According To Thy Will
Worship
Worship Innovations Volume Two
Worship Innovations: Easy Bible Drama
Vignettes On Mary Of Nazareth
Synopsis: Mary progresses through four stages of her life as the mother of Jesus, beginning at the manger and ending at the cross. In each, she is required to submit her own will to the larger will of God at whatever cost. At issue: submission to the will of God as a lifelong journey.
Preparation
Characters Needed:
Young Mary: A young woman, probably sixteen to twenty years of age. She wears a plain light blue or light gray floor-length tunic, and sandals. Her headpiece/shawl is a natural cotton domestic or woven fabric about five by three feet in size. She drapes it over her head and winds it around her shoulders and across her chin as a veil.
Mature Mary: Preferably a woman 40-50 years of age. She wears a simple gray or faded light blue floor-length tunic and sandals. Her headpiece/shawl for scenes 2 and 3 is a soft stripe (not brightly colored) of woven fabric about five by three feet in size. She drapes it over her head and winds it around her shoulders and across her chin as a veil. For the last vignette at the cross, she changes to a charcoal or black shawl.
Narrator: May be a man or woman in usual Sunday attire. This person stands below the platform and to one side during the entire play. (This part is optional. The four scenes could stand alone without the scripture narration.)
Setting: This drama is played on four simple sets which exist simultaneously on the stage. Very few props are needed.
Set I: (far left end of stage) A Christmas manger filled with straw, and an infant doll bound tightly in a white cloth square.
Set II: (left center stage) An eighteen-inch basket lined with homespun, filled with small bread loaves, grapes and oranges.
Set III: (right center stage) No props required. Mary may carry a sprig of spring flowers.
Set IV: (far right end of stage) A walking stick leaning against the wall or rail.
Dialogue
Narrator: Reads Luke 1:26-38.
Young Mary: (Enters from left and moves to Set I, carrying the wrapped infant doll as a newborn. Her headpiece has fallen down around her shoulders and she uses it also as a shawl to cover the baby. Humming a lullaby, she kneels, smiling, and places the baby gently into the manger, then speaks, as if to an imaginary Joseph.) Isn't he tiny, Joseph? So tiny! He looked even smaller when that shepherd held him in his big hands last night. (Searches Joseph's face.) What does it all mean, Joseph? The shepherds coming ... angels singing! Surely God is telling us something -- or maybe asking us something?
(Looks back at the baby and pats him gently.) I keep thinking ... and wondering ... Whatever God is going to do in the life of this special baby, he is asking us to be part of it. (Stands, facing the imagined Joseph.) Do you think we are ready? (Glances quickly back and gestures toward the manger.) We three together? Ready to trust ourselves to God's will, whatever that may be? It's like ... like starting on a journey and not knowing where it will take you.
(Kneels again beside the baby and prays.) Father, be it unto me according to your word. (Young Mary exits.)
Narrator: Reads Luke 8:19-21
Mary: (As the scripture is read, the Mature Mary walks to Set II at center stage left where the basket of bread and fruit sits. Mary picks up the basket, steps down one step, and speaks to her imagined son, James who has come with her.) What a busy place, James! Where did all these people come from? (Knocks loudly on the "door.") There are so many people, and so much noise -- they can't even hear us knocking.
(Knocks again, and peers inside.) Peter! Peter, is that you? What on earth is going on in there? Will you please tell that older son of mine that his family has come to see him? It's been weeks since he has come home for a decent meal and clean clothes! He must be working himself to death -- and you and Andrew right along with him! (Pauses, listening.) No, thank you. The boys and I will just wait out here. It's too crowded to go in.
(Speaks to James again.) It will be good to have him home for a meal or two, James. I get lonely for the long talks we used to -- (turns back to the door as if she is interrupted, and listens in disbelief). He said what? He can't make time to see us? But we're his family! We've walked miles. And I'm his mother! (Listens again.) Yes, I know he must be about his Father's business, but I thought maybe he could get a few days off.
(She turns to walk down the stairs, shaking her head. Then turns to set the basket on the platform.) Peter? Here then -- would you give him this food, please? I guess we'll just go home to Nazareth, boys. Can't even take time to speak to his own mother! (Pauses, looking upward and speaks with resignation.) Yes, Father. Let it be to me according to your word.
Narrator: Reads Luke 19:28-38
Mary: (As the scripture is read, Mary steps down off the platform and circles back up to Set III at center stage right. As she goes she brings the ends of her headpiece down so that it drapes over her head and shoulders like a shawl. She holds it under her chin with one hand through this scene, and grasps a sprig of spring flowers with the other. When she reaches the platform level, she faces the audience. Pointing toward the horizon excitedly, she speaks to her imagined friend, Joanna.) Look, Joanna! Look! Here they come! See them coming over that hill? Oh, my -- what a lot of people!
(Bends and peers, hand shielding her eyes.) What are they all carrying? It must be palms. They must be shading themselves from the sun. (Listens intently.) I can hear them -- I think they are singing something. Can you hear what they are singing, Joanna? It sounds like a happy song. "Hosanna!" They are blessing him, Joanna!
(Points toward the horizon again.) Look! I can see him now! Here he comes! I can see my son! He seems to have borrowed someone's little colt to ride. (Clasps her hands joyfully.) Oh, Joanna -- at last -- at last the promises are coming true! He is coming to save his people, Israel. And they believe in him, Joanna! Finally they know who he is, and the prophet's words are coming true. And I believe in him, too!
(Opens her arms wide in praise, holding the sprig of flowers tightly, and letting her shawl fall to her shoulders.) Hosanna, Jesus! Hosanna! Oh, Father ... be it unto us according to your word!
Narrator: Reads John 19:23-27
Mary: (As the scripture is read, Mary replaces her headpiece with a dark colored shawl, grasping it under her chin with one hand. She moves very slowly toward Set IV at the far right end of the stage, picks up her walking stick and leans heavily on it as she turns to face the audience. She speaks to an imagined John the Apostle. Her tone is very sad and confused.) What has happened, John? How could they turn -- overnight -- from praising him to killing him? (Shakes her head in grief.) What has he done? I don't understand. I don't understand at all.
(Looks at John, partly covering her eyes from the audience.) Tell me what is happening, John. I can't bear to look at him. The hammers! (Covers her ears with her hands.) I hear the hammers! Oh, dear God, surely you are going to stop them! This cannot possibly be your will!
(Draws part of the shawl over her face in despair.) He was my special son ... God's special Child ... the new king ... the one who would bring glory to Israel. (Turns away.) I want to leave ... but I cannot let him die alone. John will you take me up -- there? Will you walk up the hill with me. I must tell my son (she sobs) good-bye. (Bows her head sadly.) Oh Father ... according to your word. According to your word. (Exits to the right.)
Narrator: (This is an optional reading, which would end the drama on a happier note after Mary has exited.) Reads Mark 16:1-7
Follow Up
Some Issues: It would seem that Mary's life as a mother was something of an emotional roller coaster ride. And, while Mary is eclipsed by the life of her Messiah Son -- and well she should be -- still we can learn some large lessons from her. Like so many important Bible personalities, Mary's personal pain came about so that the larger plan of God might become reality. Scenes such as these we have just seen were clearly predicted by the prophet Simeon, when he blessed the infant Jesus at the temple in Luke 2:34-35. Does that indicate to us that God does not care when our lives experience difficulty and anguish in order to be faithful to his plan?
Mary is surely not alone in her struggles. Take, for example, the Apostle Paul in a Roman jail. He had suffered much that we know about (see 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 and 11:23-31) and probably more that went unrecorded. Yet he was able to see that it was worth it, because the kingdom was furthered by his experiences. (See also Philippians 1:12-14 and 20-21.)
Think also of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who endured long years childless so that they could become parents of John the Baptist in due time. And there was Job, who lost everything in a test case between Satan and God. Remember that the entire recital of the faithful in Hebrews 11 calls name after name of saints and servants "of whom the world was not worthy," who suffered for their faith. And each had loved ones who suffered in their shadows. Perhaps their secret was, like that of Christ himself, that the "joy still to come" made the present pain bearable.
It is also significant that we meet many of them again at the throne (see Revelation 7:9-17), reward in hand. And there we shall one day be, also.
Questions For Thought:
About Mary: Did Mary "sign away" her rights to her own life and happiness when she said, "Let it be to me according to your word"? Would a normal kind of family life, with all her children close and safe, have been a happier life for her? What were the benefits to Mary of being such an important player in the purposes of God?
Her faithfulness in all that pain is almost beyond our understanding. Yet we see her two more times after the cross. Once was at the tomb on resurrection morning (Mark 16:1-7). Again she is with the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14). What do you feel allowed Mary to remain faithful to God through the cross and beyond? Could you write a fifth vignette of her life on the day of Pentecost?
One of the rewards God gave to Mary is evident in her later life. Her son James, the half-brother of Jesus born to Mary and Joseph, became a believer and a renowned pastor. In fact, James is believed to have pastored the early Jerusalem church (see Acts 15:13) and to have authored the vital Epistle of James in our New Testament. What role do you feel Mary's life may have played in James's later dynamic ministry?
About Us: How much pain must a Christian endure for the sake of fulfilling his or her role in life? What kinds of problems in today's world cause Christians to suffer? All suffering is not alike. Is that which we endure for the sake of the gospel more honorable than the pain that comes from everyday living (such as cancer and loss of a child)? Or is all pain a part of our witness to faith? How able are you to identify with Paul's philosophy in Philippians 1:20-21 and 3:8-10? Does the promise of eventual reward in the next life make the pain of this life bearable?
Synopsis: Mary progresses through four stages of her life as the mother of Jesus, beginning at the manger and ending at the cross. In each, she is required to submit her own will to the larger will of God at whatever cost. At issue: submission to the will of God as a lifelong journey.
Preparation
Characters Needed:
Young Mary: A young woman, probably sixteen to twenty years of age. She wears a plain light blue or light gray floor-length tunic, and sandals. Her headpiece/shawl is a natural cotton domestic or woven fabric about five by three feet in size. She drapes it over her head and winds it around her shoulders and across her chin as a veil.
Mature Mary: Preferably a woman 40-50 years of age. She wears a simple gray or faded light blue floor-length tunic and sandals. Her headpiece/shawl for scenes 2 and 3 is a soft stripe (not brightly colored) of woven fabric about five by three feet in size. She drapes it over her head and winds it around her shoulders and across her chin as a veil. For the last vignette at the cross, she changes to a charcoal or black shawl.
Narrator: May be a man or woman in usual Sunday attire. This person stands below the platform and to one side during the entire play. (This part is optional. The four scenes could stand alone without the scripture narration.)
Setting: This drama is played on four simple sets which exist simultaneously on the stage. Very few props are needed.
Set I: (far left end of stage) A Christmas manger filled with straw, and an infant doll bound tightly in a white cloth square.
Set II: (left center stage) An eighteen-inch basket lined with homespun, filled with small bread loaves, grapes and oranges.
Set III: (right center stage) No props required. Mary may carry a sprig of spring flowers.
Set IV: (far right end of stage) A walking stick leaning against the wall or rail.
Dialogue
Narrator: Reads Luke 1:26-38.
Young Mary: (Enters from left and moves to Set I, carrying the wrapped infant doll as a newborn. Her headpiece has fallen down around her shoulders and she uses it also as a shawl to cover the baby. Humming a lullaby, she kneels, smiling, and places the baby gently into the manger, then speaks, as if to an imaginary Joseph.) Isn't he tiny, Joseph? So tiny! He looked even smaller when that shepherd held him in his big hands last night. (Searches Joseph's face.) What does it all mean, Joseph? The shepherds coming ... angels singing! Surely God is telling us something -- or maybe asking us something?
(Looks back at the baby and pats him gently.) I keep thinking ... and wondering ... Whatever God is going to do in the life of this special baby, he is asking us to be part of it. (Stands, facing the imagined Joseph.) Do you think we are ready? (Glances quickly back and gestures toward the manger.) We three together? Ready to trust ourselves to God's will, whatever that may be? It's like ... like starting on a journey and not knowing where it will take you.
(Kneels again beside the baby and prays.) Father, be it unto me according to your word. (Young Mary exits.)
Narrator: Reads Luke 8:19-21
Mary: (As the scripture is read, the Mature Mary walks to Set II at center stage left where the basket of bread and fruit sits. Mary picks up the basket, steps down one step, and speaks to her imagined son, James who has come with her.) What a busy place, James! Where did all these people come from? (Knocks loudly on the "door.") There are so many people, and so much noise -- they can't even hear us knocking.
(Knocks again, and peers inside.) Peter! Peter, is that you? What on earth is going on in there? Will you please tell that older son of mine that his family has come to see him? It's been weeks since he has come home for a decent meal and clean clothes! He must be working himself to death -- and you and Andrew right along with him! (Pauses, listening.) No, thank you. The boys and I will just wait out here. It's too crowded to go in.
(Speaks to James again.) It will be good to have him home for a meal or two, James. I get lonely for the long talks we used to -- (turns back to the door as if she is interrupted, and listens in disbelief). He said what? He can't make time to see us? But we're his family! We've walked miles. And I'm his mother! (Listens again.) Yes, I know he must be about his Father's business, but I thought maybe he could get a few days off.
(She turns to walk down the stairs, shaking her head. Then turns to set the basket on the platform.) Peter? Here then -- would you give him this food, please? I guess we'll just go home to Nazareth, boys. Can't even take time to speak to his own mother! (Pauses, looking upward and speaks with resignation.) Yes, Father. Let it be to me according to your word.
Narrator: Reads Luke 19:28-38
Mary: (As the scripture is read, Mary steps down off the platform and circles back up to Set III at center stage right. As she goes she brings the ends of her headpiece down so that it drapes over her head and shoulders like a shawl. She holds it under her chin with one hand through this scene, and grasps a sprig of spring flowers with the other. When she reaches the platform level, she faces the audience. Pointing toward the horizon excitedly, she speaks to her imagined friend, Joanna.) Look, Joanna! Look! Here they come! See them coming over that hill? Oh, my -- what a lot of people!
