Progressive Baptist Church's Website
(I really love the first scene that was incorporated into this skit. It is a variation of the original, SANHEDRIN, written by Bob Snook. It may not be sold under any circumstances.) NARRATOR: When Jesus was teaching, healing, and performing miracles throughout the lands, the Chief Priest, Scribes, and Elders were angry and jealous because Jesus was the center of attention. They didn't see Jesus as the Son of God, only as serious competition.
SPELLMAN: Council, I followed Jesus as you requested and I'm here to report my findings. SCRIBE 1: Okay, how much profit did we make on the wine sale at that wedding in Cana? SPELLMAN: Well sir...None. I was too late. Jesus was already there. SCRIBE 1: And? Did Jesus just happen to bring a hundred and twenty gallons of wine with Him to the wedding? SPELLMAN: No sir! He changed water into wine. SCRIBE 1: He did what? That would take a miracle! SPELLMAN: Yes sir. It was a miracle! SCRIBE 2: Okay! What about all of those people at the Sea of Galilee? I know we made a fortune there. I heard there were over 3,000 starving people at the sea. SPELLMAN: Well over 5,000 people, sir; and Jesus of Nazareth fed them all with five small barley loaves and two small fish. It was another miracle sir. SCRIBE 2: Jesus of Nazareth? Nazareth? Hum! For a minute there I thought He might be the Messiah. We were expecting the Messiah to show up anytime now. But He'll come from King David's hometown of Bethlehem. So this Jesus is from Nazareth? He's obviously an imposter. SPELLMAN: I don't think so, sir. When that man Lazarus died, I went to Bethany to swindle his sisters out of their property, but Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. PRIEST 1: Don't be silly, Spellman. That would take a miracle! SPELLMAN: That's what I've been trying to tell you. They're all miracles, sir. PRIEST 1: Who is this Jesus and what shall we do with Him? He's performing miracles all over the lands. If we let Him go on, soon all men will believe in Him. Jesus must die! NICODEMUS: Does our law condemn any man before he is given a hearing? PRIEST 2: Nicodemus, are you from Galilee? Don't you know that no prophets come from that country?........Spellman, the next time Jesus of Nazareth shows up here in Jerusalem, I want Him arrested and killed. SPELLMAN: He's as good as dead, sir!
NARRATOR: The next few days were busy ones. Along with the excitement of Passover Week was an undercurrent of tension and fear.
MARY: You can't be serious, Mary Magdalene! MAGDALENE: I tell you Mary, there's going to be trouble. The women at the well said the Sanhedrin won't tolerate any more nonsense from Jesus! Mark my words, no good can come of this. MARY: But, my dear, how can you or I know what is good? Who knows God's plan? Jesus is not only my Son; He's God's Son too. And surely God knows what is happening. Do you think it hurts any less because I know Jesus was only loaned to Joseph and me? (drops face in hand) Oh, Magdalene. I'm afraid this burden is too great. (Magdalene puts arm around Mary. They hear the sound of running footsteps outside; John rushes in)
JOHN: Mary! They've done it! The Chief Priests and Elders came while we were on Mount Olive and took Jesus! You should have seen that Judas! Coming up and kissing Jesus, then turning Him over to the mob! Peter took his sword and cut off the ear of one of the fellows. MAGDALENE: Yes, Peter would try to defend Jesus. But what did Jesus do? JOHN: Jesus put the man's ear back on and it stopped bleeding immediately. MARY: (nodding) Yes, that's just what Jesus would do. But where is my Son now, John? JOHN: They took Him to the house of the Chief Priest. MARY: (heading toward door) Then I must go and be with Him. JOHN: No! There's nothing you can do. And He'd feel worse to have you see Him this way. MARY: What way? JOHN: All tied up. No Mary, you stay here and I'll bring word back as soon as I hear something. Take care of her, Magdalene.
MAGDALENE: I'll make us some tea, Mary. It's going to be a long night. NARRATOR: It was indeed a long night. In the morning, it was John who brought word that Jesus had appeared before Pilate, who sent Him to Herod, but Herod returned Him to Pilate. (John enters)
JOHN: Pilate still tried to let Jesus go. MAGDALENE: Well, couldn't he? JOHN: No, he couldn't. That entire, cursed crowd kept yelling and crying for Jesus' blood! MARY: So? JOHN: (voice choked) And so they've taken Him to Golgotha. MARY: (leaves seat and clutches John around the legs) Golgotha! That's where they.......... JOHN: (gently taking Mary's face in his hands) Yes! Yes, Mary. They're crucifying Him. MARY: Then, I must go John.
PILATE: I am Pilate. I found no fault in Jesus at all. Yet, I gave Him to the mob, they demanded with a loud call. I am Pilate. I was weak and did not take a stand. Then I tried to wash away Jesus' blood from my hand. I am Pilate. I'm filled with shame to think that I allowed, a heartless crowd to crucify a man by scorn unbowed.
HIGH PRIEST: The Nazarene is dead! We've crucified the one they called Jesus! (laughs and exits)
MAGDALENE: Oh Mary, it hurts so much. Jesus was the kindest, Godliest, most innocent person alive. How could this happen? MARY: (clutching arms and rocking back and forth) Just thirty-three years ago I held Him in my arms in that stable in Bethlehem. So much has happened since then. I should have understood that He would have to die. That's the only way He could be the Savior of the world. I could hardly bear to watch my Son on that horrible cross. He didn't deserve that Magdalene. MAGDALENE: I know. I don't understand any of this right now. MARY: Where are John and the others? MAGDALENE: Scattered. In hiding mostly. John said he would return later when he had news. Until then, try to rest. MARY: Listen! Someone's coming! (brightens up, then sighs) I thought for a minute they were Jesus' steps. I can't seem to remember He won't be coming back again. MAGDALENE: Don't Mary! Don't let yourself think that way! I'll get the door. Someone is coming.
