PHILLIP:

(Theme music) Hello! I'm Phillip Ians and this is Jerusalem Today.

CROWD:

(Calls out) Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna to the Lord in the Highest!

SAM:

(Hand on ear as if listening on earpiece, speaks to imaginary camera) Well, Phil, the crowds are slowly and reluctantly starting to break up and return to their homes after today's huge celebrations. I can tell you that the clean-up has begun with garbage contractors starting to pick up the massive numbers of branches and garments that were thrown onto the road as Jesus came down it. Witnesses have said that he rode on the colt of a donkey but I haven't been able to confirm this as yet. I do have with me a number of people who claim they know Jesus.

PHILLIP:

You mentioned the massive clean-up. What have the Roman        authorities said in relation to this? Surely they can't prosecute everyone under the Keep Jerusalem Beautiful Act!

CROWD

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

SAM:

Yes! That's correct. The authorities are quite angry with the crowd and will make their complaints known to both the Hebrew high priests and Pontius Pilate. Quite a number of trees had leaves and branches stripped off them and it is believed that they will need plenty of TLC if they are to survive today's onslaught. Environmentalists are also understandably upset. The talk among some Roman officials is that taxes may have to be raised even higher to pay for this clean-up. I have with me some of Jesus' disciples.

DISCIPLE 1:

We're not even sure ourselves. All we know is that Jesus said that        when we got to Jerusalem he'd be handed over the authorities to be        tortured and killed and that this is meant to be. After today I'm sure that        Jesus won't die.

PHILLIP

      (Interrupting) Sam. Can you ask them about the rumour regarding the        donkey?

SAM

      Can you tell us if Jesus rode in on a donkey?

DISCIPLE 2:

He rode in on a baby donkey, you know, a colt. We had to go and get it        from this place that Jesus told us about. He said that if anyone asked        we should just tell them that he needed it. And that's exactly what        happened. Course we couldn't get the thing to move without its mum,        so we brought her too. She just tagged alongside of the little fella.        They're really strong, those donkeys!

SAM:

      But isn't it tradition that only kings enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey?

DISCIPLE 1:

Yeah, well, you know, Jesus is a real king for sure! (Thoughtfully) But        he says he's a servant too!

SAM:

      I hear the people yelling, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the        name of the Lord.' (Lazarus, Mary and Martha enter and listen) Is this        Jesus from God? Just who is he?

LAZARUS:

      (Interrupting) Ah! Excuse me! I can help you there.

CROWD 1:

      (Excitedly) Look! It's him! There he is! Jesus, please, come over here!

CROWD:

      Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name        of the Lord!

LAZARUS:

      Jesus is the one promised in the Scriptures. He really does come from        God. You'd only have to talk to the people in this crowd today to find        out that Jesus healed many of them in some way. I'm Lazarus. I was        dead but Jesus gave me back my life.

SAM

      (Shocked) You! You're the man who came back to life?

CROWD 2:

      Hey! Look, everyone! It's Lazarus; the one Jesus raised up from the        dead! Lazarus, come over here and tell us about Jesus! (Lazarus exits)

SAM

      So! Ah... OK ...um (To Mary and Martha) Are you ladies Lazarus's        sisters?

MARTHA:

      Yes, we are.

SAM

      Ladies, what is your relationship to this man Jesus?

MARY:

      (Passionately) He's my Lord and he's my friend. I would follow him        anywhere. Jesus has given me so much. He gave me back my brother        and he has given me so much joy and love and peace in my heart.        Today is proof of his greatness. He is the King of Israel sent to save        us. I just pray he doesn't have to die like he says will happen.

MARTHA:

      Jesus often comes to stay at our house with his disciples. I'm sure we're        the only place where he gets decent food in his belly, my cooking is        quite renowned! And it's true, he brought our brother back to us. I was        pretty cross with Jesus for not coming when Lazarus got sick, and when        he died, well, I gave up hope. But Jesus came and he just knew! And        oh, how he cried. Then he said that Lazarus wasn't dead, he was just        sleeping!

