A Growing Darkness
Worship
Worship Innovations
Description: The congregation gathers on Friday in the late afternoon or evening, in a candle-lighted worship area. The service follows the somber and ancient custom of extinguishing candles to commemorate the death of Christ and the darkness of that day. A long table with seven candles is set on the stage area, with a 15-branch candelabra standing on either side. During the first part of the service, seven readings recall the events of that historic day. The snuffing of candelabra lights, and sounds of a hammer accompany the readings. In the second part, a series of dramatic monologues allow friends of Jesus to tell his story, and extinguish the remaining seven candles. Worshipers leave in darkness to await Resurrection Day.Description: The congregation gathers on Friday in the late afternoon or evening, in a candle-lighted worship area. The service follows the somber and ancient custom of extinguishing candles to commemorate the death of Christ and the darkness of that day. A long table with seven candles is set on the stage area, with a 15-branch candelabra standing on either side. During the first part of the service, seven readings recall the events of that historic day. The snuffing of candelabra lights, and sounds of a hammer accompany the readings. In the second part, a series of dramatic monologues allow friends of Jesus to tell his story, and extinguish the remaining seven candles. Worshipers leave in darkness to await Resurrection Day.
Preparations: Two teams are needed, one for worship planning and one for drama preparation. In addition to the following paragraphs, further details are given for both throughout this chapter.
1. Worship Team: Secure two tall candelabra to stand on the sides of the stage area. (See "Candelabra" below.) Between them, set a table with benches, resembling the Da Vinci Lord's Supper scene. Place a pulpit stand in front and to one side. Room lighting will be by candles. A dim, adjustable spotlight may be added, one which can be faded as each of the last seven candles is extinguished.
Enlist two robed readers to alternate the scripture readings. A pulpit light and microphone may be needed for the minister and readers. Enlist also the two candle lighter/snuffers to wear dark clothing, and to extinguish candles during the readings. Quiet music, congregational songs, and two soloists are suggested. One walk through rehearsal for those involved (minister, readers, candle lighters, musicians) will help everyone feel comfortable with his or her place, the unaccustomed dim light, and the sound equipment, before the service begins.
Candelabra: Stand the two tall, 15-branch holders with white tapers on either side of the worship and stage area, as indicated above. (The type used at weddings are ideal.) By each candelabra a candle lighter stands to snuff candles as the scriptures are read. Dark attire will allow them to recede into the background. Each needs a candle lighter/snuffer. Candelabra are lighted before worshipers arrive. As each of the first six readings is completed, both actors snuff two candles from their 15 (12 in all on each side,) and a carpenter sounds several hammer blows. On the seventh reading, the three remaining candles on each side are extinguished, leaving only the seven lighted pillar candles on the Lord's Supper table (and perhaps a very dim spotlight) to light the drama presentation.
Spikes: To involve the congregation in the crucifixion experience, have ushers hand each person a six-inch nail spike, along with an attractive printed program, as they arrive for worship. Prepare for the sound effects of hammer and spikes to alternate with the first seven readings. The sounds may be pre-recorded and played through the sound system, or struck live by a carpenter dressed in biblical attire, and working on a sturdy bench to the side of the worship area.
2. Drama Team: A director and six actors are required for this second part of the service. Note that John Mark is a teenager, and Peter has two speaking parts. A costume manager is needed to prepare dark costumes for each actor. Two rehearsals are suggested: one to walk through the script and actions, and practice voice projection; the second to perform parts in full dress with the dim lighting. Seven rough wooden candle holders with white pillar candles are needed for the drama table. These should be of graduating heights, with the tallest Christ Candle in the center. (The holders may be simple blocks of a 4" by 4" post.) A goblet, matzohs, and a few ceramic dishes are also needed for the table. (See further details in the section, "II. Drama: A Growing Darkness.")
The Service At A Glance
I. Worship Through Remembering
Quiet Music
Solo: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
Congregational Song
Minister's Welcome And Introduction
Seven Scripture Readings
Instrumental Solo
II. Drama: "A Growing Darkness"
Benediction
I. Worship Through RememberingI. Worship Through Remembering
Quiet Music: (Played somberly, commemorating the death of Christ.) "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" and "Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross." A recording of "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" from The Messiah could be substituted.
Solo: "What Wondrous Love Is This?" (Verses 1 and 2 only, possibly a capella.)
Congregational Song: "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" or "The Old Rugged Cross" (Before congregational singing, the two candle lighters together light the seven candles on the Lord's Supper table. Lighters return and stand beside their candelabra through this first part of the service holding snuffers.)
Minister's Welcome And Introduction: We celebrate this evening one of the most somber of all Christian traditions, the extinguishing of the lights, as we remember the cruel and sacrificial death of our Savior on our behalf. This Tenebrae is a custom which has been observed in many forms in churches for more than 1,500 years. We Christians who live in the tradition of hope and praise, always claiming the resurrection of our Lord Jesus as our own assurance of eternal life, find it difficult to immerse ourselves in the day of his death „ a day without hope „ a day of great pain for our Lord and his closest friends and family. But, in order to feel the joy of Easter morning fully, we must first revisit the day of darkness „ the day Christ died. Let us listen to some of the events of his final hours.
Scripture Readings: (Two robed readers alternate the seven readings from the pulpit. As each reading is completed, both candle lighters snuff out two candles from their candelabra, and the carpenter strikes two blows onto a spike with his hammer. Following the seventh reading, the remaining three candles on each side are extinguished and three blows are struck.)
1.aThe Betrayal and Arrest: Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
2.aThe Arraignment: Matthew 26:57-66 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
3.aThe Denial: Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
4.aThe Trial and Sentencing: Matthew 27:11-26 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
5.aThe Crucifixion: Matthew 27:27-38 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
6.aThe Prophecy Fulfilled: Psalm 22:1, 6-8, 14-18 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
7.aDarkness and Death: Matthew 27:54-56 (Snuff remaining three candles on both candelabra; strike three hammer blows. Readers and candle lighters exit.)
Instrumental Solo: "Were You There?" (Two verses, somberly and without piano accompaniment. Horn, clarinet, flute, or violin suggested.)
II. Drama: "A Growing Darkness"II. Drama: AGrowingDarkness
Characters Needed:
Mary of Bethany, Nicodemus, Thomas,
John the Apostle, Simon Peter, and a teenage John Mark
Setting: In a scene reminiscent of Da Vinci's Last Supper, a long table is set on the stage. Benches flank the ends and back side, with the front uncluttered. (Weathered wooden picnic table and benches work well.) The table is covered with lengths of unbleached domestic fabric. A single goblet and napkin with matzoh stand before the central host position. A few baskets and ceramic bowls, and a basin and towel, may be added to suggest Jesus and the disciples were here, but have gone away.
Costumes: All actors are in mourning for their Lord, and wear dark tunics (dark gray, black, olive, dull navy, or brown). Head wear and props differ, and are noted in the script below. All wear sandals on bare feet. The drab attire is designed to give greater emphasis to the words they will speak.
Mary of Bethany: (Enters from left and moves across the front of the table toward right center. She carries a small stone jar or urn for perfume, and wears a dark tunic and a veil wound around her head and shoulders. She speaks slowly and sadly.) I was not there, but I heard about it „ the awful night when Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the garden. We had seen him several times the week before. It was the week of Passover preparations, and he spent part of it in our home.
(Mary moves pensively to her right, staring down; then looks directly at the audience.) Since my brother Lazarus's terrible death experience, our family has never been able to thank Jesus adequately. There just is no way to repay someone for a life brought back from the grave. Our entire village celebrated and believed. When Jesus and his followers arrived in Jerusalem about a week before Passover, (she smiles, remembering) Martha and I fixed dinner for them all. It was a joyous reunion, and many guests came.
For me it was a special night „ a night I'll remember always. We had this urn of nard perfume (she shows it, holding it tightly with both hands) „ a treasure that had been in our family for years. One of our most precious „ certainly our most fragrant possession. As dinner drew to a close, Jesus was talking with the men around the table. I found a quiet moment to slip in beside him, (she pantomimes the act) and I broke the seal on the urn and poured the red oil over his precious feet.
I didn't intend to disturb, but even I was surprised at how the perfume totally filled the room. (Gestures as she speaks, still pantomiming her actions.) Conversation stopped. I was embarrassed, so I stooped and began to wipe his feet with my veil and my hair. (Fumbles with the edge of her veil as she remembers.) I guess most of the men did not know what to say, but Judas spoke up quickly. All he could talk of was the wasted money that nard could have brought to the group treasury.
(Her voice softens and she opens the jar and breathes the lingering fragrance; then holds the empty urn to her heart.) But Jesus was quick to defend me. He understood my devotion „ my thanks „ my love. I like to hope that the perfume made the terrible days ahead easier for Jesus to bear. The terrible, terrible, dark days ahead.
(Mary steps to the right end of the table and blows out the first candle, then exits quietly to the right.)
Nicodemus: (Enters from the left and walks to the front left end of the table. Over his black tunic, he wears a white prayer shawl, with black phylacteries bound on his forehead and arm.) It surely was a terrible week! For Joseph and me, meeting with the Jewish Council, it was a wrenching week. (He pauses, remembering, and shakes his head gently.)
That plot to arrest and kill Jesus had been brewing in the Council for months. All the time Jesus' popularity with the crowds was growing, the fear and hatred of the Pharisees was growing in kind. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the crowds went wild. (He gestures with both hands.) It wasn't a usual miracle you see. It couldn't be explained away, no matter how hard they tried. And the Chief Priest and Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and decided to (makes a fist) put an end to it all as soon as possible.
Unless you've experienced Jerusalem in Passover week, you cannot possibly understand the craziness. Two million Jews filled every street and alley „ (gestures widely to both sides) „ it's the biggest week of the year around here. Paranoia reigned among my brothers in the Pharisees. Joseph and I debated whether to go public about our belief that Jesus is the Messiah. (He pauses, remembering, then shakes his head decisively.) But it seemed to us we might be strategically positioned within the Council as secret followers, to head off the plot and protect Jesus in some way. At least „ at that point „ we hoped we might.
