The Forces of Darkness vs. Jesus Christ By Kerrie Polkinghorne The Forces of Darkness v. Jesus Christ : This play depicts a court case between Jesus Christ and the…
The Forces of Darkness vs. Jesus Christ
By Kerrie Polkinghorne
The Forces of Darkness v. Jesus Christ : This play depicts a court case between Jesus Christ and the devil. (The congregation is the jury) The trial can either be presented in its entirely (with a short break between the 2 parts), or in separate 2 parts which develop over the Easter weekend (Part 1 on Friday and Part 2 on Sunday). Approx. 25 minutes in total. (Part 1 approx. 15 mins, part 2 approx. 10 mins). (Author: Kerrie Polkinghorne)
Summary
This play depicts a court case between Jesus Christ and the devil. (The congregation is the jury) The trial can either be presented in its entirely (with a short break between the 2 parts), or in separate 2 parts which develop over the Easter weekend (Part 1 on Friday and Part 2 on Sunday). Approx. 25 minutes in total. (Part 1 approx. 15 mins, part 2 approx. 10 mins)
Setting
A supreme court, complete with witness stand and judge bench. 1 table on either side for the defendant and the plaintiff.
Characters
GOD - the supreme judge
JESUS - the defendant
DEVIL - the plaintiff
WITNESS 1 - sinful unbeliever
WITNESS 2 - sinful believer
BAILIFF - 'Judge Judy' style
Script
*DAY ONE*
(Lights low. Frozen courtroom scene.)
VOICEOVER:
"You are entering the courtroom of Judge Jehovah. The people are real, the cases are real, the rulings are final. This is His courtroom. This is Judge Jehovah."
BAILIFF
All rise. All rise! (congregation to rise)
Case number 777 of the Forces of Darkness versus Jesus Christ is now in session.
God Almighty presiding.
GOD
You may be seated. I believe the prosecution would like to make a statement before we begin.
DEVIL
Yes we do, Your Honour. We demand that you stand down as judge over this case due to your emotional attachment to the defendant!
GOD
Denied.
DEVIL
But Your Honour..!
GOD
If you have a problem, take your concern to a higher authority.
DEVIL
(Protesting) But there is no ..
GOD
You may proceed with your case.
DEVIL
The Forces of Darkness aim to prove that, as a direct result of the sinfulness of mankind, I, Satan, the Prince of Darkness, claim all men and women to be fully in my custody. Furthermore, the death of Jesus " the Christ" is sufficient evidence of my superiority to God and victory over his kingdom. Let's go back to the beginning. If the jury would care to turn with me to Genesis 3, we will see just how far back my claim goes.
(Reading) "Now the serpent was the more crafty of any of the creatures.." ..oh.. 'crafty' has such a negative connotation, let's say more 'intelligent' .. "than any of the creatures the Lord had made".
JESUS
Objection. Can we have the record read correctly?
GOD
Sustained. The 'crafty' serpent may continue.
DEVIL
"The serpent said to the woman (in quite a harmless and inquisitive manner), (softly) "Did God really say 'you must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" To which the woman replied, "We may eat from any tree, except the one in the middle of the garden, which I was just on my way to eat from now if you hadn't stopped me to ask me this quite harmless and inquisitive question.."
JESUS
Objection! You were deliberately trying to trick Eve into eating the fruit and disobeying God!
GOD
Sustained. (To devil) Don't put me to the test, councillor.
DEVIL
(Sigh.. continue reading) "We may eat from any tree in the garden, but God did say that we must not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. If we even touch that one we will surely die." Now the serpent, intelligent as he was.."
JESUS
Objection! … Dad!
GOD
Sustained.
DEVIL
(Annoyed) OK!! ".. crafty as he was, offered the simple logic that if all the other trees in the garden were OK, then that particular tree probably would not kill but rather enlighten her. So the woman went to check out the fruit and saw that it was pleasing to the eye and good for food, and also desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some fruit and ate it, and gave some to her husband, and he also ate it. Then their eyes were opened, and they realised they had sinned, and they became afraid of you". (Looking up) Now, what the scriptures don't record is that the serpent had in fact been referring to a harmless mandarin tree, two shrubs to the left…
(God and Jesus exchange glances and shake heads)
In due course Your Honour, you sought out Adam and Eve, and found them hiding like criminals among the trees in the garden. You then questioned them and no sooner had you uncovered their guilt, the woman squealed on the poor serpent, who was really the only innocent party in this whole sordid affair. (Sulky) Now how do you think that makes me feel?
JESUS
Objection! Council's feelings are not the subject of this case.
