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The Empty Tomb – Readers Theater

The Empty Tomb – Readers Theater

$12.00 (USD)

Based on the events from the Gospel of John, chapter 20. Mary Magdalene, Peter and John talk about the death and resurrection, and their visits to the empty tomb. Can be performed as a regular drama or as readers theatre.

Cast: 3
MARY (MAGDALENE)
PETER
JOHN

Set, lighting, sound: standard

Costumes: Biblical Costuming is optional

Sample of Script:

MARY: Today, we are going to tell you a story about three people. I will play the part of Mary, Mary Magdalene.

PETER: And I will play the part of Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus.

JOHN: I will be playing the part of John, the youngest disciple of Jesus. Our story begins on the first day of the week, right after Jesus had been crucified and buried.

MARY: As John said, it was the first day of the week. I was still so sad because we had all seen and watched as Jesus was crucified on the cross. We saw Him die, and knew He had been buried.

PETER: Buried in a borrowed tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimethea, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Council of the Jews. Joseph had secretly become a follower of Jesus, and was assisted by Nicodemus, another Council member and silent follower of Jesus.

JOHN: According to the Jewish traditions and laws, Jesus’ body had been wrapped in strips of linen, covered with a mixture of spices, like aloe and myrrh, and placed in the tomb.

PETER: Then a huge stone was rolled in front of the tomb to seal it.. So let’s use our imagination and go back to…

MARY: … that morning, on the first day of the week. I was so taken in my grief that I just wanted to go one more time to the tomb. I knew that inside was only His body, but, I just wanted to be near Him again. So, I left very early in the morning. It was still dark outside, but I made my way to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. As I drew near to the tomb, I could sense something was… different… not necessarily wrong, but different. Then, as I got close enough to see, I nearly fainted. The stone was rolled away from the tomb, and it was empty! I ran to find Peter and the others.

PETER: Mary came in, and was out of breath. John and I were together and we listened in shock as she told us what she had found….

MARY: (out of breath) Peter! Peter! It’s terrible!

PETER: Mary? Mary what is it? What’s wrong.

MARY: They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid Him.

JOHN: Who took Him?

MARY: I don’t know, but the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty!

  • Cast Number: 3
  • Run Time: 8
SKU: the-empty-tomb--readers-theater-3386-3386 Categories: , , Tag:

Description

The “empty tomb” became a polarizing  concept with people who ere there on the spot.

Mary Magdalene, Peter and John talk about the death and resurrection, and their visits to the empty tomb. All this was refuted by the powerful leaders in the temple, in government and the military. Based on the events from the Gospel of John, chapter 20. Can be performed as a regular drama or as readers theatre.
Beautifully and skillfully written by long time friend of DramaShare, Mr Techie, Karl Wagner.

Cast:    3

  • Mary Magdalene
  • Peter
  • John

Bible Reference:    John 20

Set:      bare

Lighting:        standard

  Sound:     wireless mics if available

Song:     none

SFX:       none

Costumes:      traditional likely but not necessarily

Props:     none

Special Instructions:   none

  Time:     8

Sample of Script:

MARY: Today, we are going to tell you a story about three people. I will play the part of Mary, Mary Magdalene.

PETER: And I will play the part of Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus.

JOHN: I will be playing the part of John, the youngest disciple of Jesus. Our story begins on the first day of the week, right after Jesus had been crucified and buried.

MARY: As John said, it was the first day of the week. I was still so sad because we had all seen and watched as Jesus was crucified on the cross. We saw Him die, and knew He had been buried.

PETER: Buried in a borrowed tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimethea, a member of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Council of the Jews. Joseph had secretly become a follower of Jesus, and was assisted by Nicodemus, another Council member and silent follower of Jesus.

JOHN: According to the Jewish traditions and laws, Jesus’ body had been wrapped in strips of linen, covered with a mixture of spices, like aloe and myrrh, and placed in the tomb.

PETER: Then a huge stone was rolled in front of the tomb to seal it.. So let’s use our imagination and go back to…

MARY: … that morning, on the first day of the week. I was so taken in my grief that I just wanted to go one more time to the tomb. I knew that inside was only His body, but, I just wanted to be near Him again. So, I left very early in the morning. It was still dark outside, but I made my way to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. As I drew near to the tomb, I could sense something was… different… not necessarily wrong, but different. Then, as I got close enough to see, I nearly fainted. The stone was rolled away from the tomb, and it was empty! I ran to find Peter and the others.

PETER: Mary came in, and was out of breath. John and I were together and we listened in shock as she told us what she had found….

MARY: (out of breath) Peter! Peter! It’s terrible!

PETER: Mary? Mary what is it? What’s wrong.

MARY: They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid Him.

JOHN: Who took Him?

MARY: I don’t know, but the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty!

PETER: What? . . Empty? . . Are you sure?

MARY:Yes, I saw it myself.

PETER: Okay . . . Okay . .  I’ll go and find what’s what’s happened . . . .

JOHN: I’m going with you!

PETER: So we left, and began running through the city to the tomb. John, being a little younger, actually beat me there…

JOHN, (out of breath): Yeah, I did. I got to the tomb first. But when I got to the opening, I became a little hesitant… I slowly looked into the tomb… almost afraid to enter… By now the sun had risen, and I could see that the linens were there, but the body was gone! And the small linen handkerchief that was laid over Jesus’ face was lying next to them… neatly folded up! I wanted to go in… but…

PETER: …I didn’t hesitate! I ran straight into the tomb once I arrived. And just as John said, the linens were there, but Jesus’ body was not there. I kept staring at that linen handkerchief, folded neatly, with care…

JOHN: I remember thinking, “Why would they unwrap the body to steal it? Why not just take it?” But then, I began to get this feeling that something wonderful had happened… I believed, I didn’t clearly understand, but I believed… that Jesus’ body wasn’t stolen.

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