(Nicodemus paces a few steps, then comes back, talking and gesturing.) All week it continued between Jesus and the Council „ cat and mouse, cat and mouse. Jesus entered the city in a wildly jubilant parade, (confidently) and strode in and took over the Temple courts. The Jews could not touch him. (He moves to sit on the left end bench, elbow on the table.) Every attempt to discredit Jesus with trick questions and public dialogue left the Pharisees „ and even the Sadducees „ in tatters. At every opportunity Jesus came up with a new parable that only thinly disguised the self-serving motives of the leaders. (He pounds the table with his fist.) How they hated him! (Gestures broadly, smiling.) And how the people loved him! The leaders dared not touch him because of the people.
But (he rises slowly, and shakes his head in unbelief) their answer came „ unexpectedly to us all „ in the man Judas Iscariot „ a disillusioned disciple who sold out his master (holds out his hand as though receiving coins) for a slave's price in silver. Can you believe it? (Hand to his chest.) It caught Joseph and me completely off guard. It was the beginning of the end for Jesus „ for us all. Such a sad, sad end.
(Nicodemus turns to blow out the first candle on the left end of the table, and exits quietly back to the left.)
Thomas: (Enters from right and walks to center front of table. He wears a dark tunic, with muted, solid-color head square, topped by a dark turban, and carries a length of coiled rope in his left hand. His tone is very angry, and he shakes his right fist.) Judas! Traitor! I know the Master taught us to love our enemies „ but we thought he meant those on the outside. It is nearly impossible to love one who betrayed us all on inside information! One who pretended loyalty!
(He strides to the left end of the table, shaking the coiled of rope.) How did he ever get away with it? How did we eleven grown men miss the cues and let this happen? Why did Jesus ever make him one of the Twelve in the first place? He ate and drank with us „ shared our hearts and our secrets. (He turns and pauses, unable to take it in.)
(Thomas rubs his forehead with his right hand, as though easing a headache, then speaks slowly, as though thinking it out.) I think the whole twisted betrayal formed in Judas' mind the night Mary poured out her nard on Jesus' feet. Judas was outraged „ beyond reason. And in his over-reaction some of us began to suspect and question his motives. Judas held the purse for our group „ and he loved money. Everyone could see that. So he was susceptible to the lure of greed and gain.
(Slowly he walks back to the center of the table as he speaks.) And Judas was a radical „ an activist who loved power. He wanted Jesus to begin his Kingdom here and now, (makes a fist) to destroy Rome. To some extent, we all wanted that. But I think Judas saw the betrayal as a way to force Jesus' hand „ to set up a show down in the garden. Maybe he thought Jesus would resist the Temple guards by calling down angels or something.
(He shakes his head in bewilderment.) Who can know what a traitor like Judas would think? At any rate „ he's gone now „ (shows rope) hanged by his own hand. (He blows out the second candle on the right end.) But he took our Jesus out with him. (Exits quietly to the right.)
John the Apostle: (He enters with Peter from the right. John moves forward to the right center, but Peter sits on the right end bench. John wears a dark tunic, and light head square, secured with matching headband. Peter has a dark head square, pulled down deeply over his eyes, and carries a small towel in one hand. As John speaks, Peter stares at his hands and fidgets with the towel.)
It was hard for all of us to understand. Not that I'm taking up for Judas by any means. What he did was despicable and inhuman, and he has destroyed our very lives and crushed our hearts. But this teaching of a Kingdom of another realm is a hard truth to grasp. We all struggled with it.
(Gestures toward Peter quickly.) Peter can back me up here „ we always had an undercurrent of competition „ maybe it was ambition „ among us Twelve. (Peter nods assent.) We were brothers, but in any group some will emerge as leaders „ just sort of float to the top over time. And the group sees those natural abilities. (Shakes his head.) Judas was never one of those at the top „ never fully trusted „ and I think he resented it more than we knew.
(He turns profile to the audience and toward Peter.) Where a Kingdom is concerned, there have to be positions „ offices, if you will „ responsibilities. I have to admit (points to himself) my brother James and I wanted those top spots. Even my mother tried to "politic" with Jesus for our interests. And Peter (casts a quick look back and nods) „ he sort of looked out for Number One, too. (Peter agrees, shaking his head in shame at the memory.)
You would think we three „ Peter, James, and myself (gestures to include Peter) „ we should have gotten it. Especially after we saw the Master's glory on Mount Hermon that day. I can hardly describe it even now. (Shields his face with his hand, and gestures toward the sun as he remembers.) Jesus was so changed „ so bright! Moses and Elijah so real. (Reaches upward.) The cloud so brilliant. God's voice so clear. We should have understood about a "Kingdom not of this world."
(John turns back toward the left.) But Judas went farther „ he wanted "his" and he wanted it now. He couldn't wait on Jesus to work it out. He couldn't trust. He couldn't submit. So he gambled „ and he lost. We all lost. (John turns and blows out the second candle on the left end and exits to the left, speaking.) We lost the best friend we ever had.