(Bends and peers, hand shielding her eyes.) What are they all carrying? It must be palms. They must be shading themselves from the sun. (Listens intently.) I can hear them -- I think they are singing something. Can you hear what they are singing, Joanna? It sounds like a happy song. "Hosanna!" They are blessing him, Joanna!
(Points toward the horizon again.) Look! I can see him now! Here he comes! I can see my son! He seems to have borrowed someone's little colt to ride. (Clasps her hands joyfully.) Oh, Joanna -- at last -- at last the promises are coming true! He is coming to save his people, Israel. And they believe in him, Joanna! Finally they know who he is, and the prophet's words are coming true. And I believe in him, too!
(Opens her arms wide in praise, holding the sprig of flowers tightly, and letting her shawl fall to her shoulders.) Hosanna, Jesus! Hosanna! Oh, Father ... be it unto us according to your word!
Narrator: Reads John 19:23-27
Mary: (As the scripture is read, Mary replaces her headpiece with a dark colored shawl, grasping it under her chin with one hand. She moves very slowly toward Set IV at the far right end of the stage, picks up her walking stick and leans heavily on it as she turns to face the audience. She speaks to an imagined John the Apostle. Her tone is very sad and confused.) What has happened, John? How could they turn -- overnight -- from praising him to killing him? (Shakes her head in grief.) What has he done? I don't understand. I don't understand at all.
(Looks at John, partly covering her eyes from the audience.) Tell me what is happening, John. I can't bear to look at him. The hammers! (Covers her ears with her hands.) I hear the hammers! Oh, dear God, surely you are going to stop them! This cannot possibly be your will!
(Draws part of the shawl over her face in despair.) He was my special son ... God's special Child ... the new king ... the one who would bring glory to Israel. (Turns away.) I want to leave ... but I cannot let him die alone. John will you take me up -- there? Will you walk up the hill with me. I must tell my son (she sobs) good-bye. (Bows her head sadly.) Oh Father ... according to your word. According to your word. (Exits to the right.)
Narrator: (This is an optional reading, which would end the drama on a happier note after Mary has exited.) Reads Mark 16:1-7
Follow Up
Some Issues: It would seem that Mary's life as a mother was something of an emotional roller coaster ride. And, while Mary is eclipsed by the life of her Messiah Son -- and well she should be -- still we can learn some large lessons from her. Like so many important Bible personalities, Mary's personal pain came about so that the larger plan of God might become reality. Scenes such as these we have just seen were clearly predicted by the prophet Simeon, when he blessed the infant Jesus at the temple in Luke 2:34-35. Does that indicate to us that God does not care when our lives experience difficulty and anguish in order to be faithful to his plan?
Mary is surely not alone in her struggles. Take, for example, the Apostle Paul in a Roman jail. He had suffered much that we know about (see 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 and 11:23-31) and probably more that went unrecorded. Yet he was able to see that it was worth it, because the kingdom was furthered by his experiences. (See also Philippians 1:12-14 and 20-21.)
Think also of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who endured long years childless so that they could become parents of John the Baptist in due time. And there was Job, who lost everything in a test case between Satan and God. Remember that the entire recital of the faithful in Hebrews 11 calls name after name of saints and servants "of whom the world was not worthy," who suffered for their faith. And each had loved ones who suffered in their shadows. Perhaps their secret was, like that of Christ himself, that the "joy still to come" made the present pain bearable.
It is also significant that we meet many of them again at the throne (see Revelation 7:9-17), reward in hand. And there we shall one day be, also.
Questions For Thought:
About Mary: Did Mary "sign away" her rights to her own life and happiness when she said, "Let it be to me according to your word"? Would a normal kind of family life, with all her children close and safe, have been a happier life for her? What were the benefits to Mary of being such an important player in the purposes of God?
Her faithfulness in all that pain is almost beyond our understanding. Yet we see her two more times after the cross. Once was at the tomb on resurrection morning (Mark 16:1-7). Again she is with the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 1:12-14). What do you feel allowed Mary to remain faithful to God through the cross and beyond? Could you write a fifth vignette of her life on the day of Pentecost?
One of the rewards God gave to Mary is evident in her later life. Her son James, the half-brother of Jesus born to Mary and Joseph, became a believer and a renowned pastor. In fact, James is believed to have pastored the early Jerusalem church (see Acts 15:13) and to have authored the vital Epistle of James in our New Testament. What role do you feel Mary's life may have played in James's later dynamic ministry?
About Us: How much pain must a Christian endure for the sake of fulfilling his or her role in life? What kinds of problems in today's world cause Christians to suffer? All suffering is not alike. Is that which we endure for the sake of the gospel more honorable than the pain that comes from everyday living (such as cancer and loss of a child)? Or is all pain a part of our witness to faith? How able are you to identify with Paul's philosophy in Philippians 1:20-21 and 3:8-10? Does the promise of eventual reward in the next life make the pain of this life bearable?
