Jesus And The Transfiguration
Drama
Robert Lakey
Readers’ Theater for Children’s Church
Object:
Characters
Narrator
John
Peter
James
Jesus
God
Questions
1. Which disciples did Jesus take with him up the mountain?
2. What happened at the top while Jesus prayed?
3. What did Peter want to do to celebrate the occasion?
4. Why did Jesus want them to go back down?
Narrator: Jesus is climbing a mountain with three of his disciples -- Peter, James, and John. The other nine disciples have stayed down below.
John: I wonder why Jesus only took three of us?
Peter: (self-righteously) Probably Jesus recognized that we three are more spiritual and holy than the others.
James: (grunts in disbelief) More likely that the Lord thought the winds up here would blow away the aroma of fish, from our former days as fishermen.
Jesus: I brought you along to strengthen your faith. A week ago, Peter, you said you believed I am the Messiah, but the next moment you said I was wrong about my future in Jerusalem.
Peter: (stubbornly) I still find it impossible to accept -- that you're going to Jerusalem to suffer and die.
John: Lord, I cannot bear to think that you must suffer. How can God allow such a terrible fate for you?
Jesus: Nevertheless, it is the Father's plan. The Son of Man came to serve and give his life as a ransom.
Peter: (still unconvinced) Welllll, maybe.
Jesus: We've arrived at the peak. You three stay here and watch, while I go over to that ridge and pray.
Peter: You won't be too long, will you?
Jesus: (chuckles) Peter, in a little while you'll wish to stay up here a lot longer.
James: Seems we're always waiting while Jesus prays. How can he think up all those things to pray about? Three minutes is about my limit. Then it's lights out and nighty-night.
John: (excitedly) Peter! James! Look over there, at Jesus!
Peter: (confusedly) I can scarcely see him. The sun's blazing rays just about blind me.
James: (still excitedly) That's not the sun. It's a cloudy day.
Peter: Then where's the light coming from?
John: (filled with wonder) That glow seems to come from Jesus. What's going on? I've never seen anything like this.
Peter: I must be cracking up! Look! There's two men talking with Jesus. Where'd they come from? Who are they?
God: (to Jesus) My Son, I have brought Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet to prepare you for what you must soon face in Jerusalem.
Jesus: Thank you, Father, for sending these great heroes of faith.
Peter: (whispers excitedly) I think they're talking about Jesus suffering.
James: (annoyed) Hush up, will you?
Peter: (still excitedly) I've seen Jesus do some remarkable things, but this is beyond belief. Just wait until I tell the other disciples. Won't they be jealous?
James: Peter, please! I can't hear what they're saying.
God: This is my beloved Son. I am completely pleased with him.
Peter: (in awe) What an amazing revelation of the glory of God. Jesus glowing with heavenly light. (calls out to Jesus) Jesus! This is absolutely marvelous, simply stupendous. I'd like to honor the occasion by building an altar for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you? There are plenty of rocks up here; so it wouldn't take too long.
James: (irritatedly) Now look, the two figures disappeared, probably because of all your yacking.
God: (to the disciples) Cease this meaningless chatter and listen to my Son.
John: I think God wants you to shut up.
Jesus: Peter, James, John, let's go down the mountain.
Peter: But, Lord, can't we stay a while longer? Up here it's so peaceful and I feel close to God.
James: Lord, we've caught a glimpse of heaven's glory shining on you.
John: It has been wonderful up here, in this place of worship.
Jesus: Down below there are hurting people, people who are sick or sad or burdened with sin or searching for me. Let's go down to help them.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
John
Peter
James
Jesus
God
Questions
1. Which disciples did Jesus take with him up the mountain?
2. What happened at the top while Jesus prayed?
3. What did Peter want to do to celebrate the occasion?
4. Why did Jesus want them to go back down?
Narrator: Jesus is climbing a mountain with three of his disciples -- Peter, James, and John. The other nine disciples have stayed down below.
John: I wonder why Jesus only took three of us?
Peter: (self-righteously) Probably Jesus recognized that we three are more spiritual and holy than the others.
James: (grunts in disbelief) More likely that the Lord thought the winds up here would blow away the aroma of fish, from our former days as fishermen.
Jesus: I brought you along to strengthen your faith. A week ago, Peter, you said you believed I am the Messiah, but the next moment you said I was wrong about my future in Jerusalem.
Peter: (stubbornly) I still find it impossible to accept -- that you're going to Jerusalem to suffer and die.
John: Lord, I cannot bear to think that you must suffer. How can God allow such a terrible fate for you?
Jesus: Nevertheless, it is the Father's plan. The Son of Man came to serve and give his life as a ransom.
Peter: (still unconvinced) Welllll, maybe.
Jesus: We've arrived at the peak. You three stay here and watch, while I go over to that ridge and pray.
Peter: You won't be too long, will you?
Jesus: (chuckles) Peter, in a little while you'll wish to stay up here a lot longer.
James: Seems we're always waiting while Jesus prays. How can he think up all those things to pray about? Three minutes is about my limit. Then it's lights out and nighty-night.
John: (excitedly) Peter! James! Look over there, at Jesus!
Peter: (confusedly) I can scarcely see him. The sun's blazing rays just about blind me.
James: (still excitedly) That's not the sun. It's a cloudy day.
Peter: Then where's the light coming from?
John: (filled with wonder) That glow seems to come from Jesus. What's going on? I've never seen anything like this.
Peter: I must be cracking up! Look! There's two men talking with Jesus. Where'd they come from? Who are they?
God: (to Jesus) My Son, I have brought Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet to prepare you for what you must soon face in Jerusalem.
Jesus: Thank you, Father, for sending these great heroes of faith.
Peter: (whispers excitedly) I think they're talking about Jesus suffering.
James: (annoyed) Hush up, will you?
Peter: (still excitedly) I've seen Jesus do some remarkable things, but this is beyond belief. Just wait until I tell the other disciples. Won't they be jealous?
James: Peter, please! I can't hear what they're saying.
God: This is my beloved Son. I am completely pleased with him.
Peter: (in awe) What an amazing revelation of the glory of God. Jesus glowing with heavenly light. (calls out to Jesus) Jesus! This is absolutely marvelous, simply stupendous. I'd like to honor the occasion by building an altar for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you? There are plenty of rocks up here; so it wouldn't take too long.
James: (irritatedly) Now look, the two figures disappeared, probably because of all your yacking.
God: (to the disciples) Cease this meaningless chatter and listen to my Son.
John: I think God wants you to shut up.
Jesus: Peter, James, John, let's go down the mountain.
Peter: But, Lord, can't we stay a while longer? Up here it's so peaceful and I feel close to God.
James: Lord, we've caught a glimpse of heaven's glory shining on you.
John: It has been wonderful up here, in this place of worship.
Jesus: Down below there are hurting people, people who are sick or sad or burdened with sin or searching for me. Let's go down to help them.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