Simon Peter: (Watches John leave, then rises slowly, folding the towel over his left arm. He continues standing beside the right end bench.) John is right. That day on Mount Hermon should have explained it. Many things should have explained it. We can see it now „ you know how hindsight works.
(Peter transfers the towel from his left arm to his right hand.) To me the light should have dawned on that last Thursday evening in the borrowed upper room at John Mark's house. That's when Jesus, after the dinner, took off his robe and wrapped a towel around his waist, and began to wash our feet. Like a common servant „ he was washing our feet in love. (He kneels partially by the bench, showing how it was done.) I could hardly allow my Lord to do that. I protested (sits back on his heels) "No, Lord!" But he insisted. And, one by one, he cleansed us all „ all, even Judas.
And then he explained „ drew us a picture. (Peter rises and gestures with the towel.) We are all to serve each other in humility. In love. His Kingdom is a gentle way of life „ teaching, loving, serving, sacrificing. Sadly, this dark world doesn't operate on those principles. That's why it opposes us. That's why they killed our Lord. (He pauses briefly, grieving.)
(Brightening.) But, we who have the spirit of Jesus within can make this Kingdom work! Jesus may be gone, but the things he taught us are truth, and they will live on. (He picks up the third candle on the right and holds it before his face.) His light may be gone (blows it out softly) but his truth is very much alive! (Putting the candle back in its place, he sits back on the end bench, head in his hands.)
John Mark: (Enters from left before Peter finishes speaking, and walks slowly across behind the table toward the right end. He is a teenager and wears a calf-length dark tunic with no head square. As Peter sits down, Mark moves next to him, resting his hand on Peter's shoulder tenderly.) Peter can hardly tell you about the next few hours „ after supper on Passover night. His pain is still so great.
(He walks slowly around to the front right end of the table as he speaks.) After supper the whole group „ Jesus and the eleven disciples „ left our upper room and walked across the Kidron to the olive press. Jesus often went there to pray „ we all knew the place well. It was late, and I was supposed to be in bed asleep, but „ well „ (he smiles, embarrassed) I admired all those men so much, and Jesus, too „ so I snuck off and followed them „ uninvited.
(He pauses, remembering, and gestures to one side.) Jesus went off to pray, and he stayed so long the rest of us fell asleep. It must have been terrible for Jesus. I think he knew what he was about to go through. Two or three times (he pantomimes, shaking Peter's shoulder gently) he tried to wake the men so they could pray with him. But I don't think any of them was much help to him. Nobody suspected what would come next.
(Mark walks more to the center front of the table.) It must have been after midnight when Jesus woke us all up. (He shakes Peter again.) "Get up! Let's go! My enemies are here!" he said. And up the valley came this string of Temple guards with torches. (He traces their trail with his finger.) There were some Roman soldiers with them, too. We were terrified „ just coming off a deep sleep and seeing all that. Peter had the sense to grab his short sword and try to fight them off. Can you see him? (Pantomiming.) Slashing wildly at that whole detachment of men? (Peter, sitting and listening, shakes his head in embarrassment and drops it again. Mark eyes him.) Well, I thought it was a brave try. I couldn't have done it.
But, it was as though Jesus knew what he had to do. He told Peter to put it away.
Two soldiers grabbed Jesus, and I „ I just ran for my life! A soldier caught me and jerked off my night shirt, but I got free and ran for home „ naked „ and in the total darkness. (Mark blows out the third candle on the left end, leaving only the tall Christ Candle burning, and exits to the left.) It was really a dark night for us all.
Simon Peter: (Returning to speak a second time, he walks slowly around the front of the table, toward the one remaining lighted candle, still holding the small towel.) I wish I couldn't remember what came next. If I could rewrite that night „ my own cowardice and denial „ I would surely do that at any cost.
(Shrugs at the futility of the situation.) Everybody ran „ but John and me. I don't know what John did, but I hid a safe distance away, and followed the sad parade as they led my precious Jesus to the house of that treacherous Chief Priest, Caiaphas. I wanted so much to rush them and rescue him, but my fears and confusion were too great. And security was very tight.
(Peter takes the last candle and holds it in front of his face, studying the flame.) From outside Caiaphas' house I heard snatches of accusations drift into the courtyard, all the time trying to appear that I was an innocent bystander, just casually warming myself by the fire. (He passes one hand over the flame.) But people soon figured me out „ I guess I just sound like a Galilean country boy. They kept trying to link me to Jesus as an accomplice. I denied it every time, not so much to save my neck „ (nods) it was partly that, I guess „ but to try to stay near, hoping to be there if they released Jesus, so I could take him home. I couldn't believe they would kill such a good and innocent man.
(He sets the candle back in its place.) But „ in the end „ they did just that. And I couldn't change things. And as they led Jesus away, they were hitting him, and spitting on him, and yelling insults at him. It made no sense at all. And he just let them do it. "Call the angels!" I wanted to yell, but I couldn't speak out again. (Peter wipes his brow with the towel.) I was too weak.
