Lenten Series
The Voice of God 



Drama and Puppets for Lent

Dear Friends,

For centuries, Lent has been a powerful worship experience for the Church.  For thousands of years, the church has gathered for the special occasions of worship during this scared season.  Lent is part of our legacy.  Lent is an extension of our heritage. Through the years of being a pastor, Lent has become a highlight of our congregational worship life. 

Let me briefly tell you about it.  I learned about the worship potential of Lent from Pastor Phillip Natwick who taught me much about the parish ministry.  I saw what he did during those Lenten services.  Ash Wednesday was great, with the burning of the ashes and marking of the forehead with ashes.  Each following Wednesday night was a short service, 35 minutes at the longest, with catechetical preaching for the children and adults.  The services were geared for the young.  On Holy Thursday, we did the Passover and the Footwashing.  Now more recently, on Good Friday, we do the powerful liturgy of Tenebrae and the "Carpenter and the Cross." 

People come...in droves.  Oh yes, grades 5-9 are still required to take notes and that helps attendance, as do the soup suppers.  But now, in our parish, when "Lift High the Cross" is sung every Wednesday night of Lent and the children and families gather for worship, the sanctuary is jammed with worshipers.  Sacred traditional memories are being created.  Our people have become part of a long history that reaches back centuries.  During Lent, the church is drawn closer and more deeply into the experience of the Cross.  I commend this form of Lenten service to you, a form that I learned from a seasoned veteran pastor. 

We have done many chancel dramas, plays and puppet shows during Lent as vehicles of the Gospel.  This particular series is called, "The Voice of God."  It features a booming, reverberating resonate voice coming from good speakers.  This voice of God speaks slowly, deeply and the sound of the voice echoes throughout the darkened sanctuary. Judas, Peter, Pilate, Barabbas, Dysmas, the centurion, the mother of Jesus, and the gardener of the cemetery on Easter morning listen to this vibrating voice.  Judas, of course, doesn't believe in the voice of God ("tricks in the mind, that’s all.") In 1987, the Voice of God was male; in 1997, the Voice of God was female. Both voices worked wonderfully.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we hear passages about the "voice of God."  (Ex. 15:26, "If you diligently listen to the voice of the Lord;" and Duet. 4:36, "Out of heaven, he let you hear his voice.")  In these plays, the voice of God consistently speaks the message of God, and the word of forgiveness, compassion and eternity, to those people near the cross.  As the congregation listens to the voice of God at each of the services, it is as if the words of Scripture come alive in a new and intimate way.

Each of the characters is placed in a moment of time.  For example, Dysmas, the thief on the cross is placed in a special moment of time.  As I carefully searched the Scriptures, I noticed that the soldiers came to break the leg of those on the cross but Jesus was already dead so they didn't break his legs.  (As the Scriptures says, "Not a bone of his body would be broken.)"  I couldn't quite imagine the thief on the cross in Paradise, so I put him on the cross, in the time frame between Jesus' death and the soldiers coming to break his legs to hasten his own death.  There in that moment, I tried to imagine his inner conversations with God. In that same moment, I tried to tell the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Similarly, each of the characters is located in a very specific moment in time.  (e.g. the centurion, just as he left the house of Pilate to assure Pilate that the body of Jesus was dead.)  I think my favorite play is the Easter drama, and the story of the gardener, who dug the grave and saw the whole event from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

The puppet shows and chancel dramas are tailored to match each other.  Themes from the puppet show will be repeated in the chancel drama moments later.  For example, in the puppet show, Dysmas, the thief, will show a large ten-inch spike and snap a whip, as he talks about the crucifixion; and the children will discuss the meaning of paradise.  Those same themes are repeated but in a different mood during the chancel drama. Of course, you would expect little children to love the puppet shows; but much to my surprise, it was the power of the “voice of God” and the chancel dramas that they vividly remembered.  Children loved those dramas.

To facilitate your use of these resources in your congregation, we video taped the whole series.  It will help you to watch the video.  These VHS tapes are not intended to be used as devotional resources in a home, but as aids to the players in the dramas. The videos are not as powerful as the actual production.  For example, when you photograph rugged mountains here in the state of Washington, the photographs always come out "flat" compared to the mountain itself.  Mountains rarely are dramatic in most common photos.  I feel that the video tapes are "flat" compared to actual performance.  Even so, they are very helpful to those who are going to produce them.

At the close of the VHS tapes, we have video taped three important liturgies:  the Burning of the Ashes, the Footwashing, and the Carpenter and the Cross.  Perhaps, if you don't use these or similar liturgies, you may find that helpful as a means of increasing the vitality and imagination in your congregational worship life. You will find these liturgies under the section entitled, VIDEOS.

May God bless you and your congregation as you listen to the "Voice of God."

Edward F. Markquart



A series of Chancel Dramas and Puppet Shows for Lent

I. Chancel Drama: James (Ash Wednesday)

II. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Judas (Second Wednesday) 

III. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Peter (Third Wednesday)

IV. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Pilate (Fourth Wednesday) 

V. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Barabbas (Fifth Wednesday) 

VI. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Dysmas (Sixth Wednesday) 

VII. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Centurion (Holy Thursday)

VIII. Chancel Drama: Mary, Mother of Jesus (Good Friday)

IX. Chancel Drama: The Gardener (Easter Morning)

P.S. In the year 2001, when I was initially, preparing this website, I offered a few comments about this series. In 1997, we had a “woman’s voice” play the role of God, and that meant we had to do a little teaching for the whole congregation and for the few dissenters who objected to a woman playing the voice of God. We taught about the fact that in the Old Testament, God was invisibly present in the Holy of Holies between the wings of the seraphim. There were to be no pictorial representations of God because God’s very nature was invisible. An artist could not nor cannot portray an invisible spiritual presence as either male or female, and so it is with God yesterday and today. God is neither male nor female. Even so, the concept of male and female is at the core of the mind and heart of God. We, human beings, are made in the image of God; we are like God. According to the Bible, God created human beings in “his” image; that is, male and female. The very image of God contains male and female and the male and female principle is located wherever there is life on this planet. The famous psychologist, Carl Jung, named this the “anima” and “animus” in God. Male and female is found in all of creation and also in the heart and mind of God. Of course, all of these explanations will do little to change the mind of most people who believe that God is essentially male and should always be personified with a male voice. … When using a female voice for God, there was an additional tenderness and understanding that was brought to God’s character.

Also, a video tape of each drama is offered on this website. Click on videos and you can see the play and how it can be adapted to your congregation.

I. Chancel Drama: James, The Sleeping Disciple

Ash Wednesday

(Setting:  The sanctuary is dark.  James is standing in the chancel area, near the Communion table.  The voice of God comes from a good speaker.  Through the use of electronics, the voice of God is deep and reverberating.  He or she speaks slowly, deeply, and the sound of his or her voice echoes through the sanctuary.)

GOD:
James? (Pause ... James looks around)

JAMES:
Lord, I didn't mean to do it.  It just happened.

GOD:
You say that often, James.

JAMES:
Please ... let me explain.

GOD:
Yes?

JAMES:
Well, you see, Lord, it happened like this. We had finished the Last Supper. The meal was over.  Jesus and the eleven of us disciples went out to the Garden of Gethsemane.  You know, just a short walk from Jerusalem.

GOD:
(Chuckle) I know.

JAMES:
Of course, you know.  As we approached the garden, Jesus told the other disciples to wait. He asked Peter, John, my brother, and I to come with him to pray. The three of us were very close to him.

GOD:
Then?????  (Slow, deep, resonating voice at all times)

JAMES:
Well, Jesus, your Son, became very upset, even terrified. He called out to you ... "Lord, if you will remove this cup from me." He begged and pleaded with you.  And then his voice became quieter, submissive, and in almost a whisper, he said ... "Not my will, but yours."

GOD:
I know.  He needed to die to pay the penalty for the sins of the world ... for the sins of the whole world.

JAMES:
Well, then Jesus asked the three of us to watch ... to stay alert... to pray for him.  He walked a short distance from us, and he began to pray like I had never seen anyone pray before.  He fell to his knees, then his face into the ground, his arms stretched out, his body sprawled out on the dirt. He was in such agony.  I didn't know what to do.

GOD:
My heart grieved for my beloved Son.

JAMES:
I watched him ...  suffer ... and watched ... and watched ... and then ... then ... I fell asleep.  I didn't mean to, but I fell asleep?  ... Before I knew it, he was tapping Peter on the shoulder and we all woke up, and there he was. His face was sweaty with blood ... his eyes filled with deep depression ... his clothes soiled and grimy ... and he asked us, "Could you not watch with me for one hour?"

GOD:
Couldn't you?

JAMES:
We didn't. ... And then it happened a second time.  A second time he asked us to watch.  A second time he agonized.  And again, we fell asleep.  He tapped on our shoulders and said, "Your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak."

GOD:
James, you wanted to do what was right. 

JAMES:
Why does that happen all the time to me, Lord?  Why? Again and again in my life, I want to do what is right ... but I always come up short.  I never do it perfectly.  Why am I that way, Lord?

GOD:
I know your heart, James.  I know my Spirit is inside of you.  But ... but ... the power of sin is also at work in you.

