Coping With Crowds© Theme:
An Easter message on apathy, faith, commitment, conviction and challenge
Cast:
(In all segments a crowd may be used or inferred) Parts can easily be combined so same actors may in more than 1 segment The Unseen Jesus Segment Mark 4 individuals, (parts can be combined or expanded) Knowledge Which Demands a Decision Segment Joseph of Arimathea Person (either sex) It is Not Our Problem Segment Pilate, monologue My Emmaus Moment Segment Peter Off-stage voice God of the Common People Segment Lazarus Mary Mary Magdalene Elizabeth Final Segment Tony and Tracie, (either sex) Pastor
Set:
blank
Props:
none
Sound and Lighting: standard Costumes:
may be traditional or contemporary
Music:
could be used as a bridge between segments
Run-time:
60 minutes
Script:
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 1
The Unseen Jesus Segment All actors are looking upstage, up on tiptoes, trying to see, looking at each other. Confusion, milling around, murmuring from the crowd, amazement, various people speak excitedly: 1:
Did you see that?
2:
Unbelievable!
3:
I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes!
4:
That is no regular man, not doing the things he does!
etc., then Mark, who is on the downstage edge of the crowd, moves as though pushed by an unseen person, reacts, speaks as though to someone just downstage Mark:
Stop your pushing, we all want to see! No chance you will get up to the house, out here in the courtyard, that’s as close as most of us have got all day! (as though pushed again) I said, stop pushing! The place is packed, no one gets preference getting in. No one! Look, (points), see, over there, see the guy in the robe? Eli, his name is, director of the biggest religious college in Jerusalem. Even with his reputation, he hasn’t been able to get any closer than the courtyard, not much chance you are going to get a closer look!
1:
Mark here is dead on, we have been waiting here for hours just to catch a glimpse of him. No one’s leaving from inside, so no one out here is getting a chance to move in closer.
2:
Exactly, just you wait in line like everyone else!
3:
Maybe you could try going up those stairs and dropping in through the roof!
everyone laughs, murmurs agreement Mark:
Well, it was just before you got here, four guys carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher came along, no way they could get through this crowd. I was willing to step aside, no way the others were going to let these guys through. After a bit the guys carry the stretcher up the stairs, I figured they were taking the paraplegic up there to rest. Next thing I know, there’s some dirt falling down from the roof, among the people inside. I mean, like, there was some dancing around in there, everybody trying to
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 2
get back out of the way, and hardly even standing room in there! Me, I thought there’s an earthquake or something. Anyhow, what should happen next but this stretcher gets lowered down from the ceiling. Sure enough, it’s the guy they had carried up on the roof! 3:
I know it’s hard to believe, like I said, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes no way I would believe!
4:
Got that right! I mean, I have never . . .!
Mark:
Turns out the guys who carried the paraplegic up on the roof, they realize their friend is in real rough shape, needs help right now. So they knew they had no chance getting through the crowd. Pretty smart of them really, they figured out the only way they could get it done was to dig down through the roof and lower the paraplegic right there in front of the Teacher. (pause) The Teacher. The prophet. Jesus of Nazareth. You haven’t heard of him? I just expected that’s why you were here, to see him, hear what he has to say. All day long, since he arrived here in Capernaum, it’s been a steady stream of people. I mean news travels fast in a small town you know. (pause) What does Jesus do to hold the crowd you say? You truly aren’t from anywhere around here are you? Everyone from all over Judea, they know Jesus. Awesome teacher, I mean he can not only tell you all the law, but he explains it in a way that makes it, I don’t know, guess you could say he tells it in a way that makes it come alive. And of course there are the people who come to be healed. (pause) Oh, all kinds of sicknesses. . some folks who have been blind from birth, they walk out in amazement, seeing for the first time all that us folks take for granted.
1:
Mark, tell them about Elizabeth, your neighbour!
Mark:
Man! Now that truly was something! Next door neighbour of mine. Deaf as a post! I said to her, “Elizabeth, why don’t you go see the Nazarene?” Jesus, he’s from Nazareth, see? (pause, Mark and those around chuckle) Yep, guess you are right, something good actually can come out of Nazareth! Anyhow, I convinced Elizabeth she should come talk with Jesus this morning, I mean, what is there to lose, right?
