Why is the most famous execution in history so powerful? Why is it powerful enough that historians, scholars and theologians are still in fist fights after nearly two centuries of disagreement about events recorded about Jesus’ crucifixion? Historians demand facts based on reason from archeological evidence. Scholars analyze and compare ancient, authentic texts. Theologians believe the Bible to be absolute truth.

No one seems to understand the truth goes beyond what we can guess, imagine or speculate.

Just weeks ago, the issue over the truth of Jesus’ resurrection was debated — the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Now the mass media has shifted its focus to his crucifixion, as depicted in Mel Gibson’s gruesome new film “The Passion of the Christ.” You haven’t been able to flip on the radio or TV or pick up a newsmagazine lately without hearing about yet another group that took offense to something in the movie.

What is Mel Gibson’s hidden agenda? To use the controversy for free publicity? To use film as a medium through which to impose his views on others?

He says making this film is a culmination of a long spiritual journey, and the attacks have been painful, according to a Reader’s Digest article. I say it’s to prompt some reflection.

The most vocal critics are not necessarily attacking Gibson, but rather the Gospels themselves.

Whether you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, black, white, brown, rich or poor, you can hate the film and disagree with it, but you cannot ignore it. The reason why Jesus’ death is so significant can be explained by studying his life.

Few Christians dispute the fact Jesus walked the earth and is a historical figure. It’s easy for us to accept he was the very first “preacher,” a really nice guy and sympathetic toward the poor and needy and a zealot for justice.

But when it comes to explaining the “miracles,” some of us can’t help but roll our eyes. Walking on water? Resurrecting the dead? Resurrecting demons? Obviously just stories, right?

The religious elite and governing powers at that time obviously felt threatened. They thought he was scheming to overthrow the government by imposing his own “kingdom,” and threatening the Roman empire at that time required serious disciplinary actions — like death.

Maybe he was a clever magician who succeeded in pulling the biggest scam in history. But if that were true, why would he willingly subject himself to the most excruciatingly painful and humiliating way of dying?

The “experts” are still struggling to answer that question. No historian or scholar today will tell you that they know exactly what happened the night of Jesus’ death, because the Gospels and other ancient texts differ slightly.

But that’s not important. Followers of Christ don’t need to know every detail from 9 p.m. that night until the break of dawn. The debate over whether it was the Jews or the Romans who put Jesus to death is pointless, so the issue of anti-Semitism is irrelevant.

Sometimes we get so encumbered with our reason and logic that we forget the bigger picture. What’s important is that he was crucified. What’s important is that he was crucified by man. The nails were driven by human hands. By you and by me.

Gibson tried to illustrate that point during a scene in the film where he drives the iron pins into the actor who portrayed Jesus himself, according to a Newsweek article.

If you can’t wrap your head around what happens after the crucifixion, focus on the indisputable truth of the cross. Typical Roman crucifixions were repulsive, horrifying, overwhelming, shocking and so evil that not even Christians themselves care to dwell on it very long. “It’s pretty raw . . . and graphic, yes, but I believe that’s the reality of it. From many accounts I’ve read, I think it was actually much more violent that what you’re going to see in the film,” Gibson told Reader’s Digest.

Why did Jesus willingly do this? Hopefully this question prompts more thought. Was the guy just clinically insane and a glutton for punishment? Did he “get off” on the S&M-like violence?

Maybe he was motivated by love. Love of whom? Love for you. “No greater love has a man that he would lay down his life for his friends,” Gibson said.

Please go see the “Passion of Christ.” It opens this week. It might change your life.