Live From Jerusalem
Drama
Roll Back The Stone
Celebrating The Mystery Of Lent And Easter Through Drama
A Palm Sunday Drama
Live From Jerusalem
Characters
Samuel
Miriam
Jacob
Judas
Pharisee 1
Pharisee 2
Jesus
Crowd -- nonspeaking parts, a combination of adults and children
(Miriam and Samuel, news anchorpersons, are seated behind a desk on stage)
Samuel: Good morning, this is Good Morning Israel broadcasting today live from Jerusalem. It is in the midst of the preparation for Passover and the city is crowded with people. Excitement is especially high this year because of two things. The Romans have scheduled this time to execute three criminals -- two notorious thieves and the rebel Barabbas. I am Samuel of Hebron and with me is the lovely Miriam of Magdala. Miriam, tell us of the other event that makes this Passover one to watch.
Miriam: Thank you, Samuel. For the past three years there have been growing reports about an itinerant preacher named Jesus of Nazareth who has been wandering throughout Israel preaching and reportedly healing sick people. Reports are that just a few days ago he even raised a friend of his from the dead. We will have more on this miraculous claim later in the program.
Samuel: Miriam, we have invited you to co-host his show from our sister station in Tiberius because you have some personal insights into this prophet or preacher or whatever he is. Tell us of you own experience with him.
Miriam: I do not have actual firsthand information, but I have seen from very close what this Jesus does with people. My own sister has been a close follower of his.
Samuel: Oh, really! How close?
Miriam: Very close. She has been traveling with him and his companions for over two years.
Samuel: What brought her into that company?
Miriam: Well, my sister has always been a bit of a rebel. She was never content to stay home and cook and sew like other girls. She was always roaming around our village and she became involved with some men that used and abused her.
Samuel: Did they prosecute the men?
Miriam: The men? Of course not! But my sister, yes! They caught one of the men with her and they hauled her out to the Sanhedrin to be tried!
Samuel: Why her? Why not the man, or men?
Miriam: The assumption of guilt is always on the woman. They naturally assumed that she seduced the man.
Samuel: How does this involve Jesus?
Miriam: After she was convicted by the Sanhedrin, they brought her to Jesus to try to trap him. They pointed out that she had been convicted of adultery and that the punishment was stoning. Then they asked Jesus what should be done. Jesus simply said, "He who is without sin among you should be the one to cast the first stone." One by one they all just left until Jesus was alone with my sister. Then he offered God's forgiveness and told her to change her life.
Samuel: Did she?
Miriam: Did she ever! It was the difference between night and day! She came home, and was reconciled with us all. All that rebellion was gone and a sweet, warm glow surrounded her. Then she asked our mother and father permission to go with Jesus. My parents were so thrilled with the transformation they saw that they gave her permission and their blessing!
Samuel: So she has been traveling with Jesus ever since?
Miriam: Yes, mostly in the Galilee area. She comes home frequently and shares what she has seen Jesus do and what she has heard him say.
Samuel: What about the miracles? There have been reports of people blind from birth receiving sight, of lame persons leaping from their beds, of lepers being cleansed, demons cast out, even people being raised from the dead. What does she say about all these? Are they genuine?
Miriam: She swears they all are very, very real and true reports! She saw many of those firsthand. She even saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with only two fish and five loaves of bread.
Samuel: The temple leaders have sent out an order that anyone who sees Jesus should report his presence so he could be arrested. Does your sister think Jesus will come to the Passover celebration amongst all these threats?
Miriam: Well, she is here! So is Jesus' mother and all his close followers! None of them knows for sure because Jesus went off into the wilderness by himself. But they are all here! They are all expecting him to come.
Samuel: This could turn into a real riot with all of Jesus' followers here and the Sanhedrin determined to arrest him. The tension is already high with the Romans planning an execution during the Holy Days of Passover. Will the followers of Jesus fight back if Jesus is arrested?
Miriam: Not likely. Not if they have listened to Jesus. He has forbidden violence. But some of his followers are real hot heads -- Peter and James and John, tough fishermen from Capernaum, and one to really watch is Simon. He was a Zealot before he began to follow Jesus.
Samuel: A Zealot? One of those terrorists? What is Jesus doing with a terrorist in his bunch?
Miriam: You would never believe Simon was ever a terrorist! The change is amazing! And James and John, well, even Jesus jokes with them about being "Sons of Thunder." But John particularly has become one of the most gentle, loving guys.
Samuel: Careful there, Miriam! You are letting your bias show and we reporters are supposed to stay objective.
