DRAMA—SERIES A—WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Bible reference: John 13:21–32
ONE OF YOU IS GOING TO BETRAY ME
Characters: Four, plus voice of God
(Persons 1 to 4 enter and stand chatting with each other. When the Voice speaks they all look upward at some prearranged part of the ceiling to create the impression that they are talking to God. They look there whenever they address the Voice throughout the play)
VOICE:
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I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.
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VOICE:
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I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.
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ALL:
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We would never betray you!
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ALL:
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(Each pointing at someone else, make sure everyone is pointed at)
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Well, maybe he/she would. (All look shocked to find someone pointing at them)
VOICE:
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I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.
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(1,2,3 and 4 form a huddle)
1:
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We’ll have to ask him which one he means.
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2:
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(To 1) Well, you ask him.
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1:
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(To 2) No, you ask him.
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4:
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(Exasperated) Well, someone better ask him!
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1,2 & 3:
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(Shoving 4 forward) Then you ask him! (1,2 & 3 huddle together in background)
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4:
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(Nervously) Um...er...Lord...look, we were just talking, and er...discussing, and we were worried, no, wondering...that is to say, um...speculating...
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1:
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(Running out of patience) Oh, for heaven’s sake!
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1:
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Or maybe you’re chicken (Makes chicken noises)
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2:
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Maybe you’re afraid of the answer.
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3:
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(Pointing accusingly) Maybe it’s you!
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4:
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(Going over to them) And maybe it’s you (Points to 3 and then the others) or you, or you.
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ALL:
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(Suddenly desperate to know) Lord, who is it?
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VOICE:
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It’s the one who eats my bread and drinks my wine. The one I love. The one I died for. It’s the one who is called Christian. (All look shocked)
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ALL:
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(Pointing out into audience) And them!
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2:
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(Goes to the front of the stage and kneels, others watch) Forgive us, Lord, for betraying you.
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We may not have betrayed you for thirty pieces of silver, but we betray you by putting money and material possessions ahead of our relationship with you.
4:
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(Joining 2) Forgive us, Lord, for betraying you. We may not have betrayed you with a kiss, but we betray you by claiming to love you, then living our lives as if you don’t exist.
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3:
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(Joining them) Forgive us, Lord, for betraying you. We may not have betrayed you by handing you over to those who would crucify you, but we betray you by keeping silent when others malign you, ridicule you, and put you on trial.
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4:
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(Joining them) Forgive us, Lord, for betraying you. We may not have betrayed innocent blood, but we betray you by taking your sacrifice for granted and by failing to tell others the good news of what you have done for them.
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ALL:
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Forgive us, Lord. (All stand and exit)
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© Verena Johnson 1998
Permission is given for the owner of this disk to make sufficient copies of this script for their group or congregation, for rehearsal and performance purposes only.
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