Mephistopheles as a reflection of Jesus

Not the actual picture, but Mephistopheles has been represented as an adaptation of Jesus on the cross in a theatre version of Dr Faustus.
Mephistopheles being represented as Christ makes him easily recognisable and therefore a signifier. The representation in this form is to shock the audience as a system of belief has been turned on its head. Marlowe was accused of atheism and the Director of this version may have wanted to portray this feeling. This is also a binary opposition; the Devil is a fusion of both good and evil. Dr Faustus is a morality play and presenting Mephistopheles like this makes the determination of evil much harder. Also temptation is a key factor during the play, a fusion of Christ and the Devil represents this. Finally Mephistopheles presents himself as a tormented Christ to create a revulsion within the audience and is ironic.