The Greatest Gift: A Story of Jesus

By Trudy Wright

Edited by Janel Tyson and Barbara Chase

Cast Character Description (20) Narrator Jesus The Gift of God, Messiah, Redeemer, Christ, Savior John the Baptist “Jehovah is Gracious,” Cousin of Jesus Pharisee Orthodox Jewish Sect, Separatists, Majority party Scribe Pharisee, Theologian, Teacher of the Law, Spiritual Guide Priest & High Priest Temple Priest, Caiaphas Mary The Mother of Jesus Levi Matthew Publican, Disciple of Jesus Simon Peter Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus Andrew Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus Phillip Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus Nathanael Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus James Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus John Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus Man 1 Costume changes Nicodemus, Nobleman, Blind Man, Centurion, Jairus Man 2 Costume changes Soldier, Money Changer, Samaritan, Invalid, Lame Man, Man in Synagogue, Deaf Man, Stretcher Bearer, Man Man 3 Costume changes Levite, Money Changer, Samaritan, leper, Simon the Leper, Demoniac, Stretcher Bearer, Man Man 4 Costume changes Disciple of John the Baptist, Lame Man, Samaritan, Man in Synagogue, Paralytic, Deaf man, Brother of Jesus Man 5 Costume changes Disciple of John the Baptist, Angel, Blind Man, Brother of Jesus Man 6 Costume Changes Satan, Man with an unclean spirit Man 7 Costume Changes Host Man with Withered Hand Woman Costume changes Woman Servant, Sick Woman, Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene, Widow of Nain, anointed Jesus feet, Mother with dead child Guests Boy guest Widow of Nain’s son Girl guest Jairus’ daughter Child guest Dead child carried by mother to Jesus

Resources: New King James Bible for verse, Desire of Ages, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary

Costume Leader Costume Crew

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Cast: Scene they are in Character Description (20) Narrator 2,3,4//1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9//1,2,3,4,5 Jesus The Gift of God, Messiah, Redeemer, Christ, Savior 1,2//3,10// John the Baptist Jehovah is Gracious, Cousin of Jesus 1,2//6,7,8,9//2,3 Pharisee Orthodox Jewish Sect, Separatists, Majority party 1,2//6,7,9//2,3 Scribe Pharisee, Theologian, Teacher of the Law, Spiritual Guide 1,2//1,6,7,8,9//3 Priest & High Priest Temple Priest, Caiaphas 4//9//2,3 Mary The Mother of Jesus 1//7, 9//1.2,3,4,5 Levi Matthew Publican, Disciple of Jesus 3,4//3, 4, 5,6,9//1,2,3,4,5 Simon Peter Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 3,4//3,4, 5,9//1,2,3,4,5 Andrew Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 3,4//3,4,5,9//1.2,3,4,5 Phillip Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 3,4//3,4,5,9//1,2,3,4,5 Nathaniel Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 3,// 7,9//1,2,3,4,5 James Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 4,//7,9//1,2,3,4,5 John Fisherman, Disciple of Jesus 1,2//1,2,5,9//3,5 Man 1 Costume changes Nicodemus, Nobleman, Blind Man, Centurion, Jairus 1,2//1,4.8,9,10//2,3,4,5 Man 2 Costume changes Soldier, Money Changer, Samaritan, Invalid, Lame Man, Centurion 1 & 2, Man in Synagogue, Deaf Man, Stretcher Bearer, Man 1,2//1,4,7,9, 10//2,3,4,5 Man 3 Costume changes Levite, Money Changer, Samaritan, leper, Simon the Leper, Demoniac, Stretcher Bearer, Man 1,2//1,3,7,9,10//2,3 Man 4 Costume changes Disciple of John the Baptist, Lame Man, Samaritan, Man in Synagogue, Paralytic, Deaf man, Brother of Jesus 1, 2,3//1,3, 6, 8,9,10//2,3 Man 5 Costume changes Disciple of John the Baptist, Angel, Blind Man, Brother of Jesus 1,2,3//1,6// Man 6 Costume Changes Satan, Man with Unclean Spirit, Publican, Poor man 1,3,4//8,9// Man 7 Costume Changes Host, Man with Withered hand, Repentant man, man 4//1,4,9//1,3,5// Woman Costume Woman Servant, Sick Woman, Samaritan woman, Mary changes Magdalene, Widow of Nain, anointed Jesus feet, Mother with dead child Guests Boy guest Widow of Nain’s son Girl guest Jairus’ daughter Child guest Dead child carried by mother to Jesus

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Stage Backdrop & Props

BACKDROP BACKDROP BACKDROP Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Temple Countryside Simple Middle Eastern Jail Window STONE WITH WINDOW Home CARDBOARD UP HIGH HILLSIDE JAIL OFF TO PLAIN WALLS SIDE

______Low addition of a sea

PROPS PROPS PROPS Law of the Prophets River Jordan Place to Recline Bars Scroll Sea of Galilee Table Shema Scroll Boat Water pots Pillars Rock Seat Alabaster Box- Perfume Chair Tree Brass Goblets Table for M. Changers Well Pita Bread & Hummus Whip of Cords Spotlight Ladder Stage Bucket/Rope/Dipper Mat/Blanket Staff Cage/Doves Nets Table Paper Mache Stones Money

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The Greatest Gift: A Story of Jesus

Act I - Prepare Ye the Way, A.D. 27

Scene I – A Cry in the Wilderness- Spring

Scene II – Baptism- Autumn

Scene III – Temptation- Autumn

Scene IV – The First Miracle- Winter

Act II – Ministry, A.D. 28-29

Scene I – Cleansing the Temple- Spring

Scene II – A Visit in the Night- Spring

Scene III – Contention- Autumn

Scene IV – The Women at the Well- Autumn

Scene V – Nobleman’s Son- Winter

Scene VI – Rejection at Nazareth- Spring

Scene VII – Capernaum- Spring

Scene VIII – Bethesda- Spring

Scene IX – Sermon on the Mount- Summer

Scene X – Inquiry of John the Baptist- Autumn

Act III – Galilee – A.D. 29-30

Scene I – Anointing of Jesus- Autumn

Scene II – Demoniac in the Synagogue- Autumn

Scene III – By the Sea– Autumn

Scene IV – He Calms the Sea- Autumn

Scene V – The Cost of Discipleship- Autumn

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Act I – Prepare Ye the Way

Scene I – A Cry in the Wilderness

Setting: Stage IV

Cast: John the Baptist, Priest, Nicodemus, Publican, Scribe, Pharisee, Soldier, Repentant Man, Disciples of John the Baptist

Props: Jordan, Money Bag

Narrator: We take you to the wilderness of Judea during the reign of Tiberius Caesar, and Governor Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas is Tetrarch of Galilee, his brothers: Philip, Tetrarch of Iturea; and Lysanias, Tetrarch of Abilene. Caiaphas is High Priest.

