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Redemption’s Promise
Sample Script
by SandiZimmermanRebert
Copyright 1998 by Sandi Zimmerman Rebert. All rights reserved.
Please note: This is only a partial script.
(It is illegal to copy any of this script except to provide copies to those who may be evaluating the play for possible future use. In order to keep this ministry financially stable, copying for any other purpose is prohibited unless a Director’s Notebook has been purchased. Thank you for understanding.)
Act I/Scene 1
Mood Music: “Jason’s/Centurion’s Theme”
Setting: A busy street in Jerusalem near dusk; beginning of the year AD 33
Jason: (enters through the archway, stage right; He is running, pauses for a moment to catch his breath, as if he has been running hard for a long time. He looks back, as if being pursued, then begins running again and bumps into Shara. The basket she is carrying flies out of her hands sending bread, vegetables, etc. everywhere.)
Shara: My bread! My fruit!
Jason: (quickly picking up a few things and replacing them in the basket, still glancing around him at times; should speak as if out ofbreath.) I’m sorry, Ma’am.
Shara: Jason? Jason Bar-Micaiah! Don’t you remember me?
Jason: (still putting things in the basket, very nervous) No, Ma’am.
Shara:(rambles on quickly) Shara, wife of Maharai. Why, your mother and I were good friends. We grew up together here in Jerusalem. My husband and I have had the good pleasure of returning to Jerusalem this year for a visit.
Jason: (looks over his shoulder again) Please, Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I can’t stay and talk. (tries to go by her, but she grabs him by the arms)
Shara: Let me look at you! My, how you’ve grown. You were no higher than this (gestures as if describing a small boy) the last time I saw you. Your father must be proud of you!
Jason: Yes, Ma’am. Please— (He tries to get around her, but she block the way)
Shara: Does your family still live in the same house?
Jason: (trying to remain polite, glances back once more, very nervous) Yes, Ma’am.
Shara: And your mother, how is she? I have so much to tell her!
Jason: (worried) I don’t know. I don’t know where she it. Please, I— (tries to get around her again)
Shara: Don’t know where your mother is? (laughs) Probably, it’s more of a fact that she doesn’t know where you are! Tell her—
Jason: (sees soldiers through the stone archway) I’m sorry, I’ve got to leave! (pushes her aside and runs down the aisle)
Shara: (looking after him, indignant) Well, they certainly haven’t brought you up to be polite!
Antonius: (Antonius and a soldier enter through the stone archway, then stop. Antonius spots Jason.) There he is! (points to the back of the room, speaks to the crowd) Stop that boy! (Shara turns towards the soldiers to see what all the commotion is about and ends up blocking them.) Out of our way, woman! (Shara is very frightened. The more she tries to get out of their way, the more she is in their way.)
Soldier: Get out of the way before we run you through! (pushes her aside roughly; her basket falls, things go flying. The soldiers run down the aisle after Jason, who has already exited from the auditorium. The crowd should react to all that takes place. Shara reloads her basket slowly. She should take time to look down the aisle occasionally, shake her head, etc. Lights should dim on the street as people exit slowly, talking to each other. A few moments should pass as the lights on the set are dimmed. After the street is completely empty, Jason enters from the street in back of Antonius’ house. He should act as if he is in pain from running so hard. He should be out of breath and still look around him from time to time.)
Jason: (to himself) If only I can get to Joel’s house. He’ll help me get away. (sound effects of rain, thunder. Jason looks up, shivers, pulls his cloak more tightly around him. ) I can’t go on just yet. I’ll rest here awhile, just till the storm is over. (He sinks down in front of the door of Antonius’ house and falls asleep. A few moments should pass. Lights dim so that the stage is almost entirely darkened except for a dim spot on the front of the house. Ruth opens the door, and is about to throw a bucket of water onto the street, when she is startled to find Jason.)
Ruth: (gasps, as if frightened, backs away into house; goes behind the curtain) Master! Master, come quickly!
Antonius: (from backstage) What is it, Ruth?
Ruth: I found this boy, sir. (Ruth re-enters the room with Antonius, the Roman Centurion who had been chasing Jason earlier. They cross to the door.)
