The Show of Shows
I extend to you another warm welcome, as we are about to witness the greatest spectacle of all time. The show of shows. Today, we read Luke chapters 23 and 24.
Don’t mistake my meaning—Jesus truly dies and is resurrected. But I call it the show of shows because, except for what Jesus endured, so much of what we see is simply performance.
It begins with a lie: the false accusation that Jesus taught against paying taxes. Yet we had previously heard Him say, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Luke 20:25). They didn’t want justice—they wanted entertainment.
The Crowd Craves Violence
We are no different. Current reports show that over 60% of modern films contain violence. Action movies are the worst, with over 90% featuring violent content. What we call entertainment exposes viewers to an average of 23 violent acts per hour (1).
In Jerusalem, a crowd gathered for bloodshed. They didn’t have movies, but they wanted brutality. There’s something about seeing someone else get the beating you deserve—even if you know you deserved it too. Perhaps the knowledge that you got away with it makes you feel superior to those who didn’t.
But Jesus had done no wrong. He had caused no insurrection like Barabbas had (Luke 23:19). There were no murders from His followers. That contrast made people uncomfortable. They didn’t want to confront their own sin—they wanted to see this man killed.
Herod, Pilate, and the Politics of Performance
Herod Antipas, who had John the Baptist beheaded for calling out his sin (Mark 6:17–27), had heard of Jesus. He wanted to see signs and wonders—not to worship, but to be entertained (Luke 23:8–9). Jesus knew his heart and remained silent.
Pilate, once Herod’s enemy, joined the spectacle. He taunted Jesus, inflamed the crowd, and bonded with Herod over the drama (Luke 23:12). The people had a convicted insurrectionist in their grasp, but watching him die would be boring. His vileness made him a crowd favorite.
You can compare this to watching the Fast and Furious franchise, which glorifies lawbreaking and violence. We revere these characters as heroes. They’re exciting to watch.
The Greatest Performance of All
Then comes the greatest performance of all—Jesus. I am not being irreverent. I know without a doubt He suffered a worse beating than any man could tolerate (Isaiah 52:14). He died—not almost, but completely (Luke 23:46).
He had told His disciples repeatedly that He would rise again (Luke 9:22; 18:33). He is God and knew the grave would not hold Him. So He let Satan believe he had won, when in truth it was the greatest defeat in history. By letting Jesus pay for our sins, Satan lost power over all who believe in Him (Colossians 2:15).
The Cup and the Separation
The part that wasn’t theater was the cup. Jesus had to do the one thing He had avoided His whole life—take our sins upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Drinking that cup meant separation from the Father (Matthew 27:46). He did this knowing what it would cost Him, but also what it would mean for you and me.
Passion, Not Spectacle
Many films have also adapted this story, and they are violent too. But when I watch The Greatest Story Ever Told or The Passion of the Christ, it’s not the violence that moves me—it’s the love of the man who took that punishment for me.
Therefore, it’s called the Passion. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus did this. The most amazing part is that He did it for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). We were that bloodthirsty crowd yelling, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21). Yet on the cross, He was already asking for our forgiveness (Luke 23:34).
Choose Wisely
If you are a born-again believer, I hope you can appreciate what your Lord did for you as you read these chapters. If you are not, please realize this was the punishment meant for you. You still own it. It’s yours to choose.
Do you want the death this man took—or the life that Jesus offers you?
Choose wisely.
Tomorrow, we will read John 1-3.
Footnotes
- “Movie Violence Has Increased Across All Genres Over Past 50 Years,” ScienceBlog, accessed October 22, 2025, https://scienceblog.com/movie-violence-has-increased-across-all-genres-over-past-50-years-massive-study-finds/..