The People Vs. Jesus
A Series of Five Lenten Plays for Wednesday Nights

A legal cross examination of John, Mary Magdaline, Herod, James and Mary  

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY MORSE PRESS SEATTLE, WASHINGTON ADAPTED FOR GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH DES MOINES, WASHINGTON
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS BY PASTOR EDWARD F. MARKQUART

“Drama is one of the most powerful preaching forms of the Church. It has been for centuries. Some years ago, I conducted a survey of the Lutheran pastors here in the Pacific Northwest. In this survey, I learned that pastors who used non-traditional forms of preaching rated the category of  “drama” as the most effective and emotionally vibrant form of preaching. During the past decades, I have learned that my colleagues were correct. That is, drama, when it is done well, is one of the most powerful ways to present the Gospel.

Here at Grace Lutheran Church, we have had many series of dramas through the years. Here at Grace, we emphasize the role of drama, as do many other parishes throughout the country. We know that dramas are important, especially during this season of Lent.

The series that you are going to see is entitled, THE PEOPLE VERSES JESUS OF NAZARETH. These dramas were originally published by Morse Press here in Seattle, but have been highly adapted for the life of our parish. Morse Press is no longer in business in Seattle, but these sermons/dramas are terrific and need to be used in the life of the Church.

In this series of dramas, you will find a courtroom scene, an authentic judge by the name of Judge Darrell Phillipson, who is a member of our congregation. There is a bailiff and a court reporter. There is a prosecuting attorney and a defense attorney. Into this scene and situation, we bring witnesses from the life of Jesus Christ to testify about him. The action of the drama is the questioning and cross questioning of a Biblical witness who saw the life of Jesus.

I believe that you will enjoy this series. The courtroom scenes become very realistic. The dramas are intense. Once again, you will experience the power of the Gospel as expressed through the medium of drama.”

THE SETTING

The chancel of the sanctuary has been converted to look like a courtroom. The Communion Table has become  “the bench” behind which the judge sits. There is a small table for the court recorder. The pulpit serves as the witness stand.  There are two long tables below and in front of “the bench,” one for the prosecuting attorney and the other for the defense attorney. There are two flags, a United States flag and a Washington State flag.

This set of dramas is very easy to enact because the dramas lend themselves to “reader theater.” That is, the scripts for the judge, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and witness can easily be camouflaged. The judge is behind “the bench” with a script on top of the table. The witness, who stands in the pulpit, has a script before him/her. The attorneys have scripts in their legal folders. It appears that players are acting their parts, but they are actually reading their parts.

Back to Dramas

The Examination of John

(Bailiff, court reporter, attorney teams enter, each taking their place.)

BAILIFF:
All rise.  Court is again in session.  The honorable Darrell E. Phillipson presiding.  (Judge enters and is seated.)   Now continues the trial of the People versus Jesus of Nazareth.  You may be seated.  Are all parties ready?

Prosecuting Attorney (PA):
(Stands)  Attorney for the Prosecution is ready.

Defense Attorney (DA):
(Stands)  Defense Attorney is ready.

JUDGE:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.  The trial of Jesus of Nazareth is about to begin.  You are the jury.You are officers of the court and as such, each of you has a vital part to play in this trial.  No one here is a mere spectator.  As members of the jury your duty will be to pay close attention to everything that is said, weigh the evidence -for and against Jesus of Nazareth - and pronounce the final verdict.  You have an awesome responsibility.  You will decide whether Jesus of Nazareth is to live or die.

Before we begin the trial, the jurors must be sworn.  Please stand.  (To jury)  Jury, raise your right hand.  Do you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try the case, the People versus Jesus of Nazareth and a true verdict render according to the evidence and the Law, so help you God?  Answer, "I do."

JURY:
I do.

JUDGE:
You may be seated. Prosecutor, call your first witness.

PA:
I call John Zebedee to the stand.

BAILIFF:
Raise your right hand.  Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

JOHN:
I do.

PA:
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. May it please the court. Please state your full name and address.