Antonius: (holding a torch, looks down at Jason) Boy! (Jason doesn’t respond; Antonius kicks him slightly) Boy, wake up! (Jason moans, as if sick.)
Ruth: I found him like this when I opened the door.
Antonius: (stoops down and lifts Jason’s face so he can see it in the light, recognizes him.) Well, well, well.
Ruth: Do you know this boy, sir?
Antonius: (nodding) You might say that. (He hands the torch to Ruth, then feels the side of Jason’s face) He’s burning up with fever. I’ll take him inside. Come, Jason. (helps Jason to his feet and into the upper room of the house.) (Lights Down)
End Scene
Mood Music - “Jason’s Theme”
Act 1/Scene 2
Setting: The upper room in Antonius’ house; a few days later
(Jason regains consciousness, looks slowly around him, gets up unsteadily, and goes to the window. He should seem confused about his surroundings. He crosses to the door and finds it will not open. Concerned, he begins to push on it harder. Suddenly, he hears a bolt being taken from it’s place on the other side, and the door opens. Antonius, the centurion, is standing there. Jason backs away. He is very frightened, but tries to act courageous.)
Antonius: I see you have recovered from your illness.
Jason: What do you want with me? Why am I here?
Antonius: I mean you no harm, Jason Bar-Micaiah.
Jason: (startled) How do you know my name?
Antonius: All of Jerusalem knows your family’s name by now. Your father made it famous, or rather infamous, before his tragic end.
Jason: End! (upset,angry) What do you mean? What have you done with him? (starts towards the door)
Antonius: (quickly pulls out his sword and holds it out, blocking Jason’s way) Not so fast, boy. (motions, with his head, for Jason to back away from the door)
Jason: (backs up slowly, looking down at the sword, pauses, then looks slowly up at the centurion. Antonius keeps a steady eye on Jason, then slowly replaces his sword in its sheath. Jason speaks defensively.) Where’s my mother? What’s happened to her?
Antonius: I know nothing of your mother’s whereabouts or well being.
Jason: Liar! (Antonius slaps him across the face)
Jason: ( turns away from Antonius; speaks brokenly after a period of silence) Why was my father killed?
Antonius: (slightly sarcastic) Are you so ignorant of your father’s activities? He was an insurrectionist. Only a few days ago he led a rebellion attempting to overthrow the governor.
Jason: (proudly) Then my father was a hero.
Antonius: Your father was a fool!
Jason: (turning angrily towards him) You Romans think you will rule the world forever! But you cannot silence those like my father who are willing to risk all for the freedom of their people. God will raise up another after him, and another, until, one day, He finally delivers us from the tyranny of Rome!
Antonius: (laughing at him, yet appreciative of his spirit) You are your father’s son, are you not?
Jason: (pauses, looks Antonius straight in the eyes) Yes, sir, I am.
Antonius: (in a serious tone) And, like your father, you will meet an untimely death, if you are not careful to guard your tongue! (starts to leave)
Jason: Wait! (becomes more respectful) Please—how long am I to be kept here? What’s to become of me?
Antonius: That, proud son of Israel, will be entirely dependent upon you. (exits, bolts the door behind him)
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Mood Music - “Jason’s/Centurion’s Theme”
Act I/Scene 3
Setting: Upper room in Antonius’ house; a week later
(Jason paces back and forth in the room, sighs, stops at the window, looks wistfully at the outside. Antonius enters; Jason ignores him.)
Antonius: I suppose you are wondering how many more days, weeks, or months you are to be kept confined within these four walls.
Jason: (sarcastically; keeping his back to Antonius) The thought has crossed my mind on occasion.
Antonius: You were originally held here until the tribune had a chance to question you.
Jason: (turning towards him; speaks with impatience) Which he has done.
Antonius: Yes, and to your benefit, he has come to the conclusion that you were unaware of your father’s activities and therefore not to be held accountable.
Jason: (hopefully) Then I am free to go?
Antonius: Not exactly.
Jason: (angry, frustrated) Why? I’ve done nothing wrong! He has no right to keep me here any longer!
