Lenten Series
The Voice of God 



Drama and Puppets for Lent

Dear Friends,

For centuries, Lent has been a powerful worship experience for the Church.  For thousands of years, the church has gathered for the special occasions of worship during this scared season.  Lent is part of our legacy.  Lent is an extension of our heritage. Through the years of being a pastor, Lent has become a highlight of our congregational worship life. 

Let me briefly tell you about it.  I learned about the worship potential of Lent from Pastor Phillip Natwick who taught me much about the parish ministry.  I saw what he did during those Lenten services.  Ash Wednesday was great, with the burning of the ashes and marking of the forehead with ashes.  Each following Wednesday night was a short service, 35 minutes at the longest, with catechetical preaching for the children and adults.  The services were geared for the young.  On Holy Thursday, we did the Passover and the Footwashing.  Now more recently, on Good Friday, we do the powerful liturgy of Tenebrae and the "Carpenter and the Cross." 

People come...in droves.  Oh yes, grades 5-9 are still required to take notes and that helps attendance, as do the soup suppers.  But now, in our parish, when "Lift High the Cross" is sung every Wednesday night of Lent and the children and families gather for worship, the sanctuary is jammed with worshipers.  Sacred traditional memories are being created.  Our people have become part of a long history that reaches back centuries.  During Lent, the church is drawn closer and more deeply into the experience of the Cross.  I commend this form of Lenten service to you, a form that I learned from a seasoned veteran pastor. 

We have done many chancel dramas, plays and puppet shows during Lent as vehicles of the Gospel.  This particular series is called, "The Voice of God."  It features a booming, reverberating resonate voice coming from good speakers.  This voice of God speaks slowly, deeply and the sound of the voice echoes throughout the darkened sanctuary. Judas, Peter, Pilate, Barabbas, Dysmas, the centurion, the mother of Jesus, and the gardener of the cemetery on Easter morning listen to this vibrating voice.  Judas, of course, doesn't believe in the voice of God ("tricks in the mind, that’s all.") In 1987, the Voice of God was male; in 1997, the Voice of God was female. Both voices worked wonderfully.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we hear passages about the "voice of God."  (Ex. 15:26, "If you diligently listen to the voice of the Lord;" and Duet. 4:36, "Out of heaven, he let you hear his voice.")  In these plays, the voice of God consistently speaks the message of God, and the word of forgiveness, compassion and eternity, to those people near the cross.  As the congregation listens to the voice of God at each of the services, it is as if the words of Scripture come alive in a new and intimate way.

Each of the characters is placed in a moment of time.  For example, Dysmas, the thief on the cross is placed in a special moment of time.  As I carefully searched the Scriptures, I noticed that the soldiers came to break the leg of those on the cross but Jesus was already dead so they didn't break his legs.  (As the Scriptures says, "Not a bone of his body would be broken.)"  I couldn't quite imagine the thief on the cross in Paradise, so I put him on the cross, in the time frame between Jesus' death and the soldiers coming to break his legs to hasten his own death.  There in that moment, I tried to imagine his inner conversations with God. In that same moment, I tried to tell the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Similarly, each of the characters is located in a very specific moment in time.  (e.g. the centurion, just as he left the house of Pilate to assure Pilate that the body of Jesus was dead.)  I think my favorite play is the Easter drama, and the story of the gardener, who dug the grave and saw the whole event from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

The puppet shows and chancel dramas are tailored to match each other.  Themes from the puppet show will be repeated in the chancel drama moments later.  For example, in the puppet show, Dysmas, the thief, will show a large ten-inch spike and snap a whip, as he talks about the crucifixion; and the children will discuss the meaning of paradise.  Those same themes are repeated but in a different mood during the chancel drama. Of course, you would expect little children to love the puppet shows; but much to my surprise, it was the power of the “voice of God” and the chancel dramas that they vividly remembered.  Children loved those dramas.

To facilitate your use of these resources in your congregation, we video taped the whole series.  It will help you to watch the video.  These VHS tapes are not intended to be used as devotional resources in a home, but as aids to the players in the dramas. The videos are not as powerful as the actual production.  For example, when you photograph rugged mountains here in the state of Washington, the photographs always come out "flat" compared to the mountain itself.  Mountains rarely are dramatic in most common photos.  I feel that the video tapes are "flat" compared to actual performance.  Even so, they are very helpful to those who are going to produce them.

At the close of the VHS tapes, we have video taped three important liturgies:  the Burning of the Ashes, the Footwashing, and the Carpenter and the Cross.  Perhaps, if you don't use these or similar liturgies, you may find that helpful as a means of increasing the vitality and imagination in your congregational worship life. You will find these liturgies under the section entitled, VIDEOS.

May God bless you and your congregation as you listen to the "Voice of God."

Edward F. Markquart



A series of Chancel Dramas and Puppet Shows for Lent

I. Chancel Drama: James (Ash Wednesday)

II. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Judas (Second Wednesday) 

III. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Peter (Third Wednesday)

IV. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Pilate (Fourth Wednesday) 

V. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Barabbas (Fifth Wednesday) 

VI. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Dysmas (Sixth Wednesday) 

VII. Puppet Show and Chancel Drama: Centurion (Holy Thursday)

VIII. Chancel Drama: Mary, Mother of Jesus (Good Friday)

IX. Chancel Drama: The Gardener (Easter Morning)

P.S. In the year 2001, when I was initially, preparing this website, I offered a few comments about this series. In 1997, we had a “woman’s voice” play the role of God, and that meant we had to do a little teaching for the whole congregation and for the few dissenters who objected to a woman playing the voice of God. We taught about the fact that in the Old Testament, God was invisibly present in the Holy of Holies between the wings of the seraphim. There were to be no pictorial representations of God because God’s very nature was invisible. An artist could not nor cannot portray an invisible spiritual presence as either male or female, and so it is with God yesterday and today. God is neither male nor female. Even so, the concept of male and female is at the core of the mind and heart of God. We, human beings, are made in the image of God; we are like God. According to the Bible, God created human beings in “his” image; that is, male and female. The very image of God contains male and female and the male and female principle is located wherever there is life on this planet. The famous psychologist, Carl Jung, named this the “anima” and “animus” in God. Male and female is found in all of creation and also in the heart and mind of God. Of course, all of these explanations will do little to change the mind of most people who believe that God is essentially male and should always be personified with a male voice. … When using a female voice for God, there was an additional tenderness and understanding that was brought to God’s character.

