We’ve come to what is often referred to as “Holy Week.” Bar none, it brings us to the most significant of all Christian events in history.
Pushing that a bit further, we could say that Good Friday and Easter are the most significant events in ALL of human history. Nothing has been more transformative to individuals or societies than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—God’s Messiah.
The four Gospels all give us an account of what took place during the events leading up to Resurrection Day—or Easter as it is more commonly called. The Gospel writers each provide their own unique perspectives. That being said, three of the Gospels are referred to as the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They share many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence. Sometimes even identical wording.
The Gospel of John carries content more exclusive to his relationship to Jesus. All four accounts take us to the same destination: the Divine sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and His miraculous return to life. It is what gives Christians our eternal hope!
Jesus’ life is so distinctive that Hollywood has produced a plethora of films about it. There was King of Kings, The Robe, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Greatest Story Ever Told. More recently, Son of God, The Gospel According to Matthew, and Mel Gibson’s graphic The Passion of the Christ.
A sampling of the various ways Jesus has been portrayed in film over time is available in book form and a video curriculum by noted author Philip Yancey. It’s titled, The Jesus I Never Knew. Yancey causes us to become uncomfortable with our inability to fully understand how radical Jesus was in His day. And remains so.
Yancey says,
“No one who meets Jesus ever stays the same. In the end I found the process of writing this book to be a great act of faith-strengthening. Jesus has rocked my own preconceptions and has made me ask hard questions about why those of us who bear his name don’t do a better job of following him.”
It’s likely millions of viewers have found the same reaction who have watched Dallas Jenkins’ massively successful release of The Chosen.
The project definitely has stimulated conversation!
Over 50 years ago, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber drew intense discussion and criticism when their rock-infused Jesus Christ Superstar debuted in the 1970s on stage and screen. This duo decided to tell the story of Jesus’ final days through the eyes of Judas—even providing us a “sympathetic depiction” of the man known for his betrayal.
Adding to their distinctive (and biblically incomplete) story line, was the omission of Jesus’ Resurrection! A radical departure from the original, one might easily say.
Well, guess what? It’s back. All thoroughly modernized for us in 2025. Only recently did I learn that a production of Jesus Christ Superstar is headed to the outdoor amphitheater known as the Hollywood Bowl this summer. Show dates are set for August 1-3 at the cultural landmark that first opened in 1922.
And to make this account of Jesus’ life seem like the “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” one of the stars of the hit film Wicked will play Jesus! This would be Cynthia Erivo! In a column about the production, we’re told,
“In addition to portraying Jesus as a non-Jewish woman, she is bisexual.”
Media critic Gary Buechler doesn’t like it. Known online as Nerdrotic, he said Hollywood would never attempt such casting with an Islamic musical. Duh! You think The Satanic Verses got a reaction?!
The greatest controversy over the person of Jesus was His depth of grace expressed in forgiving His enemies. Even while He hung dying on the cross. He asked the Heavenly Father not to hold it against those who demanded His death.
Who would offer such forgiveness? Only God’s Son. The One who forgives adulterers. Thieves. Murderers. Self righteous Pharisees. Even really messed-up Hollywood types.
The reconciling power of the cross on Good Friday won’t be forced on anybody. The sinner needs to be saved. Saved from their own self righteousness. It takes a humble soul to admit that need. Jesus says,
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, CEV)
The sin-sick soul needs a Savior. Not a Superstar.
