|
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
by
Sandi Zimmerman Rebert
Copyright 1997 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 1/Scene 1
(Lights up on center stage-mountainside scene)
Salome:(enters, stage right, speaks to the audience) Oh, hello. I don’t believe we’ve ever met. You’ve just come to Jerusalem today? Then you haven’t heard about the events of the past few weeks. Oh, what a stir of excitement there has been. Do you have a moment? Would you mind if I told you? I realize we’re strangers to each other, but—well, this news is so glorious I just can’t keep it to myself. As a matter of fact, it would be a sin to keep it to myself.
You see, it’s about this man called Jesus. Oh, you have heard of His name. Did you ever hear Him preach? I remember the first time I saw and heard him. It was in Galilee on the top of a mountain… (The choir, dressed in biblical costumes, begins to enter slowly from all corners of the stage area. They sing “Tell Me The Story of Jesus” as they enter, then sit or stand in various places on the stage. The song may be divided up between the choir members as solo parts, duets, etc., as if they were singing conversationally. It works well to have the entire choir sing the last line of the first two verses. The refrain should be sung only once at the end of the entire song with everyone singing in four-part harmonization.)
Salome: (as she sits down on a rock) To hear Him speak! His words…
Choir Woman 1: His words are full of love and mercy.
Voice of Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
Choir Man 1: His words are commanding, authoritative!
Voice of Jesus: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”
Choir Man 2: His words reveal that He is none other than God Himself!
Voice of Jesus: “I and my Father are one.”
Choir Woman 2: His words are so compassionate.
Voice of Jesus: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
Choir Woman 3: His words are like a parable; at times they are difficult to understand.
Voice of Jesus: “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Salome: Yes, His words were like no other man’s. When He opened up the Holy Scriptures to us, it were as if, (searching for the right words) as if…
Salome and Woman 1,2,3, Man 1,2: …as if He were their author!
(Choir sings verses one and four of “Break Thou The Bread of Life.” Divide the first two phrases between men and women. Use two part harmony for each. The last two phrases of each verse should be sung in four-part harmony by all.)
Salome: (to the audience) There’s so much to tell you! (notices James and John) Wait. (rises) Do you see those two men over there? They could do much better than I in describing the life of Jesus to you. You see, they were two of His closest disciples. (She walks over to the men. The choir members exit slowly. The ladies exit to both side aisles and remain there throughout the flashbacks to follow, providing an antiphonal effect) Excuse me.
James: (bowing slightly) Greetings, sister Salome.
Salome: I’d like to introduce you to some people. I met them only a few minutes ago. It seems they have just arrived in Jerusalem as of today. I was attempting to tell them about Jesus, but, since the two of you were so close to Him, I thought perhaps you could do better at telling them what He was really like.
James: Of course. We’d love nothing more.
Salome: Oh, thank you so much!
(to the audience) It was nice meeting you. I’m certain you’ll find what they have to say to be very informative and exciting. I must go now. I need to purchase some vegetables at the market. Good-day. (Salome exits, stage left)
James: (to the audience) Well, first of all, I suppose we should introduce ourselves. My name is James, and this is my brother, John.
John: (also speaks to the audience) Greetings.
James: As Salome said, we were, and still are, disciples of Jesus. He chose twelve of us to work side-by-side with Him in His ministry.
John: It’s quite an honor to be His follower. You see, we believe with all our hearts that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the One sent from God, the One for Whom all Israel has waited!
James: It’s true. If we hadn’t felt compelled to follow Him, we would not have left our ships.
John: Let me explain. My brother and I are fishermen. It’s our family’s business. I never would have believed we would leave it…
James: Our fishing partners, Peter and Andrew, also left all to follow Him.
(James and John each sing one verse (#1, #3) of “Jesus Calls Us.” Verses #2 and #4 may be sung as a duet.)
James: (speaking again) Little did we know when we made that decision to follow Jesus and become ‘fishers of men,’ as He called us, what unusual and, as Salome said, exciting events we would witness.
John: We’ll be happy to tell you all we can about His ministry among our people. (pauses) Or perhaps you’d rather see it for yourselves.
(There are four more flashback scenes in Act I. They are as follows:)
Flashback #1-The Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42)
(The choir ladies sing from their positions around the outside aisles. They sing only the title of the song “Tell Me The Story of Jesus,” fading out at the end of the phrase.)
(A small scene of a well with a tree beside it is illuminated. A woman enters holding a water pot on her head. She notices Christ. The audience never sees Him, but hears His voice spoken through a microphone offstage. Those onstage, who are speaking to Him, must focus toward the audience at a designated point,, as though Christ were standing there.)
Woman: (quietly, as she kneels by the well) Good-day, sir. (starts to draw water)
Voice of Jesus: “Give me to drink.”
Woman: (hesitates, looks at Him with a puzzled expression) “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria, for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”
Voice of Jesus: “If thou knewest the gift of God and Who It is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.”
Woman: “But, sir,” (pauses) “you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water?” (skeptically) “Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his children, and his cattle?”
Voice of Jesus: “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall neverthirst; butthe water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Woman: (rises, very interested in what He has just said) “ Sir, give me this water, so I don’t thirst anymore, and so I won’t have to come and draw water again.”
Voice of Jesus: “Go, call thy husband and come hither.”
Woman: (pauses; looks down at the ground, trying to hide her guilt) “I—have no husband.”
Voice of Jesus: “Thou hast well said, I have no husband, for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.”
Woman: (unable to speak at first; amazed and embarrassed that He should know about her sin) “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; yet the Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
Voice of Jesus: “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Woman: “I know that when the Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.”
Voice of Jesus: “I that speak unto thee am He.”
Woman: (visibly shaken, nervously sets down her water pot) I—I must go and tell them in the city. (backs away, somewhat frightened yet very excited)
I must tell them You know everything about me. I must tell them… (pause) I have seen the Christ!
End Flashback #1
(Lights off scene)
(There are five more flashback scenes in Act I. Each one begins with the Ladies chorus singing a phrase of a hymn which mentions the life of Christ, such as “Tell Me the Old Old Story,” “More About Jesus,” etc. They are as follows:
Flashback #2 - The Leper (Matthew 8:2-4)
Flashback #3 - The Centurion’s Servant Healed (Luke 7:1-10
Flashback #4 - Raising of the Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-18)
Flashback #5 - Jesus Blesses the Children (Luke 18:15-17)
Flashback #6- Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
INTERMISSION
Act II, Scene 1
(After Intermission)
(James and John are back on stage, where they were before the flashbacks, as lights come up gradually)
James: (to the audience) You’re probably wondering what happened to Zacchaeus. Well, he climbed one of those sycamore trees and, not only did he see Jesus, but Jesus saw him. Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down because He was going to go to his house!
John: The crowd was puzzled and a bit angry. They couldn’t imagine how Jesus could even think of going to the house of such a sinner!
James: But, as Jesus Himself said to Zacchaeus, He had come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John: What a changed man Zacchaeus became!
James: It happens to everyone who comes to Jesus by faith and repents of their sins.
John: Zacchaeus not only repented, he restored everything he had taken by deceit—fourfold! He also gave half his goods to the poor!
James: Well, as you’ve seen for yourselves, our lives following the Master were anything but dull.
John: And those are just a few of the instances. Time would hinder us from telling you about all the miracles He performed.
James: Not to mention the parables He taught, the occasion when He chased the crooked money dealers out of the temple…
John: Or the way He revealed the hypocrisy of many of our religious leaders. (pauses) Jesus did so many wonderful things in the last three years that, if they should all be written down, “I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written!”
James: During that time Jesus made many friends. Three of His closest friends were a man named Lazarus, and his sisters, Mary and Martha.
John: What a blessing they were to His ministry! Their home was always open to Him, for they loved Him greatly… (James and John remain onstage, heads down and motionless, during the following flashback)
Act II, Scene 4
Flashback #2 - Judas and Caiaphas
( Matt. 26: 14-16; Mark 14:10,11; Luke 22:3-6 )
(Several important men, including the high priest, Caiaphas, are seated around a table. Judas is standing in front of them.)
Judas: What will you give me to deliver this man unto you?
Caiaphas: How do we know we can trust You to deliver this Jesus into our hands? You are one of His closest followers.
Judas: Ah, so it appears, so it appears. That is exactly what makes me the perfect one to perform the task. No-one suspects it: they all trust me. We’ve followed Jesus for three years, and who did they choose to carry the money bag? Me, that’s who. Little do the other disciples know that I’ve been keeping some of the money for myself. They’re totally ignorant of my activities. (puts his hands on the table, leans closer to Caiaphas) They won’t suspect me in this either. (pauses) I’m also the perfect one to deliver Him to you because I know where He’s going to be from day to day. I can lead you right to Him.
Caiaphas: (to the men on either side of himself) It should be done in secret, at night, away from the crowds that throng Him. His “trial” must be immediate. (to leader 1) We’ll need some false witnesses to charge Him with blasphemy and treason since He calls Himself (sarcastically) the Son of God and a king! It’s important that we get the people stirred up against Him, too.
Leader 1: I will see to it that public opinion is turned against Him.
Caiaphas: It’s also important not to hold the trial on the feast day, or the people will rise up against us.
(to Judas) And you, Judas Iscariot, you will deliver Him to us as soon as possible after the feast?
Judas: (impatiently) Yes, yes…but how much will you give me?
Leader 2: Is that all you think about? Money?
Judas: (laughing nervously) Can you think of anything better? How much?
Leader 1: You Are a man of little scruples, aren’t you?
Judas: (slowly and firmly) How much?!
Caiaphas: Thirty pieces of silver, no more, no less. (Leader 2 counts out the money, puts it in a bag, and hands it to Judas.)
Judas: Done! I shall be in contact with you. (turns to leave)
Caiaphas: Judas! (Judas turns back to him; Caiaphas says threateningly) It shall not go well with you if you fail in your mission.
Act II/Scene 6
Flashback - Peter’s Denial
(Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:15-18,25-27)
(Dim lights up on the porch of Caiaphas’ palace. Several servants are seated around a fire. Peter comes closer to warm his hands. From time to time he gazes nervously through an opening in the door to see what is happening to Jesus.)
False Witness: (from inside the building) This fellow also said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”
Caiaphas: “Do you answer nothing? What is it that these witnesses have spoken against you?”
Servant Woman: (outside the building by fire, to Peter) You were also with this Jesus of Galilee.
Peter: (glancing over at her, then turning his gaze away quickly) Woman, I don’t know what you’re talking about. (Cock crows; Peter reacts, remembering what Jesus had said.)
Caiaphas: (inside the building, to Jesus) “I command you by the living God that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Voice of Jesus: “Thou hast said, Nevertheless, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Caiaphas: “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard His blasphemy. What do you think?”
Man 1: He is guilty of death! (Others agree. There is the sound of slapping.)
Man 2: (sarcastically) “Prophecy to us, Thou Christ. Who is he that smote Thee? (laughter by all inside the building)
Servant Woman: (to the nearby servant man I) This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Servant Man 1: (to Peter) You are also one of them.
Peter: (nervously) I do not know the man!
Servant Man 2: Surely, you are one of them. Your speech betrays you; you speak like one from Galilee.
Servant Man 1: (rising and pointing an accusing finger at Peter) Wait! I saw you in the garden! You cut off my kinsman’s ear!
Peter: (raising his voice) I swear to you, I don’t know the man! I swear it! I…(cock crows again. Peter looks toward the sound, then glances through the open door and reacts as if Jesus were looking at him. He leaves the porch area quickly, falls to his knees in anguish, and weeps.)
End Scene
(Lights off porch, dim gradually on Peter)
Act II/Scene 8
Flashback to Judas Iscariot (Matt. 27:3-10)
(Lights come up on the scene with Judas Iscariot before Caiaphas and two church leaders.)
Judas: I’ve changed my mind. Take your money back! (tries to hand the money bag back to Caiaphas)
Caiaphas: Have you gone mad!?
Judas: (almost hysterically) I’ve sinned! I’ve betrayed innocent blood!
Leader 1: (menacingly) What is that to us?
Judas: (angrily throws the money on the floor) Take your money! All of it! (runs out of room, takes off rope belt,, looks at it, then begins tying it into a noose)
I’ve sinned! I’ve shed innocent blood. My life’s not worth living! (looks down at the rope, shakes his head as if he has decided what he must do)
End Scene
(Lights down on scene)
Crucifixion/Monologue of Christ’s Mother, Mary
(Matt. 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-35; John 19:16-30)
(A soloist sings the first two verses of “Were You There,” as the choir proceeds slowly to the front. They face sideways on either side of a cross, or three crosses, which are illuminated at the back of the stage. The choir sings reverently, in four-part harmony, as if watching the crucifixion, all four verses of “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” When the song is finished, they exit off both sides of the stage. Lights fade on center stage and come up, stage right, on the interior house scene. Mary, the mother of Christ, enters slowly. John remains at the door.)
John: Are you certain there’s nothing else I can do for you, Mary?
Mary: (holding back the tears) No, thank you, John. You’ve been very kind. Everyone has. I—I just need to be alone for a little while.
John: Of course. If you need anything, I’ll be nearby.
Mary: Thank you. (John exits. Mary gently closes the door. Alone in the room, she looks despondently about her then sinks back against the door frame.)
(looking up, with much emotion) Oh, my Son! My Son! I hardly recognized You! The terrible things they did to You! I—I… (closes her eyes as if trying to block out the scene of His death.) I couldn’t bear to watch!
(pauses, remembering fondly, through her tears and sadness) I tried to think back to happier times, to the day that Gabriel appeared to me and told me God had chosen me to be the mother of His Son! Me! What had I done to deserve such an honor? I was but a poor handmaid: I had no earthly treasures, no great name. I was a sinner like anyone else. Why should He choose me?
I thought back to Your birth. What a cold night it was! What a lonely, smelly stable You were born into. There You were, tucked away in a remote corner of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in that manger, unnoticed by the world, but announced by angels to lowly shepherds on a hillside!
(almost breaking down) Oh, what a beautiful baby You were! How I loved to hold You and look into Your sweet little face, knowing, more than anyone could ever know, that I was looking into the face of my Emmanuel—God come in the flesh!
“Jesus,” the angel had told Joseph. “You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. (wistfully) Jesus, what a beautiful name. (sings verses 2 & 4 of “That Beautiful Name.” The choir ladies sing the chorus after the last verse only, from backstage. Mary joins them near the end, but cannot finish. She breaks down and cries.)
Oh my dear, dear Jesus. Now I know what Simeon meant when he prophesied at Your dedication that a sword would pierce through my own soul, for there could be no sharper sword than Roman crucifixion! To think that You…(breaks down momentarily) You, of all men… You, who never harmed a soul. You, who spent Your life helping others. You, who never sinned a day in Your life. How could they? How could they crucify You as if, as if You were a common criminal! (long dramatic pause)
If it were not for Gabriel’s announcement, or the time the angel warned Joseph to take You into Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, or Simeon’s prophecy—I would lose hope. But I know that somehow all of this was in God’s plan for You. I know You are the Son of God! And though my soul is torn apart, I know that joy comes in the morning, that I will see You again, that you have a perfect plan in all of this that is hidden to us at the moment. Only strengthen the faith of your followers, my Son. Strengthen the faith of all of us, that we may be true to You no matter what may come.
I will not say goodbye, my Son, for though I do not understand all that has happened, I know—deep in my heart I know this is not the end—but the beginning!
End Scene
(Lights off scene)
The Ascension (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:12-20; Luke 24:49-53)
Peter: Yes, He rose from the dead! And He made certain I knew. He wanted me to know He had forgiven me, just as He will forgive anyone and everyone who comes to Him, by faith, and repents of their sins.
I saw Him after His resurrection! Within forty days after He had risen, He appeared to over 500 people! It was clear to me then; I understood what had happened and why. Jesus’ life had not been taken from Him; He had given it freely! He had borne our punishment that we so greatly deserve for our sin, in order to deliver us from hell and prepare a place for us in Heaven!
That’s where He is now, in Heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father’s throne! He had been speaking to us at Bethany. When He lifted up His arms to bless us, He suddenly ascended up into Heaven in a cloud! While we watched in wonder and awe, two angels appeared unto us and said,
Voice of Angel: (The choir moves quickly to the stage area and faces the audience, looking up as if seeing Jesus ascend and hearing the angel.)) “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” (The choir sings “The Hallelujah Chorus” or “To God Be The Glory.”)
End Scene
(Lights down)
The End
-14-
|