As Jesus passed through the courtyard, our eyes met. (Pantomiming.) His look broke my heart. I knew I had let him down, and I left and ran out into the street. Dawn was breaking, but I was too angry and ashamed to see. In my soul it was totally dark. I had disappointed my best friend. (Peter wipes his face with the towel, picks up the last lighted candle and carries it as he exits to the right. The carpenter strikes three final blows.)
Benediction Song: "Oh, How He Loves You And Me" (The congregation leaves quietly in the darkness.)
Preparations: Two teams are needed, one for worship planning and one for drama preparation. In addition to the following paragraphs, further details are given for both throughout this chapter.
1. Worship Team: Secure two tall candelabra to stand on the sides of the stage area. (See "Candelabra" below.) Between them, set a table with benches, resembling the Da Vinci Lord's Supper scene. Place a pulpit stand in front and to one side. Room lighting will be by candles. A dim, adjustable spotlight may be added, one which can be faded as each of the last seven candles is extinguished.
Enlist two robed readers to alternate the scripture readings. A pulpit light and microphone may be needed for the minister and readers. Enlist also the two candle lighter/snuffers to wear dark clothing, and to extinguish candles during the readings. Quiet music, congregational songs, and two soloists are suggested. One walk through rehearsal for those involved (minister, readers, candle lighters, musicians) will help everyone feel comfortable with his or her place, the unaccustomed dim light, and the sound equipment, before the service begins.
Candelabra: Stand the two tall, 15-branch holders with white tapers on either side of the worship and stage area, as indicated above. (The type used at weddings are ideal.) By each candelabra a candle lighter stands to snuff candles as the scriptures are read. Dark attire will allow them to recede into the background. Each needs a candle lighter/snuffer. Candelabra are lighted before worshipers arrive. As each of the first six readings is completed, both actors snuff two candles from their 15 (12 in all on each side,) and a carpenter sounds several hammer blows. On the seventh reading, the three remaining candles on each side are extinguished, leaving only the seven lighted pillar candles on the Lord's Supper table (and perhaps a very dim spotlight) to light the drama presentation.
Spikes: To involve the congregation in the crucifixion experience, have ushers hand each person a six-inch nail spike, along with an attractive printed program, as they arrive for worship. Prepare for the sound effects of hammer and spikes to alternate with the first seven readings. The sounds may be pre-recorded and played through the sound system, or struck live by a carpenter dressed in biblical attire, and working on a sturdy bench to the side of the worship area.
2. Drama Team: A director and six actors are required for this second part of the service. Note that John Mark is a teenager, and Peter has two speaking parts. A costume manager is needed to prepare dark costumes for each actor. Two rehearsals are suggested: one to walk through the script and actions, and practice voice projection; the second to perform parts in full dress with the dim lighting. Seven rough wooden candle holders with white pillar candles are needed for the drama table. These should be of graduating heights, with the tallest Christ Candle in the center. (The holders may be simple blocks of a 4" by 4" post.) A goblet, matzohs, and a few ceramic dishes are also needed for the table. (See further details in the section, "II. Drama: A Growing Darkness.")
The Service At A Glance
I. Worship Through Remembering
Quiet Music
Solo: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
Congregational Song
Minister's Welcome And Introduction
Seven Scripture Readings
Instrumental Solo
II. Drama: "A Growing Darkness"
Benediction
I. Worship Through RememberingI. Worship Through Remembering
Quiet Music: (Played somberly, commemorating the death of Christ.) "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" and "Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross." A recording of "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" from The Messiah could be substituted.
Solo: "What Wondrous Love Is This?" (Verses 1 and 2 only, possibly a capella.)
Congregational Song: "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" or "The Old Rugged Cross" (Before congregational singing, the two candle lighters together light the seven candles on the Lord's Supper table. Lighters return and stand beside their candelabra through this first part of the service holding snuffers.)
Minister's Welcome And Introduction: We celebrate this evening one of the most somber of all Christian traditions, the extinguishing of the lights, as we remember the cruel and sacrificial death of our Savior on our behalf. This Tenebrae is a custom which has been observed in many forms in churches for more than 1,500 years. We Christians who live in the tradition of hope and praise, always claiming the resurrection of our Lord Jesus as our own assurance of eternal life, find it difficult to immerse ourselves in the day of his death „ a day without hope „ a day of great pain for our Lord and his closest friends and family. But, in order to feel the joy of Easter morning fully, we must first revisit the day of darkness „ the day Christ died. Let us listen to some of the events of his final hours.
Scripture Readings: (Two robed readers alternate the seven readings from the pulpit. As each reading is completed, both candle lighters snuff out two candles from their candelabra, and the carpenter strikes two blows onto a spike with his hammer. Following the seventh reading, the remaining three candles on each side are extinguished and three blows are struck.)