Before John was born the angel said, “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.” i God called John to a great mission and to do this he must have sound mental, physical, and spiritual strength. He was a Nazarite, keeping their strict diet and ways. ii He also took on characteristics of another Jewish sect, that of the Essenes though he was never part of them. This was a small legalistic Jewish sect that was somewhat monastic in nature, did not marry, worked at manual labor, shared goods, repudiated war and slavery, and refused to cooperate with the corrupt Jewish system in Jerusalem. They took an extreme position to the corrupt and immoral practices of Jewish life. Baptism was an accepted practice with this sect. iii

In John’s time the people were greedy for wealth and power, luxury, and sensual pleasure. Drinking and feasting led to disease and their sensibility to sin was lost. John by his example was to call them back to God. His youth determined his character for life just as it does for youth today. He was to turn the hearts of the fathers and mothers to God and prepare a people for the Messiah. Temperance had a place in the preparation for Christ’s coming.

John as the son of a priest would have been schooled for the Priesthood, but God had another plan. In the wilderness John was to learn about his Creator through both the lessons of nature and scripture. In the wilderness he escaped from the impurity of a society steeped in unbelief though he visited society from time to time. He wore a rough garment woven from camel hair and bound with a leather girdle. His soul was girded with meditation, prayer, and reading the prophecies of the Messiah. In this atmosphere self was forgotten by looking at the Glory of God. He longed to arouse people from their sins.

The nation was on the verge of a revolution under the tyranny of Rome’s Caesar. Revolt against Rome had already been bloodied by thousands of the bravest from Israel. Eight thousand Pharisees had been crucified for their part in a civil war. Rome was hated. The temple was led by a corrupt High Priest; these leaders were put in power by Rome. The people had separated themselves from God and were now living in the results. iv

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” v

John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Multitudes flocked to be baptized. The common people recognized the resemblance of John to Elijah, as a forerunner to the Messiah. Even the priests, scribes, and elders recognized that John was a prophet and were afraid of him. vi

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John the Baptist: “Repent and be baptized: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”vii

Repentant Man: (Coming forward) I would be clean.

John: Come (Baptizes him) “I baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to even carry his sandals; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire.”

Pharisee: (Speaking to a Scribe) It is a popular thing to be baptized by John the Baptist.

Scribe: Do you think John is the Messiah?

Pharisee: I don’t know. Our baptism will give the people confidence in us. Come, we will increase our influence.

Scribe: (Drawing back) I don’t have any need for baptism.

Pharisee: (To scribe) I didn’t say I need to be baptized. (Calling) John, baptize me!

John the Baptist: “Brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire… I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” viii

(Priest observing from a distance, Nicodemus observing from a distance, Pharisee speaking with the scribe)

Pharisee: (Scowls) Who is this man?

Scribe: (Pompously) Surely he isn’t referring to us. (Self-righteously) We are holy men of God.

Pharisee: Wait, I want to hear what he will say. (Shouts to John the Baptist) What shall we do then?ix

John the Baptist: “He that has two coats, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”x (The Pharisee draws his coat a little tighter around himself and frowns.)

Publican: Teacher, what shall we do?xi

John the Baptist: “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”xii (Publican gives some thought to it, opens his bag of money and nods)

Soldier: What shall we do?xiii

John the Baptist: “Do violence to no one, neither accuse anyone falsely; and be content with your wages.” xiv

Soldier: (To himself, sorrowfully) Impossible!

Narrator: God calls us to go forth as John did “with the spirit and power of Elijah”xv There is need for a work of reform in the church and outside the church.

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Scene II – Baptism

Setting: Stage II- Wilderness of Judea

Cast: Jesus, John the Baptist, Priest, Levite, Nicodemus, Pharisee, Scribe, Soldier, Publican, Disciples of John the Baptist

Props: Jordan, Spot light to shine on head of Jesus

Narrator: With the spirit and power of Elijah, John denounced corruption and sin. Many sincerely were brought to repentance and sacrificed all to obey. Others wanted to gain favor with the coming Prince and influence with the people.xvi

Jesus and John were cousins and yet did not have any contact with each other. This was providential that man could not say they conspired together. John knew of Jesus, his sinless and pure life and that he was the Messiah. He knew that when the time was right he would come forth. He took every opportunity to direct people’s minds away from himself to the coming Messiah. When Jesus heard of John’s ministry he left his carpentry in Nazareth to seek him. The Sanhedrin sent representatives to find out what authority John had to baptize. xvii Priest: (To John the Baptist) “Who are you? “xviii Levite: “Are you the Christ?” xix John the Baptist: “No! I am not the Christ!” xx Levite: “What then? Are you Elijah?”xxi John the Baptist: “I am not.”xxii Priest: “Who are you that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What do you say about yourself?”xxiii John the Baptist: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.” xxiv Pharisee: “Why do you baptize then, if you are not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?”xxv John the Baptist: “I baptize with water: but there stands One among you whom you do not know. He it is, who coming after me is preferred before, whose sandals straps I am not worthy to unloose… (Jesus walking toward John the Baptist, John stretches out his hand toward Jesus) Behold The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world: … This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I come baptizing with water.” xxvi (Jesus going into the water)

John the Baptist: “I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”xxvii

Jesus: “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”xxviii

John the Baptist: (John baptizes Jesus and then Jesus comes out and kneels and prays on the bank of the river.) (A voice is heard from heaven.) “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”xxix (A heavenly light shines down on the head of Jesus.) (Jesus exits, the lights go off then on to delineate another day)

Narrator: The following day in Galilee.

John the Baptist: (Jesus approaching John the Baptist) “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, after me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him;

Wright 2014 7 but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water. I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ (Powerfully) “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”xxx

Scene III – Temptation

Setting: Stage II- Wilderness (Jordan prop removed temporarily)

Cast: Jesus, Angel, Satan, Andrew, Simon Peter, Phillip, Nathanael

Props: Paper Mache Stones, Ladder behind stage to look over curtain

Narrator: Immediately Jesus led by the Spirit went into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He went to the wilderness to fast, pray, and contemplate His mission and work. He fasted for forty days and nights. Satan knew that Jesus was there and followed to tempt Him. Satan declared that through his control of men, he had dominion over the world. Jesus came to show that Satan had not gained complete control over man. What Adam lost through sin would be recovered and there is hope. Satan’s selfish soul could not fathom the sacrifice of love Jesus made to come to earth. He knew it was, “conquer or be conquered.” In every way he misrepresented God. xxxi

Jesus: (Kneeling in prayer, worn and haggard with mental agony)

Satan: (Coming as an angel of light) If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.xxxii

Jesus: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”xxxiii

Satan: (Disgusted, withdraws to think and scheme)

Narrator: Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. (Platform to look down on the temple)

Satan: “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written He shall give His angels charge concerning you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”xxxiv

Jesus: “It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” xxxv

Narrator: Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Satan: “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”xxxvi

Jesus: “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”xxxvii (Jesus falls to the ground as one dying)

Angel : (Comes with food and water and ministers to Jesus giving Him bread and water)

Satan: (Leaves in humiliation and rage, as he did not have power to go against the command of God. His face turns red with rage.) Wright 2014 8

Narrator: Jesus met temptation with the word of God. “With the terrible weight of the sins of the world upon him Christ withstood the test upon appetite, upon the love of the world, and upon that love of display which leads to presumption. These were the temptations that overcame Adam and Eve, and so readily overcome us.”xxxviii

“Our Savior took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured.”xxxix

“Christ was not to exercise divine power for His own benefit. He had come to bear trial as we must do, leaving us an example of faith and submission. Neither here nor at any subsequent time in His earthly life did He work a miracle in His own behalf. His wonderful works were all for the good of others.”xl

The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ before Satan can exercise his power upon us. xli

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”xlii

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Setting: Stage II Gallilee

Cast: Jesus, John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathanael)

Props: Jordan

Narrator: The following day…

John the Baptist: (With Andrew) (Seeing Jesus) “Behold the Lamb of God.”xliii

Jesus: (Turns and notices that Andrew and Simon Peter are following Him.) “What do you seek?”xliv

Andrew: “Teacher, where are You staying?”xlv

Jesus: “Come and See.”xlvi

Andrew: (Andrew follows and calls to his brother) We have found the Christ!xlvii (Simon Peter follows.)