Also, a video tape of each drama is offered on this website. Click on videos and you can see the play and how it can be adapted to your congregation.

I. Chancel Drama: James, The Sleeping Disciple

Ash Wednesday

(Setting:  The sanctuary is dark.  James is standing in the chancel area, near the Communion table.  The voice of God comes from a good speaker.  Through the use of electronics, the voice of God is deep and reverberating.  He or she speaks slowly, deeply, and the sound of his or her voice echoes through the sanctuary.)

GOD:
James? (Pause ... James looks around)

JAMES:
Lord, I didn't mean to do it.  It just happened.

GOD:
You say that often, James.

JAMES:
Please ... let me explain.

GOD:
Yes?

JAMES:
Well, you see, Lord, it happened like this. We had finished the Last Supper. The meal was over.  Jesus and the eleven of us disciples went out to the Garden of Gethsemane.  You know, just a short walk from Jerusalem.

GOD:
(Chuckle) I know.

JAMES:
Of course, you know.  As we approached the garden, Jesus told the other disciples to wait. He asked Peter, John, my brother, and I to come with him to pray. The three of us were very close to him.

GOD:
Then?????  (Slow, deep, resonating voice at all times)

JAMES:
Well, Jesus, your Son, became very upset, even terrified. He called out to you ... "Lord, if you will remove this cup from me." He begged and pleaded with you.  And then his voice became quieter, submissive, and in almost a whisper, he said ... "Not my will, but yours."

GOD:
I know.  He needed to die to pay the penalty for the sins of the world ... for the sins of the whole world.

JAMES:
Well, then Jesus asked the three of us to watch ... to stay alert... to pray for him.  He walked a short distance from us, and he began to pray like I had never seen anyone pray before.  He fell to his knees, then his face into the ground, his arms stretched out, his body sprawled out on the dirt. He was in such agony.  I didn't know what to do.

GOD:
My heart grieved for my beloved Son.

JAMES:
I watched him ...  suffer ... and watched ... and watched ... and then ... then ... I fell asleep.  I didn't mean to, but I fell asleep?  ... Before I knew it, he was tapping Peter on the shoulder and we all woke up, and there he was. His face was sweaty with blood ... his eyes filled with deep depression ... his clothes soiled and grimy ... and he asked us, "Could you not watch with me for one hour?"

GOD:
Couldn't you?

JAMES:
We didn't. ... And then it happened a second time.  A second time he asked us to watch.  A second time he agonized.  And again, we fell asleep.  He tapped on our shoulders and said, "Your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak."

GOD:
James, you wanted to do what was right. 

JAMES:
Why does that happen all the time to me, Lord?  Why? Again and again in my life, I want to do what is right ... but I always come up short.  I never do it perfectly.  Why am I that way, Lord?

GOD:
I know your heart, James.  I know my Spirit is inside of you.  But ... but ... the power of sin is also at work in you.

JAMES:
Lord, how can you put up with disciples like us ... who fall asleep when your Son is suffering ... who fall asleep when the whole world around us is suffering? ... How can you put up with disciples like us?

GOD:
It's not easy, James.  You test my patience.  You grieve my heart.  But I know you.  I understand you.  I love and forgive you.

JAMES:
Lord, it's so much more than I ever deserved.  Help me ... please help me to become a stronger disciple.

GOD:
I will.  I will put my Spirit inside of you ... and make you stronger ... you and all the disciples.

JAMES:
Thank you, Lord.  I have to go now and be with the others.  I think I hear Judas and soldiers coming into the garden.

GOD:
I'll be watching.

This play is short in order to accommodate a longer, Ash Wednesday liturgy.  Nor is there a puppet show the first night.

Back to Dramas

PASTOR:
Hi, children.  It's nice to see you tonight.  Would you come up to the front and meet a friend of mine? ... Please, all of you who want a good front seat for the puppet show, would you come up here into the chancel area? I'll knock and see if he is home.  (Knocks on the table and chatters with the children as they come forward. Cue: knocks slowly and firmly three times on the table) Judas, are you home?

JUDAS:
Go away.  I don't want to see anybody.

PASTOR:
Please, Judas.  I have some friends who want to meet you.

JUDAS:
No ... leave me alone.

PASTOR:
Five dollars?

JUDAS:
Five dollars???  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  No, that's not enough.

PASTOR:
I'll make it ten dollars.

JUDAS:
Well...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...OK...ten dollars then.  (Judas pops up from behind the table)

PASTOR:
It's nice to see you, Judas.

JUDAS:
Pay up!

PASTOR:
Pay up?

JUDAS:
Yes, pay up.  I want the ten dollars now before our conversation begins.

PASTOR:
I don't think I have the ten dollars right now.  Kids, do you have any money?  (Banters with the children to see if they have money.) Let me see here in my wallet. OK, here’s ten dollars.  I do have ten dollars. (Gives Judas ten, one-dollar bills, one at a time, placing them into Judas' fingers)

JUDAS:
(Counts) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.  Ten dollars.  OK, I will talk with you.

