"Jesus Christ, Superstar" is about as good a description as we can come up with as we read the text. He tried to sit down with his disciples for a little rest and relaxation, but the people would not let him alone. No matter where he went, people clamored for his attention, and in particular, his healing touch. He was a superstar.

These days, calling Jesus Christ a "Superstar" is not particularly startling, but in 1970, when the rock opera of that name came out, it was a jarring choice of words and caused quite a stir. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber put together a two-act musical that largely followed the biblical accounts of the last weeks of Jesus' life, with certain artistic license, of course. Contemporary attitudes and sensibilities as well as modern slang pervaded the lyrics, and …