JAMES:
Lord, how can you put up with disciples like us ... who fall asleep when your Son is suffering ... who fall asleep when the whole world around us is suffering? ... How can you put up with disciples like us?

GOD:
It's not easy, James.  You test my patience.  You grieve my heart.  But I know you.  I understand you.  I love and forgive you.

JAMES:
Lord, it's so much more than I ever deserved.  Help me ... please help me to become a stronger disciple.

GOD:
I will.  I will put my Spirit inside of you ... and make you stronger ... you and all the disciples.

JAMES:
Thank you, Lord.  I have to go now and be with the others.  I think I hear Judas and soldiers coming into the garden.

GOD:
I'll be watching.

This play is short in order to accommodate a longer, Ash Wednesday liturgy.  Nor is there a puppet show the first night.

Back to Dramas

PASTOR:
Hi, children.  It's nice to see you tonight.  Would you come up to the front and meet a friend of mine? ... Please, all of you who want a good front seat for the puppet show, would you come up here into the chancel area? I'll knock and see if he is home.  (Knocks on the table and chatters with the children as they come forward. Cue: knocks slowly and firmly three times on the table) Judas, are you home?

JUDAS:
Go away.  I don't want to see anybody.

PASTOR:
Please, Judas.  I have some friends who want to meet you.

JUDAS:
No ... leave me alone.

PASTOR:
Five dollars?

JUDAS:
Five dollars???  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  No, that's not enough.

PASTOR:
I'll make it ten dollars.

JUDAS:
Well...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...OK...ten dollars then.  (Judas pops up from behind the table)

PASTOR:
It's nice to see you, Judas.

JUDAS:
Pay up!

PASTOR:
Pay up?

JUDAS:
Yes, pay up.  I want the ten dollars now before our conversation begins.

PASTOR:
I don't think I have the ten dollars right now.  Kids, do you have any money?  (Banters with the children to see if they have money.) Let me see here in my wallet. OK, here’s ten dollars.  I do have ten dollars. (Gives Judas ten, one-dollar bills, one at a time, placing them into Judas' fingers)

JUDAS:
(Counts) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  Ten dollars.  OK, I will talk with you.

PASTOR:
Judas, these are some young children from our church.

JUDAS:
Oh, what nice clothes you are wearing, children.  Look at that pretty blue dress and that red shirt over there. You know what?  You children should sell all your fancy clothes, give the money to me, and I will give it to the poor children of the world.  Good idea, eh?

PASTOR:
Judas, weren't you the disciple who took care of the money bag for Jesus and his disciples...and you stole from it?  You stole from the money the disciples used to give to the poor!

JUDAS:
Rumors.  All rumors.  I was never convicted of it in court.

PASTOR:
Oh, that was pretty bad. But I still wanted the children to meet you.

JUDAS:
(Breaking in on pastor's question, defensively) Why? Why me? Children never want to meet me.  Have you ever met a child named Judas before?

PASTOR:
Well, I don't think so. Children, are any of you named Judas???  (Asks several children if they are named Judas) You're right, not one child here is named Judas.

JUDAS:
See, nobody is ever named after me.

PASTOR:
Why?  Why is that, Judas?

JUDAS:
Well...ahhhha...well...

PASTOR:
Please tell us, Judas.  Why doesn't anyone like your name?

JUDAS:
Well...I betrayed Jesus...I sold him...for 30 pieces of silver.

PASTOR:
Thirty pieces of silver?  You sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver?

JUDAS:
I like money and Jesus disappointed me.  I thought he was going to be a great political leader.  He wasn't.  So I told the police where to find him...for a good sum of money, of course.

PASTOR:
Judas, I think you love money. You love money so much, you sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver...and he was then killed.

JUDAS:
I didn't think they were going to kill him.  I just thought they were going to arrest him, ask him some questions, and then let him go.  I never thought they would kill him.

PASTOR:
That's terrible, Judas.  Even if you didn't think they were going to kill Jesus, it was terrible that you betrayed him.

JUDAS:
See?  That's why I never like to talk with people like you. You always bring up the past...like when I betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

PASTOR:
Betrayed him, how?  With a kiss?

JUDAS:
We were all in this old park, with huge old trees.  It was night and very dark.  The soldiers came with torches and lanterns.  They came to arrest Jesus, tie his hands, and put him in jail.  It was dark and they didn't know who Jesus was.so I kissed him...on the cheek…so the soldiers would capture the right man.

PASTOR:
That's terrible, Judas.  What you did to Jesus was awful!

JUDAS:
There you go again.  You and all your Christian friends. You always tell those unkind stories about me.  We've talked long enough. I must go... (Drops down behind the screen) and count my money, money, money!!!

PASTOR:
Well, children, that was Judas. (Then the pastor asks a series of questions of the children; letting them respond) What did you think of Judas, kids?  (Gets answers) Was Judas nice to Jesus?  (Gets answers) What did Judas love more than Jesus?  (Gets answers) Thanks for coming, children.  Next week, come again and we will meet the disciple, Peter.  You may return to your seats.

Back to Dramas

JUDAS:
Why?  Why did I do it?  Sometimes I just don't understand myself.  Sometimes I feel like I sold my soul to the devil. (long pause)

GOD:
Did you, Judas?  (Always speaking very low and very slowly, pausing before and after Judas speaks.)

JUDAS:
Is that you, God?  (Silence) Are you there?  (Silence) Ha!  Just my imagination.  I am not sure if there is a God at all.  Just voices.  Tricks in my mind.  (Long silence)

GOD:
Having doubts, Judas?

JUDAS:
That voice is always playing games with me, but it's only a voice ... just a voice in my mind ... that's all.

(Long pause)

GOD:
Are you sure?

JUDAS:
No, not for sure.  (Pause)

GOD:
Judas ... you are a ... thief?

JUDAS:
Ha!  Playing games with me, aren't you, voice. Trying to make me feel guilty about two days ago.

GOD:
Two days ago???

JUDAS:
You know.  Bethany.  That woman was slobbering Jesus with tears and expensive perfume.  Her sentimentality was nauseating.  That perfume was worth 300 denarii ... a year's wages ... one ton of money!

GOD:
Concerned about the money, Judas?

JUDAS:
A person should be.  That perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.  That's what Jesus should have done.  He should have said, "Lady, cut out that expensive waste.  Sell your perfume and give the money to the needy children."  That's what he should have said.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

JUDAS:
There you go again.  The next thing you're going to do is accuse me of stealing from the treasury ... from the money we used to buy food and give to the poor...

GOD:
Yesssssssss?

JUDAS:
Now, I admit ... on occasion ... I was short of cash.  I admit I borrowed from our discipleship fund but I always paid it back. Let me repeat:  I always paid it back!

GOD:
Did you?  Did you always pay it back?

JUDAS:
Well ... uhahah ... no ... but ... most of the time.

GOD:
Judas?  Do you love money more than me?

JUDAS:
God, I know money exists, but I am not sure if you exist. You may only be a voice to me. I can feel money.  I can rub it between my fingers. I can touch it, kiss it, and handle it.  But you?  You, I can only trust that you exist. I can’t see you or prove you. I can money.

GOD:
Oh, Judas!  Can you touch love?  Can you rub love between your fingers? Can you touch happiness?  Can you rub happiness between your fingers?

JUDAS:
There you go again, voice sounding just like Jesus, asking the same questions of me. You and Jesus always say the same thing.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.  I wonder why.  (Pause ... silence ... Judas walks around nervously.) Judas what happened yesterday?

JUDAS:
Yesterday?

GOD:
Yesterday.

JUDAS:
I would rather not talk about it.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

JUDAS:
Your voice never quits, does it?  Your voice always comes after me. You never stop, do you? OK.  I will tell you.  I went to the chief priests. I knew they wanted to kill Jesus, in order to avoid mobs, scenes, and riots.  So, I offered to cooperate ... to help them ... find Jesus when he was alone...

GOD:
Is that all?

JUDAS:
There was a small sum of money involved.  Not much.  Only 30 pieces of silver.  It wasn't like the 300 denarii. That woman was wasting a lot of expensive perfume for Jesus’ body.

GOD:
You do love money, don't you, Judas

JUDAS:
I'm ... I'm not sure.

GOD:
Did you love my Son? (Long pause)

JUDAS:
No.

GOD:
Did you know him?

JUDAS:
Yes, of course, I knew him. We spent three year together. I kept the treasury box for him. I heard all his teachings. I listened to his parables. I saw him work miracles. We were together night and day for three whole years.

GOD:
But, did you love him?

JUDAS:
I told you, I knew him.  I spent time with him:  fishing together, traveling together, walking together.

GOD:
But, did you know his heart? Did you know what was inside his heart?

JUDAS:
No, not really.

GOD:
I was in his heart.  My love.  My kindness.  My forgiveness. My joy ... was all in his heart.

JUDAS:
But ... but ... but ... you are only a voice ... maybe! You are only questions in my mind ... I think.

GOD:
Judas ... I love you ... very much. I created you to be loving, like Jesus. Underneath your hard shell, there is love and goodness.  Come ... be open ... let me enter your heart and live in you.

JUDAS:
How can you say that to me ... that you love me ... after what I did? I stole from the treasury ... I betrayed your Son with a kiss ... I ... it was I ... who arranged for your Son to be killed. How can you say that you love me?

GOD:
But I do love you ... and will forgive you.

JUDAS:
I can't stand it any more. I can't stand that voice. I can't stand what I have done. I can't stand what I have become. I… I ... I ... I ... I am going to ... kill myself. (Exits out the door.)

GOD:
Oh, Judas, no.  No ...  Don’t.

Back to Dramas

(SETTING:  Fishing net over Communion Table.)

PASTOR:
Children, why don't you come up front for the puppet show? I have a friend I want you to meet. Please, I want you all to be seated there on the floor, outside the Communion rail.  If you all sit there you will be able to see. OK?  (Gets everyone seated ... welcoming.) Well, kids, who did we talk to last week? Do you remember his name?

CHILDREN:
Judas.  (They will respond like a cheering chorus.)

PASTOR:
Children, did Judas love Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Nooooooooooo.

PASTOR:
Did Judas betray Jesus with a kiss?

CHILDREN:
Yesssssssss.

PASTOR:
Do you remember - What did Judas love more than he loved Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Money!

PASTOR:
Good answers, kids.  OK, well tonight I want you to meet another friend ... Simon Peter is his name.  I'll knock and see if he is home ... (Knocks seven times, rhythmically.)

PETER:
(Pause)  Hi there everyone.  (Booming laugh)  Good to see you all.

PASTOR:
Hi, Peter.  I'm Pastor O'Neal and these are friends here from Grace Lutheran Church.  They want to meet you.

PETER:
I want to meet you, too, children.  (Booming laugh) You seem to be nice little kids.

PASTOR:
Are you nice little kids, children? (Simon Peter grabs net - plays with it.)

CHILDREN:
Yessssss  (all shouting).

PASTOR:
What's that in your hand, Peter?

PETER:
You know, Pastor O'Neal.  It's a fishing net.

PASTOR:
Why do you have a fishing net?

PETER:
Because I am a fisherman.  I love to go fishing ... and I love seeing this net full ... (booming laugh) I mean really full ... of fish.

PASTOR:
Weren't you fishing the first time you met Jesus?

PETER:
You better believe it.  I'll never forget that day. (Booming laugh again)  Ho, Ho, ho.  Wow.  My kid brother, Andrew, and I were fishing partners, along with two good fishing buddies; James and John There were four of us.  That night we had fished all night and caught nothing. You kids ever been fishing?  (Starts to banter with the kids) You have? What kind of fish do you catch? Do you kids use a fishing pole or a net? Do you use worms for bait?  (Get kids talking with him about fishing.)

PASTOR:
Then what happened, Peter?  I want to hear the story.

PETER:
Oh, yeah.  The story.  We fished all night and caught nothin.  Then the next morning, Jesus comes along and says:  "Simon Peter, the crowds here want me to teach them about God.  Would you row me out in your boat and I will preach from your boat? Kids, have you ever seen a preacher preach from a boat? (Booming laugh) Can you imagine ... your pastor preaching from a boat?  He'd get seasick.  (Booming laugh) Well, I never met a preacher preaching in a boat until I met Jesus.

PASTOR:
Peter, would you please tell us the story?

PETER:
I am.  I am.  After Jesus finished preaching, he says: "Peter, put out into the deep water so we can catch some fish" I said, "Lord, we fished all night and caught nothin" ... and Jesus looked me in the eye, and said,  "Peter, go into the deep water and put your nets over there."

PASTOR:
What happened?  ... What happened?

PETER:
Bingo!  (Booming laugh)  You never saw so many fish, kids.  There were so many fish, the two boats started to sink. And then you know what happened, kids?

CHILDREN:
What?

PETER:
Do you know what Jesus said?

CHILDREN:
What?

PETER:
Jesus said, "Peter, I'm going to make you fishers of men and women and boys and girls ... from now on, you're going to catch people for God."

PASTOR:
Wow!  That's quite a story, Peter.

PETER:
And I've been fishing for people ever since. Hey, kids ... do you believe in Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Yesssss!!!

PETER:
Good ... so do I. You see, if you love Jesus with all your heart, he has already caught you in his net and put you in his boat.

PASTOR:
Sounds like you were a good and faithful disciple, Peter.

PETER:
Oh, no.  Don't get that picture.  I denied Jesus three times. Three times I pretended that I didn't know him.

PASTOR:
You did?  Tell us about it.

PETER:
No, that's another story for another time.  I have to run. (Peter exits.)

PASTOR:
Thanks Peter. Kids, I want to ask you some questions about Peter. Did Jesus love Peter a whole lot?  (All say yes) Was Peter a fisherman?  (All say yes) Does he want you to be fishers of men and women and boys and girls and catch people for Christ?  (All say yes). Come next week, kids, and we will meet another friend of mine.  Pilate is his name.

Back to Dramas

Chancel Drama: "Peter's Long Night"

GOD:
What are you doing, Peter?

PETER:
Thinking.  Just thinking, Lord.

GOD:
About?

PETER:
About last night. After it was all over, I needed to be alone ... to lick my wounds ... to feel like a failure ... So I came here ... to this lonely, isolated place.

GOD:
Ashamed?

PETER:
Very ashamed, Lord.

GOD::
Why?

PETER:
You know why. I loved him very much. We spent three amazing years together.  Those were the best years of my life. I've never known and loved someone as much as I did Jesus.  He was not only my Lord and master; he had become my very best friend.  I could talk with him about anything ... and I let him down ... when he needed me the most.

GOD:
You regret that!

PETER:
Yes!  I blew it.  (...crying)... I really blew it last night. One disaster after another. It was the worst night of my entire life.

GOD:
Tell me more.

PETER:
Well, (still tearful) ... it began with the Passover Meal. James, John and I were arguing about who was the most important disciple ... the best disciple ... the most faithful disciple. How silly.  What a joke when I think about it.  Jesus overheard us and made us all sit down. He then took a dish towel and a pail of water and began to wash our feet. It was so humiliating.

GOD:
Trying to teach you a lesson you still hadn't learned.

PETER:
I know.  I know. He washed the feet of the other disciples, and as usual, they didn't say a thing.  They were the silent type. He then came to me and looked me squarely in the eye and said, "Peter, your turn." As usual, I shot off my mouth, “No, you don't Lord ... not me." He said:  "If I don't wash you, you will not be truly clean and you cannot be my disciple.” Then I said, "Lord, wash all of me.  My head, my heart my hands ... that I may be truly clean and be your disciple." What a joke ...  me ... truly clean.

GOD:
Did it last?

PETER:
Ha!  My clean heart lasted about an hour. On the way to Gethsemane, he said, "You disciples will desert me." Once again, instinctively, my mouth shot off.  I cannot control my mouth. Lord, why can't I control it?  I said:  "Not me, Lord ... not me ... the others may desert you ... but me?  Never!!!” What a jerk I was for saying such things.

GOD:
He knew the inside of your heart better than you did.

PETER:
Then he went to the garden ... and there ... the good old faithful disciple that I was ... I fell asleep while he was praying ... old reliable himself that I am. He called me the rock, but the rock cracked under pressure.

GOD:
You're being hard on yourself, Peter.

PETER:
You think this is bad.  I'm not done with the whole story yet. Then the soldiers came. Jesus had never hurt anyone.  He never lifted his hand or mouth to strike.  He was the prince of peace. He told us again and again ... No violence ... no revenge ... love your enemies ... pray for those who hurt you.

GOD:
Did you?

PETER:
Ha!  When they grabbed Jesus and began to rough him up, I grabbed a sword and cut off a man's ear. Instinctively ... in a flash ... in a fit of rage, I grabbed a knife and slashed.

GOD:
That's human nature, but not my nature (slowly).

PETER:
It happened so fast inside of me.

GOD:
It always does ... anger ... revenge ... flashes of temper.

PETER:
Walking in the way of peace is not easy, Lord.

GOD:
I never said it would be.

PETER:
And then I ran away. What a coward.

GOD:
(Long pause)  About the courtyard.

PETER:
You don't want to hear.

GOD:
You need to tell.

PETER:
That wasn't so pretty, either.  Jesus was inside the home of the judge.  I was outside in the courtyard ... by the fire ... warming my hands. This lady came up to me. "You were with him."  I said, "You're crazy, lady." So I got away from her. I went out to the gate but she followed me and again pointed her finger and said, "You're one of them." I denied it. To escape her, I began talking with the men by the gate. They said, "You have an accent, a Galilean accent. You must be one of them." So I began to cuss and swear and use every four-letter word I knew.

GOD:
Oh, Peter.

PETER:
Then the rooster crowed...and I remembered what Jesus had said. It was like a knife cut through my heart.  (Painful cry) I felt terrible ... like I was bleeding inside ... So ...  I ran and ran and ran ...  And here I am ... all alone ... in this lonely place ... with you.

GOD:
Do you remember Capernaum? ... After the transfiguration? You asked Jesus:  "How many times shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him ... seven times?"

PETER:
Jesus said:  "No, Peter.  Seventy times seven."

GOD:
Yes.  Infinitely!  Again and again and again ...  (slowly) I am forgiveness.  (Pause)

PETER:
Am I forgiven for last night?

GOD:
Yes.

PETER:
Thank you, Lord, I needed to hear that. Be with me, Lord, in the days that lie ahead.  I'm going to need your help to make it.

GOD:
I am always with you, Peter

PETER:
I'll count on you, Lord.

Back to Dramas

IV Puppet Show: Pilate, The Busy Bureaucrat

SETTING:  Books, inkwell or pen, papers on altar

PASTOR:
I wonder if many children are here with us tonight? Why don't all of you children come up here to meet a friend of mine?  Come on up. So that everyone can see and hear, remember that you need to sit on the floor.  Great!  I know you remember the other people you've met here. Can you tell me their names? Who did we meet first? The one who loved all the money?

CHILDREN:
Judas!!!

PASTOR:
What do you remember about Judas?

CHILDREN:
(They will shout different answers.)

PASTOR:
Who was the second person we met? Do you remember from last week?

CHILDREN:
Peter.

PASTOR:
What do you remember about Peter?

CHILDREN:
(They will shout different answers.)

PASTOR:
I can tell you've been listening and learning about the people who knew Jesus. Well, tonight I'd like you to meet someone else who knew Jesus. His name is Pilate.  Let me see if he's here. (Knocks several times, saying, "Pilate, Pilate" but no response.  Turns to children.)Can you help me?  I know Pilate is a busy man. If I knock three times and we all call "Pilate, Pilate" really loudly together, maybe Pilate will hear us. Ready? (Knock three times, then signal children.)

PASTOR AND CHILDREN:
Pilate, Pilate!

PILATE:
(Sound of shuffling papers, book slamming shut)  Who is bothering me now? Don’t they know how busy I am?  Oh, it’s you, Pastor Markquart.  What do want?

PASTOR:
Well, Pilate, remember I told you I was going to bring some of my friends to meet you.

PASTOR:
Oh, that's right.  I am a busy man.  I am an important man.  I work for the king of the whole world.  Caesar Augustus is his name.  He lives in Rome.

PASTOR:
Wow, kids, that's impressive.  He works for Caesar Augustus, the ruler of the whole world.  Pilate, do you think you have just a few minutes to talk with us?

PILATE:
A few minutes.  That’s all. This report can wait.  I write a lot of reports you know ... for Caesar.  Have to let everyone know what's happening, and (he seems to go on chatting indefinitely).

PASTOR:
(Butting in) Wait a minute, Pilate.  I don't want to be rude, but I have a question.  Aren't you the governor who sentenced Jesus to suffer and die?

PILATE:
(Sighs deeply and hangs head; speaks softly) Yes ... (with hesitation) and no.

PASTOR:
Excuse me?  Pilate, could you speak up so we can hear you?  Aren't you the one who sentenced Jesus to death?

PILATE:
(Sighing deeply again, but speaking louder)  Yes ... and no.

PASTOR:
What do you mean, yes and no?  Come on, Pilate, tell us the whole story.

PILATE:
Well, the chief priests in the temple wanted to get rid of Jesus, to have him killed. They were jealous of Jesus. Because I was a judge, they brought Jesus to me.  They made up three lies about Jesus.

PASTOR:
Three lies?  (Holds up three fingers)

PILATE:
The first lie:  They accused Jesus of being a trouble-maker.

PASTOR:
Children, did you hear that?  They accused Jesus of being a trouble-maker.  Do you children think that Jesus was a troublemaker?  (Pastor shakes head, "no.")

CHILDREN:
No!!!!!

PILATE:
The second lie:  They accused Jesus of telling the people not to pay taxes.

PASTOR:
Not to pay taxes????  Do you children think that Jesus told the people not to pay taxes?  (Pastor shakes head, "no.")

CHILDREN:
No!!!!!

PILATE:
The third lie? Jesus said that he was a king. That was the problem.  You can't have two kings. There can only be one king.  Caesar or Jesus. I sided with the king of Rome.

PASTOR:
Kids, do you think Jesus is king? (nods his head yes.)

CHILDREN:
Yesssss.

PASTOR:
A lot of kids don’t agree with you, Pilate. They think Jesus is king.

PILATE:
That’s the way it was in Jesus’ day. Because so many people believed Jesus was king, I had to do something.

PASTOR:
What happened then?

PILATE:
I still tried to save Jesus. But the Jewish leaders wanted him to die ... I offered them a choice of Jesus or Barabbas. Barabbas was one of the meanest, most evil men in prison.  ...But the crowd chose Barabbas to be freed.

PASTOR:
You let them choose Barabbas, a murderer, a killer, to be set free, instead of Jesus?

PILATE:
It was not my best choice.  After the crowds chose Barabbas, I washed my hands of the whole matter.  (Wrings hands and continues "washing" hands throughout the remainder of the play)  Perhaps I made a mistake.

PASTOR:
I think you made a mistake Jesus and these kids here do as well. You should not have sentenced Jesus to die and free that murderer Barabbas. 

PILATE:
I wash my hands of it!  And now, I must get back to writing my report.  Good day!  (Disappears from sight)

PASTOR:
Well, children, that was Pilate. I have some questions for you: Was Pilate a very busy man?  (Yes) Was Pilate a very important man?  (Yes)Did Pilate work for the world ruler, Caesar Augustus? (Yes) Who is the bigger king:  Jesus or Caesar?  (Jesus) That's right. Well, thanks for coming tonight.  And next week?  You will meet Barabbas himself, the murderer, the killer, so we’ll see you then. You can return to your seats.

Back to Dramas

PILATE:
(Sitting, talking to himself):  Reports, reports!!! I have much more important things to do than write up a report every time we crucify some revolutionary and a couple of thieves! That Jesus sure was different though. Not the typical revolutionary. I still think it had more to do with the Jews' crazy religion than Jesus claiming to be a king. I'm not sure just what the truth really is.

GOD:
What is truth, Pilate?

PILATE:
(Standing up from his desk):  What was that? Who's there?  ... Guard?  (Pause)Zeus? ...  Who are you anyhow? …

GOD:
I am the God of the Jews. I am the one who sent Jesus into the world. Jesus whom you crucified.

PILATE:
I didn't crucify him. The Jews did that.

GOD:
You ignored my warning.

PILATE:
No!  I didn't!  I listened to my wife! I wanted to release Jesus.  I had nothing against him. It was the crowds of people who wanted him crucified, not me. I wanted to let him go.

GOD:
Why didn't you?

PILATE:
There was too much pressure! There would have been a riot!  I had no choice but to turn him over to the people. My job is to keep peace in the province at any cost….  I didn't want Jesus to be killed.  I certainly didn't want his innocent blood on my hands. So I washed my hands of the whole business ... In public, too, so that all could see I was not responsible. I am not responsible. (Begins wiping his hands with a bloody cloth and that nervous gesture persists throughout the play.)

GOD:
(Ever so slowly) Did you wash away your guilt as easily as you washed your hands?

PILATE:
I'm not guilty. I wanted to set Jesus free ... I wanted to save him, but they would not let me.

GOD:
You are the governor. You had the authority not to kill him.

PILATE:
I used my authority to maintain the peace. One man's life is not too great a sacrifice if it will keep peace. Who was this Jesus anyway ...  the one who was called the king of the Jews?

GOD:
He was my Son.

PILATE:
Why did your people want him to die if he was your Son?

GOD:
 (Slowly)  Jealousy. They did not know him.

PILATE:
Neither did I, but I didn't want him to die. But what else could I have done?

GOD:
Yes, Pilate, what else could you have done?

PILATE:
I could have told the chief priests off ... I could have told them what I really thought. I tried, but they wouldn't listen. Your people are a stubborn people God. They would not listen to reason. Why did I let them pressure me? Yes, I could have spared Jesus' life ... I could have saved him ... It all happened so quickly.

GOD:
What about the way he died?

PILATE:
Yes, I could have at least spared him the scourging and the mocking. I could have stopped the soldiers from making fun of him. I could have had him killed in another way ... The way he died was terrible.

GOD:
Yes.

PILATE:
He was gentle sort of man. I could have spoken a word of comfort to him, in private of course.  I could have let him know that I didn't want him to die.

GOD:
But you did none of those things.

PILATE:
It was all so crazy ... All the shouting and commotion. I had to make quick decisions. There was no time for sentiment. I just cannot let my personal feelings stop me from doing Caesar’s work ... Caesar and Rome must come first!

GOD:
You gave in to crowd pressure, Pilate. You tried to please the crowd. You tried to save your own skin.

PILATE:
I have washed my hands again and again of this man's blood …but… my guilt still remains.

GOD:
The blood that you wash from your hands is the very blood that takes away your sin and guilt.

PILATE:
Oh Lord, what have I done?

GOD:
It is not what you did, Pilate.  It was what you could have done but did not.

PILATE:
Oh, how I want to be at peace with myself ... I want to be able to sleep at night again. I used poor judgment ... I am sorry. Could Jesus forgive me for what I have done to him? Could you forgive me for what I have done to your Son? What am I to do now?

GOD:
Believe in the one who was crucified ... In him is forgiveness ... In him is truth.

PILATE:
Is it true that even I, Pontius Pilate, can be forgiven?

GOD:
Yes, that is true. You can be forgiven. That is the truth.

PILATE:
Puts downs the bloody rag. Pauses. Leaves.)


Back to Dramas

V Puppet Show: Barabbas, The Murderer

SETTING:  No special props

PASTOR:
It's time, kids!  Why don't you come on up for our puppet show tonight? That's right, Please remember, you all need to sit down on the floor so everyone else can see.  Can you recall who we're going to meet tonight?

CHILDREN:
Barabbas!

PASTOR:
That's right!  What great memories you have. Let's see if Barabbas is here, shall we?  (Knocks on the altar)  Barabbas, oh Barabbas ... are you here? Come on out ... We'd like to talk with you.

BARABBAS:
Humph ... who's there?  (Gruffly) Oh ... oh ... its' you ... What do you want now, Pastor O'Neal?

PASTOR:
Well, Barabbas, don't be grouchy.  I just wanted to talk with you for a few minutes.

BARABBAS:
OK.  OK.  I have time to spare. ... Plenty of time now that I'm free again.

PASTOR:
Hold it, Barabbas.  Before you get into what's going on in your life now, why not tell us a little about yourself.  Kind of your life story  ... an autobiography.

BARABBAS:
OK. I had a pretty normal life as a child, Pastor O'Neal. I have several brothers and sisters. I am the oldest. My father was a rabbi, or teacher.  He was a very important and respected man.

PASTOR:
Well, Barabbas, I bet you wanted to be a rabbi, just like your father?

BARABBAS:
Never!  Even though my father was important, he couldn't change things.

PASTOR:
Couldn’t change things? What kind of things?

BARABBAS:
Things like the Romans living here and ruling our country. The Romans don't belong here!  (Emphatically) We gotta get rid of the Romans, even kill them.

PASTOR:
So what did you do, Barabbas?

BARABBAS:
I joined other people who felt like I did.  We are all revolutionaries, people who want to change things by power and violence.  I became a ring leader.

PASTOR:
Were you able to make changes?

BARABBAS:
Some ... But then one day we were fighting with the soldiers.  Some of them were killed.  I was arrested and put into jail.  Pilate told me I was going to die because I had killed a soldier and was always causing trouble.

PASTOR:
What happened?  You're here today!

BARABBAS:
I know!  I waited and waited for the soldiers to come and get me ... Then, I heard them --- clomp, clomp, clomping down the stairs.  The keys rattled at the door, then it opened.

PASTOR:
And ... (expectantly)

BARABBAS:
And one soldier shouted, "Barabbas -- out!  You're free to go!" I couldn't believe my ears!  Free to go -- me? When I questioned the soldiers, they said, "You're free. Someone else will die in your place." Die in my place? Weird.

PASTOR:
I bet you were surprised!

BARABBAS:
I was.  But I didn't stick around to find out who that person was to die in my place. I left quickly to find my friends.

PASTOR:
Did your friends know what had happened?

BARABBAS:
A few of them did.  They told me that Jesus, a teacher, was going to die instead of me.

PASTOR:
Wow. Did you know who Jesus was?

BARABBAS:
Nah, not really.  I'd heard he liked people like me, people who didn't fit in.  And that he claimed to be God's Son.  But I didn't really know why he died instead of me.

PASTOR:
I know.  You see, the chief priests wanted to get rid of Jesus. So they arranged for Pilate to sentence him to death. Pilate didn't really want Jesus to die. Pilate didn't know what to do.  Then Pilate remembered there was a prisoner in jail ... you!  Pilate always let one prisoner free for the Passover, so Pilate asked the crowd who he should release.  They said you, Barabbas! 

BARABBAS:
(Shaking head)  It still doesn't make a lot of sense to me. …  I saw the crowd following Jesus as he carried his cross on his way to die. Jesus looked so tired and sad.  The cross he was carrying was so heavy.  That should have been me ... Jesus carried my cross!  Jesus died to save me, of all people!

PASTOR:
You're right.  Barabbas.  But you know something? ... Jesus died to save me and everyone in this room, too! Jesus died for all people.  Jesus carried the cross and died because he loves all of us.

BARABBAS:
Really, Pastor.  Does Jesus love everyone ...even someone like me?

PASTOR:
Yes, Barabbas. Even someone like you … and me. We sometimes sing a song about God’s love for all of us. Kids, can you sing a song with me to let Barabbas know about Jesus' love? Let's sing "Jesus Loves Me" ... You all know it. Let’s sing for Barabbas and everyone here tonight.

PASTOR AND CHILDREN sing:
"Jesus Loves Me."

BARABBAS:
Thank you for singing, kids.  To think that Jesus loves me. That is awesome. And he died instead of me. Instead of you.

PASTOR:
Thank you, Barabbas, for talking with us tonight. And thank you, kids, for sharing Jesus' love! I'll see you next week when we'll meet another person who knew Jesus.  His name is Dysmas. See you then!

Back to Dramas

SETTING:  Barabbas running out on stage extremely excited and at the same time confused that he is free and does not have to die.

BARABBAS:
Ha!  I can't believe I'm free!  It's unbelievable! What could have happened?  Why would Pilate let me go free? It's proof that God wants the revolution to continue! The God of Abraham has delivered me so that I might continue to drive the Romans out of Palestine.  Those Roman fools don't know what they've done. I'll pave the streets of Palestine with Roman blood!

GOD:
Barabbas.

BARABBAS:
I am here.

GOD:
Why this talk of bloodshed?

BARABBAS:
It's the only way to accomplish our task God.  We must rid Palestine of Roman rule and return the land to your people. Revolution! ... It's the only way!

GOD:
The only way?

BARABBAS:
Yes! The only way! How will we drive out the Romans if not by force and violence?  Isn't that why you set me free?

GOD:
No!

BARABBAS:
I suppose you have a better way!

GOD:
I do.

BARABBAS:
What could that be, God? Nothing will ever change unless it is through violence and force. The revolution must go on!  This is our land and we will take it back from the Roman pigs.

BARABBAS:
Sure.  He was in prison at the same time I was. Some believed that he was a great revolutionary. They even called him a king. He sure turned out to be a big disappointment.  He never even defended himself.  He shouldn't have been in prison at all.

GOD:
(As always, slowly) You do not understand, do you, Barabbas?

BARABBAS:
Understand what?  All I understand is that to save our nation the Romans must be destroyed.  And I'm prepared to do just that. Destroy them, I say.

GOD:
Do you know why you are free?

BARABBAS:
To continue the revolution and to establish Israel as a free nation.

GOD:
Do you know how you came to be set free?

BARABBAS:
Uh, no ... I guess I don't really know how it all happened.

GOD:
Look over there ... What do you see on the hill?

BARABBAS:
(Squinting)  I see one, two, three crosses ... And people ... it looks like the two thieves I met in prison and the one in the center is Jesus from Nazareth. Why? ... Why is Jesus on the cross?  He wasn't guilty of any crime.

GOD:
The cross in the center is yours.

BARABBAS:
You mean the cross Jesus is on ... that was the cross I was to die on?

GOD:
Yes.

BARABBAS:
Are you trying to tell me that this man Jesus has taken my place on the cross ... that he has died in my place?

GOD:
Now you are beginning to see.

BARABBAS:
But, why would he do that?  I don't know Jesus.  And he didn't know me.  Did Jesus want the revolution to continue too?

GOD:
Barabbas, Barabbas.  Your ways are not my ways.  Your thoughts are not my thoughts.

BARABBAS:
That seems to be true.  But what does that have to do with Jesus dying on the cross in my place?

GOD:
This is my way.  The way of the cross.

BARABBAS:
How does your way change anything?  How can anyone bring about change in our world by dying on a cross?

GOD:
Barabbas, your way is the way of force and violence. The way of Jesus is the way of love and gentleness.

BARABBAS:
Love and gentleness is of no use in the revolution. Jesus' death on the cross makes no difference in the cause of freedom.

GOD:
His death has set you free.

BARABBAS:
You mean that freedom comes from one man's death on a cross? ... What kind of freedom is that?

GOD:
Freedom to walk in my ways, not yours.  My kingdom is not of this world.

BARABBAS:
Is Jesus a king in your kingdom?

GOD:
Jesus is the King of kings.  Jesus died so that you might live. He died so that you would learn to walk in the paths of peace. The greatest revolution is when the Prince of Peace begins to live in human hearts.

BARABBAS:
The Prince of Peace?

GOD:
Yes and the greatest revolution in the world. 

Back to Dramas

VI Puppet Show: Dysmas, The Thief in Paradise

PASTOR:
Hi children. Won't you all come up to the front to meet another friend of mine.  Sit there, outside the altar rail and make room for everyone. It's so nice to have you here tonight.  Last week, do you remember the name of the person we met?

CHILDREN:
Barabbas.

PASTOR:
Was he a murderer?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Was he a killer?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Did he get people to riot?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Did Jesus die in his place?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Did Jesus die in your place?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Children, do you know on what day of the week Jesus died?

CHILDREN:
Several answers. The children finally get to “Friday.”

PASTOR:
Yes ... Friday ... Good Friday ... Can you all say Good Friday?

CHILDREN:
Good Friday.

PASTOR:
Now, how many crosses were on the hill on Good Friday? Jesus died on the cross. How many crosses were there?

CHILDREN:
Several answers. Finally get the answer "three."

PASTOR:
Yes, three crosses. Jesus was on the middle cross. There was one cross on his left and one cross on his right.  Now, there was a man who was a robber on one of those crosses. We have named him, Dysmas. Can you all say Dysmas?

CHILDREN:
Dysmas.

PASTOR:
Now, I’ll knock and see if he is home.  If and when he pops up, you all say, "Hi Dysmas."  (Knocks)... Dysmas?  Are you home? (Dysmas pops up.)

CHILDREN:
Hi Dysmas...(together)

DYSMAS:
Hi children.  Hi Pastor.

PASTOR:
Dysmas, I was telling the children that you were killed on a cross with Jesus on Good Friday.

DYSMAS:
Oh yes, I was crucified.

PASTOR:
Was it very painful?  Did it hurt a lot?

DYSMAS:
Oh children, it was awful. I don't want to upset you, but you see this big nail in my hand?  (He holds up a 10 inch nail.) How long do you think this nail is, children?

PASTOR:
What do you think kids? How long is that nail?

CHILDREN:
(Guess)  (Bantering)

PASTOR:
10 inches....

DYSMAS:
The Roman soldiers took big nails like this one, and nailed Jesus and two of us robbers to the cross.  Nailed us right through our wrists.

PASTOR:
Oh, that must have hurt.

DYSMAS:
It was unbearable.  Awful.  Terrible pain

PASTOR:
Why were you nailed to the cross, Dysmas?

DYSMAS:
For punishment, I was a robber ... a thief ... and poor.  Rich people didn't get crucified. Only poor people, slaves and robbers like me. (Pulls out a whip and whips it.)

PASTOR:
What is that Dysmas?

DYSMAS:
This is a whip.  (Whips it so it snaps)

PASTOR:
That looks like it could hurt someone.

DYSMAS:
Yes, the soldiers took a whip like this and whipped Jesus' back.  Again and again, they whipped him so his back was red with blood.

PASTOR:
Oh children ... aren’t that awful ... what they did to Jesus?

DYSMAS:
Do you know what Jesus said to the soldiers who whipped him?

PASTOR:
What?

DYSMAS:
Do you know what he said?

PASTOR:
What?  What?

DYSMAS:
He said, "Father forgive them for hurting me."

PASTOR:
Can you imagine that children? People were whipping and killing Jesus, and Jesus asked God to forgive them.

DYSMAS::
When I saw Jesus could love who were so cruel to him, I started to believe in him.  I said to him, "Jesus...remember me when you go to meet God."

PASTOR:
What did Jesus say to you?

DYSMAS:
He said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise” ... and that's where I live.

PASTOR:
You live in paradise???  In heaven??? Tell the children. Tell all of us about Paradise.

DYSMAS:
Heaven is wonderful, children. It's so good. There is  ... No sickness. No pain.  No mean people. ... No nailing of wrists.  No whipping of backs.  No evil.  And someday ...  when you die ...  believing in Jesus ...  you will be in paradise with Jesus too.

PASTOR:
That's wonderful, isn't it children ... you will be in paradise with Jesus ... and with Dysmas the robber?

DYSMAS:
That's right. Bye children. Gotta go. Gotta get back to heaven.  It's nicer up there than down here on earth.

CHILDREN:
Bye...

PASTOR:
Children, I have some questions to ask you.  Dysmas, did he do anything bad during his life?  (Yes) Was he a robber?  (Yes) And, where is he today?  (In paradise) And ... when you die, where will you be?  (In paradise) Good... Now, next week on Thursday, not Wednesday, come again, and meet the Roman centurion. He was a captain in the Roman Army. You may be seated

Back to Dramas

(Throughout the play, the arms of Dysmas are stretched out as if he is hanging on a cross.  If wearing a dark brown garment, the body and outstretched arms make the form of a cross.  Signs of pain increase in intensity (gasping for breath, panting, gagging, rasping, and coughing) as the play progresses and as Dysmas approaches his death. His head is bowed for most of the play but occasionally looks up at the Voice of God.)

DYSMAS:
O God, I hurt...The pain is killing me...My hands ... my legs ... me feet ...  O God, I want to die.

GOD:
I am waiting for you.

DYSMAS:
Is that your voice God?

GOD:
Yes.

DYSMAS:
I hurt so much I can't hear or think.

GOD:
I am watching over you.

DYSMAS:
The drug the soldiers gave me is not helping anymore (gasping). Jesus refused to take any (pause). He died a few moments ago.

GOD:
I know.

DYSMAS:
Your Son made a promise to me.

GOD:
I heard.

DYSMAS:
He said, "Today ... today you will be with me in paradise...

GOD:
That's true.

DYSMAS:
Lord, what's paradise?  I don't know!

GOD:
Paradise is being with me. There is no pain ... there is no crime…there is no death forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever (7 evers).

DYSMAS:
O God, I want to come ... now ... please ... now.

GOD:
You will.

DYSMAS:
(Pause - coughing - silence - transition) Everyone made fun of him. The people passing by ... laughing, "Come down from the cross," they said. … The Jewish leaders ... the soldiers ... “Come down from the cross;” they taunted. And then the other robber ... the same. They all said the same thing.

GOD:
My Son could not come down from the cross. It was my plan ... for him to pay the penalty for the sin of the whole world.

DYSMAS:
The penalty for my sin?

GOD:
Your sin.

DYSMAS:
But ... I am a thief ... a robber ...my whole life ... a robber ... (coughing, gagging throughout the speeches) I am no good ... a no good ... never was good....

GOD:
You are good in my eyes.

DYSMAS:
(Nods head positively -- as if in appreciation) But ... I only knew him for such a short time... together on the cross ... I, too, made fun of him ...I believed only for one hour...

GOD:
That is long enough.

DYSMAS:
I heard him pray to you ... "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."

GOD:
He was forgiveness ... I am forgiveness.  ...

DYSMAS:
I heard him cry:  "Why, why have you forsaken me?" … He felt you deserted him.

GOD:
I did not desert my Son.  Suffering people feel deserted, but I never desert anyone ... ever.

DYSMAS:
I heard him shout,”It ... is ... finished ..."

GOD:
Yes, he completed my task. He was perfectly obedient until death. He fulfilled his destiny.

DYSMAS:
And died!

GOD:
And will rise again.

DYSMAS:
(Looks up) Rise again?  I've never heard!  I don't understand.

GOD:
In three days, my angels will roll the stone away. He will rise from the dead.

DYSMAS:
Impossible ... Lord ... impossible...

GOD:
With me nothing is impossible ... Dysmas, you too shall rise from the dead to live eternally ... with me.

DYSMAS:
Is that paradise, Lord?

GOD:
Yes.

DYSMAS:
I want to come soon ... my pain is so great.  

GOD:
I am with you.

DYSMAS:
The soldiers are coming ... to break my legs ... as they always do ... in every execution. (Pause)... (Cries out twice)... (As each leg is broken) O God ... that hurts ...  I'm coming Lord ... I'm coming. … I ... (head drops, shoulders drop, as if died)

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VII Puppet Show: The Centurion's Faith (Holy Thursday)

PASTOR:
Children, won't you please come forward?  I want you to meet a friend of mine.  He is a centurion in the Roman Army.  Please sit down, outside the communion rail.  Be seated so that everyone else can see. Now, do you remember the name of the person we met last week?

CHILDREN:
Dysmas

PASTOR:
Was Dysmas a robber?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Did he die a painful death on the cross?

CHILDREN:
Yes.

PASTOR:
Now, this is a harder question. Jesus told Dysmas that when he died, he would be with Jesus in ... where?

CHILDREN:
Paradise!!!

PASTOR:
Yes ... paradise ... heaven. And when you die, you will be with Jesus where?

CHILDREN:
Paradise.

PASTOR:
Good children.  Now, tonight, I want you to meet another friend of mine. We don't know his name but he is a Roman centurion ...That means he works in the army, like a soldier. Now, since he is an important officer in the Roman Army, I want you all to stand and salute like this.  (Teaches them how to salute) When he comes, you salute him and say, “Good evening sir.” Let's practice and all say, “Good evening sir.”

CHILDREN:
Good evening sir.

PASTOR:
Now remember to salute. First I'll salute, and then you salute, ok? (Knocks on the table.)

CENTURION:
(Pops up) (Firm military voice throughout)  Hup ... two three four ... hup two three four ... company halt.  Good evening.

PASTOR:
Good evening sir. (Saluting)  Children?

CHILDREN:
Good evening sir.  (They all salute)

CENTURION:
Good evening children.  You may be seated.  (Firm military voice)

PASTOR:
You are a centurion. What does that mean, the word “centurion?”

CENTURION:
Children, have you ever heard of the word "century?" Do you know the meaning of the word, "century?"

PASTOR:
Kids, do any of you know the meaning of the word, "century?"

CHILDREN:
(Discussion ... finally one blurts out ... 100 years.)

PASTOR:
Yes ... 100 years ...It means a hundred years, sir.

CENTURION:
I was in charge of 100 men ... 100 soldiers ...therefore, I was a centurion.

PASTOR:
Can you imagine that children? He was in charge of ... ah ... ah ...How many soldiers was he in charge of, children?

CHILDREN:
100

PASTOR:
Yes, of course.  100 soldiers. Sir, can you tell us about what happened at the crucifixion of Jesus?

CENTURION:
Yes, of course, I was in charge of the execution. I had our soldiers working for me I didn't do the dirty work myself.  The soldiers did it for me.

PASTOR:
Didn't I read about the soldiers dividing Jesus' clothing?

CENTURION:
Yes, when Jesus was crucified, the soldiers got his clothing. One soldier took Jesus' head scarf .One got Jesus' outer white garment, like the one you are wearing (pastor touches his alb). One got his rope, like the one you are wearing (pastor touches cincture). And one got his undergarment.

PASTOR:
Didn't they throw dice for his robe?

CENTURION:
Kids, do you throw dice in your games? Do you roll the dice? (Has dice and rolls them).

CHILDREN:
Yes

CENTURION:
The soldiers rolled the dice to see who would get the nice robe that Jesus had. They didn't want to cut it up into four pieces!

PASTOR:
What was Jesus like when he was crucified?

CENTURION:
I never saw anyone like Jesus. He didn't swear or use any cuss words. Usually, when someone got crucified, the pain was so great, they always swore. Not Jesus.

PASTOR:
What else can you tell us?

CENTURION:
I had my men execute hundreds of people, but, I never saw anyone like Jesus ... never in my whole life. He was innocent.  That was for sure. He had done nothing wrong. He was in enormous pain. They were all laughing at him. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

PASTOR:
Did you realize your soldiers were killing … the Son of God?

CENTURION:
No, I didn't at first ... but gradually, as I watched him on the cross, I came to believe he was the Son of God. I never met anyone like him before.  But I must go. My men are ready to march. … Hup, two three four ... Hup two three four ... Hup two three four ...  All children stand now stand up and face me.   (Children stand)

PASTOR:
Salute and say to the centurion, “Good evening sir"...

CHILDREN:
Good evening sir.

CENTURION:
Good evening children ... (leaves)

PASTOR:
Well, children ... this was our last puppet show. We certainly met some nice people who were near to Jesus on the cross. Thank you for coming.

Back to Dramas

Chancel Drama: The Centurion's Fears (Holy Thursday)

CENTURION:
Pilate was spineless and gutless today.  He sent an innocent man to be killed.   I hate that part of my job anyhow. … Nailing the body ... Offering the drugs ... Smashing the legs with the hammer ... Do you think that's fun? But, when a man is innocent ... Ohhh ... that ... makes   me disgusted inside!

GOD:
Innocent?

CENTURION:
You know he was innocent.  I know he was innocent. Pilate, that spineless maggot, knew he was innocent. And those rotten Jewish leaders, rotten to the core of their hearts, they were jealous ... and so they framed him. But, it was ugly. What was a mess!  Yes, I had to do their dirty work for them today.

GOD:
You are angry.

CENTURION:
Of course. For 20 years I've been in this God forsaken corner of the world ...   Thousands of miles from Rome ... from my home ... my family ... my civilization.

GOD:
Pilate?

CENTURION:
I just left his house moments ago. His servant came and gave me orders, "The Roman Procurator wants to see you immediately."  So I went.  Pilate wanted to know, "Is this Jesus really dead?"  I said, “Yes, he is, sir. He is really dead." Pilate persisted, “Are you certain he is dead?"  "I am, sir." Pilate barked: "Joseph of Arimathea is here.  He wants the body to prepare it for burial. You are dismissed." … But, that didn't dismiss the ugly rage inside of me.

GOD:
Why are you angry?

CENTURION:
Because I shed innocent blood ... that's why.

GOD:
There's something more that's bothering you.

CENTURION:
(Softening) Yes, he was not only innocent ...There was something strangely different about him ... The way he didn't swear when we put those nails through his hands ...   The way he looked at the people who were taunting him… The way he looked at me.

GOD:
How did he look at you?

CENTURION:
I don't know.  But he looked at me so carefully ... so gently ... a softness ...   Like he didn't hate me. That never happened to me before. I have executed hundreds of people ...  thousands ... They screamed at me in rage ... their eyes crucified me from their crosses. But, his eyes ... he kept looking ...  at me gently ... It made me feel uncomfortable.

GOD:
Why were you afraid?

CENTURION:
Because I knew I was in the presence of divine holiness. That there was something sacred about this man.  As we continued to crucify him, I felt like I was...

GOD:
 Killing a part of God.

CENTURION:
Yes ... I knew it!  I knew I was killing part of God ... And I ... I...

GOD:
Became afraid for your soul.

CENTURION:
Afraid ... that God would damn me... for what I had done.  But, it wasn't my fault ... It was Pilate ... that spineless maggot ... It was those Jewish leaders ... rotten to the core.  It was their fault I had to kill him ... But now ... I might have to pay the price.

GOD:
Did anything else make you afraid?

CENTURION:
From 12:00 to 3 o'clock, it became dark, like a blanket covered the earth.  It was eerie. It was a sign ...a sign from God of Jesus’ innocence ... and ... and ...perhaps a sign of…GOD:
Divine anger.

CENTURION:
Yes, the Gods above all nations are angry at me! Are you? ... Are you angry with me? ... (Long pause looking for a response; there is none, but only silence.  The centurion steps back in fear.)  … As Jesus was ready to die, he cried out, with a groaning shout, "It is finished" ... Immediately, the ground began to tremble ... to shake ... an earthquake.  My heart exploded with fear ... and I cried out.

GOD:
I heard you.

CENTURION:
(Shouting) "Truly, this man was innocent.”

GOD:
He was.

CENTURION:
(Shouting) “He was the Son of God."

GOD:
He is.

CENTURION:
I don't know what to make of it all.  It all has been confusing.  I am afraid ... because of what I have done ... Killing divine holiness.

GOD:
I am the Creator God of the heavens and the earth. ... I am the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. … I am the all-powerful God who rules over the nations from generation to generation. … And I am the Father of Jesus of Nazareth. You killed my Son.

CENTURION:
(Falling to his knees, head bowed) Please, God of all nations have mercy on me. I beg for your forgiveness ...  I know he was your Son.

GOD:
In my eternal love, you are forgiven.  Go and sin no more.  Do not shed innocent blood. Jesus’ blood has been shed for sins of the whole world.

CENTURION:
(Stands and gives a Roman salute to the Voice with the right fist closed and right arm slapped across the chest.  He walks briskly off stage.) 

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VIII Chancel Drama: Mary, The Mother of Jesus (Good Friday)

MARY:
I feel so empty here in this strange city.  I wish I were home in Galilee ... with my family and friends. I don't like this city, with its millions of nameless faces, with people who don't know or love me, especially at a time like this

GOD:
Mary?

MARY:
Is that you, Jesus?  Are you there?  Are you alive?

GOD:
It is I, the Lord God.

MARY:
O Lord, I am in pain. Today was awful ... My Son was killed just a few hours ago. I am all alone.

GOD:
I am with you.

MARY:
But who will take care of me?  Where will I go?  What will I do?

GOD:
John ... John will take very good care of you.

MARY:
But ... but ... it all seems so unreal ... like a bad dream ... a nightmare ... like it didn't even happen. Sometimes I am not sure if he is really dead.

GOD:
He is dead, Mary. His death is real.

MARY:
My feelings are real, Lord. I ache in every bone of my body ... I feel a shortness of breath in my chest ...  a numbness in my hands and fingers.

GOD:
I know your grief.  I feel the same way.

MARY:
My heart is broken.

GOD:
So is mine.  (Tender, softly and gently throughout)

MARY:
I can't stop my tears.

GOD:
Neither can I.

MARY:
It was the death of my child.

GOD:
And mine.

MARY:
I loved him so much.

GOD:
So do I.

MARY:
Lord, do you hurt the way I hurt inside?

GOD:
Yes, Mary.  I loved him as much as you did. He was my Son, too. His suffering and death were much for me to bear (voice almost breaking).

MARY:
Lord, are you crying?

GOD:
(Long pause) Yes, Mary.  (Voice of God breaking) I hurt when I saw my Son in pain.   (Very slowly) Knowing that the innocent lamb had to be slaughtered for the sin of the people, it was agony to see him crucified.

MARY:
There was nothing we could do to stop it. We couldn't stop his execution any more than we can stop nations from going to war and killing our sons. We could not stop it, as much as we wanted to.

GOD:
But you were there to support him ... to be with him. That was enough.

MARY:
And so we watched ... and prayed ... and looked ... and … listened. And we cried.   That's all we could do.

GOD:
At times, that is all one can do ... to silently watch ... and love.

MARY:
Lord, I remember the angel, Gabriel, and his warning.

GOD:
That a sword would pierce your heart.

MARY:
O God, it has cut so deeply.

GOD:
I know.

MARY:
And his body wasn't even properly prepared for burial. (Pause)

GOD:
(Whispers, barely audible) No grave will contain him.