JOHN:
John Zebedee, 314 Gamaliel Street, Capernaum, Galilee.

PA:
Were you or were you not one of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth?

JOHN:
I was.

PA:
How many of you were there?

JOHN:
Well, many people followed Jesus from place to place, but of his closest disciples there were twelve.

PA:
Tell us, how did the twelve of you get along?  Did you work well together?

JOHN:
Yes, we did.  We were like brothers.  Oh, there were times when we would argue with each other, but for the most part the love and friendship we enjoyed with Jesus was great.

PA:
Hummmmmmmmmm.  A moment ago, Mr.Zebedee, you testified that there were twelve of you.  How many are there now?

JOHN:
Eleven.

PA:
So you lost one!  What happened to him?

JOHN:
(angry) You know perfectly well what happened to him!  I don't want to talk about it.

JUDGE:
You must answer the question.

JOHN:
His name was Judas.

PA:
Tell the court what happened.

JOHN:
(angry)  He betrayed our Lord, that's what he did!  He sold out to the chief priest.  He led them to the Lord at the right time so they could arrest Him without the crowd interfering.  Thirty pieces of silver he got to betray him.  Judas always was a thief...I never did trust him.  Finally, being the coward he was, he went out and killed himself.

PA:
Take it easy, calm down.  (pause)  So your fellowship was full of love and concern for one another.

JOHN:
Well, I said there were some exceptions.

PA:
Yes, there were, weren't there?  (To Baliff)  Will you please mark this as evidence?  According to the 13^th chapter of your book, Mr. Zebedee, all this occurred the night before your Master was crucified.  Is this true?

JOHN:
Yes, it's true!

PA:
And what were you doing?

JOHN:
We were celebrating the Passover together.

PA:
In that fellowship of love, no doubt.  During the meal, He revealed to all of you that one of your group was going to betray Him.  Correct?

JOHN:
Yes.

PA:
Did anyone known who it was?

JOHN:
Jesus knew. And the betrayer himself.

PA:
Anyone else?

JOHN:
Yes, I knew. Jesus told me himself.

PA:
And why did he tell you?

JOHN:
Why? I don’t know why. Maybe because I asked him.

PA:
I have a statement here from one of your colleagues. I believe his name is Matthew who said everyone was saying, “Is it I?” Why…why did he tell you?

JOHN:
I don’t know  why he told me.

PA:
You don’t know? Tell me, weren’t you the closest disciple?

JOHN:
I suppose maybe that is true. My brother, Peter, and James and myself: I suppose we were the closest.

PA:
You are being a bit modest here John. Don’t you call yourself in your book the disciple whom Jesus loved?

JOHN:
Yes, I do.

PA:
Well, I see. This being true, why do you suppose that Jesus told you and your alone that Judas was going to betray him?

JOHN:
I don’t know why he told me.

PA:
I think you do. You have been boasting about this fellowship of love, this closeness in your group, but now you say that you don’t know why Jesus told you that Judas was going to betray him? I think it was because he wanted you to do something with all that love and fellowship that you are so proud of. I suggest he told you about Judas because he wanted you to help your brother.

DA:
Objection! The prosecutor is badgering the witness.

JUDGE:
Objection overruled.

PA:
If you knew that Judas was going to betray Jesus, why didn’t you do something about it?

JOHN:
What could I have done?

PA:
You could have gone out with him and talked with him. You could have gotten him to give up.  You might have saved his life. You, and you alone, could have helped Judas. But what did you do about it?

JOHN:
I … I did nothing. But there was a lot going on. We were celebrating the Passover together.

PA:
So you say that you were enjoying the meal. But you did nothing to stop your brother, Judas. You were feeling so comfortable with this loving little fellowship of disciple that you were simply enjoying yourself so much, you couldn’t find time to help. Is that right? (Pause)

JUDGE:
You must answer the question.

PA:
Well, speak up, Mr. Zebedee, is that right?

JOHN:
I guess maybe you are right.

