All too often, the speed of the 24 hour news machine reduces complex stories to bite size talking points. Journalists and talking heads seem to take one look at a news story and then grind the details through their pre-existing narratives.

It got me wondering how Cable News would have spun Holy Week. And after a week of 24 hour coverage how would the public feel about Jesus’ crucifixion?

This is how I imagine it might have gone.

Palm Sunday Riots

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Passover weekend. Thousands of Jewish people had come to the city for the holiday. A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21)

Interviews with Pharisees

After feeding a crowd Jesus said, ” I tell you, you are looking for me, not because of my miracles and teachers but because I gave you bread to eat, but I am the bread of life. ” (John 6)

Jesus’ Attacking Vendors Selling in the Temple

Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written,‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21)

Examining Jesus’ Friends

Jesus’ had a wide cast of friends and disciples from a former terrorist Simon the Zealot, and followers like Matthew and Zacchaeus, both former Roman tax collectors. (Luke 6, 19)

Arrested in Garden of Gethsemane

When the officers came to arrest Jesus one of Jesus’ disciples reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus told him not to fight and healed the officer’s ear. (Matthew 26)

Jesus’ Crucifixion

Pontius Pilate asked the crowds outside his palace, “What evil has Jesus done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. (Luke 23)

Easter Sunday

And by the time Easter Sunday rolled around I imagine the News would have moved on…