Much controversy swells around the depiction of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ, Superstar. The film braves to tackle Mary's confusion over her emotions toward Jesus. She wonders how she ought to act towards him. She dedicates a resonating anthem to such thoughts.
The question of Mary is perhaps fascinating, but Jesus Christ, Superstar is not about her.
It's about Judas Iscariot.
Often I have felt sympathy for that pitiable character, but the Gospel of John clearly denotes that I shouldn't.
13:26b-27
...So when He (Jesus) had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."
There is no room for pity.
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Judas has betrayed the Son of God into the hands of those who seek His blood. He runs to Caiaphas, pleading to undo what is done. It cannot be so. What is done, is done. Judas throws his reward money at the feet of priests.
Then, after a brief moment of silence, Judas falls to his knees. He cries out. He pleads.
In a moment of torment, Judas repeats Mary Magdalene's melody. He sings,
I don't know how to love him.
I don't know why he moves me.
He's a man.
He's just a man.
He is not a king.
He's just the same as anyone I know.
He scares me so.
When he's cold and dead,
will he let me be?
Does he love, does he love me too?
Does he care for me?
A breath later, the voices begin. A terror crafted only for the betrayer commences.
There is to be no mercy for him.
He hangs himself.
I too, don't know how to love God; know how to love Jesus Christ, my Messiah.
He scares me so.
I find myself confessing the doubt; Does He love me too?
But I know He's not just a man.
Amen, Mr. Stack! Amen!
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