PA:
And you accuse Judas of being the betrayer and a thief. Do you think that you are any better? You who did nothing to help your brother? Who is the betrayer here? (Pause)

JUDGE:
You must answer that question.

PA:
What do you have to say? (Pause)

JOHN:
I failed him.

PA:
You surely did. What kind of nonsense is this? You were his closest disciple, yet even you failed him. You still want to claim that he is the Messiah, the one who brings love and fellowship.

JOHN:
Yes, he is. He is the Son of God who came into this world to suffer and die for sinners like me, and to bring peace and fellowship on earth. My sins and my failure doesn’t change who he is.

PA:
I suggest that this is all one big fraud. If it is true, why didn’t you help your brother? Why did you let Judas die?

JOHN:
No. You don’t understand. It is true. I let my brother down.

PA:
No further questions.  (PA is seated at the prosecutor’s table.)

DA:
Your honor. Honorable counsel. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. May it please the court. Mr. Zebedee, the prosecutor is trying to get the jury to believe that Jesus was a fraud because you, as one of his closest disciples, failed to help Judas. Do you agree with this assessment?

JOHN:
No. Not at all. I can see how she may feel this way, but she is all wrong.

DA:
All wrong? How so? (long pause)

JOHN:
If anybody…if anybody is a fraud, it is me. Not Jesus. I failed him. Or anyone else in this courtroom, for that matter.

DA:
What do you mean by that?

JOHN:
Can’t you see? Jesus doesn’t tell us just to love people. Anyone can say that. That is like telling a hunchback to stand up straight. He would if he could. But telling him to stand up straight doesn’t give him the power to do so.

DA:
And Jesus is different?

JOHN:
Yes, very dif ferent.

DA:
How is he differ rent, Mr. Zebedee?

JOHN:
Jesus didn’t tell us simply how to treat each other. Jesus taught us how to love and how to care for one another. In the stories and the parables that he told.

DA:
Is that all?

JOHN:
No. Everywhere that we went, he reached out to people. He healed and cared for people. He cared for people and they didn’t even know it. Jesus loved people and he showed us how he loved people by the way he treated them.

DA:
It sounds as if Jesus was a great teacher. What else made him so special?

JOHN:
There were many, many things that made Jesus special.

DA:
Do you remember any specific examples of that?

JOHN:
I could give many examples but the one that comes to mind most is the night that Judas betrayed him. Jesus had us all sit down, and he washed our feet. Jesus washed our feet and he told us that we must do this to each other. That is, we must be servants to one another.

DA:
It seems that Jesus was a great teacher. What else about him made him so special?

JOHN:
It is hard to explain but when we were with Jesus , there was a power and peace that filled our hearts. Oh, there were times that we disagreed with each other, but we truly loved each other with a very special kind of love. It was that power of inner peace and love that held us together like brothers.

DA:
Anything else, Mr. Zebedee?

JOHN:
Jesus didn’t always like the way that we treated each other. We didn’t always treat each other the way that he wanted us to. There were times when we fought and argued with each other and were jealous towards each other. Every time that we failed each other just like I failed Judas at a critical time in his life, Jesus was there to forgive us…and teach us to forgive one another. We failed Jesus many times, but he never failed us.

DA:
Thank you, Mr. Zebedee. No further questions.

JUDGE:
You may step down. (to Mr. Zebedee).  Ms. Prosecutor, closing arguments?

JOHN:
Your honor. Honorable counsel. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. May it please the court. It is obvious from what our witness has just told us this evening is that Jesus and his followers are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites. Even John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, wouldn’t lift a finger to help his brother Judas. They are all that way. They talk about love. They talk about fellowship, but they criticize, they gossip, they hurt one another. If they treat one another, how do you think they would treat outsiders? They talk one thing and they live another. They are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites. Frauds.  On the other hand, I don’t blame John for not getting involved with Judas. John was the smart one. Jesus is the crazy one. He is the one to blame for trying to get John and all the others to believe this garbage about loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus…Jesus is a fraud. Jesus is a dangerous fraud. He will promise you fellowship. He will promise you life and he will give you a cross instead. Either we must crucify him or be crucified.  I say, crucify him.