Antonius: (gravely) I’m afraid he has the right to do whatever he sees fit to do with you.
Jason: (turning back to the window) And that is—
Antonius: That you are not free to go back to your people.
Jason: (desperately) Why?
Antonius: The tribune believes you have the seeds of rebellion in your soul. If you should come into the acquaintance of others who, like your father, would plot against Roman authority, you would be easily persuaded to join them. Perhaps, like your father, you would even lead them against the governor himself.
Jason: I would consider it an honor to finish what my father began.
Antonius: (nodding his understanding) Which is precisely why you are to remain in my custody.
Jason: (turning back towards the soldier) Do you mean I’m to be held prisoner in this room for the rest of my life?
Antonius: No—not in this room, under my supervision, where I can keep an eye on your activities. You are to be given a position in my household—
Jason: (cutting him off) As a slave.
Antonius: (pauses, walks away from Jason a few steps, in deep thought) As my son.
Jason: (astonished and angry) Your son! (turns away abruptly) I would rather die than be the son of a Roman!
Antonius: There are some who have suggested such a fate for you. I bargained with the tribune for your life. You should be grateful.
Jason: (sarcastically) Grateful.
(There is an uncomfortably lengthy pause.)
Jason: (looking back at Antonius) I suppose I have no choice in the matter.
Antonius: I will not force you to become my son. You have already mentioned one possibilit
Jason: (hanging his head despondently) Slavery.
Antonius: Or prison. Those are the only other choices I may offer, (walkstowards the door, then turns around slowly) neither of which would be advisable. I will give you two days to think it over. (exits)
Jason: (speaks angrily towards the door a few seconds after the centurion leaves) There is nothing to think about! (turns back towards the window, lookslongingly out at the city; to himself, quieter, crushed) I could never be the son of a Roman.
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Act I/Scene 8
Mood Music: “Shara’s Theme”
Setting: That same night; just after dark.
Shara: (entering through the archway, glancing around her cautiously; she begins talking to herself) I’d best hurry home. It’s not safe to be out on the streets of Jerusalem after dark. Maharai will worry about me if I fail to return soon. (sees Jason leave Antonius’ house, gasps, speaks in a stage whisper) There he is! So that must be where the centurion lives. (looks up at the darkening sky).
(looking at Jason again) I wonder why he’s leaving the house at dusk. (decidedly) I simply must find out what that boy is up to! (hides in the archway. Aurilius comes from around the back of Antonius’ house and follows Jason as far as the center platform.)
Jason: (knocks on the door of Joel’s house. Joel answers.)
Joel: Jason— (steps outside, gently forcing Jason back some; Shara hides inside the stone archway. Aurilius presses himself against the platform leading to the Tribune’s Hall.) It’s too soon for you to come again. Mother—
Jason: (cutting him off, speaks in a stage whisper) Please, Joel, I have to speak with you at once. I have something of great importance to tell you.
Joel: Then tell me out here.
Jason: (glancing around cautiously) I can’t. Someone may hear.
Joel: (reluctantly) Very well. Come in. (Jason enters. Joel’s mother, Abigail, enters at the same time from another room.)
Abigail: (coldly) What are you doing here again?
Jason: (politely, yet firmly) I came to speak with Joel.
Abigail: I want Joel to have nothing to do with you.
Jason: Please, I—
Joel: (motioning for Jason to be silent; then to his mother, reassuringly) It’s all right, Mother.
Abigail: (emotionally) He’ll lead you into trouble, Joel, just like his father led your father— (begins to weep; leaves the room abruptly)
Joel: (turning back towards Jason) You can’t blame her, Jason.
Jason: (hanging his head) I know. And I don’t blame you for not trusting me.
(Aurilius moves closer to the house. Shara is startled by him; she gasps and runs offstage.)
Joel: (motions for Jason to sit down)
Jason: I have heard, just today, of a man who may be able to help us.
Joel: (sounding uninterested) In what way?
Jason: To lead our people against the Romans. If the things told about Him are true, He would be the greatest military leader the world has ever known!
Joel: Do you know this man’s name?
