I’m not a theologian but I’ll take a crack at this: Please keep in mind that the movie is SO moving that I may have my placement of that moment inaccurate but if I remember right, it was brought into view for Christ to see, right? If so, here’s what I’m gathering.
In the book of Isaiah is the story of Satan’s fall from heaven. He stood proudly and boldly and proclaimed that in his great status amongst all the heavenly hosts, that he would be as God and rule over all. As the earth became Satan’s domain, God’s wrath over Satan and love for us brought His plan of sending the Messiah.
Because the Messiah was God, yet in the form of a man, Satan knew that death was within the boundaries of possibility. Therefore, kill the Christ, kill God’s plan, and sort of a 1 down, 2 to go, in the greater scheme of overcoming and overthrowing the Holy Trinity. Thus Satan’s presence throughout the days of Christ.
In order for Jesus blood to be the eternal sacrifice for our iniquities, He had to actually become sin and be forsaken by God the Father. If He could no longer be the Son of God in this sinful state, I believe Satan was trying to throw a statement in which the world, and the Christ/man Himself, would be in his grasp and we’d all be children of the damned.
Now, Christ has power over life and death and once He had withstood the almighty wrath of God, purging us from eternal damnation, He arose on the 3rd day as prohecied, overcoming all of Satan’s temptations and stomping his head into the ground. It was a statement of absolute sovereignty! In the midst of prophecy, there was still nothing Satan could do to overcome the power of God.
I must go see the movie again just to make sure I have my chronoligical orders right. The theory of the symbolism is just that…………but I’m going to be in a dialogue regarding the film over the weekend and I’ll also get the input of others on this.
My greatest encouragement over this film is to pay close attention to the thieves that hung with Christ. One accepted him as the Savior and one didn’t. Their fates were completely decided at that defining moment. One voiced faith and acceptance………and he was promised “paradise”. The other…………….eternal condemnation. It’s the perfect symbol of our lives. We’re born to die and perish forever, but in the knowledge of Christ, we can accept him as Lord and Saviour, and be pardoned into paradise. The full scope was symbolized on Calvary and there to be shared with all mankind.
I could go into a lot more but I do want to respect the space being given us here. But I do want to offer up private messaging to any and all who have questions or a desire to talk about this. Salvation is a critical matter in this life and cannot be resolved after we’re dead. Again, perfectly represented by Calvary.
Ken
Well said.I hope to see it this weekend. 