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 3
In a little while here comes Elizabeth, dancing down the road, screaming, shouting, crying, laughing .. . all at once! I yells out, “hey Elizabeth, what’s going on out there?” She yells back, “I just love the sound of my own voice!” So I says, “fine but do you have to wake the whole neighbourhood just to . .” And right now I stopped dead in my tracks, think, wow, this here is Elizabeth and she heard what I said, no lip reading or anything! Sure enough, Elizabeth she hears just perfect! Funny thing, neighbour Sarah comes along, and I gotta tell you Elizabeth and Sarah, they aren’t real close friends, know what I mean? Elizabeth she makes me put this blindfold over her eyes, she turns her back to Sarah, has Sarah whisper, why Elizabeth repeats back every word Sarah said! Sarah she like to had a fit, then she takes off running down the street, yelling back how she’s going to go ask Jesus can he remove this wart from her neck, the one that all the doctors say can’t ever be removed, too close to a blood vessel. 2:
Now way I see it, that’s just a waste of the Teacher’s time. I mean, why take up time with warts when there’s the big things to deal with?
3:
I don’t see it that way, I mean the prophet he always says to bring all our burdens to him.
2:
Well, maybe you got a point there, I mean, Sarah, she’s my sister-in-law and I never saw more of a burden that Sarah, I tell you!
Mark, pauses as though listening: What’s that? Have I seen Jesus today? No, I’ve never got any closer than this all day. Never once saw so much as his shadow. (pause, reacts incredulous) What? You ask why I would stay when I likely never will see, touch him all day? That should be obvious is my thought! We . . . are . . . talking . . . Jesus here! This . . is the Messiah! God’s chosen one! Oh, no doubt about it, I would dearly love to see him, touch him, kiss his cheek, and who knows, someday I just might! But for now I am just incredibly excited to see the unseen Jesus. . . . Hey, wait, that’s it, right there! Seeing the unseen Jesus! 4:
That’s some tough though, would be easier to just walk right up to him, know what I mean?
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 4
Mark:
Yes, it is tough! Tough, just like it was for the four guys that were carrying the paraplegic! I mean, they didn’t have any tools, my guess is they dug their way through that hard packed dirt on the roof with their bare hands! Then to dig out the boards and beams. And when they were standing up there on the roof Jesus was unseen. But they still knew that he was there, and he had the power to help their friend.
1:
Tell them Mark, tell them how that guy roared out of here after Jesus healed him!
2:
Like to ran over me!
3:
Jumping, hopping around, yelling at the top of his lungs!
4:
Yes, but tell them what the guys from the temple said, Mark!
Mark:
Well, see, Jesus he was so impressed with how these guys went that extra mile to bring their friend for healing, he was actually quite amazed. And he says, "Son, I forgive your sins." Whooooooo, now this miffs some of the religion scholars sitting there and they started whispering among themselves, "Hey, he can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins." Jesus, he knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so sceptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, "I forgive your sins,' or say, "Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? And so Jesus says, “just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." he says to the paraplegic, "Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." And, man, that’s just exactly what he did . . . got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him, their mouths wide open in shock!
1:
I want to tell you, I just stood there, rubbing my eyes, totally in shock, then I am, smack! down on my knees, right now!
2:
You have to understand, never have we seen anything like this!
3:
A strange thing!
4:
Marvellous!
2:
Extraordinary!
1:
All that, but mostly, a great miracle!
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 5
Mark:
The power of the Lord was present for Jesus to heal the sick today! And a strange, marvellous, extraordinary, great miracle happened. A miracle of the unseen Jesus! (waves downstage) Come, stand here with us, see his miracles!
lights out
Knowledge Which Demands A Decision Joseph of Arimathea Crowd is upstage, backs to audience, stretching, trying to see what is happening Joseph comes from off stage, looking around furtively, trying not to be noticed Joseph:
Things have quietened down, perhaps I can get a closer look at what is going on. (tries to move in closer, runs into a person) Oh, excuse me, didn’t mean to bump into you sir. I must be more careful, I can’t allow anyone to recognize me. Perhaps if I pull my hood more closely around my face. But I really do want to see what has happened here, the reason for all the commotion. Someone said he had risen. Risen from the dead . . . I mean . . . is it possible? Well, he did say many times something about on the third day, I thought he was talking about the temple. Likely he was . . . but . . Someone said his disciples came and stole the body. Someone said there was an earthquake. The women were here just a few minutes ago. They saw something, I am sure of that. I wanted to call out to them: ”Stop, Mary, Salome, tell me, what did you see?” That’s what I wanted to say. What I did say was . . . nothing, . . . I kept silent. I was hidden behind that boulder over there.