Jesus: “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas.”xlviii (They go off stage) (Lights off/on)

Narrator: The following day…

Jesus: (In aisle-to Philip) “Follow Me.”xlix

Phillip: (Finding Nathanael) “We have found Him of whom Moses, in the law, and also the prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”l

Nathanael: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” li

Phillip: “Come and See.” (Follows Jesus)

Jesus: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is not guile!”lii

Nathanael: “How do You know me?” liii

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Jesus: “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”liv

Nathanael: (In wonder) “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”lv

Jesus: (Looking at Nathanael) “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree’, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” lvi (Looking up and gesturing)

“I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”lvii

Scene IV – The First Miracle

Setting: Stage III- Home

Cast: Jesus, Mary, Simon Peter, Andrew, Nathaniel, Phillip, Woman servant, Host

Props: Jugs, bread, hummus, brass cups

Narrator: “Jesus did not begin His ministry by some great work before the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem. At a household gathering in a little Galilean village, His power was put forth to add to the joy of a wedding feast. Thus He showed His sympathy with men, and His desire to minister to their happiness.” lviii

Mary: (As Jesus and disciples come in) Jesus! I heard you had been to see your cousin John and he baptized you. That brought joy to my heart. Then I heard you were in the wilderness alone and I have been worried about you. We didn’t hear from you. (Holding him at arm’s length) I am so glad to see you. What has happened to you? You are so thin. (Hugs him)

Jesus: (Looks at her tenderly, hugs her) (He goes to sit with the disciples.)

Mary: (To Simon Peter) I have been so worried not hearing from him these 40 days. I am so glad he has returned. (Contemplatively) I can tell something is different though. He is changed. I have such hope. He has been with his cousin John. You know… the one baptizing and calling people to repentance.

Simon Peter: I wish I could have been at the baptism. I heard that John did not want to baptize the Messiah. He told him it should be the other way around. But Jesus said that this is how it is supposed to be for now. A light shone on Jesus from heaven and a voice pronounced, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” Then, He disappeared. He told us he actually met Satan. Satan, can you believe it, the fallen one from heaven, in the form of an angel of light! Satan left him when he saw it was no use tempting Him! True angels, right from heaven, came to feed him and take care of him. I wish I could have been with him.lix

Mary: (Contemplatively) No wonder he looks so changed. (They part)

(Mary looks in the pots. Worried look on her face, speaking to herself) It is all gone. Our host will be so embarrassed.

Mary: (Goes to Jesus) “They don’t have any more wine.” lx

Jesus: (Tenderly) “Woman, what does your concern have to do with me. My hour has not yet come.” lxi

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Mary: (To a servant) “Whatever he says to do, do it.” lxii

Jesus: (Pointing to the water pots) “Fill the water pots, and fill them to the brim.”lxiii (The servant goes and returns)

“Draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”lxiv (Servant pours and smiles and gives to the host)

Host: “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then that which is inferior; but you have kept the good wine until now.”lxv

James: Surely he is the Messiah.

John: (With awe) Undoubtedly!

Act II – Ministry, A.D. 27

Scene I – Cleansing the Temple

Setting: Stage I-Temple

Cast: Jesus, money changers, priest, Nicodemus-At a distance observing, Poor Man, Sick Woman, Lame Man

Props: Dove in cage, table, money, cords

Narrator: “During Passover week large numbers assembled in Jerusalem coming from all parts of Palestine, and even from distant lands. The temple courts were filled with a promiscuous throng. Many were unable to bring with them the sacrifices that were to be offered up as typifying the one great Sacrifice…Here all classes of people assembled to purchase their offerings. Here all foreign money was exchanged...

Every Jew was required to pay yearly a half shekel as “a ransom for his soul;” and the money thus collected was used for the support of the temple. Besides this, large sums were brought as freewill offerings to be deposited in the temple treasury. And it was required that all foreign coin should be changed for a coin called the temple shekel, which was accepted for the service of the sanctuary. The money changing gave opportunity for fraud and extortion. This practice grew into a disgraceful traffic and revenue for the priests…

The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals sold, and they shared their profits with the priests and rulers who enriched themselves at the expense of the people. The worshipers had been taught to believe that if they did not offer sacrifice, the blessing of God would not rest on their children or their lands…. There could be heard sharp bargaining, the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the cooing of doves mingled with the chinking of coins and angry disputation.” lxvi(Animal noises and Money changers commotion)

Poor man: (pleading) But, this is all I have. Surely I can purchase something for an offering. Surely I have enough to buy a dove.

Money Changers: No! Away with you man! Can’t you see we have more important business here?! Come back when you have some proper coins.

Poor man: (Sadly) It was enough last year. It is all I have. Surely…

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Money Changers: (Angrily) Away with you!

Jesus: (Stands and takes in the whole scene. His eyes sweep over the crowd and he looks in the face of each. He makes a whip of cords.) (With authority and dignity as a divine light illuminates His countenance) (In a clear ringing voice) “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”lxvii (Jesus with force overturns the tables, money scatters on the ground.) (The money changers scream, cover their faces, and flee from the scene.) (Jesus looks at them in pity.)

Disciples: (Whispering to each other) It is written: “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”lxviii

Money Changers (Slowly they creep back in. They are convicted, but stifle it.) What sign do you show to us, since You do these things?lxix

Jesus: (Touching his chest) “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”lxx (The blind, sick, lame are drawn to Jesus. Jesus touches each one and they are made well. )

Narrator: When Christ rose from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to the money changers and they believed the Scripture and the words which Jesus said.lxxi

Scene II – A Visit in the Night

Setting: Stage II- Garden

Cast: Jesus, Nicodemus

Props: Dim lighting- spotlight on Nicodemus and Jesus

Narrator: “Nicodemus held a high position of trust in the Jewish nation. He was highly educated and possessed talents of no ordinary character, and he was an honored member of the national council. With others, he had been stirred by the teaching of Jesus. Though rich, learned, and honored, he had been strangely attracted by the humble Nazarene. The lessons that had fallen from the Savior’s lips had greatly impressed him, and he desired to learn more of these wonderful truths”…

There were some in the Sanhedrin that feared to oppose one who was so evidently moved upon by the Spirit of God. They remembered how prophets had been slain for rebuking the sins of the leaders in Israel. They knew that the bondage of the Jews to a heathen nation was the result of their stubbornness in rejecting reproofs from God. They feared that in plotting against Jesus, the priests and rulers were following in the steps of their fathers, and would bring fresh calamities upon the nation. Nicodemus shared these feelings. In a council of the Sanhedrim, when the course to be pursued toward Jesus was considered, Nicodemus advised caution and moderation. He urged that if Jesus was really invested with authority from God, it would be perilous to reject His warnings”…

“Nicodemus heard the preaching of John the Baptist concerning repentance and baptism… “ Since hearing of Jesus, Nicodemus had anxiously studied the prophecies relating to the Messiah, and the more he searched, the stronger was his conviction that this was the One who was to come.”