Jason: Jesus. He had been preaching up near Galilee a while back.
Joel: (nodding his head in understanding) I saw this man myself when I was in Bethany just last week.
Jason: You did? Have you heard of the miracles He’s performed and that some are calling him the Messiah?
Joel: Yes. Yes, I have. You are right; He is miraculous. I saw him raise a man from the dead, Jason!
Jason: Raise a man from the dead! There you see! This man would be invincible at the head of an army! If only I could meet him, convince him to— (noticing that Joel is deep in thought) What is it, Joel?
Joel: I don’t know. I’m just not certain He’s what you think He is?
Jason: What do you mean?
Joel: Well, I’ve heard it said that when He preaches to the multitudes He speaks of turning the other cheek instead of seeking revenge, even going out of your way to do good to those that hate you. He’s so—so mild mannered, meek, I’d guess you’d say. He talks in parables. He preaches of love, peace. I just can’t imagine Him leading an army.
Jason: (getting up) Maybe you’re right, but I’m not ready to rule out the possibility. I plan on finding out all I can about Him.
(crosses to the door) If you hear anymore, will you tell me?
Joel: Of course I will, Jason.
Jason: (nods thankfully, pauses) Tell your mother I—I’m sorry to have bothered her again.
Joel: It will take time, Jason, for the hurt to heal.
Jason: (long pause, quietly, thoughtfully, thinking of his own hurt) I know.
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Mood Music - “Joel’s/Jason’s Themes
Act 1/Scene 9
Setting: Main room of Antonius’ home; a week later
(Aurilius is speaking with Antonius. Jason is hiding inside the upper room, listening to plans.)
Aurilius: The weapons are to be arriving two days hence. The tribune is putting you in charge of them, once they have been delivered, to see that they are properly dispersed among the soldiers in the garrison.
Antonius: (nodding his head in understanding) Am I to meet the company along the way or receive them here in Jerusalem?
Aurilius: They will be brought directly to the garrison under heavy guard. We wouldn’t want them to get into the hands of any of these Jewish malcontents. (looks around the room as if searching for Jason. Jason presses himself against the wall so as to be certain not to be seen)
Antonius: If you are referring to my son, Aurilius, you need not worry. I don’t think he would be so foolish as to attempt an attack on a band of Roman soldiers single-handedly.
Aurilius: Don’t be too certain, Antonius. The tribune would not be pleased if that boy does anything to dishonor your name.
Antonius: (laughing) Aurilius, you know just the opposite is true. (with mock respect, distantly, as if remembering a past injustice) The “tribune” would like nothing better than to have my name dishonored.
Aurilius: And you would like nothing better than the same for him, so that you could sit in his place of authority.
Antonius: It should have been my place, Aurilius. You know that! Everyone in the garrison knows that! I have led more successful campaigns than Petronai. I should have been appointed by the governor.
Aurilius: Ah, if only you hadn’t married Rebekah. Marriage, in and of itself, is forbidden for a soldier. Not only did you get married, without official sanction, but to a Jew at that. It caused the governor to be concerned that you would be too sympathetic to a conquered people.
Antonius: I would do it again in a moment. I loved her, Aurilius. (sighs) I still do.
Aurilius: Is that why you would risk your reputation for this boy?
Antonius: Yes! My son, Caius, had he lived, would have been Jason’s age by now. Having Jason as my son is like having a part of my wife and child with me. (laughs thoughtfully) Do you find it strange, Aurilius, that a centurion could have such feelings, (chuckles again) any feelings for that matter?
Aurilius: No. (pauses) I only hope he doesn’t disappoint you.
(The audience should see Jason’s struggle with what he has just heard and what he plans to do against the Romans.)
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Act II/Scene 4
Setting: The atrium of Antonius’ house; a month later
(Jason enters from the back of the auditorium, down the center aisle, and crosses to Antonius’ house; he is obviously very happy)
Antonius: (entering from behind the curtain in back of the atrium just as Jason is about to go to his room) Where have you been that you should be in such high spirits?
Jason: (with back still towards Antonius, hesitates to answer)
Antonius: Do not think, Jason, that because you are now free to leave this house, you are not still under surveillance. The tribune continues to have his spies, as do I. It has been reported that you went to hear some impostor pretending to be that Jesus who was crucified last month.
Jason: (turning towards Antonius) He was not an impostor, sir. It was Jesus Himself.
Antonius: (laughing at him) That’s impossible! I saw the man crucified! No-one survives Roman crucifixion. I know He was dead!
Jason: Yes, sir, He was. But, He rose from the dead only three days after his burial.
Antonius: No man can raise himself from the dead!
Jason: I know. Jesus is no mere man. He is the Son of God.
Antonius: (shakes his head)
Jason: When you told me the details of His death, you failed to tell me that an acquaintance of yours, the centurion in charge of the crucifixion, admitted that Jesus was the Son of God.
Antonius: (somewhat shaken) He was simply overreacting to the darkness, the earthquake.
Jason: No, sir. Don’t you see? He has to be God Himself come in the flesh. No mere man could raise himself from the dead. Only God could do that!
Antonius: He didn’t rise from the dead! I know the men that guarded His tomb; they claim his disciples came and stole his body while they slept.
Jason: (thoughtfully) I also heard that report. And, I heard that these “guards” had nothing happen to them as punishment. I was under the impression that the government executed men for deserting their post.
Antonius: You have said enough, Jason. I forbid you to see this man again!
Jason: If you are concerned about me joining Him for the cause of insurrection, you need not worry. (pauses, turns away, thoughtfully) I understand now what Joel had been trying to tell me, what Ruth was saying. Jesus came to bring freedom; it is true. But, He came to bring freedom of the soul, freedom from sin. (turning back towards Antonius, he takes hold of Antonius’ arm, as if concerned for his soul) Redemption’s promise is not for the Jew alone, but for all men, everywhere, who will turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Antonius: (shaking him off roughly) I am warning you, Jason. You are to have nothing to do with this man! He was crucified as a hated criminal! Your own people—
Jason: (sadly) My own people did not realize what they were doing. They did not understand the prophecies of Isaiah. They did not know that their Messiah must first suffer for their sins, (pauses) and that it would be at their own hands.
The Man I heard preaching today is Jesus. I saw and heard Him before His death. There is no mistaking it. Five hundred people are witnesses! He even had the nail scars in His hands.
Antonius: You are not to become one of his followers!
Jason: (softly, respectfully) I already have, sir.
Antonius: Then you must deny Him at once. Petronai already distrusts you. If he finds out—
Jason: I know there is animosity between you and the tribune. I know that he would like nothing better than to humiliate you because of my beliefs. For your sake, I will do as you say; I will not go to see Jesus again. But, I cannot deny Him. My faith in Christ is not something I can put on and take off again, as a cloak. Something inside of me changed when I confessed my sin to Him and received Him as my Savior. It is a change that will last for all eternity. (Antonius exits angrily to the back room.)
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Mood Music - “Jason’s Theme”
Act II/Scene 5
Setting: The streets of Jerusalem; about ten days later
(Jason enters the street, stage left; Shara enters stage right, notices Jason)
Shara: (touching his fancy cloak) Well, I see you are still associated with the centurion.
Jason: Yes, Ma’am.
Shara: With your mother not being heard of since your father’s execution, I’m surprised you would still want to be a part of them.
Jason: Well, it’s not that I—
Shara: What do you think of all the excitement that has occurred in Jerusalem, these last two months, over this Jesus of Nazareth?
Jason: I—
Shara: When my husband and I decided to return here for good, we had no idea that things would be in such an uproar. I wonder if the city will ever be the same again because of all that’s happened here.
Jason: (thoughtfully) The world will never be the same again, Ma’am.
Shara: (seriously interested) What do you mean?
Jason: I heard one of His disciples preaching today. Peter was his name. He said that this same Jesus, Who was crucified and rose again, has now ascended up into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God!
Shara: Oh, my! I had no idea. This is exciting! (notices a friend of hers passing by; she is excited, but serious) Esther, come hear what this boy has to tell! (Her friend comes over to listen to Jason. Shara sees two other friends.) Shimea, Adah, come here! (Shara continues to gather friends as Jason tells them what happened at Pentecost. Jason should ad lib the discussion.)