MARY:
Mary Magdalene followed Joseph to the tomb with the body. It was a short walk.   She watched his body be put into the grave.

GOD:
No grave will contain him.  (A stronger whisper, but Mary still does not hear)

MARY:
So we have been busy tonight, before the Sabbath begins. We have been gathering perfumes and oils.  We just had to.

GOD:
No grave will contain him.  (Still stronger whisper)

MARY:
O God, I don't want to go there on Sunday morning. I can't bear the thought of seeing his body again.  I'll break down ... fall apart ... cry.

GOD:
Listen to me, Mary!  (Mary looks up ... finally to hear)  (Pause) … NO GRAVE WILL CONTAIN HIM!!!

MARY:
What do you mean, Lord?

GOD:
Remember his promise ... my promise ... that on the third day, he will rise from the dead.

MARY:
I heard him say it, but...

GOD:
Believe, Mary! As you believed the angel, Gabriel, believe his promises!

MARY:
Sunday morning?  The first day of the week?

GOD:
His promises are my promises! … He shall rise again!  ...  (Pause)… NO GRAVE SHALL CONTAIN HIMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!   (Slowly, almost a shout, a ringing proclamation, that slowly becomes softer)   (Silence)(Mary then leaves.)

Back to Dramas

IX Cancel Drama: The Gardener (Easter) 

John 20:1-18

(A one act play involving the gardener who took care of the gardens in which the body of Jesus was buried and the Voice of God whose voice rings throughout the sanctuary.  The play is the ninth drama in a Lenten Series called, THE VOICE OF GOD, available through Grace Lutheran Church and this website (under dramas); yet this play stands on its own, without the other dramas. ...  The mood of God’s voice is cheerful and elated.  God is immensely pleased with what he did earlier that day.  The mood of the gardener is happily excited because of seeing the empty tomb, the grave clothes, and the faith of the disciples.  He has been convinced of the resurrection.  He is carrying a shovel (symbolic of the gardener/gravedigger) that he leans on until the very end of the play.  It is a prop to be used creatively.

Gardener:
O God, what a surprise!  What a wonderful joke!  Did you blow them away!

God:
You liked what I did?

Gardener:
Like it?  I loved it!  It was mind boggling!  They didn’t know what to think!

God:
My truth is surprising.  What I prepare is so good and so wonderful, no mind can comprehend it. 

Gardener:
I loved it! 

God:
So did I!  (With a smile in his voice)

Gardener:
I had the best seat in the house, front and center.  I mean, being the gardener and caretaker of the cemetery and all.  Digging out the graves from the limestone wall right over there.  Planting the flower beds.  Raking the grounds.  I got to see everything, the whole show!

God:
You had a special view.

Gardener:
You better believe it.  It started on Friday, late Friday afternoon, about five or six o’clock, to be specific.  I saw Joseph of Arimathea, Mr. Megabucks from the Jerusalem Bank ....and Nicodemus, Mr. Senator from the Sanhedrin; they, of all people, were carrying the body of Jesus up the hill from Golgotha to my cemetery.  I couldn’t believe it!  The two of them, of all people. We put the body into that grave right over there, the grave that I had dug last week.  It was a big vault, big enough for two bodies.  Five or six mourners could stand inside of it at one time to grieve.  They placed the body there, on that niche to the right.  And then, they stood there silently for a moment, and then bowed, as if before a king.

God:
Jesus, my Son, is king.  King over life and king over death.  No grave shall containnnnnn him! (The gardener responds positively to God’s voice, nodding, agreeing, because the gardener “knows.”) For I am the God of life and living.  I am the God of eternal thanksgiving, and I raised my Son from the dead!   (The gardener listens very carefully to this poem. As God repeats it in later speeches, the gardener will be learning it.)

Gardener:
I know.  I know.  I know that you did.   After what I saw today, I know it. Very early this morning, I heard sounds at daybreak, at the first hint of dawn.  As you know, God, I live in the little cottage here at the cemetery.  I’m a light sleeper.  I looked out....and it was the women I had seen here on Friday.  They had been watching as we put the body into the vault. I watched one lady as she approached the grave.  She shrieked:  “Who rolled the gravestone away!!!”  I was shocked!  She was right!  The gravestone had been rolled away during the night.  What happened?  I watched her as she went into the grave vault.  She was there, only for a short while, and when she came out, her face was shining as the sun. She shouted at the top of her lungs:  “He is not here!!!”  And off she and the other women ran, down the hill towards the city wall of Jerusalem.

God:
To tell the disciples the good news....the message of my angels.

Gardener:
Yessss.  (Whispers)

God:
That I am the God of life and living.  I am the God of eternal thanksgiving, and I raised my Son from the dead.

Gardener:
I didn’t know what to do.  Before I knew what happened, I heard footsteps, running.  Two of his disciples came running up the hill from the city.  First, a younger man....a dark beard...he came puffing up real fast.  He approached the grave here, but he didn’t dare go in.  He was afraid.  Shaking in his sandals, he was.   A moment later, the second disciple arrived.  A big burly man...gray beard...he looked like an old fisherman.  He came right up to the grave and boldly walked right in.  No fear in his old heart.  The young man quickly followed.  They were in there for what seemed like an eternity.  And then...when they came out...their faces were shining like they had seen the sun.  They were laughing, smiling, and slapping each other’s back.  It was like they were hilariously drunk on some new kind of wine.  And off they ran down that hill, back to Jerusalem.

God:
To tell the world the good news, the message of my angels.....that I am the God of life and living.  I am the God of eternal thanksgiving, and I raised my Son from the dead!  (The gardener is now repeating the words of God’s rhyme with God, in a joyful whisper.)

Gardener:
But before you knew it, the Jewish guards came running from over there. They had been sleeping nearby, camping out.  And then all hell broke loose. They were squabbling with each other, swearing at each other.  “What happened?”  “Who rolled the stone away?”  “Where’s the body?”  “O my God, the linens and napkin are here.  “The disciples must have come and stolen the body.”  “We will get killed for this.”  “Who will tell the chief priest?”  “Not me!”  “You do it.” .....In a moment, the Jewish priests came puffing up that hill from Golgotha, dressed in black, looking like a flock of crows squawking  at each other.  “You soldiers will die for allowing them to steal the body.”

God:
Those poor blind Jewish leaders...Blind to eternity.  Blind to immortality. Blind to eternal spring.   I, the Lord God, turn ...brown seeds into beautiful flowers.

Gardener:
Yes!

God:
Cocoons into butterflies.

Gardener:
Yes!

God:
And dead bodies into eternal glory.

Gardener:
Yes!  It has been a madhouse here all day, God.  Everybody has come to the cemetery.  Would you imagine?  The scholars from the uppity University of Jerusalem arrived.  Scientists.  Astronomers.  Well educated men.  They came to examine the evidence.  They carefully touched the walls to make sure that there was no other route of escape.  They made me come in, to prove that there was no escape door.  Then, they took the linen cloth and carefully stretched it out and closely examined the blood stains.  Their minds were perplexed and puzzled and they finally concluded:  “Either...somebody has stolen the body or something very strange has happened here today.”

God:
What human mind can fathom the intelligence of God? What human mind can comprehend the universe?  What human mind can understand life itself?  And I, God, who created all of life, can raise one man from the dead...if I so chose!

Gardener:
God, I know that you created life itself, and I know that you raised Jesus from the dead.  But....but....but how about me?  ....  a poor Jewish gardener?  My wife?  My family?  The bodies here in my cemetery?  Will we live again?

God:
What did you see today, Gardener?

Gardener:
What I saw was gloriously wonderful!  I saw the empty tomb.  The grave clothes folded neatly in the grave.  The faith and faces of the disciples. ... And I also saw the daffodils blooming in my garden.....and a cluster of butterflies flutter past me.  They were beautiful.  Today, I felt the deep hope of eternity spring forth within me, like a flower blossoming forth into full bloom.

God:
My friend, you will never die.  Your eyes are open and you have seen eternal spring.  Your heart is open and you know eternal love.  Your ears are open and you have heard my eternal song.

Gardener:
O God, how I love your song.  Sing it to me again.

God:
I want the whole world to know that...I am the God of life and living, I am the God of eternal thanksgiving, and I raised my Son from the dead!  (The gardener is repeating the words with elation as God speaks.)

Gardener:
I will tell.  I will tell the whole world.  I will run to tell the whole world....(The gardener shouts these lines as he is running from the chancel to the rear of the sanctuary.  He now spins and triumphantly shouts to the congregation and world.)

He is risen!  Your Son is risen indeed! ... For ours is a God of life and living. 

Ours is a God of eternal thanksgiving.  And he raised his Son from the dead!

(The organist hits the keys for the beginning of a triumphant Easter hymn.)

(This sermon grows out of the time when Pastor Markquart visited the Garden Tomb which is located immediately above a cliff with eye sockets in it that make the cliff look like a skull of Golgotha.  This area is right outside the wall of  Jerusalem.  In the Garden Tomb is a burial vault carved out of the limestone, “traditionally” thought to be the burial place of Jesus. Thus, it is easy to visualize people running up to the Garden Tomb from the city and back down again.)


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