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Nicodemus hated that the house of God was made into a market that exploited the poor. He was moved with compassion when Jesus healed the poor and sick in the temple after driving out the money changers. He began to believe that Jesus was the waited for Messiah. He came to Jesus in the night. lxxii

Now he searched scripture in a new way to find life for his own soul.”lxxiii

Nicodemus: “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”lxxiv

Jesus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”lxxv

Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”lxxvi

Jesus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” lxxvii

Nicodemus: “How can these things be?

Jesus: “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you…as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life, for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”lxxviii (Nicodemus and Jesus part)

Narrator: “In the presence of Christ, [Nicodemus] felt that his heart was unclean, and his life unholy…Nicodemus hid the truth in his heart, and for three years there was little apparent fruit...

But Jesus was acquainted with the soil into which he cast the seed. The words spoken at night to one listener in the lonely mountain were not lost. For a time, Nicodemus did not publicly acknowledge Christ, but he watched his life, and pondered His teachings. In the Sanhedrin council he repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the priests to destroy him. When at last Jesus was lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus remembered the teaching upon Olivet: ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’ …

After the Lord’s ascension, when the disciples were scattered by persecution, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He employed his wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to be blotted out at the death of Christ… he was scorned and persecuted by those who had paid him reverence in other days. He became poor in this world’s goods; yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in that night conference with Jesus.” lxxix

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Scene III – Contention

Setting: Stage II- By Jordan

Cast: John the Baptist, Disciples of John the Baptist, Andrew, Philip, Nathanael, Simon Peter

Prop: River Jordan

Narrator: John the Baptist was baptizing in Acnon near Salim and the disciples of John disputed about purification. They were jealous of the growing popularity of Jesus. More and more people flocked to Jesus and less and less came to be baptized of John.

Disciple 1 of John the Baptist: I tell you it is John that has the authority to baptize and purify from sin. (Shaking his head) John came first. You disciples of Jesus do not have the authority to baptize!

Simon Peter: Jesus: He is the pure one. The disciples of Jesus can purify from sin as well as John.

Disciple 2 of John the Baptist: It is John who baptized Jesus. That doesn’t give him authority to baptize.

Andrew: John himself said Jesus is the One who will take away the sin of the world and he came to prepare the way for Jesus.

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Disciple 1 of John the Baptist: “Rabbi: He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, he is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”lxxx

John the Baptist: “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease… He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”lxxxi

Narrator: Herod, the tetrarch, had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist. He had listened and been convicted of his sin of adultery with his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias. He knew John was a just and holy man of God. “For a time Herod feebly sought to break the chain of lust that bound him; but Herodias fastened him the more firmly in her toils and found revenge upon [John] the Baptist by inducing Herod to cast him into prison. lxxxii

When Jesus learned that John the Baptist was put in prison, not wishing to draw attention to himself, and wishing to avoid all dissension, He departed into Galilee. lxxxiii

“God calls a man to do a certain work; and when he has carried it as far as he is qualified to take it the Lord brings in others to carry it still farther… happy are they who are willing for self to be humbled, saying with John the Baptist, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”lxxxiv

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Scene IV – At the Well

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Women, Andrew, Peter, Nathaniel, Phillip, two Samaritans

Props: Well, wooden pail, rope, dipper

Narrator: To go to Galilee Jesus needed to travel through Samaria, near the ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. “The Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies, and as far as possible avoided all dealing with each other.” lxxxv

Jesus being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. The Jews called water “The Gift of God.”

Nathanael: (Disciples and Jesus enter) Master rest here while we go and purchase food to refresh us. (Disciples leave)

Jesus: (A woman approached to draw water from the well.) “Give Me a drink.”lxxxvi

Women: (Lowers bucket with rope and uses dipper to give Jesus a drink. Jesus drinks.) “How is it that You being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” lxxxvii

Jesus: “If you knew the ‘gift of God,’ and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”lxxxviii

Woman: “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”lxxxix

Jesus: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” xc

Woman: “Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” xci

Jesus: “Go, call your husband, and come here.”xcii

Woman: (With head down and shame) “I have no husband.”xciii

Jesus: (Compassionately) “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”xciv

Women: “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”xcv

Jesus: “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know: we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” xcvi

Woman: “I know that Messiah is coming. When He comes, He will tell us all things.”xcvii

Jesus: “I who speak to you am He.” xcviii (Woman clutches her heart and joyfully rushes out)

Peter: (The disciples return. Peter points at the women.) “Why are you talking with her?”xcix Wright 2014 15

Nathanael: We brought food to refresh us. Here, Jesus. You must eat.

Jesus: “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”c

Nathanael: (Looking at the other disciples) “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”ci

Jesus: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”cii

Woman: (Returns bringing people with her, excitedly pulling them) “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”ciii

Samaritans: Please stay with us and teach us. (All clamor) Yes, please! Please stay with us!

Narrator: Jesus stayed in Samaria for two days. Many believed in Him because they heard for themselves and accepted Him as “Christ, the Savior of the world.” The fame of Jesus spread throughout all the region.

Scene V – Nobleman’s Son

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Nobleman, Andrew, Philip, Nathaniel, Simon Peter

Props: Staff

Narrator: “In Capernaum the tiding attracted the attention of a Jewish Nobleman who was an officer in the King’s service.”civ His son was suffering from an incurable disease. “But when the father heard of Jesus, he determined to seek help from Him” cv His faith faltered when he saw only a plainly dressed man, dusty, and worn with travel.

Nathanael: Jesus, why are we not taking this opportunity to go through Nazareth?

Phillip: You could tell them the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Andrew: You could see your mother.

Jesus: “A prophet does not have honor in his own country.“ cvi

Nobleman: (Rushing to Jesus) Jesus, Jesus! Come to my home and heal my son. He is at the point of death. You must come!

Jesus: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”cvii

Nobleman: (Bows and pleads) “Sir, come down before my child dies.” cviii

Jesus: (Waving him to go home) “Go your way, your son lives.”cix (Jesus and the disciples exit)

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Narrator: The next morning as the Nobleman was almost home home one of his servant rushed to meet him.

Nobleman: (Cheerfully walking and humming down the aisle, staff in hand. His servant rushes up to the Nobleman from the aisle.)

Servant: “Your son lives.”cx

Nobleman: Yes. I knew he would. When did he begin to improve?

Servant: “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”cxi

Nobleman: (Reverently) It was the hour He spoke the word.

Narrator: Jesus knew “unless …[the nobleman’s] petition was granted, He would not receive Him as the Messiah…Like a flash of light the nobleman saw his motive was selfish. He knew Jesus could read his thoughts.” cxii The nobleman and his whole household believed and the family shared this with many others and the love of Jesus increased.

