Caiaphas, the regal high priest of the temple, is ready to have this madman named Jesus arrested. He has just made a deal with a grimy little man claiming to be a disciple who, for 30 pieces of silver, will identify Jesus with a kiss. Caiaphas plans for the arrest to take place before dawn in adherence with the law which forbids the taking of prisoners during the daylight hours of Passover. Caiaphas says, "He must be found, he must be arrested, he must be sentenced, and he must be put to death."
The three Wise Men prepare for the long journey to find the Christ Child. Balthazar is determined to go, Melchior argues because he hates to travel, and Caspar repeats everything Balthazar says or does, much to everyone's irritation. When Caspar sees the bright star, however, they all become anxious to leave.
Judas admits he has betrayed Jesus and now Judas has misgivings. Jesus, he says, seemed to have "an aura of majesty about Him, an aura of hope, of salvation." Judas confesses, "At this moment I was not sure I was doing the right thing, and my legs were urging me to run away from this place and undo everything I'd done!"
After many months of silence, Zacharias lifts his tiny son in his arms and speaks: "You, my child...are one who prepares the way for our Lord...so that all who live in silence will hear His voice." Zacharias now knows peace and is quiet, not silent.
A simple shepherd tells his story of angels and their pronouncement to find the Newborn King. The shepherd finds the stable, and there the Baby Jesus asleep in his mother's arms. The shepherd falls to his knees in reverence and prayer. As he leaves, he remembers his lost lamb and spies it by the manger, also sleeping peacefully.
A mother confides her fears over her son, who is challenged in some way. Will he find friends? Will he make it through school? All parents want their child to grow up to be someone special. She prays she will see her son as God intended him to be and not try to make him into what she thinks he should be.
An exhausted new mother, trying to get her baby to sleep, reminds herself that she and the baby are a team, trying to do the best they can together to help her be the happiest, most secure little baby she can be.
Barabas is in a dungeon waiting to be taken off any moment to die on the cross. But not with Jesus, for Jesus was crucified many years ago. Since then Barabas has come to know Him through the teachings of His disciples and now realizes that He died that day that others might be saved. Now, Barabas says, the burden is a much lighter one, for "I now know your Master not only died for you, but for me also. And now I go to my death as Barabbas, The Acquitted."
These scenes and monologues are perfect for an evening of Gospel Theatre in the Chancel or as adjuncts to Sermons or even lessons in Sunday School. They place their characters in the present but the characters talk about their impressions of Jesus and His effect on their lives as if they were there with Him during His Ministry. Explore the feelings and perceptions of ordinary people whose lives have been dramatically changed. Some of them knew God in the wilderness others were healed by Jesus. Some are living today, learning about grace as they face life's tough issues. Two- to seven-m...
Easter comes alive with this dramatic reading, a monologue portraying John at midnight after the Last Supper. He relates how the Master invited him to sit next to Him for the meal, how he wanted to remember seeing Jesus pray in the moonlight, and finally how He stopped the bleeding from the guard's severed ear. But now the soldiers have taken Him, and in his heart John is afraid. He is a weak man, and he fears for Jesus.
Joseph, fearful and overwhelmed, struggles to get Mary to Bethlehem safely. There, his faith is renewed. He says, "I didn't know why His real Father chose for Him to be born in such a humble manner, but I knew it was my responsibility to take care of Him. At that moment, I knew that I would be able to do the job. It would be difficult, but I would never be doing it alone."
Jesus has been constant trouble and Caiaphas, the high priest, is glad he helped sentence Him to death. But still, Caiaphas wonders ... where did the son of a carpenter get such knowledge and wisdom? And how could He always display such love? Could it be that He really is ... ? Caiaphas rejects the very thought. Otherwise it would mean he murdered the Son of God!