Aurilius: (sees crowd, mistakes it for an unruly mob) What is going on here? All of you disperse! Go home! Who’s responsible for this ruckus?
Shara: (frightened, trying to explain, not meaning to cause harm) This boy was just telling us about Jesus, the One you Romans crucified. Why—
Aurilius: (recognizing Jason, cuts her off and speaks to Jason) You. I should have known. You are under arrest, Jason Bar-Micaiah. (nods to the soldier to tie Jason’s hands behind him.)
Jason: (struggling somewhat) Under arrest! For what reason?
Aurilius: For inciting a riot. (Shara quietly backs offstage.)
Jason: (trying to plead his case) I did nothing of the kind. I was simply—
Aurilius: (cutting him off) You were simply stirring up the people concerning a condemned criminal.
Jason: (respectfully, but firmly) He was not a criminal; He was the Son of God. One of your own centurions admitted as much.
Aurilius: (slaps Jason) Silence! (roughly pushes Jason towards the stairs to the Tribune’s Hall) The tribunewill be gratified to finally have an opportunity to sentence you. (Jason is thrown down on top of the lower steps. A soldier departs through the archway and returns moments later with Petronai. Petronai pauses upon seeing Jason, then is seated. Aurilius walks over to him and whispers the charges against Jason.)
Petronai: So, you are in trouble once more, son of Antonius. Only this time you will be given no more chances. You have rebelled against my authority once too often.
Jason: (earnestly) Please, sir, I wasn’t rebelling against your authority. I was only telling what I had seen and heard. It was not meant to be a threat against you or Rome.
Petronai: (laughs) With your personal history of insurrection, you expect me to believe that! You must take me for a fool. (pauses, gets up from his seat, contemplates what to do, then takes Aurilius’ sword from its sheath and walks down the steps towards Jason. He takes Jason by the hair, forcing his head back, and puts the sword threateningly to Jason’s throat.) But, it is you who are the fool.
(Petronai releases Jason, walks back to his chair, then speaks to Aurilius.)Bring Antonius to me at once. (Aurilius salutes, then begins to leave. Petronai puts out his hand and stops him.) Do not tell him why I have sent for him.
I have sought for such an occasion as this, (looks over at Jason) to be able to put Antonius in his place once and for all. (turns back to Aurilius) Ever since he was overlooked for the position of commander of the garrison here at Jerusalem, and I was appointed in his stead, he has been jealous. Though I should have power over him, somehow he has always managed to lord himself over me. It was because of his marriage to a Jewish woman, you know, that the governor denied him the post he sought. Though we permitted it, his adoption of this boy was, in part, a slap in the face to both myself and the governor. I have never quite trusted him since. (looks back towards Jason) This is my chance to test the true loyalties of my “friend.”
(Petronai tells Aurilius some things that the audience does not hear. Aurilius crosses to Jason, turns him away from where Antonius will be standing, then forces him to his knees, with his head down. Aurilius and another guard stand in front of Jason, so he may not to be seen by Antonius.)
Antonius: (salutes) You sent for me, sir.
Petronai: Yes, Antonius. I have a prisoner who has been condemned for inciting a riot. He was stirring up the people against us concerning that Jesus of Nazareth whom we condemned as a criminal. I wish for you to scourge him.
Antonius: (saluting again) Yes, sir. (steps towards Aurilius)
Petronai: (nodding to Aurilius; Aurilius lifts Jason to his feet and turns him towards Antonius) Take a good look at him, Centurion! He’s your son!
Antonius: (taken back at first, and realizing that he is being tested, Antonius struggles with his emotions. He looks from Jason, to the Tribune, and back to Jason again. After a long, tense pause, he speaks firmly and slowly with controlled anger.) I have no son! (takes Jason by the arm and roughly pushes him ahead of him through the pillared archway)
(Lights Down)
End Scene
Mood Music - “Tribune’s Theme”
(The play ends with Act II, Scene 6. And, yes, Jason is reunited with his mother!)
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