Scene VI – Rejection at Nazareth

Setting: Stage I- Synagogue

Cast: Jesus, Priest, Scribe, Pharisee, Peter, angel, Andrew, Phillip, Nathaniel

Props: Book of the Prophets, two sided rolled scroll

Narrator: It was the custom to invite guests to read in the synagogue. “So Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And he was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:”cxiii

Priest: (Hands the scroll of Isaiah to Jesus)

Jesus: (Reading from the Scroll) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” cxiv (Jesus closes the book and hands it to the attendant and sits down. Everyone looks at him.)

Pharisee: He is so gracious.

Scribe: Amen! Praise God!

Pharisee: Amen! Amen!

Jesus: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”cxv

Pharisee: (Immediately indignant) Who is this Jesus?

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Scribe: “Is this not Joseph’s son?” cxvi He is only a common man!

Pharisee: He grew up in Nazareth, We have known him from a child. His father is a mere carpenter.

Scribe: Does he think we don’t know Scripture?

Pharisee: Does he think he is the Messiah?

Jesus: “You will surely say this proverb to Me, Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country. Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land, but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman, who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”cxvii

Priest: Throw him out of the temple!

Scribe: (Angry voices): Throw him out of the city. Throw him over the cliff! (Casts a stone at him)

Pharisee: (With despising and gesturing) Blasphemer! He thinks he is God! (In the turmoil Jesus slips away unnoticed, led by angel.)

Scene VII – Capernaum

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Man with unclean spirit, Pharisee, Scribe, Caiaphas, Levi Matthew, Simon the Leper

Props: Sea of Galilee, boat, net, one-sided scroll

Narrator: “Then passing through the midst of them. He went His way.”cxviii “Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have. Thus even the heathen who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it are in a more favorable condition than are those who have had great light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by their daily life contradict their profession.” cxix

Jesus was poor and he uplifted the very people those in power hated. “The Jewish leaders were filled with spiritual pride. Their desire for glorification of self manifested itself even in the service of the sanctuary.” They loved the highest seats and the sound of their titles when greeting people.“cxx

Jesus left Nazareth and removed to Capernaum. The nobleman prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus as he retold the story of Jesus healing his son. Thus was fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah saying “The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up.” cxxi

Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. They were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught as one with authority and his words were with power. cxxii

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Jesus: (Reading the Shema which is the first reading during a service) “And it shall be that if you diligently obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, and early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock that you may eat and be filled. Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yields no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you. Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hands, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.”cxxiii

Man with an unclean spirit: “Let us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the holy One of God!” cxxiv You are the Christ, the Son of God!

Jesus: “Be quiet, and come out of him!”cxxv (The demon throws the man in their midst and comes out of him, and does not hurt him.

Man in the synagogue: “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”cxxvi

Narrator: In Capernaum Jesus healed many people including Simon Peter’s wife’s mother, sick with a high fever. She was healed and immediately served them. He healed the sick and cast out devils.

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brethren, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. He also saw two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, mending their nets with their Father, Zebedee. Jesus taught the people on the shore from their boat. He told them to cast their nets into the sea. They argued with him because they had been fishing all night and had not caught many fish, but they obeyed Jesus and the nets became so full of fish that the nets broke. Other boats needed to help them with the catch. The disciples recognized this as the miracle it was. cxxvii

Simon Peter: (Falling at the feet of Jesus) “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Jesus: “Do not be afraid. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men…From now on you will catch men.” cxxviii (Simon Peter and Andrew followed Jesus.) (James and John leave their father, drop the net, and follow Jesus) (Leper walks up to Jesus)

Leper: “Lord, if You are willing you, You can make me clean.”cxxix

Jesus: (Putting out his hand and touching him) “I am willing; be cleansed. Now tell no one about this, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” cxxx

Leper: (Exits by way of the audience) Look, Look! I tell you it is Jesus of Nazareth that has made me clean. Look everyone! (Men bring a paralytic man on a stretcher)

Man: Make way. Make way.

Jesus: (Jesus touches him) “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”cxxxi Wright 2014 19

Scribe: “This man blasphemes?” cxxxii

Pharisee: Who can forgive sins but God alone?

Jesus: “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Rise up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins—I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” cxxxiii

Paralytic: (Rises, takes up his bed things and goes out, shouting) Glory to God! Glory to God!

Scribe: We have seen strange things today!

Jesus: (Sees a man counting money) Levi Mathew, “Follow Me.”cxxxiv

Pharisee: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?cxxxv

Jesus: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick… Ihave not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”cxxxvi

Scribe: Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?cxxxvii

Jesus: “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them: But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”cxxxviii

Pharisee: We saw you and your disciples plucking grain and eating it on the Sabbath day.

Scribe: “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”cxxxix

Jesus: David, “went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those who were with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath… I will ask you one thing. Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil: To save life, or to destroy it?” cxl

Scribe: (Pointing at Jesus) Blasphemer!

Scene VIII – Bethesda

Setting: Stage I- Pool of Bethesda

Cast: Jesus, Invalid, Pharisee, Caiaphas, Man with the withered hand

Props: Mat, blanket

Narrator: “Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered waiting for the moving of the water.” Jesus came to the pool alone. cxli One man in particular caught Jesus attention that had been suffering for thirty-eight years.

Jesus: (Invalid repeatedly looks at the pool and sighs. Jesus goes to the Invalid.) “Do you want to be made well?”cxlii Wright 2014 20

Invalid: (Invalid on a mat) “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”cxliii

Jesus: “Rise take up your bed and walk.” cxliv (Jesus and disciples leave.) (Invalid rises, picks up his mat and blanket)

Invalid: Praise God! Praise God! (He turns to thank Jesus, but Jesus is gone.) (To himself) I must go to the temple and give a thank offering. (He pulls out a little sack of coins and hurries to the temple shouting) Praise God! Praise God!

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Stage- Aisle On the way to the temple

Pharisee: (Seeing the invalid carrying his bed) “It is the Sabbath; It is not Lawful for you to carry your bed.”cxlv

Invalid: “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” cxlvi I just want to bring a thank offering to God.

Pharisee: “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?”cxlvii

Invalid: I don’t know who it was. (Goes on his way to the Temple)

Pharisee: You must know! (Goes a short ways away, but follows and watches him)

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Setting: Stage I—(The Temple (The Invalid made well in the temple, the Pharesee and Caiphas approach him. A man with the withered hand kneeling in background and unnoticed)

Jesus: (Sought out the invalid that he had healed in the temple, with compassion) “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”cxlviii (Jesus starts to leave)

Invalid: (To the Pharisee & Caiphas, pointing to Jesus, joyfully) It was Jesus. Jesus made me well. (Kneeling and taking hold of his garment) Thank you Jesus!

Pharisee: (To Caiphas) Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?

Pharisee: (Spit out the words) We must kill Jesus. He has broken the Sabbath. Look how they worship him.

Caiaphas: J(To Jesus) Jesus, you have broken the Sabbath. What do you have to say for yourself on this charge of breaking the Sabbath?

