Theme:       It is three days after the crucifixion and disciples are scattered, disillusioned and heartbroken. And now some of the women are trying to make the others believe that the body of Jesus has disappeared from the tomb.
Some of the disciples visit the tomb to find out what has happened and if the stories are true.
A group of children are playing near the tomb, talking with a stranger.
Bible Reference:     John 20

 

Cast:         15+
Mary, the mother of Jesus
Mary Magdalene (MaryMag)
Joanna
Peter
John
Thomas
Angel
Stranger, (Jesus)
Children, as many as desired/available

 

Set:         Could be a set with a tomb, however a blank set would work

 

Lighting, Sound:     standard

 

Costumes:   likely traditional

 

Time:       30

 

Sample of script:

 

Stranger is sitting at upstage position, speaking, playing with a group of children

Children are happy, some sit on his knee, others gather around

 

Child1:       I liked that story.

 

Child2:       Me too.

 

Child3:       Please tell us another story, please!

 

All children, various:
“Yes, tell us another story, please!” . .  “You tell such great stories!” . . “Just one more story?” . . “You make stories so much fun!” . . . etc.

 

Stranger:     You want another story? . .  Well, I could do that. . .  But what story do you want to hear?

 

Child4:       I like the stories about the God’s kingdom.

 

Child5:       Yes, I loved those stories!

 

Child6:       Me too, . .  but . . I’m not sure I understand. . . What is God’s kingdom really like?

 

Stranger speaks very animatedly, mimes some of the actions

 

Stranger:     God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.
That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn.
When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the weeds, the thistles showed up, too.
The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’
He answered, ‘An enemy did this.’
The farmhands asked, ‘Should we pull out the thistles?’
He said, ‘No, if you pull out the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’

 

Child7:       That was great, more about the kingdom of God please.

 

Stranger, laughs:
God’s kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it.

 

Child8:       That is so awesome! . . Tell us more please.

 

Stranger:     God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises.

 

Child9:       You like being with children and telling them stories don’t you?

 

Stranger:     Yes I do, very much.
I say to those who are with me,  . .  Let the children alone, don’t stop them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like you!

 

Child10:      So us children are a part of God’s kingdom?

 

Stranger:     A very large part of God’s kingdom.
And telling stories allows me to bring things out in the open, things hidden since the world’s first day.

 

Child10:      What is your name sir?

 

Stranger:     Come here, let me whisper in your ear.

 

Stranger whispers in Child10’s ear, child smiles, sits down

There is a noise at the back of the sanctuary

The other actors enter from back of sanctuary, walking toward stage

Stranger and children silently watch the conversation

 

Peter:        I have no idea why I let you talk me into this silly exercise! . . I tell you it’s all a waste of time.

 

MaryMag:    Well I tell you, Peter, the tomb is empty, the stone has been rolled away, come, it’s just a little farther.

 

Thomas:      Well I don’t believe any of this hysteria. Rocks that size don’t roll away by themselves.

 

MaryMag:    Thomas; I saw it with my own eyes! The rock is gone from the entrance to the tomb.

 

John:        If that is true then it’s just as I expected! . . . The soldiers have stolen the Teacher’s dead body and taken him away!

 

Joanna:       That is just silly talk John! . .  What would the Romans gain by taking his body?

 

John:        Mother, you know full well that the Roman’s will do anything to discredit Jesus of Nazareth, even in death!

 

MaryMag:    If the Romans wanted to discredit Jesus they certainly wouldn’t want to have his body disappear. . . . No! The fact is He has risen! . . . You will see for yourself. Now just come with us! . .
But if you have no interest I am Prepared to go on alone.

 

John:        You talk about going on alone. . . I have never in my life felt so alone as in these last three days.

 

Joanna:       The Teacher said he would not leave us lonely.

 

Thomas:      The Teacher couldn’t have known what would lie ahead for him here in Jerusalem.

 

Peter:        How can you say that Thomas. Was it not you who said, “Let us go to Jerusalem so that we may die with him”?

 

Thomas, flustered:
Well, I couldn’t know . .  None of us could have anticipated . .  Who could think it would be this awaiting us in Jerusalem?

 

MaryMag:    The Teacher knew what would happen in Jerusalem. I don’t know how he knew . . . I don’t know why he came here, knowing what he did. . . But he knew.

 

Stranger moves toward the other actors

 

Stranger:      I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. . . .What are you discussing as you walk along?

 

Peter:        What are we discussing? . . . What exactly would we be discussing?

 

Stranger:      Sorry, I . . don’t understand.

 

John:        It is all that everyone in all of Jerusalem is discussing.

 

Stranger:      Sorry, I guess I haven’t . . .

 

Thomas:      You aren’t from Jerusalem are you?

 

Peter:        If you were from anyone in this area you would surely know the things that have happened here.

 

Stranger:      Tell me then. . .What things? . . .  What is all this about?

 

Angel comes on stage, stands silently at side stage, listening

 

MaryMag:    The tragic things that happened to Jesus, the Nazarene.

 

Joanna:       He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people.

 

Peter:        Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him.

 

Thomas:      We had our hopes up that he was the One, the One expected to deliver Israel from the bondage of the Romans.

 

John:        And it is now the third day since . .  it . . . . happened.

 

MaryMag:    Three of the loneliest, the most devastating days in my life.

 

Stranger:     Didn’t your teacher tell you he would always be with you? . . Didn’t he say “I will always be with you, even to the end of time?”

 

Thomas:      You do have trouble with your hearing, don’t you? . .  (shouts)
The Nazarene is .  dead! . . . We are . . alone!

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