DEVIL
Oh, but this is where it gets interesting! You kicked the man and the woman out of the garden, saying the creation had become cursed because of their sin and they would 'surely die'. (Puts Bible down) Now rather than taking up the court's time, I can paraphrase the rest of human history by saying that ever since Adam and Eve, everyone has turned away from you, and therefore belong to me. (Sarcastically) But wait a minute, I'm confused! Weren't these people "very good" when they were created? How could they all be so sinful? Surely there's a couple that are perfect?! Well, let's take a look at your 'holy workmanship'! If it please the court, I'd like to call my first witness to the stand.
GOD
I'll allow it.
BAILIFF
Calling Witness 1 for the Forces of Darkness to the stand. (Change of character façade) Witness 1, come on down! ('Price is Right' style)
('Price is Right' music and lights, Witness 1 jumps out of crowd in excitement, sits in witness stand and places right hand on Bible.)
BAILIFF
Please place your right hand on this Bible. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
DEVIL
Objection! Not everything is about you God! And besides, who uses the Message Bible anyway?!
GOD
Well, it's the only one I've got left besides the King James. It is the best-selling book of all time, you know.
BAILIFF
(To Witness 1) Witness?
WITNESS 1
I do.
DEVIL
So, you've lived a pretty good life, wouldn't you say?
WITNESS 1
Yeah, I'd say so.
DEVIL
Oh you'd say so, hey? Well, what did you do with your life?
WITNESS 1
Uh.. I dunno.. Bit of this, bit of that.
DEVIL
(Parroting)
"Bit of this, bit of that."
WITNESS 1
(Annoyed)
Well, um.. actually, I was born in Jerusalem, I was a daughter of Rabbi Krustofski
and .. I went to the synagogue every Saturday. You could say I enjoyed the finer
things of life.
JESUS
Objection Your Honour. Where is this leading?
DEVIL
I'm getting there, Your Honour!
(Addressing Witness 1) So you've lived a good life.. made the most of it, partied hard, .. did some things you probably shouldn't have?
WITNESS 1
No no … well.. I might have done a few dodgy things.. but most of the time I was a good person.
DEVIL
A good person? Sorry? (To audience) So a 'good person' means offensive language, conceit, greed, jealousy, fornication..? The list goes on and on. (Flicking through file)
WITNESS 1
(Horrified) Me? I'd never do a thing like that!
DEVIL
Never? Well what are these, you .. very good person .. of a random nature? Do you recognise these records?
WITNESS 1
(Breaking down) I… um.. I .. was just trying to have a good time!
DEVIL
(Comforting) Of course you were, of course you were. They were awesome times. Awesome times. All things aside, being a very good person, you'd recognise this man over here.. today's murder victim. (points to Jesus)
WITNESS 1
Murder victim! Huh? I had nothing to do with guy! I don't even know who he is.
DEVIL
Hmm.. interesting. (To audience) How interesting it is he hasn't recognised the Son of God! The Son of the Creator himself! (To Jesus) Your influence appears to be slipping. (To God) I have no further questions of this witness.
GOD
Jesus, would you like to cross-examine this witness?
JESUS
No, Your Honour.
GOD
The witness may step down.
(Witness steps down)
DEVIL
It seems your 'holy workmanship' has turned against you. (Points to Jesus) And this suffering servant of yours has failed to save them. But wait! There has to be someone who is holy and blameless.. anyone! Let's bring in another witness, just to make sure.
BAILIFF
Calling Witness 2 for the Forces of Darkness to the stand. (Change of character façade) Witness 2, come on down!
('Price is Right' music and lights, Witness 2 jumps out of crowd in joy, sits in witness stand and places right hand on Bible.)
BAILIFF
Please place your right hand on this Bible. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?
WITNESS 2
I do.
DEVIL
(Looking at the record) Mmm.. you have been busy! Many counts of pride, violence, conceit.. and you were put to death today by an earthly court for stealing, weren't you? Weren't you!?
WITNESS 2
(Reluctantly) .. Yes.
DEVIL
And I suppose you feel that despite all of this you are going to tell us you've earned your way into heaven?
WITNESS 2
No.
DEVIL
No, you haven't, have you. That's the understatement of the century! I have just one last question. Do you recognise this man sitting over there? The murder victim?
WITNESS 2
(Looks to Jesus, amazed) Yes, I recognise him!
DEVIL
(Shocked) What?! What do you mean you recognise him?
WITNESS 2
I was crucified today next to this man.
DEVIL
(Looks more closely at the record and slaps his forehead)
WITNESS 2
This is the man, Jesus, sent by GOD. He promised me life in his kingdom!
DEVIL
Well, you won't be entering the kingdom in this life, will you? Just read out some of those sins for us.
(Hands Witness 2 the file)
WITNESS 2
(Looks at file)
What sins? This is last weeks' shopping list. Butter.. eggs.. unleavened bread.. bitter herbs... fattened calf..
DEVIL
(Snatches file, looks at it) What the..? What's this? This isn't the list I had! .. (Rummages through files)
There was a list here that had literally thousands of sins on it that you just admitted to!
WITNESS 2
Yes, that's right.
DEVIL
(Relieved) OK, thank you! That's all I need.
WITNESS 2
(Smiling) But they're not there now.
DEVIL
(Ignoring witnesses comment) Did the defendant not promise you that you would be in paradise today? Does this look like paradise to you? (Looking around the room) I mean, look at this place! Please don't tell me you actually thought this was heaven.
WITNESS 2
(Challenging devil) Well, the day ain't over yet! And I've got a totally clean record!
DEVIL
(Defeated.. Glances at God) I don't know how you pulled this one off.
GOD
I beg your pardon?!
DEVIL
I have no further questions for this witness.
GOD
(To Jesus) Your witness.
JESUS
No thank you, Your Honour. Council has questioned the witness quite adequately.
GOD
(To Witness 2) You may step down
(Witness 2 steps down)
DEVIL
In conclusion, Your Honour, I have irrevocably proven my claim over the human race. The wages of sin is death. These humans have sinned and by the biblical law they must die. Every one of them has sinned and fallen short of your glory. The defendant's futile attempt to live with them and attract their attention has done nothing to change this fact. I'm sure that spending thirty years on their planet was enlightening for him, but do you really think it changed anything for them? A few random healings, but nothing else. What difference can one lifetime make? Then to top it all off he was killed! Is that something that would normally happen to an Almighty Son of God?! Bearing the sins of the world! Nice try! I saw you turn your holy face away from him! He carried sin, and he is dead. Face it, it seems like this little experiment has been a failure for of both you! Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and the fact that I am the author of both. (To Jesus) Face it Jesus, your death is my victory!
(Devil returns to seat. Pause as God processes these thoughts.)
GOD
(To Jesus) Any response councillor?
JESUS
Not at this time, Your Honour. My time has not yet come.
GOD
This court will reconvene on Sunday the 11th of April at 10 hundred hours. (Change date and time accordingly!)
*DAY TWO*
(Lights low. Frozen courtroom scene.)
VOICEOVER:
"You are entering the courtroom of Judge Jehovah. The people are real, the cases are real, the rulings are final. This is His courtroom. This is Judge Jehovah."
BAILIFF
All rise. Case number 777 of the Forces of Darkness versus Jesus Christ is now in session. God Almighty presiding.
GOD
The defendant may now present his case.
(Long pause as the court waits for Jesus to respond)
JESUS
(Sitting) I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the perfect sacrifice for the salvation of the world. (Stands) I am the Son of Man and just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert for the people to be healed, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that whoever looks to him will not perish but have eternal life. Truly even before the beginning of the world, I AM!
DEVIL
You were!
GOD
(Angry, to devil) Councillor, another outburst from you, and I will hold you in contempt of court!
JESUS
The wages of sin is death, I am not trying to deny it. That is why death has been paid on the cross, so the law would be satisfied and the curse that had been upon mankind might fall instead upon me.
DEVIL
Are you to call any witnesses, or are we supposed to believe your testimony?
JESUS
I don't need man's testimony because the Father who sent me to earth has already testified concerning me.
DEVIL
(Stands) Objection! This is a lie!
JESUS
Do you want answers?
DEVIL
I think we're entitled.
JESUS
Do you want the truth?
DEVIL
I want the truth!
JESUS
You can't handle the truth!
GOD
(Bangs gavel several times) Order! Order in the court! You will be seated!
(Jesus and devil take a moment to stare at each other, and then sit down.)
I will now give my ruling. Sin came into the world because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve. And ever since then, mankind has been in desperate need of redemption and reconciliation to me. Jesus Christ is my perfect Son, made in my holy image. And two days ago he exchanged his perfection for the sins of the world. Because of his death, mankind has now been put right again in covenant with me. Furthermore today he has risen from the dead. And in doing so, has defeated the power of death. He has defeated the power of the devil. This is my ruling concerning those who can be saved: whoever believes in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have eternal life. (To devil) The sentence concluding my ruling on you, devil, is that you will no longer have authority over my people, you will be subject to me and ultimately eradicated when I return in glory to judge the living and the dead.
(Bang Gavel). FADE OUT
...........................................
Copyright Kerrie Polkinghorne, all rights reserved.
Please note that a royalty donation would be greatly appreciated for the work
of producing this script. Suggested donation royalty is the equivalent of $A25.00
payable to Marion Christian Church, 272 Sturt Road, Marion, South Australia
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