Mel Gibson's 'Passion' and the Jews

Rhesa points to some comments made in an early review of this movie that state that it will generate more anti-Semitic sentiments that are not needed, given the present political climate around the Arab world. She makes some good points, and I had to follow up with some of my own comments, which I reproduce here:

You can look at it this way:

Peter, addressing the crowd on the day of Pentecost, did not mince words (all passages come from the NIV):

"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross" (Acts 2:23).

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

In Acts 3:11-26 Peter addresses some onlookers in Solomon's Colonnade the same way, with more clarification.

I don't believe that many of the folks there at Pentecost and at Solomon's Colonnade were not present during his crucifixion. I believe Peter was addressing the more spiritual issue: that our sins put Jesus on the cross. Hence, we all crucified Jesus.

My sin killed Jesus. So did yours and everyone else's.