Kurt Eisele

“Jesus Christ Superstar”

In “Jesus Christ Superstar“, the character of Jesus Christ seems to be portrayed with a low Christology. My main reason for determining this was when Jesus was furious with the people selling things at the temple. The frustration of Jesus seemed to be much exaggerated, as he was yelling and screaming and throwing things all over the place. Another section of the movie that I thought showed a low Christology was when the lepers crowded around Jesus, and he told them to get away. Though there were many of them, I am sure there was something Jesus could have done to heal them. Also, the movie didn’t show Jesus performing any miracles, and there were no parables.

Throughout various parts of the movie, Jesus doubts himself and his disciples. While on the cross, he said “father, father, why have you forgotten me?”, and Jesus doubted the disciples when they fell asleep leaving him alone. We also see a few scenes in which Jesus and Mary Magdalen are close. This makes me wonder if they were suggesting that they had a relationship. Finally, Jesus didn’t do anything when King Herod and Pontius Pilate put him down. He could have proven to them that he was divine, but let them continue in their mockery.

The first belief of Jesus that I see reflected in “Jesus Christ Superstar” is that Power and Glory come with peace, not violence. This was shown mainly within the song “Poor Jerusalem”. In this song, Simon the Zealot wants Jesus to be a military Messiah, but Jesus explains to him that power and glory will be found using peaceful manners. Simon explains that Rome has “raped” their country, and wants Jesus to organize a takeover. I thought the last line of the song was very touching, Jesus said “to conquer death, you only have to die.” He is explaining that dying for your beliefs is very meaningful and important.

Another belief that I thought was stressed in this movie was Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus. Judas went to Annas and Caiaphas, and told them when and where to find Jesus. Annas says he will be payed, but Judas said he doesn’t want their “blood money” Judas goes on to tell them that Thursday night, Jesus will be alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, at the Last Supper, Jesus tells Judas that he knows he has betrayed him. Judas denies it, but ends up killing himself in sorrow.

The last main belief of Jesus that I saw in “Jesus Christ Superstar” was Jesus’ death. It began when Peter denied Jesus three times after Jesus told Peter that he would. Jesus was condemned by Pilate and Herod, then whipped thirty-nine times. Jesus carries his cross up the hill, and is nailed to it. He says “Father, father, why have you forgotten me?”, and then “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Jesus dies, and the movie ends.