Rowan Atkinson and The Amazing Jesus

There's this Rowan Atkinson sketch where he does a comically solemn vicar character delivering a sermon about "The Amazing Jesus" --

And on the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. And it came to pass that all the wine was drunk. And the mother of the bride came to Jesus and said unto the Lord, they have no more wine. And Jesus said unto the servants: "Fill six waterpots with water." And they did so. And when the steward of the feast did taste from the water of the pots, it had become wine. And they knew not whence it had come.

But the servants did know, so they applauded loudly in the kitchen. And they said unto the Lord: "How the hell did you do that?" And inquired of him: "Do you do children's parties" And the Lord said: "No." But the servants did press him, saying; "Go on, give us another one!" [...]

And they brought him on a stretcher a man who was sick of the palsy. And they cried unto him: "Maestro, this man is sick of the palsy." And the Lord said: "If I had to spend my whole life on a stretcher, I'd be pretty sick of the palsy, too!" And they were filled with joy. And cried out: "Lord, thy one-liners are as good as thy tricks. Thou art indeed an all-round family entertainer." (Rowan Atkinson)

Thing is, this isn't far short of how some actual first century observers seemed to view Jesus...

Herod was very pleased when he saw Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been wanting to see him for a long time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some miracle. So Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus made no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law stepped forward and made strong accusations against Jesus. Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus and treated him with contempt; then they put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. On that very day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this they had been enemies. (Luke 23:8-12, GNB)

The remarkable thing about Jesus in this instance is his refusal to perform. Luke's gospel hitherto is pretty uncompromisingly clear about his genuine capacity to astound -- with wonders (e.g. Mark 4:31-41), miracles (e.g. John 11), profoundly insightful statements (e.g. Matthew 7:28-29). But now -- just when he has centre stage, not to mention the compelling (for most) incentive of 'saving his own skin' from an imminent unjust sentence -- he declines to play to his prestigious audience. Instead, "like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Amazing.


[Thumbnail image cc by The Rocketeer on Flickr.]