JCS was an adroitly crafted superficial Broadway musical designed to get money from people by using dramatic tricks to emotionally manipulate. It succeeded and it too denies the divinity of Christ just as its inspiration. JCS articulated the prevalent worldly mind set of the time toward Christ, an anti-hero perhaps, but still and all, just a man among men.

I can only hope the Met. Hiliarion’s work is just a tab bit better and more real.

I’m with you on this one George. I remember being moved by this opera 30 or so years ago. One reason I suspect is that like +Hilarion, I appreciated its musical integrity. Its harmonies and melodies soar. Its lyrics rhyme. As a piece of musical theater, it’s not dischordant. Compare it to more modern pieces which are unrememorable.

Christ had been dragged around Jerusalem in chains, struck on the face, spat upon, mocked, and beaten. He had been silent through all His sufferings; He had said nothing to His tormentors. He only broke that silence when He saw the women weeping (“bewailing and lamenting”). Jesus turned and rebuked them sharply for their weeping:
“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

The tactics used by movie producers to appeal to the emotions of the audiences do not bring lasting benefits. In most cases it holds the interest and attention of some for a day, or a week, or perhaps a little while longer. One needs to make a huge step towards the understanding of the real issue: repentance. Why is He hanging there? This is an injustice! Does this weeping come because of a deep knowledge of one’s sin? Jesus does not want us to feel sorry for Him, but He calls us to believe in Him, to repent and to prepare ourselves for day of God’s wrath.