Jesus: “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working…

The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do…For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things He Himself does, and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

For the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live… Wright 2014 21

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, the resurrection of condemnation…

You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life…But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you will receive…

Moses, in whom you trust…wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”cxlix

Caiaphas: (Priest and Pharisee approach Jesus) It will be made known to the people that we condemn your teachings and that you are trying to overthrow our established customs, cause division among our people, and incite complete subjugation to Rome. This is treason and blasphemy. We are giving you a warning.

Jesus: “What man is there among you who has one sheep and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”cl

(To the man with the withered hand) “Stretch out your hand.”cli (It is made whole)

Man with the withered hand: (Bowing) My hand! Thank you master!

Narrator: Then they went out and took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him. “A wise purpose underlay every act of Christ’s life here on earth…Christ was gaining, even in Jerusalem, an influence over the people that was greater than the Sanhedrin. Multitudes who were not interested in the harangues of the rabbis were attracted by His teaching. They could understand His words, and their hearts were warmed and comforted. He spoke of God, not as an avenging judge, but as a tender father, and He revealed the image of God as mirrored in words and by His works of mercy He was breaking the oppressive power of the old traditions and man-made commandments, and presenting the love of God in its exhaustless fullness… He will not be held guiltless who neglects to relieve suffering on the Sabbath. God’s holy rest day was made for man, and acts of mercy are in perfect harmony with its intent. God does not desire his creatures to suffer an hour’s pain that may be relieved upon the Sabbath or any other day.”clii

Those in power “were determined to take his life. They sent messengers all over the country to warn the people against Jesus as an impostor. Spies were sent to watch Him, and report what He said and did. The precious Saviour was now most surely standing under the shadow of the cross.”cliii

Scene IX Sermon on the Mount

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus. All the disciples, Nicodemus, Pharisee, Scribe, Women, Healed man with the withered hand, healed leper, Man 2, Man 3

Props: Rock for Jesus to sit on.

Narrator: Jesus retired to the sea, followed by a multitude from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and beyond Jordan. Jesus taught and healed them. Whenever an unclean spirit saw him they called out: “You are the Son of God.” Jesus asked them to be quiet. Jesus then went to the mountain and prayed through the night. When it was day “He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that he might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses Wright 2014 22 and to cast out demons:” Simon Peter, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas. The multitude followed Him and Jesus taught them on the side of the mountain. “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out from Him.”

The Sermon Jesus spoke on the Mount, “though given especially to the disciples, was spoken in the hearing of the multitude…They sat close beside Him, that they might not lose a word of His instruction. They were attentive listeners eager to understand the truths they were to make known to all lands and all ages…Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character.”cliv (Seated facing the audience, the multitude on the ground in front.) (Disciples sit closest to Jesus)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven…

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill…

You have heard that it is said to those of old. You shall not murder and whosoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

You have heard that it was said to those of old. ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart…

Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife. Let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except…immorality causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery…

Again you have heard that it was said to those of old. ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord’ But I say to you, do not swear at all neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; …But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’; and your ‘No’,’ No.’ For whatsoever is more than this is from the evil one…

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right check, turn the other to him also.

You have heard that it was said ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; For he is kind to the unthankful and evil… Wright 2014 23

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward. ..

In this manner therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but delivers us from the evil one, For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever Amen...

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you…

Judge not, that you be not judged…Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you…

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened…

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets…

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing; but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”clv

Narrator: “The people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”clvi

Then Jesus came down from the mountain and went to Capernaum a certain Centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard of Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Jesus, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was worthy, for he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house…

Centurion: (Rushing down the aisle to meet Jesus in the aisle) “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me: And I say to one, ‘Go’ and He goes; and to another, ‘Come’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”clvii

Jesus: “I say unto you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel… Go thy way and as you have believed, so be it done unto thee.” clviii Wright 2014 24

Narrator: And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. The day after Jesus then went to the city of Nain. “When he came near the city a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.” clix His disciples and a large crowd followed.

(Jesus turns and walks back onto stage. Men come carrying a dead boy on a stretcher. A woman follows, weeping.)

Jesus: (To the woman) Weep Not. (Jesus touches the bier) Young man, I say unto you, arise. clx

Boy Guest: (Sits up) Mother! I feel better.

Man #2: “Glory to God!” clxi

Man #3: “A great prophet has risen up among us!”clxii

Man #2: “God has visited his people!” clxiii

Scene X – Inquiry of John the Baptist

Setting: Stage IV- Prison

Cast: John the Baptist, two disciples of John the Baptist, Simon the Leper, mad man, lame man, blind man

Prop: Jail, Bars for window.

Narrator: “The life of John the Baptist had been one of active labor and the gloom and inaction of his prison life weighed heavily upon him. As week after week passed, bringing no change, despondency and doubt crept over him. His disciples did not forsake him, they were allowed access to the prison, and they brought him tidings of the works of Jesus, and told how the people were flocking to Him. But they questioned why, if this new teacher was the Messiah, He did nothing to effect John’s release. How could He permit His faithful herald to be deprived of liberty and perhaps life?” clxiv

“But the Baptist did not surrender his faith in Christ. The memory of the voice from heaven and the descending dove, the spotless purity of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit that had rested upon John as he came into the Savior’s presence, and the testimony of the prophetic scriptures, all witnessed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised One.” DOA 216clxv

Disciple of John, Man # 4: (In prison talking with John) John, we do not understand why, if Jesus is the Messiah, he leaves you, the most faithful of all prophets, in prison.

Disciple of John, Man # 5: (In prison talking to John) Why doesn’t he do something? He doesn’t even come to see you.

Disciple of John, Man # 4: John, what do you want us to do?

John the Baptist: “Go to Jesus and say- -Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”clxvi That is what I need you to ask Him. Then come back to me.

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Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Disciples of Jesus, two disciples of John the Baptist- Sick

Disciple of John the Baptist, Man #2: John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” clxvii(Jesus does not answer them, but heals all the sick. They come by him one by one and he places his hands on them and they leave healed and rejoicing.)

Blind man: (Gropes his way to Jesus, stumbling) Have mercy on me! (Jesus touches) Thank You, Jesus!

Lame man: (On crutches) (Jesus touches him; he throws down his crutches leaping for joy.)

Mother: (Rushing in carrying a dead child) Please, Jesus, help me, my child is dead. (Jesus touches the child; the child comes alive.) Thank you Jesus!

Leper: Jesus, You can make me clean…. (Jesus touches, he looks at himself in wonder) I am clean.

Mad man: (Evil Spirit crying out) (Jesus touches him.) (He is calmed, kneels in thank you)

Jesus: “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” clxviii (John’s two disciples depart, whispering to each other.)

Jesus: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in Kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” clxix (Exit)

***************

Setting: Stage IV Prison window

Disciple of John, man # 4: (Excitedly, speaking fast) John, we did as you asked and talked to Jesus. He did not answer us, but began to heal all the sick.

Disciple of John, man # 5: (Picking up where he left off, excitedly with gestures) He healed many lepers. As soon as one was healed there would be three more. He caused the blind to see. A man I know has been deaf and couldn’t speak his whole life was healed and he immediately praised God. He spoke as if it was nothing. He has never spoken. His words were clear.

