I don't think they know what they are doing nor do I think they know anything about who Jesus is. In fact, they are running from him and who he is–running as fast as they can. Ergo, they instinctively and unconsciously choose a creature who, like themselves, is the most distant as possible from the real person of Jesus.
The whole musical is blsasmeous,and sp is Godspell.
Archie Bunker said it best:
“Jesus Christ I dig, and I dug him long before you weirdos turned him into a superstar.”