got a letter from a woman in Florida last year, " Morton said, "whose stepfather asked Jesus into his heart at the Passion Play and then died a few weeks later. His life was forever changed because of last year's Passion Play; that's why we do it. Her dad is in heaven because of last year's commitment at the Passion Play. " Over the years, the play has grown from one Sunday night at the church to five nights at the civic center. When the church moves into their new sanctuary the end of May, the play will return to the church.

And as far as any final comparisons between "The Passion of Christ" and the Warner Robins Passion Play, Morton has only the highest praise for the film. "They did an outstanding job. We want to make sure that our viewers realize the crucifixion is not the end of the story." "Many men died but only One rose again.

"The Warner Robins Passion Play is April 7-11 at 7 p. m at the Homer J. Walker Civic Center. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Lamb's Well Christian Store, Impressions gift shop in Perry, the Warner Robins Christian Bookstore, or at the Second Baptist Church office.