PASTOR:
Judas, these are some young children from our church.

JUDAS:
Oh, what nice clothes you are wearing, children.  Look at that pretty blue dress and that red shirt over there. You know what?  You children should sell all your fancy clothes, give the money to me, and I will give it to the poor children of the world.  Good idea, eh?

PASTOR:
Judas, weren't you the disciple who took care of the money bag for Jesus and his disciples...and you stole from it?  You stole from the money the disciples used to give to the poor!

JUDAS:
Rumors.  All rumors.  I was never convicted of it in court.

PASTOR:
Oh, that was pretty bad. But I still wanted the children to meet you.

JUDAS:
(Breaking in on pastor's question, defensively) Why? Why me? Children never want to meet me.  Have you ever met a child named Judas before?

PASTOR:
Well, I don't think so. Children, are any of you named Judas???  (Asks several children if they are named Judas) You're right, not one child here is named Judas.

JUDAS:
See, nobody is ever named after me.

PASTOR:
Why?  Why is that, Judas?

JUDAS:
Well...ahhhha...well...

PASTOR:
Please tell us, Judas.  Why doesn't anyone like your name?

JUDAS:
Well...I betrayed Jesus...I sold him...for 30 pieces of silver.

PASTOR:
Thirty pieces of silver?  You sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver?

JUDAS:
I like money and Jesus disappointed me.  I thought he was going to be a great political leader.  He wasn't.  So I told the police where to find him...for a good sum of money, of course.

PASTOR:
Judas, I think you love money. You love money so much, you sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver...and he was then killed.

JUDAS:
I didn't think they were going to kill him.  I just thought they were going to arrest him, ask him some questions, and then let him go.  I never thought they would kill him.

PASTOR:
That's terrible, Judas.  Even if you didn't think they were going to kill Jesus, it was terrible that you betrayed him.

JUDAS:
See?  That's why I never like to talk with people like you. You always bring up the past...like when I betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

PASTOR:
Betrayed him, how?  With a kiss?

JUDAS:
We were all in this old park, with huge old trees.  It was night and very dark.  The soldiers came with torches and lanterns.  They came to arrest Jesus, tie his hands, and put him in jail.  It was dark and they didn't know who Jesus was.so I kissed him...on the cheek…so the soldiers would capture the right man.

PASTOR:
That's terrible, Judas.  What you did to Jesus was awful!

JUDAS:
There you go again.  You and all your Christian friends. You always tell those unkind stories about me.  We've talked long enough. I must go... (Drops down behind the screen) and count my money, money, money!!!

PASTOR:
Well, children, that was Judas. (Then the pastor asks a series of questions of the children; letting them respond) What did you think of Judas, kids?  (Gets answers) Was Judas nice to Jesus?  (Gets answers) What did Judas love more than Jesus?  (Gets answers) Thanks for coming, children.  Next week, come again and we will meet the disciple, Peter.  You may return to your seats.

Back to Dramas

JUDAS:
Why?  Why did I do it?  Sometimes I just don't understand myself.  Sometimes I feel like I sold my soul to the devil. (long pause)

GOD:
Did you, Judas?  (Always speaking very low and very slowly, pausing before and after Judas speaks.)

JUDAS:
Is that you, God?  (Silence) Are you there?  (Silence) Ha!  Just my imagination.  I am not sure if there is a God at all.  Just voices.  Tricks in my mind.  (Long silence)

GOD:
Having doubts, Judas?

JUDAS:
That voice is always playing games with me, but it's only a voice ... just a voice in my mind ... that's all.

(Long pause)

GOD:
Are you sure?

JUDAS:
No, not for sure.  (Pause)

GOD:
Judas ... you are a ... thief?

JUDAS:
Ha!  Playing games with me, aren't you, voice. Trying to make me feel guilty about two days ago.

GOD:
Two days ago???

JUDAS:
You know.  Bethany.  That woman was slobbering Jesus with tears and expensive perfume.  Her sentimentality was nauseating.  That perfume was worth 300 denarii ... a year's wages ... one ton of money!

GOD:
Concerned about the money, Judas?

JUDAS:
A person should be.  That perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.  That's what Jesus should have done.  He should have said, "Lady, cut out that expensive waste.  Sell your perfume and give the money to the needy children."  That's what he should have said.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

JUDAS:
There you go again.  The next thing you're going to do is accuse me of stealing from the treasury ... from the money we used to buy food and give to the poor...

GOD:
Yesssssssss?

JUDAS:
Now, I admit ... on occasion ... I was short of cash.  I admit I borrowed from our discipleship fund but I always paid it back. Let me repeat:  I always paid it back!

GOD:
Did you?  Did you always pay it back?

JUDAS:
Well ... uhahah ... no ... but ... most of the time.

GOD:
Judas?  Do you love money more than me?

JUDAS:
God, I know money exists, but I am not sure if you exist. You may only be a voice to me. I can feel money.  I can rub it between my fingers. I can touch it, kiss it, and handle it.  But you?  You, I can only trust that you exist. I can’t see you or prove you. I can money.

GOD:
Oh, Judas!  Can you touch love?  Can you rub love between your fingers? Can you touch happiness?  Can you rub happiness between your fingers?

JUDAS:
There you go again, voice sounding just like Jesus, asking the same questions of me. You and Jesus always say the same thing.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.  I wonder why.  (Pause ... silence ... Judas walks around nervously.) Judas what happened yesterday?

JUDAS:
Yesterday?

GOD:
Yesterday.

JUDAS:
I would rather not talk about it.

GOD:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

JUDAS:
Your voice never quits, does it?  Your voice always comes after me. You never stop, do you? OK.  I will tell you.  I went to the chief priests. I knew they wanted to kill Jesus, in order to avoid mobs, scenes, and riots.  So, I offered to cooperate ... to help them ... find Jesus when he was alone...

GOD:
Is that all?

JUDAS:
There was a small sum of money involved.  Not much.  Only 30 pieces of silver.  It wasn't like the 300 denarii. That woman was wasting a lot of expensive perfume for Jesus’ body.

GOD:
You do love money, don't you, Judas

JUDAS:
I'm ... I'm not sure.

GOD:
Did you love my Son? (Long pause)

JUDAS:
No.

GOD:
Did you know him?

JUDAS:
Yes, of course, I knew him. We spent three year together. I kept the treasury box for him. I heard all his teachings. I listened to his parables. I saw him work miracles. We were together night and day for three whole years.

GOD:
But, did you love him?

JUDAS:
I told you, I knew him.  I spent time with him:  fishing together, traveling together, walking together.

GOD:
But, did you know his heart? Did you know what was inside his heart?

JUDAS:
No, not really.

GOD:
I was in his heart.  My love.  My kindness.  My forgiveness. My joy ... was all in his heart.

JUDAS:
But ... but ... but ... you are only a voice ... maybe! You are only questions in my mind ... I think.

GOD:
Judas ... I love you ... very much. I created you to be loving, like Jesus. Underneath your hard shell, there is love and goodness.  Come ... be open ... let me enter your heart and live in you.

JUDAS:
How can you say that to me ... that you love me ... after what I did? I stole from the treasury ... I betrayed your Son with a kiss ... I ... it was I ... who arranged for your Son to be killed. How can you say that you love me?

GOD:
But I do love you ... and will forgive you.

JUDAS:
I can't stand it any more. I can't stand that voice. I can't stand what I have done. I can't stand what I have become. I… I ... I ... I ... I am going to ... kill myself. (Exits out the door.)

GOD:
Oh, Judas, no.  No ...  Don’t.

Back to Dramas

(SETTING:  Fishing net over Communion Table.)

PASTOR:
Children, why don't you come up front for the puppet show? I have a friend I want you to meet. Please, I want you all to be seated there on the floor, outside the Communion rail.  If you all sit there you will be able to see. OK?  (Gets everyone seated ... welcoming.) Well, kids, who did we talk to last week? Do you remember his name?

CHILDREN:
Judas.  (They will respond like a cheering chorus.)

PASTOR:
Children, did Judas love Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Nooooooooooo.

PASTOR:
Did Judas betray Jesus with a kiss?

CHILDREN:
Yesssssssss.

PASTOR:
Do you remember - What did Judas love more than he loved Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Money!

PASTOR:
Good answers, kids.  OK, well tonight I want you to meet another friend ... Simon Peter is his name.  I'll knock and see if he is home ... (Knocks seven times, rhythmically.)

PETER:
(Pause)  Hi there everyone.  (Booming laugh)  Good to see you all.

PASTOR:
Hi, Peter.  I'm Pastor O'Neal and these are friends here from Grace Lutheran Church.  They want to meet you.

PETER:
I want to meet you, too, children.  (Booming laugh) You seem to be nice little kids.

PASTOR:
Are you nice little kids, children? (Simon Peter grabs net - plays with it.)

CHILDREN:
Yessssss  (all shouting).

PASTOR:
What's that in your hand, Peter?

PETER:
You know, Pastor O'Neal.  It's a fishing net.

PASTOR:
Why do you have a fishing net?

PETER:
Because I am a fisherman.  I love to go fishing ... and I love seeing this net full ... (booming laugh) I mean really full ... of fish.

PASTOR:
Weren't you fishing the first time you met Jesus?

PETER:
You better believe it.  I'll never forget that day. (Booming laugh again)  Ho, Ho, ho.  Wow.  My kid brother, Andrew, and I were fishing partners, along with two good fishing buddies; James and John There were four of us.  That night we had fished all night and caught nothing. You kids ever been fishing?  (Starts to banter with the kids) You have? What kind of fish do you catch? Do you kids use a fishing pole or a net? Do you use worms for bait?  (Get kids talking with him about fishing.)

PASTOR:
Then what happened, Peter?  I want to hear the story.

PETER:
Oh, yeah.  The story.  We fished all night and caught nothin.  Then the next morning, Jesus comes along and says:  "Simon Peter, the crowds here want me to teach them about God.  Would you row me out in your boat and I will preach from your boat? Kids, have you ever seen a preacher preach from a boat? (Booming laugh) Can you imagine ... your pastor preaching from a boat?  He'd get seasick.  (Booming laugh) Well, I never met a preacher preaching in a boat until I met Jesus.

PASTOR:
Peter, would you please tell us the story?

PETER:
I am.  I am.  After Jesus finished preaching, he says: "Peter, put out into the deep water so we can catch some fish" I said, "Lord, we fished all night and caught nothin" ... and Jesus looked me in the eye, and said,  "Peter, go into the deep water and put your nets over there."

PASTOR:
What happened?  ... What happened?

PETER:
Bingo!  (Booming laugh)  You never saw so many fish, kids.  There were so many fish, the two boats started to sink. And then you know what happened, kids?

CHILDREN:
What?

PETER:
Do you know what Jesus said?

CHILDREN:
What?

PETER:
Jesus said, "Peter, I'm going to make you fishers of men and women and boys and girls ... from now on, you're going to catch people for God."

PASTOR:
Wow!  That's quite a story, Peter.

PETER:
And I've been fishing for people ever since. Hey, kids ... do you believe in Jesus?

CHILDREN:
Yesssss!!!

PETER:
Good ... so do I. You see, if you love Jesus with all your heart, he has already caught you in his net and put you in his boat.