Miriam: I am not saying I believe all this ... just that my sister is totally convinced and I have certainly seen the change in her! So something is happening in all this.
Samuel: Wait, we have some news coming in from the field. Jacob, can you hear me? Where are you and what is going on?
(Crowd begins to talk and sing and shout in foyer. Jacob and Judas are offstage)
Jacob: Yes, I hear you Samuel. But the noise around me is loud, so pardon me if I do not hear all you ask.
Samuel: What is going on? Where are you?
Jacob: Right now I am in Bethany, just over the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. We came here because a lot of people had gathered to see Lazarus, the man that reportedly Jesus raised from the dead.
Samuel: What is all the noise about?
Jacob: There have been reports that Jesus is here, too. There! Over there! Scan the camera over there. The crowd is particularly thick. I think he may be in the midst of that crowd.
Samuel: We can see on our monitor, but it does not seem to be projecting to the audience.
Jacob: There, yes, that man you see right there, the man on the left, is Lazarus, the man they say was dead ... and there are his sisters, Martha and Mary. I interviewed them earlier.
Miriam: Look, that woman just to the right of that donkey. That is my sister ... and that big guy, that is Peter. I met him once. Not especially handsome, but strong as an ox.
Samuel: Jacob, what else do you see? Can you get in a little closer to Jesus?
Jacob: I'm not sure! The crowd is really packed in. Oh, Sir, Sir? Can I ask you a couple of questions? Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?
Judas: Yes, I am Judas Iscariot. I have been with Jesus for three years.
Jacob: What do you think Jesus will do? Will he try to go to Jerusalem?
Judas: Oh, yes! He is the Messiah! He is going to ride into Jerusalem and become king!
Jacob: But where are his armies, his chariots? Who is going to make him king, this bunch of people?
Judas: Yes, this bunch of people and the power of God! Listen to what they are shouting. They are repeating the Messianic Psalms of David, the Hallel! "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord ... Hosanna, Lord, save us, we pray thee!"
Jacob: Would these common people fight?
Judas: These crowds are ready to fight and die for Jesus!
Jacob: But against the whole Roman army? And against the temple guard both?
Judas: Ever hear of David and Goliath? Joshua and Jericho? Hezekiah and the Assyrian army? God is at work! It will be God's power!
Jacob: How can you be so sure?
Judas: Look at the signs! The prophets said the Messiah would come riding a donkey over the Mount of Olives. The prophets predicted that the people would wave palm branches and would shout out the Hallel. Our religious leaders have long said that as the Messiah rides toward Jerusalem the dead will rise! Look who is here -- Lazarus -- and that boy with his mother over there -- see right there! Do you know who that is? That is the boy from Nain that Jesus raised from the dead. And there! That man in fancy clothes -- that is Jairus, the synagogue leader. The little girl with him was dead and Jesus raised her from the dead! Nobody since Elijah and Elisha has raised the dead! I tell you, Jesus is going into Jerusalem to be crowned king! Look! The crowds are moving. I'm outta here! I do not want to miss this!
Jacob: Samuel, Miriam! I am going to try to keep up! I will tune in when I can, but ... over and out.
Samuel: There you have it, folks! We are looking east at the Mount of Olives.
Miriam: Look, there they come! They're cresting the top of the Mount of Olives.
(Crowd enters down all aisles -- composed of singing and dancing children and adults -- enter with Jesus in the center)
Samuel: Crowds of them.
Miriam: We can hear them all the way down here.
(Procession continues)
Miriam: There is Jesus in the midst of the crowd.
Samuel: They are winding their way past the tombs and gravestones that cover this part of the Mount of Olives.
Miriam: Jesus is near that grove of olives. I understand this is one of his favorite places to come to pray.
Samuel: What is he doing? Jacob, are you there? What is Jesus doing?
Jacob: I hear you, Samuel. Jesus has stopped. Some of the Pharisees have come and mingled in the crowd. They are trying to talk to Jesus. They seem angry. Let me see if I can get in closer to hear what they are saying.
Pharisee 1: Jesus, do you hear what these people are saying?
Pharisee 2: They are calling you the Messiah! King of the Jews!
Pharisee 1: Stop them! Don't you realize that is dangerous? If the Romans see and hear all this they will be up here with force! They will take over the temple area.
Jesus: I tell you, if they kept quiet, the very stones would start shouting!
(Pharisees turn and walk away angrily)
Jacob: Sir, Sir, I heard your interchange with Jesus. What do you think is going to happen?
Pharisee 2: He is a menace! He is a danger to us all! He has to be stopped!
(Pharisees exit)
Jacob: Samuel, Miriam, I am going to try to work my way closer to Jesus. He seems to be upset, perhaps even weeping.
Samuel: Yes, get in as close as you can.
Jacob: Excuse me, excuse me ... (in a "golf tournament announcer" low voice) Jesus is weeping and, I think, praying.
Jesus: Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me! So your enemies will destroy you and your temple will be abandoned and empty because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you.
Miriam: Did you hear that? Jesus is saying that Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed.
Samuel: Did I ever! That is a bold prophecy! Look, they are on the move again.
Miriam: They have come through the gates of Jerusalem and are entering the temple area.
Samuel: Jacob, can you fill us in on what is happening? The crowd is right below us now.
Jesus: (As he overturns the tables of the moneychangers) Get out of here! It is written in the scriptures that God's house should be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!
(The merchants run out. The crowd falls back, shocked at the outburst)
Judas: (Off to the side) Yes, yes, it has begun! The rebellion has begun.
(After a long pause, Jesus turns, looks at the people, opens his arms and speaks)
Jesus: Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you and learn from me, because I have come to bring peace. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. And you shall have rest for your souls.
(The people hesitate for a second, but immediately the two children who have been raised from the dead rush into the arms of Jesus. Then the crowd does the same)
Jacob: I should be saying something, but nothing seems appropriate. The people are embracing their Messiah. But this is certainly not what I had imagined. This Jesus is not a man of war and rebellion. He has come for some other purpose. He is obviously not out to get power or position, but the people love him. They love him ... and he loves them with a gentle, tender love.
(Jesus exits with the crowd)
Samuel: What do you think, Miriam? This conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and merchants is intense.
Miriam: And this is only the first day of the Passover week.
Samuel: Do you think there will be a rebellion?
Miriam: No, no rebellion. This Jesus would never stand for that. My sister says exactly what Jacob was remarking about. This Jesus is a man of peace, a man who shows great love for God and for the people. He will not lead a rebellion, and he will not allow one to be led in his name.
Samuel: But what, then? What will happen these next six days?
Miriam: I am not sure. I guess we will all have to wait and see.
Samuel: This is Samuel of Hebron and Miriam of Magdala. Tune in tomorrow for an update. And this had been Good Morning Israel.
Live From Jerusalem
Characters
Samuel
Miriam
Jacob
Judas
Pharisee 1
Pharisee 2
Jesus
Crowd -- nonspeaking parts, a combination of adults and children
(Miriam and Samuel, news anchorpersons, are seated behind a desk on stage)
Samuel: Good morning, this is Good Morning Israel broadcasting today live from Jerusalem. It is in the midst of the preparation for Passover and the city is crowded with people. Excitement is especially high this year because of two things. The Romans have scheduled this time to execute three criminals -- two notorious thieves and the rebel Barabbas. I am Samuel of Hebron and with me is the lovely Miriam of Magdala. Miriam, tell us of the other event that makes this Passover one to watch.
Miriam: Thank you, Samuel. For the past three years there have been growing reports about an itinerant preacher named Jesus of Nazareth who has been wandering throughout Israel preaching and reportedly healing sick people. Reports are that just a few days ago he even raised a friend of his from the dead. We will have more on this miraculous claim later in the program.
Samuel: Miriam, we have invited you to co-host his show from our sister station in Tiberius because you have some personal insights into this prophet or preacher or whatever he is. Tell us of you own experience with him.
Miriam: I do not have actual firsthand information, but I have seen from very close what this Jesus does with people. My own sister has been a close follower of his.
Samuel: Oh, really! How close?
Miriam: Very close. She has been traveling with him and his companions for over two years.
Samuel: What brought her into that company?
Miriam: Well, my sister has always been a bit of a rebel. She was never content to stay home and cook and sew like other girls. She was always roaming around our village and she became involved with some men that used and abused her.
Samuel: Did they prosecute the men?
Miriam: The men? Of course not! But my sister, yes! They caught one of the men with her and they hauled her out to the Sanhedrin to be tried!
Samuel: Why her? Why not the man, or men?
Miriam: The assumption of guilt is always on the woman. They naturally assumed that she seduced the man.
Samuel: How does this involve Jesus?
Miriam: After she was convicted by the Sanhedrin, they brought her to Jesus to try to trap him. They pointed out that she had been convicted of adultery and that the punishment was stoning. Then they asked Jesus what should be done. Jesus simply said, "He who is without sin among you should be the one to cast the first stone." One by one they all just left until Jesus was alone with my sister. Then he offered God's forgiveness and told her to change her life.