DISCIPLE 2:

If he'd been sleeping, talk about morning breath! He smelt pretty bad        after being in that tomb for four days!

MARTHA

      (Indicating crowd) I guess everyone here today must have heard about        it. Maybe that's why they're here! Jesus is the Christ, the one sent by        God. I just hope the people here today always remember that.

CROWD 3:

      Touch me! Jesus! Touch me!

CROWD 4:

      Save me, Jesus! Save me!

BART:

(Interrupting) Excuse me. Excuse me. Can I just say something, please?

SAM

      (To Bart) Yes! And your name is? (Mary and Martha exit)

BART:

Bartimaeus, Ma'am. I, er, just want to say that I'm the guy that'd been blind since birth. Well this Jesus guy gave me a gift I never thought was possible. I got sight, Ma'am. Real sight! Just like that, I could see! One minute I couldn't and the next I could. It's the most awesome thing. I got told by the Jewish authorities that I'd been fakin' it, bein' blind that is. Yeah right!  Dah! You'd have to be pretty crazy to try and fake being blind for 30 years! Well ya know! I guess I got to seein' more than just blue sky and hypocrites. Jesus is the man for me. That's all I wanna say. (Bart exits)

CROWD:

      Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name        of the Lord!

PHILLIP:

      We're just about out of time, Sam. What have the Jewish authorities        had to say about today's proceedings?

SAM:

      (To imaginary camera) At the moment they're holding a closed meeting        at the home of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest. Officially, it's 'no        comment'. However, inside sources have hinted that there may be a        plot to have Jesus arrested on trumped-up charges and crucified by the        Roman government. This is yet to be confirmed.

PHILLIP:

      Thank you, Sam. I'm sure we'll speak to you again about these        extraordinary        events.

SAM:

      Thanks, Phil. (Exits with crowd)

PHILLIP

Just to recap. Large crowds gathered today in celebration of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Claiming Jesus as 'the one who comes in the name of the Lord', the people spread their coats and other clothing and stripped branches off nearby trees to line the road as Jesus entered. It has been confirmed that Jesus rode in on the back of a young donkey. Jewish and Roman authorities are yet to make an official statement about today's incident.

NARR 1:

God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin        engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. The virgin's name was Mary.

NARR 2:

The angel said to her, 'Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a Son and call his        name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Highest.'

NARR 1:

Mary said to the angel, 'But how? I've never slept with a man.'

NARR 2:

The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, the Son of God.'

NARR 1:

While they were in Bethlehem for the census the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

MARY:

(Unfreezes) I remember how I felt when I first held him in my arms.       (Cradles imaginary baby in arms) He was so tiny and helpless. I could        hardly believe that it was God's Son I was holding, God's Son that I was        feeding, God's Son was my baby boy to love. But he was never really        mine at all. (Drops arms) I know that he's different... special... How could I        forget the angel's words! I realise that he's part of God's plan for this world, but I want him to be my son too! It was so hard to watch him leave home. I        love him and I'm afraid for him. I want to keep on caring for him and protecting him. I know he won't be back. He belongs to the world now. He's doing his Father's business, and I have no part to play in it. (Freezes)

NARR 2:

Jesus travelled to town after town, village after village, preaching God's        kingdom and spreading the good news. The twelve disciples were with        him.

NARR 1:

There were also some women in their company who had been healed of        various evil afflictions and illnesses. These women were using their means        to provide for the company.

NARR 2:

One of them was Mary Magdelene. Jesus had driven seven demons out of her.

MARY M:

(Unfreezes) I remember when I first met him. I was so lost in darkness and despair. I was without hope, an object of pity and fear. When he looked at me I cringed (Cringes) from the contempt I expected to see in his eyes... but his eyes were shining with love. He looked at me and he knew my misery and suffering. He knew me... and he loved me anyway. I was trapped in a living death, but he freed me, he healed me, he gave me back my life. No, he gave me a new life and a reason for living. Since then I have followed him and I will keep on following him, anywhere— anywhere he leads me. (Freezes)

NARR 1:

Salome the wife of Zebedee came with her two sons, James and John and knelt before Jesus with a request.