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
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I was afraid the women might have let it slip to Caiaphas and the others that I had been seen here, that I was in a place where a man in my position simply shouldn’t have been. In my position I can’t afford to take any chances. I have taken far too many chances already. Of course I want to follow the Teacher, but the Teacher is dead . . I think . . He was dead, that I know for sure person from the crowd turns around, stares at Joseph, recognition comes across the face
Person:
I know you, you are from Arimathea. My cousin lives over there in the central hill country. I remember seeing you last time I was there. What was your name again?
Joseph:
I have no idea what you are talking about! Arimathea? I have been there perhaps once or twice in my whole life is all! You obviously have me mixed up with someone else.
Person:
I have a good memory for faces, I could swear I saw you in Arimathea! Well, perhaps we will meet again some time. (pauses, looks directly into Joseph’s face) Are you sure you aren’t from Arimathea?
Joseph:
Do I look to you like the type who would be climbing that rough hill country? Now for the last time . . .
Person:
Fine, fine, don’t need to get belligerent, just look like someone I guess.
Person moves back into crowd, Joseph again pulls his hood more closely around his face Joseph:
That was close! No way I could explain my way out of being seen here. I just pray that Pilate didn’t tell anyone about me claiming Jesus’ body on Friday. That was a rash and foolish move on my part, in hindsight a grave mistake I made, taking the body like that. But I was so overcome with his death. And Nicodemus was so adamant it was the right thing to do. Nicodemus needs to be more careful as well. Wouldn’t Caiaphas be overjoyed to make an example of the two of us?
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 7
This last few days has been a series of close calls for me. When the disciples left the Upper Room after eating the Passover feast I waited in the shadows, followed them out past the city walls, to the Garden of Gethsemane. I wanted to be near him, do you know what I mean? There is something about being around the Master. I can’t explain it. I am no stranger to power and prestige, but no one I have ever met gives me that feeling of, . . . . I don’t know. . . “rightness” is the only word which comes to mind. But even though I wanted to be close to him there in the Upper Room, something held me back. . . . . Not “something” more like “someone”. There is just something about Judas of Kerioth. I am usually a good judge of character, and that one makes my blood run cold! Yes, I know, it is not my place to second guess the Master . . . it’s just that .. And as it turned out I was right! Judas. A filthy traitor. You know, I saw another side to some of the disciples this weekend. I always saw them as brave and upstanding. Yet every last one ran away. Even brash, loud Peter! One of the servants was telling me that in the Upper Room Jesus claimed that all would fall away, and of course Peter denied that could happen. Turns out he denied Jesus alright; three times actually. Person comes back out of the crowd, approaches Joseph Person:
I remember now! In the temple at Arimathea. You were serving in the temple and when I . . .
Joseph, very angry: You stupid oaf, how many times do I have to tell you that I am not now, and never have been connected in any way with Arimathea? Now then, once and for all, go and leave me alone! Person:
Very on edge aren’t you, perhaps . . .
Joseph:
I said. . . leave me alone!
Person backs away, goes back to crowd
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 8
Joseph:
How many times do I have to deny that I . . . . . Deny. Just like Peter. Denying that he knew Jesus. I was looking down on Peter for . . for doing exactly what I am doing. But I have so much to lose. Member of the Sanhedrin. Secret follower of Jesus of Nazareth. Living a double existence seemed possible prior to this weekend. I am not so sure that after the past days it is still possible. I have seen so much this weekend. I have seen his suffering, his pain. His death. I held his lifeless body, and I, along with Nicodemus, anointed and wrapped his body for burial. On Thursday I felt I was so learned, so in control, so accomplished. In the last few days my whole life has changed. In the past few days I have, it seems, been inundated with happenings, information, with knowledge. Knowledge. Knowledge of men, man’s many diametrically opposing and conflicting emotions and motivations. Knowledge of God. God’s wisdom, love and selflessness. I have seen God’s blessing. And God’s tears. In many ways this newfound knowledge is a frightening thing. For this is knowledge which demands action. Knowledge which demands a decision. Look, the man is coming back. I can tell by the look on his face that he remembers now that I am Joseph of Arimathea. What will be my response to this, his third accusation?