Disciple of John, man # 4: (Breaking in) A man on crutches and could barely get around was healed. People possessed of an evil spirit. At Jesus’ command the spirits came out of them and they were normal, praising God. I have never seen anything like it.

Disciple of John, man # 5: But the most amazing thing of all: a mother came running to Jesus with a dead child, and the child was brought back to life. Did you hear me?… brought back to life from the dead!

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John the Baptist: (In wonder) He is the Messiah! His kingdom is not with the clash of arms and the overturning of thrones and kingdoms, but through speaking to the hearts of men by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice. clxx

The book of Isaiah says, “The Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”clxxi

(Looking up in prayer) I yield myself to you, for life or death. Father, do with me as thou wilt. clxxii (Bows his head)

Narrator: “Aside from the joy that John found in his mission, his life had been one of sorrow. His voice had been seldom heard except in the wilderness. His was a lonely lot, and he was not permitted to see the result of his own labors. It was not his privilege to be with Christ and witness the manifestation of divine power attending the greater light. It was not for him to see the blind restored to sight, the sick healed, and the dead raised to life. He did not behold the light that shone through every word of Christ, shedding glory upon the promises of prophecy.”clxxiii

Act III – Galilee

Scene I – Anointing of Jesus

Setting: Stage III

Cast: Simon (the healed leper), Jesus, Disciples, Mary Magdalene

Props: Couch, small table, table cloth, bread, grape juice, basin, Box of Spikenid

Narrator: Simon, a Pharisee asked Jesus to come to his home to eat with him. (Guests are seated at a low table on pillows, Simon welcomes Jesus as he comes in with a kiss on each cheek- as they do in that part of the world.) (Mary quietly enters, weeping quietly. She washes Jesus’ feet, opens the box--the smell permeates the room—and then wipes his feet with her hair.)

Simon: (Gets up to see what was going on with Jesus. He frowns to himself and speaks quietly, not for Jesus’ ears.) “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Jesus: (Jesus knowing Simon’s thoughts) “Simon, I have something to say to you.”clxxiv

“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denari, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”clxxv

Simon: “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

Jesus: “You have rightly judged.”clxxvi

(Turning to the woman and saying to Simon) “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me not water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this

Wright 2014 27 woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven the same loves little.”clxxvii

(Speaking to Mary) Your sins are forgiven.”clxxviii

Man#1: Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Jesus: (To Mary) “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” clxxix

Scene II – Demoniac in the Synagogue – Autumn

Setting: Stage I

Cast: Man, Pharisee, Jesus, Demoniac, Mary, Brother of Jesus, Disciples

Narrator: There was brought unto Jesus one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him.

Man # 3: Could this be the Son of David?”

Pharisee: “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

Jesus: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? ...But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you… He who is not with Me is against Me.”clxxx

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the ‘Holy’ Spirit will not be forgiven men”…clxxxi

“A tree is known by its fruit… Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”clxxxii

Scribe and Pharisee: (Whispering together) “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”clxxxiii

Jesus: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah…

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”clxxxiv

Man #2: “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak with You.”clxxxv

Jesus: “Who is My mother and who are My brothers! (Stretches out His hand toward His disciples) Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” clxxxvi …My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” clxxxvii

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Scene III – By the Sea

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Disciples, Scribe, Pharisee, Priest, Disciples of John the Baptist, Brother of Jesus, Women

Props: Boat

Narrator: Jesus taught the multitude by the Sea of Galilee. He told them the story of the sower to help them understand the reception of truth.

Jesus: “He who has ears to hear, let them hear.”clxxxviii

James: “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

Jesus: “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables…”

“Do you not understand this parable?... The sower sows the word, and these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown, And when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have not root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred”clxxxix

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servant of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.’…

The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened…

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field…

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it…

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away…

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just.” “Have you understood all these things? cxc

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John: “Yes, Lord.” (In wonder) The psalmist says, “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”cxci

Scene IV – He Calms the Sea- Autumn

Setting: Stage II

Cast: Jesus, Disciples, Demoniac, Man

Props: Boat, Sea

Narrator: Jesus seeking rest from the multitude wanted to cross over the sea to Gadarenes to get some rest.

(Disciples in a group speaking with each other telling about the night. Jesus to the side with back turned to the group.)

James: Last night! (Shaking his head) How did he sleep through a storm like that?

John: …with the boat filled with water.

Nathanael: …and the wind about to capsize the boat.

Peter: I have been on the sea all my life and never been in a storm like that one.

Phillip: It came up so unexpectedly. One minute it was calm and the next we were in peril.

Matthew: I have never been so afraid. I thought it was over. Our only hope destroyed.

James: How could Jesus sleep through it?

Peter: I don’t know. I couldn’t take it anymore. I woke him and said: “Master, Master, we are perishing!”cxcii

Andrew: (Laughs) He rebuked the wind and raging water. Immediate calm! Immediate!

James: I heard him say. “Peace, be still.” cxciii

John: (Shamefaced) He said, “Why are you so fearful. Where is your faith?”cxciv

Peter: It is a lesson I’ll never forget! (In awe) “Who can this be that even the winds and the waves obey Him.”cxcv

Demoniac: (Running in, hollering. dragging a chain, wrists bound, shackles, dirty, torn cloth over him)”What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! Do not torment me!”cxcvi

Jesus: “Come out of the man, unclean spirit! What is your name?”cxcvii

Demoniac: “Legion--We are many.”cxcviii

Legion: Don’t send us out into the abyss. “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” cxcix (Immediately the demons leave, Demoniac bows to Jesus, from behind the scene a Screech of the Swine {eeeeee at different pitches})

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Man #2: (Running in. Looks at the Demoniac with scorn, at Jesus with fear) What have you done to us? You must leave. We don’t want you here. (Runs out) (Disciples put a robe on the Demoniac.)

Demoniac: I beg of you, please take me with you.

Jesus: “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had compassion on you. cc

Narrator: And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. cci

Scene V – The Cost of Discipleship

Setting: Stage II & III

Cast: Jesus, Disciples, women, girl, crowd, mourners (Perhaps more cast could be added as disciples to end up with the twelve sitting before Jesus seated on the rock)

Prop: Sea, rock

Narrator: The people thronged Jesus wherever he went to be healed of diseases. Jesus “wanted time with his disciple that He might send them forth as His witnesses, to declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him. Their office was the most important to which human beings had ever been called, and was second only to that of Christ Himself. They were to be workers together with God for the saving of the world. As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stand as representatives of Israel, so the twelve apostles were to stand as representative of the gospel church.” ccii

Man #3: He’s back. (Prayerfully) Thanks be to God the father of Abraham. I told you he would return. (People thronging Jesus)

Jairus: You must come to my house. My daughter is dying. Please! You must come! (Pulling on Jesus)

Women: (Reaching between the people, she touches the hem of Jesus’ garment.)

Jesus: “Who touched me?” cciii

Peter: Master, “You see the multitude thronging you, and you say, ’Who touched Me?’ ’”

Women : (Trembling) (Falling down before Jesus) Thank you for healing me.

Jesus: “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”cciv(Jesus continue on toward the home of Jarius)

Man #3: (To Jairus) “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.” ccv

Jesus: “Don’t be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” (Goes into the house, speaking to those mourning) “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ccvi

Man# 2: (Scornfully, pointing) Ha. She is dead alright. Look at her. She isn’t breathing.

