The Passover Meal

By Kurt Jarvis

Summary

The famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is brought to life.

Characters

Narrator, 12 disciples, Jesus, two women for Mary and Martha and perhaps 2 elementary age children or young teenagers.

Setting

The “picture” of this setting is the Last Supper. The platform is set with a long table. The table needs to seat 9 across the back and two at either end. The table can be covered with tan or brown solid color fabric. The fabric should hang down in the front at least half way to the floor. Seating can be any sort of benches or stools, or combination of these. The table should have several wooden bowls and some clay type of pitchers on the floor. There could be one or two side tables from which one of the women or children characters could use to move items between tables. If possible, solid color brown or other dark color. There could be some fruit in the bowls, either on the main table or the side tables. The table will also need six smaller size loaves of bread, two for use by the disciples and four for the congregation. The bread might be brought in by some of the disciples when they enter. There will also need to be at least two larger earthenware type mugs and four chalices or heavier stemware glasses of grape juice for the communion part of this presentation. In the front of the sanctuary should be sufficient small round tables to quickly accommodate the congregation for participating in the communion part of this presentation at the end of the drama. These tables should be covered in a color cloth to match the platform table coverings. On each of these tables the disciples will bring one glass of grape juice and a plate with a loaf of bread.

Script

Narrator: The place is the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It is the time of Passover. The portrait we see on the stage is the picture depicted by the artist da Vinci in his well-known painting of the Last Supper. This is a picture we see often, but let me tell you about people in the picture, who they are and what they are really like.
Jesus had already sent disciples ahead to have the room prepared. The innkeeper has arranged the room. Now the guests begin to arrive.
Let’s begin filling this picture with the disciples. Here comes John, the apostle of love.  (Pause)
(John enters slowly room back of auditorium and walks down aisle. He walks into the set and begins to make his way to the table. While the narrator continues John can arrange fruit in a bowl on the table.)
Narrator:  (continues) John. Sensitive, gentle in spirit, yet bold and courageous. Although John was not the first to be called to discipleship, it was he who stood at the foot of the cross in the midst of a hostile crowd. It was John who best understood the depth of God’s love for mankind and gave his love back to God by his faithfulness at Calvary.
(Andrew enters from back of sanctuary. (Andrew has a sack with items inside. Andrew calls out as he walks down the aisle)  “John, John …” (and walks quickly to the stage. Andrew and John embrace.  He takes out items for the table. Perhaps a few mugs. He and John engage in quiet conversation, pointing at different things. Laughing.)
Andrew: John …. John
Narrator: Andrew, a good and true friend to all he knew and all who knew him. It was Andrew who, as a disciple of John the Baptist, became the first to recognize Jesus as Lord and promptly went about the Father’s business, bringing all who he encountered to listen to Jesus teach. Andrew, a true friend indeed, who, out of respect to that friendship, is compelled to share the greatest gift a friend can receive: the eternal love of God. And, of course, then there was Andrew’s brother, Peter
(Three disciples enter from up the stairs behind the table, Peter first, with Nathaniel and Philip lagging behind him. Peter gets to the top of the steps and calls back)
Peter:  Nathaniel … Philip, come along. It is time for Passover. (The three enter into the stage and greet John and Andrew.
Narrator: Peter… a leader of men. An outspoken, impulsive and impetuous individual who knew his own mind and who followed a conviction of his own heart. Yet, in spite of his outspokenness, he was keenly aware of his own shortcomings. His humility toward himself and in the face of God made him a man that others wanted to follow. Jesus recognized his true, humble heart and bestowed grace upon grace to this simple fisherman. It was upon the confession of this man that Christ placed the foundation of the Church.
Philip … practical, careful and precise. Always one to pursue an understanding of the nature of God.
And Nathaniel, a man without deceit, without hypocrisy. Nathaniel was a visionary who saw God’s dreams and believed them.
(Enter James the Greater and James the Other.  They enter from the back together, quietly talking between themselves, walk down the aisle and are carrying baskets)
James the greater:  James, come along, the others are already there.
James the lesser:  Always in a hurry, James, slow down.
Narrator: There were two apostles, both with the name of James. Two, but also two very distinctly different personalities. Complete opposites in every way. One was mentioned many times in Scripture; the other, almost never. And yet they both saw Christ in everyday ministry and participated in the healings and other miracles. Much like some today, James the lesser, going about the Father’s business in a quiet unassuming way.
Extremes apart from one another; yet a compliment to the ministry of Jesus together. Perhaps there is no greater testimony to the healing unity of Christ than in these two men of God.
(Enter Simon and Matthew from the back and down an aisle)
Simon: Paying taxes only supports the rich, Mathew, all not pay them.
Matthew: But Simon, that is how government is supported. Without taxes we would all crumble.
 (Simon and Matthew continue down the aisle and enter the stage)
Narrator: Simon, the Zealot, a political freedom fighter for Israel. A proud, zealous man whose passion was to overthrow Rome and set his homeland free from taxes and Roman rule.
And Matthew, a former tax collector who, in the midst of a lucrative and blossoming career, ran head-on into God when he met Jesus. Despite his reputation as a traitor to Israel, because of his past obedience to Caesar, he became a major force in spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the world.
Although intense with each other in their opinions and discussions, God choose this volatile pair for mighty ministry.