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 9
Will I, like Peter, deny, run away, escape? Knowledge which demands a decision. And my decision will be . . . . lights out
It is Not Our Problem crowd with their backs to the audience, shouting, shaking their fists Pilate is somewhat downstage, watching as all of this goes on Look at them! And they describe we Romans as blood-thirsty! Behold, the hypocritical mob! Fools and animals! From the top to the bottom, from Caiaphas in the temple to old blind Eli in the stable fools and animals! Oh yes, they talk a good story, hands folded in the temple, rhyming off laws of which even the most scholarly have no explanation, let alone application. Take Caiaphas himself. Chief priest in the temple. Champion of all that is good and noble in things Jewish! Yes, indeed! Looking down his hooked nose at people such as we who do our best to bring civilization to this rabble; openly critical of all which we Romans undertake. Within their elitist little group they spout platitudes as to being spiritual, committed and dedicated to their own, they paint a beautiful picture of Jewish solidarity. Yet the fact is they are vultures waiting to descend on one of their own, to pick his bones clean without so much as a bat of their dark and sullen eyes! You don’t believe us, just look behind us here. All of Jerusalem and half of the Jewish nation is here, begging for the sight of blood. (pause, amazed) No this display is not the trial of an enemy, it is for the slaughter of one of their own! Jesus of Nazareth, self-styled prophet, sometimes carpenter, and self-proclaimed Son of the Jewish God. Not even a performer on a street corner in Rome would make such a wild-eyed claim! Hilarious! Well, . . . it would be if it didn’t effect our own person, that is. Fact is, Caiaphas, he was out for blood, that’s the long and the short of it all. This Nazarene had really stirred up a hornet’s nest! On the one hand all the Jewish leaders were choked over a mere carpenter laying claim to divinity. And then there were many Jews who believed Jesus to be the Messiah. So within their ranks there developed a no-win situation, and a head-to-head confrontation. Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 10
Compound this with the fact that that fool Herod Antipas had gone and proclaimed himself King of the Jews. Yes, precisely! King of the Jews! He who lay claim to Jewish blood only when politics dictated this as a proper course of action now made his own way to the royal throne. Many Jews were so furious with Herod over this that they backed Jesus as King of the Jews just so that Herod wouldn’t be king. OK, so where did this leave ourself? (pause) Ourself. Pilate. Procurator of this threadbare no-man’s land. Regardless, to this lofty calling our superiors in Rome dispatched us. And here we are! Between the Roman rock and the Hebrew hard place! (pause as though listening to a question) What happened you ask? Surely everyone has heard the news by now. It was early this morning when Jesus was arrested and brought to our palace. Early! Before we had arisen. What total lack of regard for our position! Here was this mob of Jewish mediocrity waiting in our courtyard. (with venom) Mustn’t come inside the building of a . . . Gentile . . now must we? Would have made the “spotless” Jews unclean and would have prevented them from eating their precious Passover meal. Unbelievable! Regardless, after dressing, we ventured outside and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” Quickly, wildly they answered back, “He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you.” We could sense that we were being drawn into this silly controversy and so sought to escape this trap, saying, “Take him and judge him by your own laws.” To which the crowd replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.” No, you mightier-than-thou minion, but you have no problem in killing one of your own so long as it appears as though another man’s hand is clasping the knife! We asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” It was as if this penniless preacher was our superior, so unaffected by our position was he. ”Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?” Who do we appear to be that we should be spoken to thusly? ” You know very well we are not a Jew! Your own people and the chief priests brought you here. Now then, straight answers if you will, and smartly! What have you done?” At which point this Jesus person launched off into some wild tirade about kingdoms on earth or kingdoms in heaven! Quickly I brought him to task with the direct question: “So you are a king,” “You are saying that I am a king,” said he. And more, “I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice.” In frustration we declared, “What is truth?” Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 11
And we acknowledged , “We do not find this man guilty of anything!” The crowd rejected our offer to release this Jesus as the Passover opportunity, preferring that we set free a despised terrorist, Barabbas. Then, as now, we publicly washed our hands of the matter. Washing should make one feel cleansed. We do not so feel. lights out
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 12
My Emmaus Moment
Peter:
Look at the people on the road! As far as eye can see, a mass of humanity. At this rate Jerusalem will be a ghost town by nightfall. Not that I blame anyone for leaving Jerusalem. Pitiful city, no redeeming features. Forever it will be referred to as the city which stole the Master. All these people on the road, not a smile to be found on any face. Strange. Same people, not a week ago, came laughing and dancing into Jerusalem, their only intent, to celebrate the Passover. He’s gone you know. This morning there was that faint, brief glimmer of hope. But that’s all it was. Reality sets in, dreams fade to be replaced with cold hard reality. Women! Trust women to come up with an insane story. He has risen! The Saviour is alive! Running through the streets shouting out: He is risen! He is risen indeed! Thomas, he was right on with his comments! The time has come to face facts. He is dead. No more dreams, no more idealistic thoughts of tomorrow. Time to face facts.
reacts as though someone has bumped into him Sorry, guess I wasn’t watching where I was going. Voice:
And just where are you going?
Peter:
Away.
Voice:
That answers my question.
Peter:
I was in Jerusalem with all the rest of these people, now it’s time to leave.
Voice:
You sound neither sad to be leaving nor happy to be going.
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 13
Peter:
I guess you could say that all the emotion I ever had has been drained out of me, there’s nothing left inside.
Voice:
That sounds very morbid.
Peter:
It’s a good time for morbid.
Voice:
Sounds like you have lost you best friend.
Peter:
You could say that.
Voice:
You left your friend behind in Jerusalem?
Peter:
In a manner of speaking.
Voice:
Couldn’t bring your friend with you?
Peter:
No.
Voice:
Your friend couldn’t make the trip?
Peter:
Nope.
Voice:
Anyone ever tell you that you are the world’s greatest conversationalist?
Peter:
Nope.
Voice:
The record is safe with me.
Peter:
Very funny.
Voice:
I must have missed the smile that went along with that.
Peter:
How can you be so up today?
Voice:
Why shouldn’t I be?
Peter:
Haven’t you heard the news?
Voice:
Which news is that?
Peter:
Do you always answer a question with a question?
Voice:
How do you mean?
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Page 14
Peter:
Very funny.
Voice:
Care to tell me all about it?
Peter:
The one we thought was the Saviour, the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was to be the answer to all of our problems, he is gone.
Voice:
Gone? When will he be coming back?
Peter:
He won’t be, he is dead.
Voice:
You are sure of this?
Peter:
Very sure. People don’t just come back to life after being crucified.
Voice:
Really? You are sure? Seems to me I heard about someone named Lazarus who was dead for several days, he came back to life.
Peter:
Yes, I was there, the Saviour, the man who they crucified; he brought Lazarus back to life.
Voice:
You say you were there, you saw Lazarus brought back to life? Are you sure it actually happened?
Peter:
Yes, I tell you, I was there, I saw it with my own eyes.
Voice:
Strange.
Peter:
What’s strange?
Voice:
You see all this, man brought back to life, yet for some reason you don’t believe it can happen again. Was it just a one time thing?
Peter:
No, the Master brought several people back to life.
Voice:
So you figure that for some reason it can’t happen anymore?
Peter:
I told you. The man who performed the miracles is now himself dead.
Voice:
And . . .
Peter:
And so it’s over.
Voice:
Tell me something, this master you are talking about. He ever mention anything about dying?
Coping With Crowds© ©Copyright DramaShare® 2004
Page 15
Peter:
All the time. We didn’t take too well to that kind of talk. He said he was going to be delivered up to those in powerful positions.
Voice:
And is that how it happened?
Peter:
Yes, exactly.
Voice:
Anything else he said?
Peter:
Well, yes, but no one really understood what he meant.
Voice:
Which was?
Peter:
Something about on the third day he would be raised up.
Voice:
Third day huh? When was it he died?
Peter:
Friday.
Voice:
So let’s see. . today is . .
Peter:
Sunday. . . . . . Hey, what are you trying to say?
Voice:
Nothing at all. It’s your story.
Peter:
You know the way you talk reminds me of . . .
Voice:
So, where are you off to?
Peter:
Going fishing.
Voice:
Get some relaxation?