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Jesus: (motions for all to leave, Parents remain) “Little girl, say to you arise.” ccvii

Girl Guest: (Sitting up, smiling, and stretching) Mother, I am hungry.

Jesus (To parents) “Tell no one what happened.”ccviii (People leave. Jesus and Disciples move outside to stage II, Jesus sits on the rock; Disciples sit around Jesus.)

Narrator: Finally Jesus is alone with his disciples. He commissions them for witness and service.

Jesus: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles…But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out-demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver nor copper in your money belts… whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. ..

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentile. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you… And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. .. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell…

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven…

He who receives you receives me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”ccix (Remain seated through the narrator’s description of the death of John the Baptist.)

Narrator: “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”ccx

“…when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.”ccxi

End Notes

Cephas means “stone”

i Luke 1:15 ii White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 100 iii Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 5. pp. 53, 54 iv White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 100, 104 vJohn 1, 6-8

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vi White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 104 vii Mark 1, 5,6 viii Matthew 3: 7-12 ix Luke 3:10 x Luke 3:11 xi Luk3e 3:12 xii Luke 3:13 xiii Luke 3:13 xiv Luke 3:14 xv White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 104 xvi Ibid., pp. 104, 105 xvii Ibid., pp. 105, 109, 110 xviii John 1:19 xix John 1:19 xx John 1:20 xxi John 1:21 xxii John 1:21 xxiii John 1:22 xxiv John 1:23 xxv John 1:25 xxvi John 1:26-30 xxvii Matthew 3:14 xxviii Matthew 3:15 xxix Matthew 3:17 xxx John 1:29-34 xxxi White, Ellen, 1898, pp. 114-116 xxxii Matthew 4:3 xxxiii Matthew 4:4 xxxiv Matthew 4:6 xxxv Matthew 4:8 xxxvi Matthew 4:9 xxxvii Matthew 4:10 xxxviii White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 116, 117 xxxix Ibid., 1898, p.117 xl Ibid., 1898, p.119 xli Ibid., 1898, p. 125 xlii James 4:7 xliii John 1:36 xliv John 1:38 xlv John 1:38 xlvi John 1:38 xlvii John 1:41 xlviii John 1:42 xlix John 1:43 l John 1:45 li John 1:46 Wright 2014 33

lii John 1:47 liii John 1:48 liv John 1:48 lv John 1:49 lvi John 1:50 lvii John 1:51 lviii White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p.144 lix Matthew 3:14, 17 lx John 2:3 lxi John 2:4 lxii John 2:5 lxiii John 2:7 lxiv John 2:8 lxv John 2:10 lxvi White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 154, 155 lxvii John 2:16 lxviii John 2:17 lxix John 2:18 lxx John 2:19 lxxi John 2:22 lxxiilxxii White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 167-175 lxxiii Ibid., p.175 lxxiv John 3:2 lxxv John 3:3 lxxvi John 3:4 lxxvii John 3:5-8 lxxviii John 3:11-21 lxxix White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898 pp. 174-177 lxxx John 3:26 lxxxi John 3:27-36 lxxxii White, Ellen, The, Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 214 lxxxiii Matthew 4:12 lxxxiv White, Ellen, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 182 lxxxv Ibid., p. 183 lxxxvi John 4:7 lxxxvii John 4:9 lxxxviii John 4:10 lxxxix John 4:11, 12 xc John 4: 13,14 xci John 4:15 xcii John 4:16 xciii John 4:16 xciv John 4:17,17 xcv John 4:19 xcvi John 4:20-24 xcvii John 4:25 Wright 2014 34

xcviii John 4:26 xcix John 4:27 c John 4:32 ci John 4:33 cii John 4:34-38 ciii John 4:39 civ Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 296 cv Ibid., p. 197 cvi Luke 4:24 cvii John 4:48 cviii John 4:49 cix John 4:50 cx John 4:51 cxi John 4:52 cxii Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 199 cxiii Luke 4:16,17 cxiv Luke 4:18-20 cxv Luke 4:21 cxvi Luke 4:22 cxvii Luke 4:23-27 cxviii Luke 4:30 cxix Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 239 cxx Ibid., p, 242 cxxi Matthew 4:15,16 cxxii Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 253 cxxiii Deuteronomy 11:13-21 cxxiv Mark 1:24 cxxv Mark 1:25 cxxvi Mark 1:27 cxxvii Mark 11: 29-34 cxxviii Luke 5:10 cxxix Luke 5:13 cxxx Mark 1:44 cxxxi Matthew 9:2 cxxxii Matthew 9:3 cxxxiii Matthew 9:4-6 cxxxiv Luke 5:27 cxxxv Luke 5:30 cxxxvi Luke 5:31,32 cxxxvii Mark 2:18 cxxxviii Mark 2:19,20 cxxxix Luke 6:2 cxl Luke 6:3-5,9 cxli Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 201 cxlii John 5:6 cxliii John 5:7 Wright 2014 35

cxliv John 5:8 cxlv John 5:10 cxlvi John 5:11 cxlvii John 5:12 cxlviii John 5:14 cxlix John 5:17-47 cl Matthew 12:11,12 cli Mark 3:5 clii Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 206, 205, 207 cliii Ibid, p. 213 cliv Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, pp. 298, 299 clv Matthew 5-7 clvi Matthew 7: 28,29 clvii Matthew 8:8 clviii Matthew 8:10,11 clix Luke 7:12 clx Luke 7:13,14 clxi Luke 7:16 clxii Luke 7:16 clxiii Luke 7:16 clxiv Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 214 clxv Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 216 clxvi Matthew 11:3 clxvii Ibid. clxviii John 11:4-6 clxix John 11:7-11 clxx Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 117 clxxi Isaiah 61:1,2 clxxii Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 218 clxxiii Ibid., p. 220 clxxiv Luke 7:40 clxxv Luke 7:41,42 clxxvi Luke 7:43 clxxvii Luke 7:44-47 clxxviii Luke 7:48 clxxix Luke 7:50 clxxx Matthew 12:25-30 clxxxi Mark 3:29 clxxxii Matthew 12:33-37 clxxxiii Matthew 12:38 clxxxiv Matthew 12:39-45 clxxxv Matthew 12:47 clxxxvi Matthew 12:48-50 clxxxvii Luke 8:21 clxxxviii Mark 4:9 clxxxix Mark 4:13-20 Wright 2014 36

cxc Matthew 13:24-51 cxci Psalm 78:2 cxcii Mark 4:38 cxciii Mark 4:39 cxciv Mark 4:40 cxcv Mark 4:41 cxcvi Mark 5:7 cxcvii Mark 5: 8,9 cxcviii Mark 5,9 cxcix Mark 5:10-12 cc Mark 5:19 cci Mark 5:20 ccii Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, 1898, p. 291 cciii Mark 5:30 cciv Mark 5:34 ccv Mark 5:35 ccvi Mark 5:36,39 ccvii Mark 5:41 ccviii Mark 5:43 ccix Matthew 10:5-40 ccx Luke 9:6 ccxi Matthew 14:6-12

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