DA:
Your honor. Honorable counsel. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. May it please the court. What then shall we do with Jesus from Nazareth?  He comes to us claiming to be the very Son of God. He comes to us as one who claims to usher in the kingdom of God right here on earth. He comes to us, claiming to give up power to truly love one another.  Either this is true or Jesus is crazy. This witness, by his own admission, failed Jesus because he didn’t love and care for his brother Judas. But does that make Jesus wrong? Does that make Jesus a fraud as the prosecutor claims? It shows that John is a sinner, but it says nothing about who Jesus is. Jesus is not a fraud. Jesus went to the cross willingly to die for you and me so that we might have life and be filled with love. And he did that…why? He did that because he loved John who failed him. He did that because he loved Judas who betrayed him. He did that because he loves you and he loves me. Jesus is no fraud. We may be but Jesus isn’t.  … Think about Jesus for a moment. Think about the love that he has for  you. I ask for you to find Jesus of Nazareth, “Not guilty.”  Set him free so that he can truly love you, so that you and I can truly love one another.

JUDGE:
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury - this trial is not yet concluded.  You have heard the testimony of but one witness.  This court will reconvene next Wednesday, at 7:30 PM to consider the testimony of Mary Madgalene.  ...  During the intervening days, you are charged to consider carefully the testimony which you have just heard.     You should discuss it among yourselves, and consider the veracity of this witness. Consider the arguments of Counsel.  Determine the truth or falsity of what they say.  And lastly, consider the implications of what you have heard - for yourself, and all mankind.  ...  Madam Bailiff, the court will be in recess.

BAILIFF:
All rise.  Court will be in recess.

Back to Dramas

The Examination of Mary Magdalene 

(Bailiff, court reporter, attorney teams enter, each taking their place.)

BAILIFF:
All rise.  Court is again in session.  The honorable Darrell E. Phillipson presiding.  (Judge enters and is seated.)   Now continues the trial of the People versus Jesus of Nazareth.  You may be seated.  Are all parties ready?

Prosecuting Attorney (PA):
(Stands)  Attorney for the Prosecution is ready.

Defense Attorney (DA):
(Stands)  Defense Attorney ready.

JUDGE:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.  The trial of Jesus of Nazareth is about to begin.  He is charged with being a fraud, a religious fraud, with claiming to be Lord and Savior.  You are the jury.  You are officers of the court and as such, each of you has a vital part to play in this trial.  No one here is a mere spectator.  As members of the jury your duty will be to pay close attention to everything that is said, weigh the evidence -for and against Jesus of Nazareth - and pronounce the final verdict.  You have an awesome responsibility.  You will decide whether Jesus of Nazareth is guilty or not guilty; whether he is to live or die.

Before we begin the trial, the jurors must be sworn.  Please stand.  (To jury)  Jury, raise your right hand.Doyou solemnly swear that you will well and truly try the case, the People versus Jesus of Nazareth and a true verdict render according to the evidence and the Law, so help you God?  Answer, "I do."

JURY:
I do.

JUDGE:
Prosecutor, call your first witness.

PA:
Mary Magdalene to the stand please.

BAILIFF:
Raise your right hand.  Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

MARY:
I do.

PA:
Please tell us your name.

MARY:
I am Mary, known as Mary Magdalene - because I come from Magdala of Galilee.

PA:
Am I right in saying that you are a zealous follower of the rabbi Jesus?

MARY:
Yes, yes I am.  I love Him very much.

PA:
You love Him, you say.  People respect their rabbis.  They follow their teachings.  But you say you love Him.  Tell us, Mary, why you love Him so much.

MARY:
First of all, because of what He did for me.

PA:
And what was that?

MARY:
He healed me.  He gave me a new life!

PA:
A new life?  Why, that's quite a claim!  Let's back up a bit.  What was wrong with you?  What was your ailment?