PASTOR:
Sounds like you were a good and faithful disciple, Peter.

PETER:
Oh, no.  Don't get that picture.  I denied Jesus three times. Three times I pretended that I didn't know him.

PASTOR:
You did?  Tell us about it.

PETER:
No, that's another story for another time.  I have to run. (Peter exits.)

PASTOR:
Thanks Peter. Kids, I want to ask you some questions about Peter. Did Jesus love Peter a whole lot?  (All say yes) Was Peter a fisherman?  (All say yes) Does he want you to be fishers of men and women and boys and girls and catch people for Christ?  (All say yes). Come next week, kids, and we will meet another friend of mine.  Pilate is his name.

Back to Dramas

Chancel Drama: "Peter's Long Night"

GOD:
What are you doing, Peter?

PETER:
Thinking.  Just thinking, Lord.

GOD:
About?

PETER:
About last night. After it was all over, I needed to be alone ... to lick my wounds ... to feel like a failure ... So I came here ... to this lonely, isolated place.

GOD:
Ashamed?

PETER:
Very ashamed, Lord.

GOD::
Why?

PETER:
You know why. I loved him very much. We spent three amazing years together.  Those were the best years of my life. I've never known and loved someone as much as I did Jesus.  He was not only my Lord and master; he had become my very best friend.  I could talk with him about anything ... and I let him down ... when he needed me the most.

GOD:
You regret that!

PETER:
Yes!  I blew it.  (...crying)... I really blew it last night. One disaster after another. It was the worst night of my entire life.

GOD:
Tell me more.

PETER:
Well, (still tearful) ... it began with the Passover Meal. James, John and I were arguing about who was the most important disciple ... the best disciple ... the most faithful disciple. How silly.  What a joke when I think about it.  Jesus overheard us and made us all sit down. He then took a dish towel and a pail of water and began to wash our feet. It was so humiliating.

GOD:
Trying to teach you a lesson you still hadn't learned.

PETER:
I know.  I know. He washed the feet of the other disciples, and as usual, they didn't say a thing.  They were the silent type. He then came to me and looked me squarely in the eye and said, "Peter, your turn." As usual, I shot off my mouth, “No, you don't Lord ... not me." He said:  "If I don't wash you, you will not be truly clean and you cannot be my disciple.” Then I said, "Lord, wash all of me.  My head, my heart my hands ... that I may be truly clean and be your disciple." What a joke ...  me ... truly clean.

GOD:
Did it last?

PETER:
Ha!  My clean heart lasted about an hour. On the way to Gethsemane, he said, "You disciples will desert me." Once again, instinctively, my mouth shot off.  I cannot control my mouth. Lord, why can't I control it?  I said:  "Not me, Lord ... not me ... the others may desert you ... but me?  Never!!!” What a jerk I was for saying such things.

GOD:
He knew the inside of your heart better than you did.

PETER:
Then he went to the garden ... and there ... the good old faithful disciple that I was ... I fell asleep while he was praying ... old reliable himself that I am. He called me the rock, but the rock cracked under pressure.

GOD:
You're being hard on yourself, Peter.

PETER:
You think this is bad.  I'm not done with the whole story yet. Then the soldiers came. Jesus had never hurt anyone.  He never lifted his hand or mouth to strike.  He was the prince of peace. He told us again and again ... No violence ... no revenge ... love your enemies ... pray for those who hurt you.

GOD:
Did you?

PETER:
Ha!  When they grabbed Jesus and began to rough him up, I grabbed a sword and cut off a man's ear. Instinctively ... in a flash ... in a fit of rage, I grabbed a knife and slashed.

GOD:
That's human nature, but not my nature (slowly).

PETER:
It happened so fast inside of me.

GOD:
It always does ... anger ... revenge ... flashes of temper.

PETER:
Walking in the way of peace is not easy, Lord.

GOD:
I never said it would be.

PETER:
And then I ran away. What a coward.

GOD:
(Long pause)  About the courtyard.

PETER:
You don't want to hear.

GOD:
You need to tell.

PETER:
That wasn't so pretty, either.  Jesus was inside the home of the judge.  I was outside in the courtyard ... by the fire ... warming my hands. This lady came up to me. "You were with him."  I said, "You're crazy, lady." So I got away from her. I went out to the gate but she followed me and again pointed her finger and said, "You're one of them." I denied it. To escape her, I began talking with the men by the gate. They said, "You have an accent, a Galilean accent. You must be one of them." So I began to cuss and swear and use every four-letter word I knew.

GOD:
Oh, Peter.

PETER:
Then the rooster crowed...and I remembered what Jesus had said. It was like a knife cut through my heart.  (Painful cry) I felt terrible ... like I was bleeding inside ... So ...  I ran and ran and ran ...  And here I am ... all alone ... in this lonely place ... with you.

GOD:
Do you remember Capernaum? ... After the transfiguration? You asked Jesus:  "How many times shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him ... seven times?"

PETER:
Jesus said:  "No, Peter.  Seventy times seven."

GOD:
Yes.  Infinitely!  Again and again and again ...  (slowly) I am forgiveness.  (Pause)

PETER:
Am I forgiven for last night?

GOD:
Yes.

PETER:
Thank you, Lord, I needed to hear that. Be with me, Lord, in the days that lie ahead.  I'm going to need your help to make it.

GOD:
I am always with you, Peter

PETER:
I'll count on you, Lord.

Back to Dramas

IV Puppet Show: Pilate, The Busy Bureaucrat

SETTING:  Books, inkwell or pen, papers on altar

PASTOR:
I wonder if many children are here with us tonight? Why don't all of you children come up here to meet a friend of mine?  Come on up. So that everyone can see and hear, remember that you need to sit on the floor.  Great!  I know you remember the other people you've met here. Can you tell me their names? Who did we meet first? The one who loved all the money?

CHILDREN:
Judas!!!

PASTOR:
What do you remember about Judas?

CHILDREN:
(They will shout different answers.)

PASTOR:
Who was the second person we met? Do you remember from last week?

CHILDREN:
Peter.

PASTOR:
What do you remember about Peter?

CHILDREN:
(They will shout different answers.)

PASTOR:
I can tell you've been listening and learning about the people who knew Jesus. Well, tonight I'd like you to meet someone else who knew Jesus. His name is Pilate.  Let me see if he's here. (Knocks several times, saying, "Pilate, Pilate" but no response.  Turns to children.)Can you help me?  I know Pilate is a busy man. If I knock three times and we all call "Pilate, Pilate" really loudly together, maybe Pilate will hear us. Ready? (Knock three times, then signal children.)

PASTOR AND CHILDREN:
Pilate, Pilate!

PILATE:
(Sound of shuffling papers, book slamming shut)  Who is bothering me now? Don’t they know how busy I am?  Oh, it’s you, Pastor Markquart.  What do want?

PASTOR:
Well, Pilate, remember I told you I was going to bring some of my friends to meet you.

PASTOR:
Oh, that's right.  I am a busy man.  I am an important man.  I work for the king of the whole world.  Caesar Augustus is his name.  He lives in Rome.

PASTOR:
Wow, kids, that's impressive.  He works for Caesar Augustus, the ruler of the whole world.  Pilate, do you think you have just a few minutes to talk with us?

PILATE:
A few minutes.  That’s all. This report can wait.  I write a lot of reports you know ... for Caesar.  Have to let everyone know what's happening, and (he seems to go on chatting indefinitely).

PASTOR:
(Butting in) Wait a minute, Pilate.  I don't want to be rude, but I have a question.  Aren't you the governor who sentenced Jesus to suffer and die?

PILATE:
(Sighs deeply and hangs head; speaks softly) Yes ... (with hesitation) and no.

PASTOR:
Excuse me?  Pilate, could you speak up so we can hear you?  Aren't you the one who sentenced Jesus to death?

PILATE:
(Sighing deeply again, but speaking louder)  Yes ... and no.

PASTOR:
What do you mean, yes and no?  Come on, Pilate, tell us the whole story.

PILATE:
Well, the chief priests in the temple wanted to get rid of Jesus, to have him killed. They were jealous of Jesus. Because I was a judge, they brought Jesus to me.  They made up three lies about Jesus.

PASTOR:
Three lies?  (Holds up three fingers)

PILATE:
The first lie:  They accused Jesus of being a trouble-maker.

PASTOR:
Children, did you hear that?  They accused Jesus of being a trouble-maker.  Do you children think that Jesus was a troublemaker?  (Pastor shakes head, "no.")

CHILDREN:
No!!!!!

PILATE:
The second lie:  They accused Jesus of telling the people not to pay taxes.

PASTOR:
Not to pay taxes????  Do you children think that Jesus told the people not to pay taxes?  (Pastor shakes head, "no.")

CHILDREN:
No!!!!!

PILATE:
The third lie? Jesus said that he was a king. That was the problem.  You can't have two kings. There can only be one king.  Caesar or Jesus. I sided with the king of Rome.

PASTOR:
Kids, do you think Jesus is king? (nods his head yes.)

CHILDREN:
Yesssss.

PASTOR:
A lot of kids don’t agree with you, Pilate. They think Jesus is king.

PILATE:
That’s the way it was in Jesus’ day. Because so many people believed Jesus was king, I had to do something.

PASTOR:
What happened then?

PILATE:
I still tried to save Jesus. But the Jewish leaders wanted him to die ... I offered them a choice of Jesus or Barabbas. Barabbas was one of the meanest, most evil men in prison.  ...But the crowd chose Barabbas to be freed.

PASTOR:
You let them choose Barabbas, a murderer, a killer, to be set free, instead of Jesus?

PILATE:
It was not my best choice.  After the crowds chose Barabbas, I washed my hands of the whole matter.  (Wrings hands and continues "washing" hands throughout the remainder of the play)  Perhaps I made a mistake.

PASTOR:
I think you made a mistake Jesus and these kids here do as well. You should not have sentenced Jesus to die and free that murderer Barabbas. 

PILATE:
I wash my hands of it!  And now, I must get back to writing my report.  Good day!  (Disappears from sight)

PASTOR:
Well, children, that was Pilate. I have some questions for you: Was Pilate a very busy man?  (Yes) Was Pilate a very important man?  (Yes)Did Pilate work for the world ruler, Caesar Augustus? (Yes) Who is the bigger king:  Jesus or Caesar?  (Jesus) That's right. Well, thanks for coming tonight.  And next week?  You will meet Barabbas himself, the murderer, the killer, so we’ll see you then. You can return to your seats.

Back to Dramas

PILATE:
(Sitting, talking to himself):  Reports, reports!!! I have much more important things to do than write up a report every time we crucify some revolutionary and a couple of thieves! That Jesus sure was different though. Not the typical revolutionary. I still think it had more to do with the Jews' crazy religion than Jesus claiming to be a king. I'm not sure just what the truth really is.

GOD:
What is truth, Pilate?

PILATE:
(Standing up from his desk):  What was that? Who's there?  ... Guard?  (Pause)Zeus? ...  Who are you anyhow? …

GOD:
I am the God of the Jews. I am the one who sent Jesus into the world. Jesus whom you crucified.

PILATE:
I didn't crucify him. The Jews did that.

GOD:
You ignored my warning.

PILATE:
No!  I didn't!  I listened to my wife! I wanted to release Jesus.  I had nothing against him. It was the crowds of people who wanted him crucified, not me. I wanted to let him go.

GOD:
Why didn't you?

PILATE:
There was too much pressure! There would have been a riot!  I had no choice but to turn him over to the people. My job is to keep peace in the province at any cost….  I didn't want Jesus to be killed.  I certainly didn't want his innocent blood on my hands. So I washed my hands of the whole business ... In public, too, so that all could see I was not responsible. I am not responsible. (Begins wiping his hands with a bloody cloth and that nervous gesture persists throughout the play.)

GOD:
(Ever so slowly) Did you wash away your guilt as easily as you washed your hands?

PILATE:
I'm not guilty. I wanted to set Jesus free ... I wanted to save him, but they would not let me.

GOD:
You are the governor. You had the authority not to kill him.

PILATE:
I used my authority to maintain the peace. One man's life is not too great a sacrifice if it will keep peace. Who was this Jesus anyway ...  the one who was called the king of the Jews?

GOD:
He was my Son.

PILATE:
Why did your people want him to die if he was your Son?

GOD:
 (Slowly)  Jealousy. They did not know him.

PILATE:
Neither did I, but I didn't want him to die. But what else could I have done?

GOD:
Yes, Pilate, what else could you have done?

PILATE:
I could have told the chief priests off ... I could have told them what I really thought. I tried, but they wouldn't listen. Your people are a stubborn people God. They would not listen to reason. Why did I let them pressure me? Yes, I could have spared Jesus' life ... I could have saved him ... It all happened so quickly.

GOD:
What about the way he died?

PILATE:
Yes, I could have at least spared him the scourging and the mocking. I could have stopped the soldiers from making fun of him. I could have had him killed in another way ... The way he died was terrible.

GOD:
Yes.

PILATE:
He was gentle sort of man. I could have spoken a word of comfort to him, in private of course.  I could have let him know that I didn't want him to die.

GOD:
But you did none of those things.

PILATE:
It was all so crazy ... All the shouting and commotion. I had to make quick decisions. There was no time for sentiment. I just cannot let my personal feelings stop me from doing Caesar’s work ... Caesar and Rome must come first!

GOD:
You gave in to crowd pressure, Pilate. You tried to please the crowd. You tried to save your own skin.

PILATE:
I have washed my hands again and again of this man's blood …but… my guilt still remains.

GOD:
The blood that you wash from your hands is the very blood that takes away your sin and guilt.

PILATE:
Oh Lord, what have I done?

GOD:
It is not what you did, Pilate.  It was what you could have done but did not.

PILATE:
Oh, how I want to be at peace with myself ... I want to be able to sleep at night again. I used poor judgment ... I am sorry. Could Jesus forgive me for what I have done to him? Could you forgive me for what I have done to your Son? What am I to do now?

GOD:
Believe in the one who was crucified ... In him is forgiveness ... In him is truth.

PILATE:
Is it true that even I, Pontius Pilate, can be forgiven?

GOD:
Yes, that is true. You can be forgiven. That is the truth.

PILATE:
Puts downs the bloody rag. Pauses. Leaves.)


Back to Dramas

V Puppet Show: Barabbas, The Murderer

SETTING:  No special props

PASTOR:
It's time, kids!  Why don't you come on up for our puppet show tonight? That's right, Please remember, you all need to sit down on the floor so everyone else can see.  Can you recall who we're going to meet tonight?

CHILDREN:
Barabbas!

PASTOR:
That's right!  What great memories you have. Let's see if Barabbas is here, shall we?  (Knocks on the altar)  Barabbas, oh Barabbas ... are you here? Come on out ... We'd like to talk with you.

BARABBAS:
Humph ... who's there?  (Gruffly) Oh ... oh ... its' you ... What do you want now, Pastor O'Neal?

PASTOR:
Well, Barabbas, don't be grouchy.  I just wanted to talk with you for a few minutes.

BARABBAS:
OK.  OK.  I have time to spare. ... Plenty of time now that I'm free again.

PASTOR:
Hold it, Barabbas.  Before you get into what's going on in your life now, why not tell us a little about yourself.  Kind of your life story  ... an autobiography.

BARABBAS:
OK. I had a pretty normal life as a child, Pastor O'Neal. I have several brothers and sisters. I am the oldest. My father was a rabbi, or teacher.  He was a very important and respected man.

PASTOR:
Well, Barabbas, I bet you wanted to be a rabbi, just like your father?

BARABBAS:
Never!  Even though my father was important, he couldn't change things.

PASTOR:
Couldn’t change things? What kind of things?

BARABBAS:
Things like the Romans living here and ruling our country. The Romans don't belong here!  (Emphatically) We gotta get rid of the Romans, even kill them.

PASTOR:
So what did you do, Barabbas?

BARABBAS:
I joined other people who felt like I did.  We are all revolutionaries, people who want to change things by power and violence.  I became a ring leader.

PASTOR:
Were you able to make changes?

BARABBAS:
Some ... But then one day we were fighting with the soldiers.  Some of them were killed.  I was arrested and put into jail.  Pilate told me I was going to die because I had killed a soldier and was always causing trouble.

PASTOR:
What happened?  You're here today!

BARABBAS:
I know!  I waited and waited for the soldiers to come and get me ... Then, I heard them --- clomp, clomp, clomping down the stairs.  The keys rattled at the door, then it opened.

PASTOR:
And ... (expectantly)

BARABBAS:
And one soldier shouted, "Barabbas -- out!  You're free to go!" I couldn't believe my ears!  Free to go -- me? When I questioned the soldiers, they said, "You're free. Someone else will die in your place." Die in my place? Weird.

PASTOR:
I bet you were surprised!

BARABBAS:
I was.  But I didn't stick around to find out who that person was to die in my place. I left quickly to find my friends.

PASTOR:
Did your friends know what had happened?

BARABBAS:
A few of them did.  They told me that Jesus, a teacher, was going to die instead of me.

PASTOR:
Wow. Did you know who Jesus was?

BARABBAS:
Nah, not really.  I'd heard he liked people like me, people who didn't fit in.  And that he claimed to be God's Son.  But I didn't really know why he died instead of me.

PASTOR:
I know.  You see, the chief priests wanted to get rid of Jesus. So they arranged for Pilate to sentence him to death. Pilate didn't really want Jesus to die. Pilate didn't know what to do.  Then Pilate remembered there was a prisoner in jail ... you!  Pilate always let one prisoner free for the Passover, so Pilate asked the crowd who he should release.  They said you, Barabbas! 

BARABBAS:
(Shaking head)  It still doesn't make a lot of sense to me. …  I saw the crowd following Jesus as he carried his cross on his way to die. Jesus looked so tired and sad.  The cross he was carrying was so heavy.  That should have been me ... Jesus carried my cross!  Jesus died to save me, of all people!

PASTOR:
You're right.  Barabbas.  But you know something? ... Jesus died to save me and everyone in this room, too! Jesus died for all people.  Jesus carried the cross and died because he loves all of us.

BARABBAS:
Really, Pastor.  Does Jesus love everyone ...even someone like me?

PASTOR:
Yes, Barabbas. Even someone like you … and me. We sometimes sing a song about God’s love for all of us. Kids, can you sing a song with me to let Barabbas know about Jesus' love? Let's sing "Jesus Loves Me" ... You all know it. Let’s sing for Barabbas and everyone here tonight.

PASTOR AND CHILDREN sing:
"Jesus Loves Me."

BARABBAS:
Thank you for singing, kids.  To think that Jesus loves me. That is awesome. And he died instead of me. Instead of you.

PASTOR:
Thank you, Barabbas, for talking with us tonight. And thank you, kids, for sharing Jesus' love! I'll see you next week when we'll meet another person who knew Jesus.  His name is Dysmas. See you then!

Back to Dramas

SETTING:  Barabbas running out on stage extremely excited and at the same time confused that he is free and does not have to die.

BARABBAS:
Ha!  I can't believe I'm free!  It's unbelievable! What could have happened?  Why would Pilate let me go free? It's proof that God wants the revolution to continue! The God of Abraham has delivered me so that I might continue to drive the Romans out of Palestine.  Those Roman fools don't know what they've done. I'll pave the streets of Palestine with Roman blood!

GOD:
Barabbas.

BARABBAS:
I am here.

GOD:
Why this talk of bloodshed?

BARABBAS:
It's the only way to accomplish our task God.  We must rid Palestine of Roman rule and return the land to your people. Revolution! ... It's the only way!

GOD:
The only way?

BARABBAS:
Yes! The only way! How will we drive out the Romans if not by force and violence?  Isn't that why you set me free?

GOD:
No!

BARABBAS:
I suppose you have a better way!

GOD:
I do.

BARABBAS:
What could that be, God? Nothing will ever change unless it is through violence and force. The revolution must go on!  This is our land and we will take it back from the Roman pigs.

BARABBAS:
Sure.  He was in prison at the same time I was. Some believed that he was a great revolutionary. They even called him a king. He sure turned out to be a big disappointment.  He never even defended himself.  He shouldn't have been in prison at all.

GOD:
(As always, slowly) You do not understand, do you, Barabbas?

BARABBAS:
Understand what?  All I understand is that to save our nation the Romans must be destroyed.  And I'm prepared to do just that. Destroy them, I say.

GOD:
Do you know why you are free?

BARABBAS:
To continue the revolution and to establish Israel as a free nation.

GOD:
Do you know how you came to be set free?

BARABBAS:
Uh, no ... I guess I don't really know how it all happened.

GOD:
Look over there ... What do you see on the hill?

BARABBAS:
(Squinting)  I see one, two, three crosses ... And people ... it looks like the two thieves I met in prison and the one in the center is Jesus from Nazareth. Why? ... Why is Jesus on the cross?  He wasn't guilty of any crime.

GOD:
The cross in the center is yours.

BARABBAS:
You mean the cross Jesus is on ... that was the cross I was to die on?

GOD:
Yes.

BARABBAS:
Are you trying to tell me that this man Jesus has taken my place on the cross ... that he has died in my place?

GOD:
Now you are beginning to see.

BARABBAS:
But, why would he do that?  I don't know Jesus.  And he didn't know me.  Did Jesus want the revolution to continue too?

GOD:
Barabbas, Barabbas.  Your ways are not my ways.  Your thoughts are not my thoughts.

BARABBAS:
That seems to be true.  But what does that have to do with Jesus dying on the cross in my place?

GOD:
This is my way.  The way of the cross.

BARABBAS:
How does your way change anything?  How can anyone bring about change in our world by dying on a cross?

GOD:
Barabbas, your way is the way of force and violence. The way of Jesus is the way of love and gentleness.

BARABBAS:
Love and gentleness is of no use in the revolution. Jesus' death on the cross makes no difference in the cause of freedom.

GOD:
His death has set you free.

BARABBAS:
You mean that freedom comes from one man's death on a cross? ... What kind of freedom is that?

GOD:
Freedom to walk in my ways, not yours.  My kingdom is not of this world.

BARABBAS:
Is Jesus a king in your kingdom?

GOD:
Jesus is the King of kings.  Jesus died so that you might live. He died so that you would learn to walk in the paths of peace. The greatest revolution is when the Prince of Peace begins to live in human hearts.

BARABBAS: