Jesus And John The Baptist
Drama
Robert Lakey
Readers’ Theater for Children’s Church
Object:
Characters
Narrator
Woman
John
Rabbi
Pharisee
Andrew
Jesus
Questions
1. What was John's message to the people?
2. Why was John called "the Baptist"?
3. What things did John tell the people to do?
4. What happened that convinced John that Jesus was the Messiah?
5. What did Andrew do when he heard John talking about Jesus?
Narrator: A short time before Jesus began his public ministry, a prophet named John appeared in Judea. He was called the Baptist because he called everyone to repent and be baptized as a sign of their repentance.
Woman: That John the Baptist is sure an angry prophet, always denouncing sin. He talks as though we're hopeless, like a bunch of poisonous snakes.
John: You brood of snakes, why have you come? To sneer at my message? No, God has brought you here to see your sins. You are polluted like the slime in this river. Repent! Confess that you are wretched sinners by being baptized. Only then will God's anger be turned away.
Rabbi: Hold on there, preacher. We are ordained clergy -- rabbis and lawyers who have dedicated ourselves to the study of the law.
John: If you study the law, then why don't you keep it?
Woman: We are Jews, descendants of Abraham, children of the Covenant.
John: God's children? I tell you, the outcasts and tax collectors are more righteous than you. No, not God's children, but children of the devil, destined for the flames of hell.
Pharisee: How long must we listen to these senseless rantings? You're merely an uneducated, self-appointed, fanatic prophet. We study the law, offer sacrifices at the temple, eat only kosher food, give ten percent of our income to God. We are not pagan pigs, but God's chosen people.
John: See these useless, impenetrable stones? God could more easily turn these stones into his children than he could you.
Rabbi: You're a lunatic, a hate-filled, raving lunatic.
Woman: He thinks he's a second Elijah. He even dresses like Elijah, in scratchy camel's hair, eating only grasshoppers and honey.
John: Hear this, O people of Israel! God is about to take his axe and chop down every tree that does not produce good fruit. Those trees will be cast into the burning fire of God's wrath.
Pharisee: You crackpots are always prophesying doom and saying the Messiah will soon be here.
John: I'm only a voice proclaiming the Messiah will soon appear. He will be greater than I. I'm not worthy to loosen his sandals or hold his coat. I baptize with water; he with the Holy Spirit.
Andrew: What does God want us to do?
John: You with two coats must give one to someone who has none. You with plenty of food must share with those who are hungry. You tax collectors must collect no more than is legal. You soldiers must never rob people by violence. You workers must put in an honest day's work and be content with your wages.
Woman: How soon will the Messiah come?
John: During my lifetime, but exactly when I do not know. But God told me that I will recognize him when the Spirit in the form of a dove comes down and rests upon him.
Jesus: John, will you baptize me? I am Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph and Mary.
John: You're a fine looking Israelite. Have you come to repent and to confess your sin?
Jesus: There's no other way to God.
John: Then come down into the river. The flowing waters of the Jordan will be a sign that God has washed away your sin. Jesus of Nazareth, I baptize you in the name of Almighty God. (pauses) What's this? A dove coming down above your head! Are you? Can you possibly be?
Narrator: At that moment a voice came from heaven. "This is my dearly beloved Son."
John: The sign God promised for the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who like the scapegoat will carry away the sins of the world.
Andrew: What's John saying? That Jesus is someone special? (calls out) Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth! I want to talk with you.
Jesus: Then come and spend the afternoon with me. Discover for yourself the answers to your questions. Then bring your brother Peter. I have plans for him as well.
Narrator: So Andrew went with Jesus and talked for several hours. Later he brought his brother Peter. They became excited about God's coming kingdom. Several weeks later, when Jesus met them again by the Sea of Galilee, they were ready to follow him in that great adventure.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Woman
John
Rabbi
Pharisee
Andrew
Jesus
Questions
1. What was John's message to the people?
2. Why was John called "the Baptist"?
3. What things did John tell the people to do?
4. What happened that convinced John that Jesus was the Messiah?
5. What did Andrew do when he heard John talking about Jesus?
Narrator: A short time before Jesus began his public ministry, a prophet named John appeared in Judea. He was called the Baptist because he called everyone to repent and be baptized as a sign of their repentance.
Woman: That John the Baptist is sure an angry prophet, always denouncing sin. He talks as though we're hopeless, like a bunch of poisonous snakes.
John: You brood of snakes, why have you come? To sneer at my message? No, God has brought you here to see your sins. You are polluted like the slime in this river. Repent! Confess that you are wretched sinners by being baptized. Only then will God's anger be turned away.
Rabbi: Hold on there, preacher. We are ordained clergy -- rabbis and lawyers who have dedicated ourselves to the study of the law.
John: If you study the law, then why don't you keep it?
Woman: We are Jews, descendants of Abraham, children of the Covenant.
John: God's children? I tell you, the outcasts and tax collectors are more righteous than you. No, not God's children, but children of the devil, destined for the flames of hell.
Pharisee: How long must we listen to these senseless rantings? You're merely an uneducated, self-appointed, fanatic prophet. We study the law, offer sacrifices at the temple, eat only kosher food, give ten percent of our income to God. We are not pagan pigs, but God's chosen people.
John: See these useless, impenetrable stones? God could more easily turn these stones into his children than he could you.
Rabbi: You're a lunatic, a hate-filled, raving lunatic.
Woman: He thinks he's a second Elijah. He even dresses like Elijah, in scratchy camel's hair, eating only grasshoppers and honey.
John: Hear this, O people of Israel! God is about to take his axe and chop down every tree that does not produce good fruit. Those trees will be cast into the burning fire of God's wrath.
Pharisee: You crackpots are always prophesying doom and saying the Messiah will soon be here.
John: I'm only a voice proclaiming the Messiah will soon appear. He will be greater than I. I'm not worthy to loosen his sandals or hold his coat. I baptize with water; he with the Holy Spirit.
Andrew: What does God want us to do?
John: You with two coats must give one to someone who has none. You with plenty of food must share with those who are hungry. You tax collectors must collect no more than is legal. You soldiers must never rob people by violence. You workers must put in an honest day's work and be content with your wages.
Woman: How soon will the Messiah come?
John: During my lifetime, but exactly when I do not know. But God told me that I will recognize him when the Spirit in the form of a dove comes down and rests upon him.
Jesus: John, will you baptize me? I am Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph and Mary.
John: You're a fine looking Israelite. Have you come to repent and to confess your sin?
Jesus: There's no other way to God.
John: Then come down into the river. The flowing waters of the Jordan will be a sign that God has washed away your sin. Jesus of Nazareth, I baptize you in the name of Almighty God. (pauses) What's this? A dove coming down above your head! Are you? Can you possibly be?
Narrator: At that moment a voice came from heaven. "This is my dearly beloved Son."
John: The sign God promised for the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who like the scapegoat will carry away the sins of the world.
Andrew: What's John saying? That Jesus is someone special? (calls out) Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth! I want to talk with you.
Jesus: Then come and spend the afternoon with me. Discover for yourself the answers to your questions. Then bring your brother Peter. I have plans for him as well.
Narrator: So Andrew went with Jesus and talked for several hours. Later he brought his brother Peter. They became excited about God's coming kingdom. Several weeks later, when Jesus met them again by the Sea of Galilee, they were ready to follow him in that great adventure.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