MARY:
I was possessed by demons and He drove them out of me.  He freed me from them!

PA:
You were possessed by demons?  What does that mean?  Can you describe that for us?

MARY:
Being possessed by demons was a living hell.  A prison of fear and torment.  Screaming inside.  Panic. Haunting memories.  Worries overwhelming me.  My family, my friends - they tried to reach me, but I would push them away.  I was lost - lost in the torment.  Finally, one by one, they gave up...and left me. That's what I mean.

PA:
Isn't that just another way of saying that you were a very unstable person, that you were neurotic?  That you did not have control of yourself?  Doesn't that describe your sickness?

MARY:
I suppose...I suppose that's what some would say....

PA:
But you no longer consider yourself to be unstable and neurotic.  Now I need to ask you, Mary:  A woman with your kind of sickness often does not know she is sick.  How can she know that she has been healed? And how can we know you have been healed?

MARY:
I know the truth and I am telling it.  I know that I was sick and I know that now I am healed.

PA:
Alright, Mary.  Thank you.  Let's move on.  As for this Jesus, your rabbi, when everyone else had abandoned you, he showed up and he rescued you.  Is that correct?

MARY:
He healed me - yes.

PA:
He made you feel better...and so you followed him.

MARY:
Yes.....

PA:
And you were not the only one, were you?  As a matter of fact, many women followed him.  A number of women were very fond of Him.  He must have been a very attractive man, Mary.  Is this true?

MARY:
Yes, I have never known anyone like Him.

PA:
He sounds like the sort of man who would make a wonderful husband...or lover.  Is that possible, Mary?

MARY:
What are you trying to say?

PA:
I'm saying that he rescued you...and you fell for him.  You were in love with the rabbi Jesus.  Well, weren't you?

MARY:
I never said I was in love with Him.  I said I loved Him.

PA:
Well, what does that mean?  Didn't you follow him everywhere he went?  Weren't you thrilled when He touched you?

MARY:
Yes, I love Him.  He thrills me.   But not the way you mean.  I love Him in a special way.

PA:
What is your special way?  Do you know what people are saying about you?  Do you know what kind of reputation you have?  Your name stands for a prostitute.  Do you know that?

MARY:
Yes!  ...  No!  I know what you're trying to do.  You're trying to make me look bad.  You're trying to destroy him.  Well you can't.

PA:
Please Mary, be careful now.  We don't want to upset you.  You are still a very emotional person, aren't you?  Quite passionate.  Whether about this rabbi Jesus....or.....

DA:
Objection.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

PA:
Thank you, Mary.  No further questions.  Your witness, counselor.

DA:
Your honor, honorable counselor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.  May it please the court.  Mary, we can all see what the prosecutor has been trying to do:  attack your reputation, destroy your credibility by innuendos.

PA:
Objection!

JUDGE:
Sustained.

DA:
Mary, I must go back over some of those areas...but for a different purpose, believe me.  May we proceed?

MARY:
Go ahead.

DA:
First, this matter of your illness, Mary - the demons.  You were deeply troubled, weren't you?

MARY:
Yes, it was like being in prison for years.  It was living hell.  My health, my friends, my family - I lost them all.

DA:
The Prosecuting Attorney tried to show that because of your illness, your testimony is unreliable.  Can you prove to us that Jesus truly healed you?  That you are truly well?

MARY:
Do I look to you like a woman in torment?  Ask my friends.  Ask my family!  Anyone who knows me well. You didn't know me before.  I'm a living miracle!  Sure, I get emotional.  Not so much at what people said about me.  I don't care anymore about that.  But when people start attacking Jesus...when they twist what he did and said.   I get emotional!  I get angry!

DA:
You said you don't care anymore what people say about you?  What about the rumors that you were a prostitute?  The innuendos about you and Jesus?

MARY:
What people say about my past life doesn't make a bit of difference to me now.  What matters is that I am new.  Jesus healed me, he saw my living hell and freed me.  He gave me back my dignity as a woman.  Of course I love him.  Wouldn't you love someone who gave you a new life?  I love him.  It's that simple.

