Style: Dramatic. Duration : 5min
Actors/Readers : Two people.
Scripture: John 12: 12-19
Visual Idea – projected images on large screen while being read. Simple images can be used . Suggested images: #1 Pasture/ farmland with sheep. #2: modern day crowd at a festival. #3: Jesus on a donkey. #4: people with palms/ or photo of buildings or city of Jerusalem. #5: Jesus holding a lamb.
Script
A: It was dark. Early in the morning the priest set out on the long journey into fields. His search light was a torch of flame and the road was narrow that he walked along.
B: The news that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem swept through the city.
A: The sun was rising just as he came to the hill that he would have to climb and conquer to go into the pasture where the sheep were grazing on the tender blades of grass in the early hours of the day.
B: A huge crowd of Passover feast visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him.
A: As the priest reached the summit of the hill, he caught the eye of the Shepherd. The Shepherd smiled weakly and called for his sheep to gather in close. His face and voice hinted grief – yet the sheep came. He closed his mind as best he could to the sight of the priest and the nature of his business in the field that day. Oh the thought of losing a lamb….
B: The crowd shouted “Praise God!” Hosanna! Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Yes, Hail king of Israel!
A: The priest greeted the Shepherd when he reached him, then began the task of looking over the lambs. The Shepherd said nothing – fighting the instinct to protect and guard the helpless newborns he faithfully stood alertly over….he bowed his head as his heart sank… The priest was taking out his cotton sling bag, the kind the mothers of the day carried their infants in, and opened wide the mouth of the seams.
B: The disciples brought a young donkey to Jesus. “And this was to fulfil what prophecy said: “Do not fear, people of Israel. Look your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t realize at that time that this was the fulfilment of prophecy. But after Jesus was glorified they put it all together.
A: The priest bent his knee on the cold damp ground and picked up a lamb. His eyes cautiously looked over the body, his fingers combing through the wool and his hands searching out any signs of imperfection. After a through inspection, he asked the Shepherd – “is there any better lamb than this born from this field? If there is not – can you tell me of any imperfection you have noticed in this one?”
The Shepherd’s heart was beating through his chest. His mind wanted to say leave that lamb alone! But the words fell from his mouth…”No, this lamb is perfect – without spot, blemish or any kind of imperfection.” His throat tightened as he knew he had just spoken a death sentence to one his heart ached for. The priest placed the perfect lamb into the dark belly of the sling and turned to retrace his journey to the city temple.
B: There were some people in the crowd who had been with Jesus the day earlier and witnessed him raise Lazarus from the dead. They began telling the Passover crowd that had swelled into the street, the ones waiting to celebrate and welcome the priest and the perfect sacrificial lamb he was bringing back into the city, of the events and the God miracle that had occurred.
A: The triumphant footsteps of the priest were quickening as he reached the city gate. The lamb snug close to his chest riding in the sling.
The donkey bringing Jesus was just off in the distance and as the crowd pressed in closer the priest passed through the east gate, lifting high for all the see the little lamb for God. Following in were Jesus’ disciples and the donkey that held high - Jesus.
The ones in the crowd began to mix their excited chatting and cheers. Some were in thankful expectation of the lamb the priest would sacrifice for their sin and others were worshiping Jesus for his miracles. They worshiped him for his power of signs and wonders.
A: People shouting at the priest:
B: Behold the Lamb of God!
A: Seeing Jesus arriving:
B: Jesus – King of Israel!
A: Welcoming the priest:
B&A: Behold the lamb that removes our sin!
A: Vying for the attention of Jesus:
B&A: It’s Jesus the King! King of Israel! Jesus!
A: Voices to the priest:
B&A: Blessed is he who comes in the name of God!
A: Voices calling loudly to Jesus:
B&A: Look! Jesus - The king of Israel! Hosanna! Hosanna!
A: The voices mixed and rose into one blending of the one truth being proclaimed by the mouth of many….many who knew nothing of the truth that they were shouting loudly to the lamb and to the true lamb.
B: The Pharisees threw up their hands: “It’s out of control. The whole world is chasing after him!” They voiced in disgust.
A: Then someone closed the eastern gate and the crowd pressed in further. The celebration was in full swing and the worshiping fury of the crowd was growing as they paraded into the city following after Jesus in the manner that they only reserved for worship of the greatest of kings.
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© Copyright Bonnie Degagne, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. She may be contacted at: