Easter

Mary, mother of Jesus, is struggling with the torture of her son.  She cries out to God with her struggles, and then asks for God's help to remain strong.

Jesus Christ – Son of Man, Son of God, the Messiah. Narrator – A strong (preferably a male) voice to bring the challenge at the end of script. (No visuals of person needed). Members of the Sanhedrin: Caiaphas (The High Priest and President of the Sanhedrin) Eleazar (Sadducee 1 – impetuous and loud mouthed) Benaiah (Sadducee 2 – eager to follow process quickly) Baroka (Sadducee 3 – a little simple minded) Joshua ben Levi (Scribe 1 – correct, legal minded man) Mordecai (Scribe 2 – self righteous) Simeon (Scribe 3 – a little unsure of himself) Nicodemus (Pharisee who came to Jesus at night - John 3) Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-39 & Luke 23:50-55) Disciples of Jesus: Mary (who had anointed Jesus with perfume shortly before his death John 11 & Matt 26:15) Martha (Sister of Mary and brother of Lazarus – John 11) Mary Magdalene (Had been delivered from seven demons by Jesus together with some other women – Like 8:2) John (who wrote the Gospel of John) James (John’s brother) Andrew (who had brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus) Peter (brother of Andrew) Temple Guards 1 & 2 Mahlon (False witness 1) Darius (False witness 2) People making up the crowd – 4 to 6 people PRODUCTION NOTE: Throughout the play Jesus should be positioned centrally on stage while generally the opponents should occupy the left (especially in the first and second scenes). The folks who follow or are changed by him occupy the right. It may not be historically accurate that Nicodemus (or any of the others) were present at the meeting of the Sanhedrin. Also, the sequence and content of discussion is purely speculative or constructed in such a way as to convey what Jesus said and stood for. Almost all of what Jesus says is direct quotation from Scripture (NIV). The narrative challenge at the end would be well supported by a projection of scripture verses on an electronic board or screen. MUSIC: Various pieces of music are suggested for performance of this script. Permission to use these items must be obtained directly from copyright owners. The suggestions are: “They could not” by Ron Harris and Claire Cloninger; “All heaven declares” by Noel & Tricia Richards of Thankyou Music.

A one-act play, in which the Sanhedrin (the highest tribunal of the Jews) is meeting in Jerusalem to examine the evidence and try Jesus. After accepting evidence and opinion from many witnesses and discussing the issue, Jesus is found guilty, condemned to death and then crucified. To the amazement of his followers and the authorities who condemned him, Jesus rises from the dead and offers a challenge to all before ascending to heaven.

A Palm Sunday reader’s theatre. A parallel of the practice of the lamb sacrifice and Jesus being the final sacrifice in its place.

reference:  raising of Lazarus through the Passion and appearance of Jesus to the Apostles in Acts.

  Joseph, Nicodemus, Peter, Mary Magdalene, Martha, two readers (male or female)

This Readers Theater piece, focusing on the Easter story, is an examination of spiritual callings through Joseph of Aramethea and his decision to bury Jesus. (Originally staged with back cyclorama and back lighting, creating silhouettes to the audience).

Drama Actors: 1M 3 M/F Props:  include, four desks, chairs, a modern day Army Sergeants uniform, a Judges wig and gown.

A short play suitable for a youth group or drama group to perform in Church.The play is set as a modern day hearing into the events that allowed the ‘Jesus Cultists’ to claim that Jesus was resurrected from the dead.  The Commander of the Guard is called to give testimony and be cross-examined  - insofar as a Roman soldier could be cross examined in a Jewish court.

A sketch in five small scenes, each portraying a stage in the life of Barabbas. It was performed for, and by children, and is to illustrate that sin, if not dealt with, goes from bad to worse and hurts not only ourselves but those around us. I’d like to think that Barabbas was a changed man after Jesus took his place on the cross; only eternity will tell!

Two characters discuss the significance of eggs at Easter in a humorous way.

Two characters discuss the significance of the cross on the hot cross bun in a humorous way.