MAGDALENE: John! What's the news? JOHN: I heard that Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could bury Jesus. Pilate said yes, so Joseph laid Jesus in a cave. A great stone was put in front of the opening and guards were posted to keep anyone from going near it. I guess someone is afraid we'd steal the body and pretend Jesus arose like He said He would. MAGDALENE: You think He might? JOHN: I don't know. I saw Jesus work miracles. If you or I had died, I think Jesus could have raised us back to life. But He's the one dead! Who can raise Him?......Well, I'd better go. If I hear anything more, I'll try to let you know. MARY: Bye John. I think I'll try to rest now, Magdalene.
NARRATOR: Jesus loved young children and they surely loved Him. He once told His disciples to let the little children come to Him. They would remember this and come sadly to the tomb. ABBY: Why did they harm Jesus? He never hurt anyone, but they put that crown of thorns on His head and hit Him really hard. That was so mean. Why did they do that? TERRY: God promised to be with us all. Jesus said He must die for our sins. ABBY: Why must He do that? TERRY: Because He loves us so. We must remember that always. Jesus died to give us a new tomorrow filled with hope and no more sorrow. Rebecca: Terry's right, Abby. When Jesus came down from Heaven, it was just the beginning. For His face was set toward Calvary, because He loved everyone. He died on the cross and was buried here, but this grave can't hold Him. You see, as long as we keep Jesus in our hearts, He will always be alive. Come on, we'd better get back to the others. (children exit)
NARRATOR: Early Sunday morning, just before dawn, everything was still. Then the ground trembled and shook. Another earthquake had come. A mighty angel came down and rolled the stone away from the grave.
GUARD 1: (points to stone) See! It was someone who shone like lightning. We both saw him! He just rolled that heavy stone away all by himself. I was so scared I ran. HIGH PRIEST: Shut up you idiot! His disciples will use this to claim He arose from the dead. I want you to tell everyone that while you were asleep, His followers sneaked in and stole His body. You got that? GUARD 1: Yes sir!
GUARD 2: I was on guard when the stones began to shake; I was also filled with fright when the earth began to quake. We were paid to say we were asleep; that disciples stole Him away. But I was wide awake at the empty tomb; it wasn't theft. Jesus arose that day.
NARRATOR: Then came the women who had watched Joseph and Nicodemus lay Jesus' body away. They longed to show their love for their Master. They brought spices and sweet perfume to the tomb for the preparation of Jesus' body. They hurried to perform their last service for their Lord, but were not at the tomb soon enough to do so. JUDITH: I can't believe He's gone. I keep expecting Him to show up anytime. It's hard to accept that it's over. John said that Jesus told the disciples they would see Him again. LEAH: How is that possible Judith? He's dead! JOANNA: How could any of this be happening? Our Lord...dead? It seems like only yesterday when Jesus healed me of those evil spirits; and now today we're going to anoint His body. Poor Jesus! SALOME: It was a senseless death! And if that wasn't enough, the Priests convinced Pilate to post guards at His tomb. LEAH: But why? SALOME: To keep His followers from stealing His body, they say. I think it's to prevent us from giving Him a proper burial. He really deserves a proper burial. LEAH: But if guards are there, that could be a serious problem. If they're not there, we'll still have a problem. I heard John say there is a big stone at the tomb's entrance. How will we roll that stone away? JUDITH: There are four of us. If we push together, we may be able to move the stone. If not, we will have to pray that God shows us a way to get it moved. JOANNA: Look! The tomb is open and the soldiers are no where to be seen. (women move toward tomb; look inside.) It's empty! Where have they taken our Lord's body? Isn't it enough that they murdered Him? Now they refuse to let His body rest. (women hear noises made by angel)
SALOME: What was that? Did you hear it? (angel appear) Angels! (women scream and fall down covering faces)
ANGEL: Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. But why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen as He said. Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again. It is so! Now I have told you. (angel depart; women slowly walk away, excitement building)
LEAH: Risen? Is it possible? Can it be?
JOANNA: It must be! That was an angel speaking to us!
JUDITH: Then Jesus is alive? Yes! Jesus is alive! He has defeated death! Come, we must tell the others. ALL WOMEN: He lives! He lives! Jesus is alive! (women run away excitedly) (Mary Magdalene enters)
NARRATOR: Mary Magdalene returned to the empty tomb longing to find where Her Lord had been taken. Entering the garden again, she stood by the grave and wept. MAGDALENE: Oh no! How could they do this? Oh, God, wasn't it enough that they tortured and killed Him? Now they have desecrated His grave and stolen His body. JESUS: Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for? MAGDALENE: (crying and speaking without looking up) Sir, they've taken my Lord away and I don't know what they've done with Him. I came to prepare His body and.......Sir, if you've carried Him away, tell me where He is and I'll get Him myself. But at least let me....... JESUS: Mary! MAGDALENE: (gasps, turns, and fall to knees) Teacher? JESUS: (takes hand and lifts Mary to her feet) Yes, Mary. MAGDALENE: Teacher! (embraces Jesus) Oh, Lord! Oh, Jesus! JESUS: Yes, Mary. I'm alive! No one has taken me. Now, go find my brothers. Find Peter and the others, tell them I'll meet them in Galilee. MAGDALENE: But.....but how? JESUS: Run now, don't delay. Tell them Jesus is alive! Jesus is risen just as He said. Jesus lives!