Samuel: Did she?
Miriam: Did she ever! It was the difference between night and day! She came home, and was reconciled with us all. All that rebellion was gone and a sweet, warm glow surrounded her. Then she asked our mother and father permission to go with Jesus. My parents were so thrilled with the transformation they saw that they gave her permission and their blessing!
Samuel: So she has been traveling with Jesus ever since?
Miriam: Yes, mostly in the Galilee area. She comes home frequently and shares what she has seen Jesus do and what she has heard him say.
Samuel: What about the miracles? There have been reports of people blind from birth receiving sight, of lame persons leaping from their beds, of lepers being cleansed, demons cast out, even people being raised from the dead. What does she say about all these? Are they genuine?
Miriam: She swears they all are very, very real and true reports! She saw many of those firsthand. She even saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with only two fish and five loaves of bread.
Samuel: The temple leaders have sent out an order that anyone who sees Jesus should report his presence so he could be arrested. Does your sister think Jesus will come to the Passover celebration amongst all these threats?
Miriam: Well, she is here! So is Jesus' mother and all his close followers! None of them knows for sure because Jesus went off into the wilderness by himself. But they are all here! They are all expecting him to come.
Samuel: This could turn into a real riot with all of Jesus' followers here and the Sanhedrin determined to arrest him. The tension is already high with the Romans planning an execution during the Holy Days of Passover. Will the followers of Jesus fight back if Jesus is arrested?
Miriam: Not likely. Not if they have listened to Jesus. He has forbidden violence. But some of his followers are real hot heads -- Peter and James and John, tough fishermen from Capernaum, and one to really watch is Simon. He was a Zealot before he began to follow Jesus.
Samuel: A Zealot? One of those terrorists? What is Jesus doing with a terrorist in his bunch?
Miriam: You would never believe Simon was ever a terrorist! The change is amazing! And James and John, well, even Jesus jokes with them about being "Sons of Thunder." But John particularly has become one of the most gentle, loving guys.
Samuel: Careful there, Miriam! You are letting your bias show and we reporters are supposed to stay objective.
Miriam: I am not saying I believe all this ... just that my sister is totally convinced and I have certainly seen the change in her! So something is happening in all this.
Samuel: Wait, we have some news coming in from the field. Jacob, can you hear me? Where are you and what is going on?
(Crowd begins to talk and sing and shout in foyer. Jacob and Judas are offstage)
Jacob: Yes, I hear you Samuel. But the noise around me is loud, so pardon me if I do not hear all you ask.
Samuel: What is going on? Where are you?
Jacob: Right now I am in Bethany, just over the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. We came here because a lot of people had gathered to see Lazarus, the man that reportedly Jesus raised from the dead.
Samuel: What is all the noise about?
Jacob: There have been reports that Jesus is here, too. There! Over there! Scan the camera over there. The crowd is particularly thick. I think he may be in the midst of that crowd.
Samuel: We can see on our monitor, but it does not seem to be projecting to the audience.
Jacob: There, yes, that man you see right there, the man on the left, is Lazarus, the man they say was dead ... and there are his sisters, Martha and Mary. I interviewed them earlier.
Miriam: Look, that woman just to the right of that donkey. That is my sister ... and that big guy, that is Peter. I met him once. Not especially handsome, but strong as an ox.
Samuel: Jacob, what else do you see? Can you get in a little closer to Jesus?
Jacob: I'm not sure! The crowd is really packed in. Oh, Sir, Sir? Can I ask you a couple of questions? Aren't you one of Jesus' followers?
Judas: Yes, I am Judas Iscariot. I have been with Jesus for three years.
Jacob: What do you think Jesus will do? Will he try to go to Jerusalem?
Judas: Oh, yes! He is the Messiah! He is going to ride into Jerusalem and become king!
Jacob: But where are his armies, his chariots? Who is going to make him king, this bunch of people?
Judas: Yes, this bunch of people and the power of God! Listen to what they are shouting. They are repeating the Messianic Psalms of David, the Hallel! "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord ... Hosanna, Lord, save us, we pray thee!"
Jacob: Would these common people fight?
Judas: These crowds are ready to fight and die for Jesus!
Jacob: But against the whole Roman army? And against the temple guard both?
Judas: Ever hear of David and Goliath? Joshua and Jericho? Hezekiah and the Assyrian army? God is at work! It will be God's power!
Jacob: How can you be so sure?
Judas: Look at the signs! The prophets said the Messiah would come riding a donkey over the Mount of Olives. The prophets predicted that the people would wave palm branches and would shout out the Hallel. Our religious leaders have long said that as the Messiah rides toward Jerusalem the dead will rise! Look who is here -- Lazarus -- and that boy with his mother over there -- see right there! Do you know who that is? That is the boy from Nain that Jesus raised from the dead. And there! That man in fancy clothes -- that is Jairus, the synagogue leader. The little girl with him was dead and Jesus raised her from the dead! Nobody since Elijah and Elisha has raised the dead! I tell you, Jesus is going into Jerusalem to be crowned king! Look! The crowds are moving. I'm outta here! I do not want to miss this!
Jacob: Samuel, Miriam! I am going to try to keep up! I will tune in when I can, but ... over and out.
Samuel: There you have it, folks! We are looking east at the Mount of Olives.
Miriam: Look, there they come! They're cresting the top of the Mount of Olives.
(Crowd enters down all aisles -- composed of singing and dancing children and adults -- enter with Jesus in the center)
Samuel: Crowds of them.
Miriam: We can hear them all the way down here.
(Procession continues)
Miriam: There is Jesus in the midst of the crowd.
Samuel: They are winding their way past the tombs and gravestones that cover this part of the Mount of Olives.
Miriam: Jesus is near that grove of olives. I understand this is one of his favorite places to come to pray.
Samuel: What is he doing? Jacob, are you there? What is Jesus doing?
Jacob: I hear you, Samuel. Jesus has stopped. Some of the Pharisees have come and mingled in the crowd. They are trying to talk to Jesus. They seem angry. Let me see if I can get in closer to hear what they are saying.
Pharisee 1: Jesus, do you hear what these people are saying?
Pharisee 2: They are calling you the Messiah! King of the Jews!
Pharisee 1: Stop them! Don't you realize that is dangerous? If the Romans see and hear all this they will be up here with force! They will take over the temple area.
Jesus: I tell you, if they kept quiet, the very stones would start shouting!
(Pharisees turn and walk away angrily)
Jacob: Sir, Sir, I heard your interchange with Jesus. What do you think is going to happen?
Pharisee 2: He is a menace! He is a danger to us all! He has to be stopped!
(Pharisees exit)
Jacob: Samuel, Miriam, I am going to try to work my way closer to Jesus. He seems to be upset, perhaps even weeping.
Samuel: Yes, get in as close as you can.
Jacob: Excuse me, excuse me ... (in a "golf tournament announcer" low voice) Jesus is weeping and, I think, praying.
Jesus: Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers God has sent you! How many times I wanted to put my arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me! So your enemies will destroy you and your temple will be abandoned and empty because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you.
Miriam: Did you hear that? Jesus is saying that Jerusalem and the temple will be destroyed.
Samuel: Did I ever! That is a bold prophecy! Look, they are on the move again.
Miriam: They have come through the gates of Jerusalem and are entering the temple area.
Samuel: Jacob, can you fill us in on what is happening? The crowd is right below us now.
Jesus: (As he overturns the tables of the moneychangers) Get out of here! It is written in the scriptures that God's house should be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!
(The merchants run out. The crowd falls back, shocked at the outburst)
Judas: (Off to the side) Yes, yes, it has begun! The rebellion has begun.
(After a long pause, Jesus turns, looks at the people, opens his arms and speaks)
Jesus: Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you and learn from me, because I have come to bring peace. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. And you shall have rest for your souls.
(The people hesitate for a second, but immediately the two children who have been raised from the dead rush into the arms of Jesus. Then the crowd does the same)
Jacob: I should be saying something, but nothing seems appropriate. The people are embracing their Messiah. But this is certainly not what I had imagined. This Jesus is not a man of war and rebellion. He has come for some other purpose. He is obviously not out to get power or position, but the people love him. They love him ... and he loves them with a gentle, tender love.
(Jesus exits with the crowd)
Samuel: What do you think, Miriam? This conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and merchants is intense.
Miriam: And this is only the first day of the Passover week.
Samuel: Do you think there will be a rebellion?
Miriam: No, no rebellion. This Jesus would never stand for that. My sister says exactly what Jacob was remarking about. This Jesus is a man of peace, a man who shows great love for God and for the people. He will not lead a rebellion, and he will not allow one to be led in his name.
Samuel: But what, then? What will happen these next six days?
Miriam: I am not sure. I guess we will all have to wait and see.
Samuel: This is Samuel of Hebron and Miriam of Magdala. Tune in tomorrow for an update. And this had been Good Morning Israel.