DA:
Mary, can you explain what you mean when you say you love Jesus?

MARY:
I'll try....  At first I was just thankful...and delighted at being healed!  And then as I followed him and watched him with people, I was awed...awed at his wisdom.  At the way he listened to God.  At the way he brought us together.  And as time went on, I just got to know him.  I discovered how deeply he knew me and cared for me.  It is thankfulness and awe and joy.  And it keeps on growing even now.  That's what I mean when I say I love him.

DA:
This love...was this a special thing...between you and Jesus?

MARY:
Yes, it was a special thing between Jesus and me...and between Jesus and every other person he met.  I saw it.  Whether they met him on the road for a few minutes...or followed him like we did for years.  Even the ones he argued with, even the ones who crucified him....He cared about each one.  He saw who each person was and wanted to touch everyone of them.  ... Especially those who don't understand.  Those who accuse him falsely.  (look/point toward prosecutor).  They needed him the most!

PA:
Objection.

MARY:
I wish I could help her understand (toward prosecutor).

PA:
Objection!

JUDGE:
Sustained.

DA:
Thank you Mary.  That is all.

JUDGE:
Witness, you may step down.  Prosecutor, do you have any closing remarks?

PA:
Your honor, honorable counselor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, may it please the court.  You have heard the testimony of Mary Magdalene, one of the most ardent followers of the rabbi Jesus.  You are going to have to sift through the emotional chaff of her testimony to get at the hard kernels of fact.  Mary Magdalene claims to have been healed by her rabbi.  But is that true?  Can we believe the testimony of a woman who has obviously been so disturbed in her past...and even now is so easily upset?  She says she has been healed. But can we believe her...or her testimony? But Mary is not the one on trial here.  Jesus is  And there is a more important issue.  Can we accept a rabbi who plays on the emotions of such a person?  It happens all too often with people who are vulnerable, emotionally unstable.  People who struggle for a sense of self-worth and purpose.  Those vulnerable people are taken in by a powerful preacher...and used.  Used by that teacher for his...or her...own purpose.  The more emotional and neurotic the people, the more they cling to him...or her.  No rabbi in history was ever better at that than this Jesus. Jesus is the answer for people who can't make it in the world!  Anyone who is healthy, strong, well-adjusted doesn't need him.  Jesus attracts the weak, the poor in spirit, the miserable side of humanity.  Takes them in with this talk of love, these empty promises of healing and a few flashy tricks.  And uses them to spread his fame.  And they fall for it.  But you - you are not like Mary, hounded by fears and memories.  Don't be taken in by that misguided manipulating Jesus.  You don't need him.  You, the jury, can stand on your own two feet...even if Mary, poor Mary couldn't.  He is a manipulator, and a fraud.  I say - find him guilty.  Be rid of him!

JUDGE:
Defense, do you have any closing remarks?

(The defense attorney rises and faces the jury.)

DA:
Ladies and gentlemen of the JURY:  The prosecuting attorney will forgive me for saying that she wasted a bit of our time.  She worked hard to establish a fact we never doubted-- that Mary was once a weak, and troubled woman who could not stand on her own feet.  The prosecutor also implied that Mary was grossly immoral, although she failed to produce any evidence to substantiate this.  But let's leave it in the record.  It helps our case more than hers.  Somehow our prosecutor has failed to see something very important here - that the Mary Magdalene of the past was a different person from the woman who stood in the witness box a few moments ago.  There are two  Marys:  an old Mary and a new Mary, and the difference between them is like night and day. "Jesus healed me," she said.  But she would not have had to say it.  She radiated the healing.  It was in her eyes, in her tone of voice.  You the jury could see it.  She is a new person.  That is Jesus' doing.  Our prosecuting attorney would have us imagine some sordid relationship at best; some sick manipulation at worst.  But that is not what we see here, is it?  Jesus has loved her in his unique way.....and now she radiates his love. Our prosecuting attorney's final accusation was that this Jesus is for the sick, the weak.  That is absolutely ] true.  Jesus himself said so.  Who among us has never needed that healing?  Who among us has never needed a physician? Mary knew she did.  Let's be honest about ourselves.  There are other demons that torment us - the demons of anxiety, of selfishness, of addiction.  The evil that wreaks havoc to our world - the evils of violence, war, greed.  Let's not waste time pointing at Mary's demons.  Let's name our own.  And then let's consider our options.  Either we can find him guilty as a fraud - or we can turn to him.  Turn to him as Mary did, and receive the healing he offers.  The new life he holds out to you and to me.  The choice is yours.  Will you dismiss him as a fraud - or be healed?  I say be healed.

JUDGE:
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury - this trial is not yet concluded.  You have heard the testimony of two witnesses.  This court will reconvene next Wednesday, at 7:30 PM to consider the testimony of James.  ... During the intervening days, you are charged to consider carefully the testimony which you have just heard. You should discuss it among yourselves, and consider the veracity of this witness.  Consider the arguments of Counsel.  Determine the truth or falsity of what they say.  And lastly, consider the implications of what you have heard - for yourself, and all mankind.  ...  Madam Bailiff, the court will be in recess.

BAILIFF:
All rise.  Court will be in recess.

Back to Dramas

The Examination of James 

(Bailiff, court reporter, attorney teams enter, each taking their place.)

BAILIFF:
All rise.  Court is again in session.  The honorable Darrell E. Phillipson presiding.  (Judge enters and is seated.)   Now continues the trial of the People versus Jesus of Nazareth.  You may be seated.  Are all parties ready?

Prosecuting Attorney (PA):
(Stands)  Attorney for the Prosecution is ready.

Defense Attorney (DA):
(Stands)  Defense Attorney is ready.

JUDGE:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.  The trial of Jesus of Nazareth is about to begin.  You are the jury. You are officers of the court and as such, each of you has a vital part to play in this trial.  No one here is a mere spectator.  As members of the jury your duty will be to pay close attention to everything that is said, weigh the evidence -for and against Jesus of Nazareth - and pronounce the final verdict.  You have an awesome responsibility.  You will decide whether Jesus of Nazareth is to live or die.

Before we begin the trial, the jurors must be sworn.  Please stand.  (To jury)  Jury, raise your right hand.  Do you solemnly swear that you will well and truly try the case, the People versus Jesus of Nazareth and a true verdict render according to the evidence and the Law, so help you God?  Answer, "I do."

JURY:
I do.

JUDGE:
Prosecutor, call your first witness.

PA:
James Bar-Joseph to the stand please.

BAILIFF:
Raise your right hand.  Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

JAMES:
I do.

PA:
Please tell the jury your full name and address.

JAMES:
I am James, son of Joseph.  I live at 328 Jeptha Street, Jerusalem.

PA:
What is your connection with this Jesus of Nazareth?

JAMES:
He is my brother.

PA:
Literally?  Your actual brother?  You people are forever calling each other brother or sister.  Were you really his brother or do you simply mean you were part of his group?

JAMES:
He is my biological brother.  His mother is my mother.  The Bible lists us brothers together:  Jesus, James, Joseph, Judas and Simon.  We also had sisters.  I was the second oldest brother in our family.

PA:
So Jesus was the oldest son and you the second oldest?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
Is it true, that when Jesus was born, he was taken to the temple for a special ceremony and dedicated to the Lord?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
Were you dedicated in this way?

JAMES:
Of course not.  That is only for the oldest son.

PA:
Hummmmmm...And when Jesus, your oldest brother was age 12 and clearly everybody's favorite;, wasn't there a big fuss about him being left in the temple.  Wasn't he the center of attraction of all the rabbis?

JAMES:
It's true that he was in the temple teaching the rabbis, but...

PA:
And Jesus being the oldest, did he not receive the family inheritance?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
The family business?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
The family carpenter shop?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
And you did not receive any of these things?