1.aThe Betrayal and Arrest: Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
2.aThe Arraignment: Matthew 26:57-66 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
3.aThe Denial: Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
4.aThe Trial and Sentencing: Matthew 27:11-26 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
5.aThe Crucifixion: Matthew 27:27-38 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
6.aThe Prophecy Fulfilled: Psalm 22:1, 6-8, 14-18 (Snuff two candles on both candelabra; strike two hammer blows.)
7.aDarkness and Death: Matthew 27:54-56 (Snuff remaining three candles on both candelabra; strike three hammer blows. Readers and candle lighters exit.)
Instrumental Solo: "Were You There?" (Two verses, somberly and without piano accompaniment. Horn, clarinet, flute, or violin suggested.)
II. Drama: "A Growing Darkness"II. Drama: AGrowingDarkness
Characters Needed:
Mary of Bethany, Nicodemus, Thomas,
John the Apostle, Simon Peter, and a teenage John Mark
Setting: In a scene reminiscent of Da Vinci's Last Supper, a long table is set on the stage. Benches flank the ends and back side, with the front uncluttered. (Weathered wooden picnic table and benches work well.) The table is covered with lengths of unbleached domestic fabric. A single goblet and napkin with matzoh stand before the central host position. A few baskets and ceramic bowls, and a basin and towel, may be added to suggest Jesus and the disciples were here, but have gone away.
Costumes: All actors are in mourning for their Lord, and wear dark tunics (dark gray, black, olive, dull navy, or brown). Head wear and props differ, and are noted in the script below. All wear sandals on bare feet. The drab attire is designed to give greater emphasis to the words they will speak.
Mary of Bethany: (Enters from left and moves across the front of the table toward right center. She carries a small stone jar or urn for perfume, and wears a dark tunic and a veil wound around her head and shoulders. She speaks slowly and sadly.) I was not there, but I heard about it „ the awful night when Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the garden. We had seen him several times the week before. It was the week of Passover preparations, and he spent part of it in our home.
(Mary moves pensively to her right, staring down; then looks directly at the audience.) Since my brother Lazarus's terrible death experience, our family has never been able to thank Jesus adequately. There just is no way to repay someone for a life brought back from the grave. Our entire village celebrated and believed. When Jesus and his followers arrived in Jerusalem about a week before Passover, (she smiles, remembering) Martha and I fixed dinner for them all. It was a joyous reunion, and many guests came.
For me it was a special night „ a night I'll remember always. We had this urn of nard perfume (she shows it, holding it tightly with both hands) „ a treasure that had been in our family for years. One of our most precious „ certainly our most fragrant possession. As dinner drew to a close, Jesus was talking with the men around the table. I found a quiet moment to slip in beside him, (she pantomimes the act) and I broke the seal on the urn and poured the red oil over his precious feet.
I didn't intend to disturb, but even I was surprised at how the perfume totally filled the room. (Gestures as she speaks, still pantomiming her actions.) Conversation stopped. I was embarrassed, so I stooped and began to wipe his feet with my veil and my hair. (Fumbles with the edge of her veil as she remembers.) I guess most of the men did not know what to say, but Judas spoke up quickly. All he could talk of was the wasted money that nard could have brought to the group treasury.
(Her voice softens and she opens the jar and breathes the lingering fragrance; then holds the empty urn to her heart.) But Jesus was quick to defend me. He understood my devotion „ my thanks „ my love. I like to hope that the perfume made the terrible days ahead easier for Jesus to bear. The terrible, terrible, dark days ahead.
(Mary steps to the right end of the table and blows out the first candle, then exits quietly to the right.)
Nicodemus: (Enters from the left and walks to the front left end of the table. Over his black tunic, he wears a white prayer shawl, with black phylacteries bound on his forehead and arm.) It surely was a terrible week! For Joseph and me, meeting with the Jewish Council, it was a wrenching week. (He pauses, remembering, and shakes his head gently.)
That plot to arrest and kill Jesus had been brewing in the Council for months. All the time Jesus' popularity with the crowds was growing, the fear and hatred of the Pharisees was growing in kind. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the crowds went wild. (He gestures with both hands.) It wasn't a usual miracle you see. It couldn't be explained away, no matter how hard they tried. And the Chief Priest and Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and decided to (makes a fist) put an end to it all as soon as possible.
Unless you've experienced Jerusalem in Passover week, you cannot possibly understand the craziness. Two million Jews filled every street and alley „ (gestures widely to both sides) „ it's the biggest week of the year around here. Paranoia reigned among my brothers in the Pharisees. Joseph and I debated whether to go public about our belief that Jesus is the Messiah. (He pauses, remembering, then shakes his head decisively.) But it seemed to us we might be strategically positioned within the Council as secret followers, to head off the plot and protect Jesus in some way. At least „ at that point „ we hoped we might.
(Nicodemus paces a few steps, then comes back, talking and gesturing.) All week it continued between Jesus and the Council „ cat and mouse, cat and mouse. Jesus entered the city in a wildly jubilant parade, (confidently) and strode in and took over the Temple courts. The Jews could not touch him. (He moves to sit on the left end bench, elbow on the table.) Every attempt to discredit Jesus with trick questions and public dialogue left the Pharisees „ and even the Sadducees „ in tatters. At every opportunity Jesus came up with a new parable that only thinly disguised the self-serving motives of the leaders. (He pounds the table with his fist.) How they hated him! (Gestures broadly, smiling.) And how the people loved him! The leaders dared not touch him because of the people.
But (he rises slowly, and shakes his head in unbelief) their answer came „ unexpectedly to us all „ in the man Judas Iscariot „ a disillusioned disciple who sold out his master (holds out his hand as though receiving coins) for a slave's price in silver. Can you believe it? (Hand to his chest.) It caught Joseph and me completely off guard. It was the beginning of the end for Jesus „ for us all. Such a sad, sad end.
(Nicodemus turns to blow out the first candle on the left end of the table, and exits quietly back to the left.)
Thomas: (Enters from right and walks to center front of table. He wears a dark tunic, with muted, solid-color head square, topped by a dark turban, and carries a length of coiled rope in his left hand. His tone is very angry, and he shakes his right fist.) Judas! Traitor! I know the Master taught us to love our enemies „ but we thought he meant those on the outside. It is nearly impossible to love one who betrayed us all on inside information! One who pretended loyalty!
(He strides to the left end of the table, shaking the coiled of rope.) How did he ever get away with it? How did we eleven grown men miss the cues and let this happen? Why did Jesus ever make him one of the Twelve in the first place? He ate and drank with us „ shared our hearts and our secrets. (He turns and pauses, unable to take it in.)
(Thomas rubs his forehead with his right hand, as though easing a headache, then speaks slowly, as though thinking it out.) I think the whole twisted betrayal formed in Judas' mind the night Mary poured out her nard on Jesus' feet. Judas was outraged „ beyond reason. And in his over-reaction some of us began to suspect and question his motives. Judas held the purse for our group „ and he loved money. Everyone could see that. So he was susceptible to the lure of greed and gain.
(Slowly he walks back to the center of the table as he speaks.) And Judas was a radical „ an activist who loved power. He wanted Jesus to begin his Kingdom here and now, (makes a fist) to destroy Rome. To some extent, we all wanted that. But I think Judas saw the betrayal as a way to force Jesus' hand „ to set up a show down in the garden. Maybe he thought Jesus would resist the Temple guards by calling down angels or something.
(He shakes his head in bewilderment.) Who can know what a traitor like Judas would think? At any rate „ he's gone now „ (shows rope) hanged by his own hand. (He blows out the second candle on the right end.) But he took our Jesus out with him. (Exits quietly to the right.)
John the Apostle: (He enters with Peter from the right. John moves forward to the right center, but Peter sits on the right end bench. John wears a dark tunic, and light head square, secured with matching headband. Peter has a dark head square, pulled down deeply over his eyes, and carries a small towel in one hand. As John speaks, Peter stares at his hands and fidgets with the towel.)
It was hard for all of us to understand. Not that I'm taking up for Judas by any means. What he did was despicable and inhuman, and he has destroyed our very lives and crushed our hearts. But this teaching of a Kingdom of another realm is a hard truth to grasp. We all struggled with it.
(Gestures toward Peter quickly.) Peter can back me up here „ we always had an undercurrent of competition „ maybe it was ambition „ among us Twelve. (Peter nods assent.) We were brothers, but in any group some will emerge as leaders „ just sort of float to the top over time. And the group sees those natural abilities. (Shakes his head.) Judas was never one of those at the top „ never fully trusted „ and I think he resented it more than we knew.
(He turns profile to the audience and toward Peter.) Where a Kingdom is concerned, there have to be positions „ offices, if you will „ responsibilities. I have to admit (points to himself) my brother James and I wanted those top spots. Even my mother tried to "politic" with Jesus for our interests. And Peter (casts a quick look back and nods) „ he sort of looked out for Number One, too. (Peter agrees, shaking his head in shame at the memory.)
You would think we three „ Peter, James, and myself (gestures to include Peter) „ we should have gotten it. Especially after we saw the Master's glory on Mount Hermon that day. I can hardly describe it even now. (Shields his face with his hand, and gestures toward the sun as he remembers.) Jesus was so changed „ so bright! Moses and Elijah so real. (Reaches upward.) The cloud so brilliant. God's voice so clear. We should have understood about a "Kingdom not of this world."
(John turns back toward the left.) But Judas went farther „ he wanted "his" and he wanted it now. He couldn't wait on Jesus to work it out. He couldn't trust. He couldn't submit. So he gambled „ and he lost. We all lost. (John turns and blows out the second candle on the left end and exits to the left, speaking.) We lost the best friend we ever had.
Simon Peter: (Watches John leave, then rises slowly, folding the towel over his left arm. He continues standing beside the right end bench.) John is right. That day on Mount Hermon should have explained it. Many things should have explained it. We can see it now „ you know how hindsight works.