Peter:
No, I used to be a fisherman before I was called by the Master, I am going back fishing again.
Voice:
So the job is all over, nothing left to be done?
Peter:
I told you, the Master is dead.
Voice:
Didn’t I hear something about someone coming back to life this morning, and you did say this was the third day. But regardless, isn’t there still a job to be done?
Peter:
I can’t do it alone.
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Voice:
Peter, would it help if I said I will never leave you nor forsake you?
Peter:
Wh . what? And how do you know my name?
Voice:
Peter, how many walks just like this did we have, and you still don’t know me?
Peter:
It can’t be, I mean, it must be, I mean . . .
Peter falls on his face on the ground Voice:
Stand up Peter.
Peter:
My Saviour and Lord.
Voice:
And my dear, dear friend. Peter, Rock, I have great plans for you, great needs for you. On your strong shoulders I will build my church.
Peter:
But how can I? If you will remember, I failed you, three times no less.
Voice:
Nice thing about failure it isn’t permanent. Now we are almost to Emmaus, this is where I leave you.
Peter:
But you can’t leave me, you must not leave me. I am weak.
Voice:
Yes you are Peter. I can compensate for your weakness.
Peter:
But you must not go until you see the others. Especially Thomas.
Voice:
Dear Thomas. But he, and all the others will have their Emmaus moment with me as well. But for you Peter, it is time to turn around and take up my cross.
Peter:
Your cross? You mean . . . Yes, I understand. Whatever it means, Master. Wherever it leads. And I promise that I will . . .
Peter bumps into a person Peter:
Oh, pardon my clumsiness, I was just walking, talking to . . .
Peter looks around, frantically, then calms, smiles, says: Peter:
As I was saying, I was just walking along, talking to myself. Mind if I walk with you? My name is Peter. Tell me, have you ever heard of Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth? He was . . . . .
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Page 17
lights off
God of the Common People Segment Crowd of people with their backs to audience, watching intently upstage. Mary comes from an upstage position, works her way downstage through the crowd, Elizabeth turns as Mary, deep ion thought walks by, Elizabeth speaks Elizabeth:
Do my old eyes play tricks, can it truly be? (pause, Mary doesn’t react) Mary, old friend, is it you? (Mary looks at Elizabeth, no recognition) Mary, you remember me, Elizabeth, we lived just down the street from you. My husband Eli, rest his soul, he bought the carpenter business from your Joseph when your husband first took ill.
Mary:
Oh, Elizabeth, forgive me, my mind was chasing rainbows. How are you Elizabeth?
Elizabeth:
You know how it is, a widow woman looking after a family. Luckily my sons have had the good sense to stay around home, work in the business, provide for their poor old mother. And what of you Mary?
Mary:
I am well, busy, never home very much.
Elizabeth:
Your son, your eldest, I take it, he is still . . . not settled down?
Mary:
Settled down? No, I guess you could say not settled down. Jesus preaches all over Judea, Samaria, far and wide.
Elizabeth:
Samaria? Now why for would a Jewish boy go preaching to Samaritans? I mean, we all know how they are! I mean if he has to preach, why not stay in his own hometown temple? Oh, did I mention, my Lazarus, he’s such a mother’s dream, he has been asked to become an elder in the temple. Perhaps he can put in a good word for your boy, maybe he can preach in the temple, settle down, raise a family. Did I mention Lazarus now has six children, beautiful, strapping boys; gorgeous girls; fathers are already asking that Lazarus promise his daughters for their sons!
Mary:
How nice. You must be proud.
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Elizabeth:
Like I say, my family they stay at home, no traipsing around the country. No big dreams and slim purses with my children, I tell you. Speaking of which, where is Jesus at now?
Mary:
Jesus is here speaking to this crowd.
Elizabeth:
Some crowd! See those men? Shepherds. Always I worry when shepherds are about. Like my boy Lazarus always says, “where shepherds hang out, purses grow wings!” And that woman, over there. (points off-stage, protests when Mary goes to look) Don’t look now, she is looking! Woman of the night! A . . forget it! Words my lips can not pronounce is what she is! So you say your son hangs out with shepherds and . . . loose women? Oh, my, my, my! Next you will tell me he breaks bread with tax collectors!
Mary:
Actually, one of his closest friends is a fine man name of Levi. Levi used to be a tax collector before he became Jesus’ disciple.
Elizabeth:
And you will likely tell me that now he grew into a fine Jewish boy, I should bring him home introduce him to my daughter, right?
Mary, smiling:
Sorry, I hear Levi is already spoken for. But no fear, dear Elizabeth, I am sure sooner or later someone will come along for your daughters.
Elizabeth, annoyed:
Sooner or later? Did I not tell you my daughters are gems?
Mary:
Many times, Elizabeth! Many times!
Elizabeth:
Well, like my boy Lazarus always says, leopards don’t change their spots and tax collectors, shepherds and . . . (looks off-stage direction), that kind of woman they shall always be . . . not our kind!
Mary:
And what is your kind, Elizabeth?
Elizabeth:
People like my eldest, Lazarus, work hard, mind their own business, save their money for a rainy day, look after their poor old mothers rather than traipse around all Judea.
Mary Magdalene comes out of the crowd, approaches Mary and Elizabeth Elizabeth:
Move away quickly, the . . . person approaches!
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Elizabeth turns her back, Mary Magdalene embraces Mary, kisses her cheek Mary Magdalene: Mary, dear, how are you? You were looking pale and drawn, we were all worried about you, especially the Master, he asked that John and I seek you out and look after you. You should be laying down. Elizabeth:
Coming from one who should know such things!
Mary:
Elizabeth, that is quite enough, you are an old friend but there is a limit!
Mary Magdalene, to Elizabeth: Forgive my manners, any friend of the mother of my Saviour is a friend to all! It is an honour to make your acquaintance! Mary Magdalene goes to kiss Elizabeth’s cheek, Elizabeth draws away Mary:
Mary, this is an old neighbour, Elizabeth. Seems Elizabeth is having trouble with making contact with people, likely she worries about the nasty illness that is going around, afraid she might catch what they have if she makes contact with others.
Mary Magdalene: You must meet a young man who came here today, Loukanos, a physician from Antioch. Very learned! Elizabeth:
Loukanos? I have never heard his name spoken in the temple, strange name for Jewish boy.
Mary Magdalene:
No, Loukanos is actually a Gentile.
Elizabeth, swooning: I may die right here on the spot! Mary:
Perhaps later, Mary Magdalene. Now then . . .
Lazarus comes from within the crowd, approaches Elizabeth Lazarus:
Oh Mother, have you seen him, heard him? Isn’t he . . .
Elizabeth:
Finally he is here, my son, take me away from all this . . . foolishness: Gentile doctors, women without morals, preachers talking with Samaritans ....
Lazarus:
Gentile doctors? Did you meet Loukanos, mother? He is such a thinker!
Elizabeth:
Wash your mouth, he is such a Gentile!
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Lazarus:
Mother, don’t speak of my friends like that. . . . And on the subject of friends, did you meet Mary Magdalene?
Lazarus kisses Mary Magdalene on both cheeks Elizabeth:
My son, my son! Whatever is the world coming to? Now you have touched this woman, you will be unclean, likely unable to serve in the temple!
Lazarus, laughing: Judge Mary Magdalene the same as you would me, not on what she was but what she is now, and this all because of the Messiah! Elizabeth:
Don’t tell me, this Messiah would be . . . .
Lazarus:
Surely you haven’t forgotten Jesus . . .
Elizabeth:
. . . our hometown wanderer of the wasteland! No, son, I haven’t forgotten him yet, but I am trying, very hard! (holds Lazarus’ shoulders in her hands, looks him in the face, pleading) Oh my son, my son! Why are you doing this to yourself, to your children, to your mother? Think of what you are throwing away! This wanderer is not our kind, he is . . . common, he associates with . . common people! Gentiles! Tax collectors! Prostitutes! Son, these are not our kind!
Lazarus:
Mother, you must hear him speak! You must listen as he explains God’s will.
Elizabeth:
Always he was a talker! If it’s a talker you want, talking slaves can be bought for pocket change!
Lazarus:
I want to tell you of the miracles . . . a man came to him just now, blind from birth, he took some dirt in his hand, spit on it and instantly the man’s sight was restored!
Elizabeth:
And so now the talker is a carnival act, a sorcerer, as can be seen any day in the town square, plying his magic for the pennies of the gullible crowd! Lazarus, Lazarus, my son, my highest hope and expectation! Don’t throw your life away on this, this . . . . hawker of dead end dreams!
Lazarus:
I want you to meet him Mother. We are getting together tonight, he is preaching and teaching, you will love to hear . . .
Elizabeth:
I will not associate with common people or common preachers with whom they associate. He is common, common, common!
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Lazarus:
Yes mother, yes, I guess you could say that the Master is common, approachable, empathetic. He is the common son of our very uncommon God. He is God, he is the God of the common people!
Elizabeth:
That is blasphemy! No man is God, the one and only Yahweh alone is God!
Lazarus:
Come, mother, come talk with him, know him, place your future in his hands!
Elizabeth:
I can not go, I must return home, I have nowhere to spend the night.
Mary Magdalene: Elizabeth:
Please, you may sleep with me.
Aiieeeeeeeeee!
Lazarus, smiling: Don’t be concerned Mother, we will find a place for you to spend the night, now come meet the Messiah! actors move upstage toward crowd, lights off
Final Segment actors come on stage Tracie:
Hey Tony, enjoy the Easter program?
Tony:
It was okay Tracie, thing is, all through the program my mind was a million miles away.
Tracie:
Care to share?
Tony:
My brother is in Iraq, seems that’s all I can think of.
Tracie:
Must be very hard. Any idea when he is coming home?
Tony:
He is supposed to be home next month. I just worry, that’s all.
Tracie:
I am sure you do. My cousin is in Afghanistan, his squadron was attacked by a suicide bomber last week, two of his friends were killed.
Tony:
I can’t help thinking, where is God in all this? I mean, in the Easter message I can see where God was with the disciples all through that time. Why does it feel as though he is so remote now?
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Tracie:
Well honestly that isn’t what the Bible says. It says that the disciples scattered all over the country; they were terrified.
Tony:
Then how did they make it through?
Tracie:
Don’t get the idea I have all the answers ‘cause I don’t. But I think Jesus gave some excellent advice when he told the disciples to wait.
Tony:
Wait?
Tracie:
Yes. He told them that under no circumstances were they to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what God had promised; to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, to be strengthened, to be empowered.
Tony:
That’s not good advice; the waiting is the worst part.
Tracie:
That’s what the disciples found as well. But God did give them power and the ability to cope. So much so that they became a force to be reckoned with around the world, a force whose impact is felt to this very day.
Tony:
So you are saying that waiting patiently will overcome the fear?
Tracie:
I really doubt that we will ever be without fear so long as there is evil at work in the world. But it will help carry us through, of that I am very sure.
Tony:
So we sit alone, waiting.
Tracie:
That isn’t what Christ’s instructions were. I don’t think it was any coincidence that Jesus told them, “Wait together in Jerusalem.” When we are fearful we shouldn’t be alone, we should be with friends and family.
Tony:
Sometimes it seems like being in a crowd is the loneliest place there is.
Tracie:
Yes, it can, but just as the disciples gathered together, so we need to find Christian people who will be supportive and caring.
Tony:
When is this terrorism going to stop?
Tracie:
I don’t know. I guess when people finally realize that there is only one way that we can live in peace and harmony and that is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But this much I do know, God will see us through these trying times.
Tony:
The Easter message is relevant today, isn’t it?
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Tracie:
Yes it is, and it seems like it isn’t until we look back on the situation, after the trouble has passed, that we can see how God has been protecting us all through that difficult time in our lives.
Tony:
Thanks for talking to me today, Tracie, you are a good friend!
Tracie:
I will be praying for you Tony.
lights down Pastor comes on stage, recaps the program and closes in prayer, words such as: Pastor:
Quite amazing, isn’t it, the difficulty we see in coping with crowds.
spotlight on Pilate Sometimes it is the difficulty which Pilate experienced, dealing with apathy and a feeling that we dare not go against the crowd. spotlight on Peter The difficulty the disciples faced as they were left, leaderless and alone, even though they were in a crowd. spotlight on Joseph of Arimathea
The difficulty faced by Joseph of Arimathea as he tried desperately to balance the demands of the “religious crowd” against what he knew was the right thing to do. Yet through it all it is the faith and trust in the Unseen Jesus which sees us through. A faith and trust in the Uncommon God of the Common people And truly this is the Easter message of hope, even for the dark and trying days of today. close
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