(The St. Matthew’s Passion performed by Ex Cathedra in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, with tea and hot-cross buns in the interval.)

The man we call Jesus believed in stories,
In Hebrew prophecies being fulfilled.
A terrorist, broken in body and spirit,
He found a cruel slow way to be killed.

His story was written and changed and translated,
Wrapped in music and pictures, to wring
Our hearts, to frighten us into the myth –
To this end the glorious voices sing.

Professional players peddle their magic,
The young sell their voices, the listeners applaud.
But where in all this is the bleeding rebel
Who came to bring not peace but a sword?

The concert-goers buy their programmes
And queue for the loo. But where is the Son
Of Man in all this well-heeled melee?
Does Jesus save with a hot-cross bun?