(Peter transfers the towel from his left arm to his right hand.) To me the light should have dawned on that last Thursday evening in the borrowed upper room at John Mark's house. That's when Jesus, after the dinner, took off his robe and wrapped a towel around his waist, and began to wash our feet. Like a common servant „ he was washing our feet in love. (He kneels partially by the bench, showing how it was done.) I could hardly allow my Lord to do that. I protested (sits back on his heels) "No, Lord!" But he insisted. And, one by one, he cleansed us all „ all, even Judas.
And then he explained „ drew us a picture. (Peter rises and gestures with the towel.) We are all to serve each other in humility. In love. His Kingdom is a gentle way of life „ teaching, loving, serving, sacrificing. Sadly, this dark world doesn't operate on those principles. That's why it opposes us. That's why they killed our Lord. (He pauses briefly, grieving.)
(Brightening.) But, we who have the spirit of Jesus within can make this Kingdom work! Jesus may be gone, but the things he taught us are truth, and they will live on. (He picks up the third candle on the right and holds it before his face.) His light may be gone (blows it out softly) but his truth is very much alive! (Putting the candle back in its place, he sits back on the end bench, head in his hands.)
John Mark: (Enters from left before Peter finishes speaking, and walks slowly across behind the table toward the right end. He is a teenager and wears a calf-length dark tunic with no head square. As Peter sits down, Mark moves next to him, resting his hand on Peter's shoulder tenderly.) Peter can hardly tell you about the next few hours „ after supper on Passover night. His pain is still so great.
(He walks slowly around to the front right end of the table as he speaks.) After supper the whole group „ Jesus and the eleven disciples „ left our upper room and walked across the Kidron to the olive press. Jesus often went there to pray „ we all knew the place well. It was late, and I was supposed to be in bed asleep, but „ well „ (he smiles, embarrassed) I admired all those men so much, and Jesus, too „ so I snuck off and followed them „ uninvited.
(He pauses, remembering, and gestures to one side.) Jesus went off to pray, and he stayed so long the rest of us fell asleep. It must have been terrible for Jesus. I think he knew what he was about to go through. Two or three times (he pantomimes, shaking Peter's shoulder gently) he tried to wake the men so they could pray with him. But I don't think any of them was much help to him. Nobody suspected what would come next.
(Mark walks more to the center front of the table.) It must have been after midnight when Jesus woke us all up. (He shakes Peter again.) "Get up! Let's go! My enemies are here!" he said. And up the valley came this string of Temple guards with torches. (He traces their trail with his finger.) There were some Roman soldiers with them, too. We were terrified „ just coming off a deep sleep and seeing all that. Peter had the sense to grab his short sword and try to fight them off. Can you see him? (Pantomiming.) Slashing wildly at that whole detachment of men? (Peter, sitting and listening, shakes his head in embarrassment and drops it again. Mark eyes him.) Well, I thought it was a brave try. I couldn't have done it.
But, it was as though Jesus knew what he had to do. He told Peter to put it away.
Two soldiers grabbed Jesus, and I „ I just ran for my life! A soldier caught me and jerked off my night shirt, but I got free and ran for home „ naked „ and in the total darkness. (Mark blows out the third candle on the left end, leaving only the tall Christ Candle burning, and exits to the left.) It was really a dark night for us all.
Simon Peter: (Returning to speak a second time, he walks slowly around the front of the table, toward the one remaining lighted candle, still holding the small towel.) I wish I couldn't remember what came next. If I could rewrite that night „ my own cowardice and denial „ I would surely do that at any cost.
(Shrugs at the futility of the situation.) Everybody ran „ but John and me. I don't know what John did, but I hid a safe distance away, and followed the sad parade as they led my precious Jesus to the house of that treacherous Chief Priest, Caiaphas. I wanted so much to rush them and rescue him, but my fears and confusion were too great. And security was very tight.
(Peter takes the last candle and holds it in front of his face, studying the flame.) From outside Caiaphas' house I heard snatches of accusations drift into the courtyard, all the time trying to appear that I was an innocent bystander, just casually warming myself by the fire. (He passes one hand over the flame.) But people soon figured me out „ I guess I just sound like a Galilean country boy. They kept trying to link me to Jesus as an accomplice. I denied it every time, not so much to save my neck „ (nods) it was partly that, I guess „ but to try to stay near, hoping to be there if they released Jesus, so I could take him home. I couldn't believe they would kill such a good and innocent man.
(He sets the candle back in its place.) But „ in the end „ they did just that. And I couldn't change things. And as they led Jesus away, they were hitting him, and spitting on him, and yelling insults at him. It made no sense at all. And he just let them do it. "Call the angels!" I wanted to yell, but I couldn't speak out again. (Peter wipes his brow with the towel.) I was too weak.
As Jesus passed through the courtyard, our eyes met. (Pantomiming.) His look broke my heart. I knew I had let him down, and I left and ran out into the street. Dawn was breaking, but I was too angry and ashamed to see. In my soul it was totally dark. I had disappointed my best friend. (Peter wipes his face with the towel, picks up the last lighted candle and carries it as he exits to the right. The carpenter strikes three final blows.)
Benediction Song: "Oh, How He Loves You And Me" (The congregation leaves quietly in the darkness.)