(Enter Thomas and Thaddeus up the back stairs, Thomas first)
Thomas: Thaddeus, do you think the Messiah will be here? He gets so busy talking with others, perhaps He will not come. What will we do if He is not here for the Passover meal?
Thaddeus: Not to worry so much, Thomas. Jesus said to meet Him here. He will come, He will come.
Narrator: Thomas, the doubter, was beyond question the most pessimistic and stubborn of all the apostles. Unlike his companion, Thaddeus, who was steadfast and unswerving in his beliefs and faith in Jesus the Messiah, Thomas had to be led to the nail prints of his Lord’s hands before he would accept the victory of Calvary.
But, again, in Thomas we see the abundant grace that is showered on even those with little faith. Though Thomas’s faith seemed always thin, it did not prevent him from allowing Christ to work through him as a disciple.
(Enter Mary, Martha and two children from the back of the sanctuary and up and aisle)
Martha: Come along children. And, you too, Mary. We have much to do to prepare for the Passover meal. I wonder if we will have enough bread.
Mary:  Martha, does the bread matter?  Jesus will be with us, what more is there to be concerned about?
 Narrator: Mary and Martha served the Lord in His everyday needs: hunger, thirst, warmth, and shelter. They responded to His teaching “When you have done these things to the least of my brethren, you have done them to me.”
Martha: (Enters on stage) Oh …Mary, look at this room. Such a mess.  Come, come along quickly, this must be arranged. (She begins to tidy up things and directs Mary and the children to assist.)
(Judas enters from the back but walks down the side aisle along the outer wall. He is carrying a bag of coin. He enters set)
Judas  (meets Martha as he enters the set at the side) Martha, is the Master here yet?
Martha: No, He has not yet arrived but come, Judas; but the others are all here and waiting.
Narrator: Judas, Iscariot: villain, betrayer, and a traitor. Judas chooses to betray a Man who had loved him and taught him so much. Judas, a solitary figure in history, which warns us all that we have the ability to betray God in one form or another.
And so the portrait of Jesus and His disciples is near compete. Love as is found in John, The friendship of Andrew. The humble leadership of Peter. The practicality of Philip. Vision form the apostle Nathaniel. The boldness of James, The quiet servant of the other James. The passion of Simon. The wise stewardship of Matthew. The strong faith of Thaddeus. The ever-searching faith of Thomas. And, as a reminder, the treacherous heart of Judas.
How like the church of today is that first apostle group of twelve. Twelve distinct individuals in personality, different gifts, levels of faith and confidence, yet God used all of them to build His Church.
(Jesus enters the back of the sanctuary and makes his way down an aisle to the platform)
But the honored guest is yet to come. Jesus, the Messiah, the Master Teacher, the Son of God. Jesus joins his disciples for this,  His last Passover meal with them.
(Jesus enters set and is greeted by the disciples. Those seated at the table go to front to greet Him, all except Judas who remains seated and aloof from the group. After greeting everyone, Jesus and the disciples take their place at the table. Jesus in center. The women begin setting bowls and mugs on the table. Judas is seated at one end of the table)
Jesus: (seated with the disciples) It is good to be together. I have looked forward to this time with great longing in my heart and anxious to share this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. And, I must tell you now that we will not eat this meal together again until it comes time for the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
(Jesus lifts the cup)
Here, this cup, this wine. This wine is a token of God’s new covenant to save you – an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you and all mankind. Drink this and remember this night and what God has accomplished.
(Jesus drinks and passes the cup)
Jesus: This bread is my body that will be broken for you. This is God’s plan for you and all others. I break this bread to remind you of what is to come. Take this and eat this. Eat this bread and remember me. But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For I, the Son of Man must die since it is part of God’s plan.
(All the disciples except Judas put down their bread and the cups. They all begin to ask one another who it is that would betray their Master. Judas says nothing but dips a piece of bread into the cup and eats it. He then looks at Jesus and Jesus looks at him. Without saying a word Judas quietly rises from the table and leaves quickly through the congregation and out the back, holding his arm or one hand over his eyes.)
Jesus: Take this wine and take this bread and share it among yourselves.
(At this command four disciples take a chalice of grape juice and a plate with a broken loaf of bread to the four tables in the front of the sanctuary. Some of the other disciples leave by the back platform stairs. Jesus and several disciples walk down the aisle and leave the sanctuary. After the juice and bread is placed on the tables those disciples also leave.
Narrator: This Passover meal was the last that Jesus ate with His disciples. But he ate this meal with them and established that when the meal was eaten together in the future it would be a continual reminder of the sacrifice that God gave this world though His only Son, Jesus. Today, those who know Jesus as Savior can share in this. The communion elements have been placed on the tables for us to take this morning. 
God’s Word reminds us that each should examine their own life and heart.  If we know Christ as Savior, He asks us to come and partake in this as a reminder of His life, His death and His resurrection, until He comes again.
While our worship team continues in this part of our time together this morning, you are welcome to come, break a piece of bread, dip it into the cup and eat this to remember God’s gift to you. 
Come….  Come and celebrate Easter at these communion tables.
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Copyright Kurt Jarvis, 
Essentials International, 
118 Hickory Rd.
Marlton, NJ 08053
Email: MetDistCE@aol.com
This script may be used without royalty payment, provided no charge is made for entrance to the performance. In return the author would like to be told of any performance.