JAMES:
Of course not, but ...

PA:
And as a young man, did he not become the most famous teacher in all the land?  In all of Israel?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
And did he not have the same meager education that you had?  Yet you were a "nobody" compared to your brother?

JAMES:
Yes, but....

PA:
And isn't it true that your mother Mary had some vision about Jesus just before he was born?

JAMES:
Yes.

PA:
Could you briefly tell the jury about her vision?

JAMES:
Well, you're finally going to give me a chance to speak....God told her that she was going to give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God.  She told us about it only once.  She made sure we heard and understood, but she never mentioned it again.

PA:
Did she ever say such grandiose things about you?

JAMES:
No, but....

PA:
Thank you.  Let's see now.  Jesus was the oldest son.  He was the ONLY child dedicated in the temple.  He was the ONLY child to entertain the rabbis as a young star in the temple.  He was the ONLY child to receive the family inheritance.  He was the ONLY child to publicly succeed and be totally famous throughout the entire land And he was the ONLY child that your mother had grandiose visions about.  ...  In other words, you James, spent your entire life playing second fiddle to your older brother.  Isn't that true?

DA:
Objection.

Both lines spoken at the same time.

JAMES:
I don't see what you're driving at.

JUDGE:
Objection overruled.

JAMES:
(To the judge)  I don't understand what she's getting at!

PA:
You don't?  Isn't it true that as an adult you thought Jesus was nuts, that you and your brothers and sisters thought he should be put into a funny farm?  A nut house?

DA:
Objection.  The language is inappropriate.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

PA:
Ookkk......At the height of Jesus' popularity, isn't it true that you wanted your brother to be committed to a.....mental institution?

JAMES:
No....Yes.  We just wanted to take him home so he could get a hold of himself.

PA:
Isn't it true that you were deeply jealous of your brother your whole life; and you spent your whole life trying to get rid of him so you could replace him as the number one son in the family?

DA:
Objection.

Both lines spoken at the same time.

JAMES:
No.  You don't understand.  You twist everything.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

PA:
Let me show you, sir.  In our exhibit A, the Bible says, and I quote:  "His brothers and sisters did not believe in him."  ...  That his friends thought he was, quote:  "beside himself," "possessed by a demon." It's a fact:  You wanted your brother put away, James.

JAMES:
No, that's not true.

PA:
Thank you James.  Let's move on.  Please tell the jury what happened on that infamous Friday?

JAMES:
My brother was killed.

PA:
Where?  In what city?

JAMES:
In Jerusalem.  On a cross.

PA:
And where were all of his followers?

JAMES:
They ran away.

PA:
And as time went by, who became the leader of his so-called church in Jerusalem?

JAMES:
Well, ah, ahhh....

PA:
Well, answer the question, who became the leader?  Who became the number one man in the church in Jerusalem?

JAMES:
I was chosen to be the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

PA:
So you finally made it; you finally replaced Jesus, eh?

JAMES:
No.  Absolutely not.  No one replaces Jesus.

PA:
You couldn't get him committed when he was alive; but you finally replaced him after he died.

JAMES:
No, your twisting my thoughts.

PA:
Isn't it true, that when you were leader of the church in Jerusalem after Jesus died that even Peter, the famous rock, was under YOU?

JAMES:
No, that's not the way it was.

PA:
And isn't it true that the famous Apostle Paul, writer of half the New Testament and the greatest missionary, had to get YOUR approval as the leader of the church council in Jerusalem?

JAMES:
No.  It wasn't like that at all.

PA:
And isn't it true that you became the leader of a fanatical group who sold all their property; their houses; their camels and donkeys and they shared all they had.  Isn't it true that you became a cult leader of a bunch of communal fanatics who gave you all their possessions?

JAMES:
No.  Absolutely not!

PA:
Let's be honest James.  You spent your entire life living in the shadow of your brother.  And then, when he was killed, you saw your chance  ...  your chance to be number one.  You pretended to be his follower.  You pretended to believe he was the Messiah.