NARR 2:

'What do you want?' Jesus asked.

NARR 1:

She said, 'Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honour in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand.’

NARR 2:

Jesus responded, 'You have no idea what you are asking.’ And he said to James and John, 'Are you capable of drinking the cup that I'm about to drink?'

NARR 1:

When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly        disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together.

NARR 2:

He said to them, 'Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.        Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That's what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served, and then to give away his life in exchange for the many.'

SALOME:

(Unfreezes) The first time I heard about Jesus was when my sons came        rushing home to tell me they were leaving everything to follow him. I        couldn't believe it. Two grown men walking out on their father and a        perfectly good family fishing business just because some preacher, who        they never even met before, waltzes into town and says they should! They wanted me to meet him. Well, I wanted to meet him too! I was going to give him a piece of my mind, but when I saw him... somehow my angry words were left unsaid... Somehow I ended up following him too. (Embarrassed pause) If only I'd kept my big mouth shut the other day when I asked Jesus to give my sons special treatment. I'm still        embarrassed to think of it! I only wanted the best for them, but I should've known better. He told us all we should be servants. Then he talked about giving his life away. I wonder what he meant... (Freezes)

JAMES:

(Enters shouting, women unfreeze) They've arrested him! They've        arrested him!

SALOME:

What?

JAMES:

(Out of breath) Jesus—they've arrested him!

MARY M:

Who's arrested him?

JAMES:

The chief priests, the temple soldiers were with them.

MARY:

I knew it was too dangerous for him to come back to Jerusalem!

MARY M:

How did it happen, James?

JAMES:

We were in the garden of Gethsemane...

SALOME:

(Interrupting) What were you doing there? I thought you were supposed to be having the Passover meal.

JAMES:

Jesus went there after the meal to pray. We were supposed to be keeping watch but we fell asleep. Jesus woke us up, but then all of a sudden there were soldiers and priests everywhere.

SALOME:

I don't understand, how did they even know you'd be there?

JAMES:

(Bitterly) It was Judas. Judas led them to Jesus. He even greeted him with a kiss, no less! He betrayed Jesus, betrayed us all.

MARY:

(Can't believe it) But why would he do such a thing?

MARY M:

How could he do It?

JAMES:

I don't know, all I know is that I didn't stick around long enough to find out. When they grabbed Jesus and started tying him up, I just... panicked and ran away.

SALOME:

Well, they might have arrested you too, son.

MARY M:

James, what happened to the other disciples?

SALOME:

(Suddenly realising) Where's John?

JAMES:

I don't know, I think they all ran off too.

SALOME:

(Puts hand on James's shoulder) Well, at least you're safe...

JAMES:

(Very upset, shrugging her hand off) But you don't understand, Mother! I        deserted him. I deserted him when he needed me. Don't you see? I        betrayed him too! (Covers face with hands, Salome comforts him, all exit)

NARR 1:

They led Jesus to the high priest, where all the chief priests and religious leaders had gathered. Peter and John followed at a safe distance.

NARR 2:

John was known to the high priest and so he was able to get in. He        arranged to get Peter into the courtyard where he mingled with the        servants and warmed himself by the fire.

NARR 1:

The chief priests, conspiring with the Jewish leaders, looked for evidence against Jesus so they could sentence him to death. They found nothing.

NARR 2:

Plenty of people were willing to bring false charges, but their statements        didn't agree.

NARR 1:

Then a few of them stood up and lied. 'We heard him say, I am going        to tear down this temple and in three days build another. But even they        couldn't agree exactly.'

NARR 2:

The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, 'What do you have to say to        the accusation?'

NARR 1:

Jesus was silent. He said nothing.

NARR 2:

The high priest tried again, this time asking, 'Are you the Messiah, the        Son of God?'

NARR 1

Jesus said, 'Yes, I am.'

NARR 2:

The high priest lost his temper. Ripping his clothes, he yelled, 'Did you        hear that? After that, do we need witnesses? You heard his blasphemy.        Are you going to stand for it?’

NARR 1:

They all condemned him and sentenced him to death.

NARR 2:

Some of them started spitting at him. They blindfolded him, then hit him,        saying, 'Who hit you? Prophesy!' The guards took him away and beat him.

SALOME:

(Going to Mary) Mary, maybe you should try to get some sleep, we've        been up all night!

MARY:

(Anxiously) How can I sleep? Who knows what they're doing to my son!        It's dawn and there's still no news.

SALOME:

(Trying to help) Look, I understand what you must be going through...

MARY:

How can you possibly understand! My son is out there in the hands of the chief priests!

SALOME:

(Quietly) My son is out there too... John hasn't come back.

MARY:

(Instantly sorry) O Salome, I'm sorry, it's just that I'm so afraid for Jesus.

SALOME:

I know, I am too.

MARY M:

But there's nothing they can do, he's done nothing wrong!

JAMES:

I don't know about that, they're pretty powerful enemies.

MARY M:

Why do the priests hate him so much?

JAMES:

Because people flock to him. Because he doesn't obey their rules.        Because they're afraid people will follow Jesus and stop listening to them.       (John enters)      

SALOME:

(Runs to John) John, thank heavens you're alright. I was worried sick!        Where have you been? You look awful!

JOHN:

(Bitterly) I followed them when they took Jesus to the high priest. I heard        their mockery of a trial. (Goes to Mary, griefstricken) Mary, I'm sorry,        they've sentenced him to death.

MARY:

(Reeling with the news) No! (Others all look shocked and horrified)

SALOME:

Are you sure?

JOHN:

Of course I'm sure!

JAMES:

But how can they? They've got no power to put anyone to death!

JOHN:

They've taken him to Pilate.

MARY M:

(Dazed) I can't believe it, this can't be happening... Maybe Jesus has got a plan...

JOHN:

What kind of a plan is this?

MARY M:

(In desperate denial) No! He can't die! He can't!

SALOME:

(Sees Mary starting to leave) Mary, where are you going?

MARY:

To Pilate's palace. I have to know what's happening!

JAMES:

(Afraid) But it could be dangerous! They could be looking for Jesus'        followers!

MARY:

I'm going anyway.

SALOME:

I'll go with you.

MARY M:

I'm coming too!

JAMES:

You're all crazy! (Women start to leave, John starts to follow) You too?

JOHN:

Well, someone better go with them! (Women and John exit)

JAMES:

(Afraid to go with them) Your fools! You'll end up getting yourselves        arrested too! (Exits separately)

SONG:

'When our life began again' (v 1-3), All Together Again 147 (Or other        appropriate song)

NARR 1:

After tying Jesus securely, the chief priests and religious leaders took him out and presented him to Pilate.

NARR 2:

Pilate asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'

NARR 1:

He answered, 'If you say so.' The high priests let loose a barrage of        accusations.

NARR 2:

Pilate asked again , 'Aren't you going to answer anything? That's quite a        list of accusations.’

NARR 1:

Still he said nothing.

NARR 2:

Pilate was amazed.

NARR 1:

It was a custom at the feast to release a prisoner, anyone the people        asked for. There was one notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

NARR 2:

Pilate asked them, 'Do you want me to release the “King of the Jews” to        you?’ He knew by this time that it was through sheer spite that the chief        priests had turned Jesus over to him.

NARR 1:

But the chief priests by then had worked up the crowd to ask for the        release of Barabbas.

NARR 2:

Pilate asked, 'So what do you want me to do with this man you call King of the Jews?’

NARR 1:

They yelled, 'Crucify him!'

NARR 2:

Pilate objected, 'Why? What crime has he committed?'

NARR 1:

But they yelled all the louder, 'Crucify him!'

NARR 2:

Pilate gave the crowd what it wanted. He set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over to be whipped and crucified.

NARR 1:

The soldiers took Jesus, dressed him in purple and put a crown plaited        from thorns on his head. 'Hail, King of the Jews!' they mocked. They hit        him on the head again and again, spat on him and knelt down in mock        worship.

NARR 2:

After they had had their fun, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they marched him out to nail him to a cross.

JOHN:

Mary, you can't be serious. You can't go!

MARY:

(Turning on him) I have to go! I was there at his birth, I intend to be there        at his death. It's the only thing that I can do for him. I can't let him die        alone.

JOHN:

(Appealing to Salome) Mother, talk some sense into her. She can't watch them crucify her son, it's such a horrible, ugly death.

SALOME:

If it was you, I would be there. (Goes to Mary)

JOHN:

(Turns to Mary M) Mary? (Notices she’s in a daze) Are you alright?

MARY M:

I can't believe it... the crowd all screaming for his blood. I'll never forget        their faces, all twisted with hatred and violence. Have they forgotten how they shouted Hosanna! only days ago?

JOHN:

Crowds can be fickle.

MARY M:

(Trying to understand) But what about his miracles, his healings, his        teachings? Do they count for nothing? How could they forget how loving        and kind and gentle he was? How could they scream for his death? How could they?

JOHN:

(Doesn’t know what to say) I don’t know.

MARY M:

(Angry) How could he let them do this to him?

JOHN:

(Frustrated) I don't know!

MARY M:

Why is he doing this?

JOHN:

(In anguish) I don't know!

MARY M:

(In a quiet voice) He's going to die, isn't he?

JOHN:

(Sadly) Yes, he is.

MARY:

Are you coming, John?

JOHN:

Yes... I deserted him once, I'm not going to do it again. (All exit)

SONG:

'You are the prisoner', All Together Everybody 245 (Or other appropriate        song)

NARR 1:

Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Skull Hill (or        Golgotha in Hebrew). There they crucified him, and with him two others,        one on each side of him. (Two soldiers bring Jesus in and put him on        cross)

NARR 2:

Pilate wrote a sign and had it placed on the cross. (Soldiers place sign on cross then        take up positions standing back from cross) It read: 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'. It was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Many Jews read the sign.

NARR 1:

The chief priests objected to Pilate. 'Don't write "The King of the Jews",        make it "This man said, I am the King of the Jews".'

NARR 2:

Pilate said, 'What I have written, I have written'. (Women and John enter, take up positions near cross)

NARR 1:

People passing by jeered at him, (Narrator 1 goes to cross and jeers) You bragged that you could tear down the temple and rebuild it in        three days, so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you're really God's        Son, come down from that cross!

NARR 2:

The chief priests also poked fun at him: (Narrator 2 goes to cross and        jeers) 'He saved others, but he can't save himself! Messiah, is he? King of Israel? Then let him climb down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!' (Both narrators laugh and leave)

NARR 1:

Jesus saw his mother and John standing near her. He said to his mother,

NARR 2:

Woman, here is your son. (Mary and John look at each other)

NARR 1:

Then to John,

NARR 2:

Here is your mother. (John holds out hand to Mary)

NARR 1:

From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother. (Mary        goes to John who puts his arm around her) Then Jesus, seeing that        everything had been completed and so that the Scripture record might        also be complete, said,

NARR 2:

I'm thirsty.

NARR 1:

Someone put a sponge soaked with sour wine on a stick and lifted it to his mouth. (One of the soldiers offers Jesus sponge on stick, then returns to position) After he took the wine, Jesus said,

NARR 2:

It's done... it's complete.

NARR 1:

And bowing his head (Jesus lets head sag), he died.

JOHN:

(To Mary) Mary, it's over. (To himself) It's all over...

MARY:

(In anguish) He's dead, my son is dead! (Cries on John's shoulder)

MARY M:

How can he be dead? Jesus was God's Son! How can he be dead?

SALOME:

I kept hoping, right until the end, that he had a plan. That somehow he'd        surprise us and show them all, and maybe zap a few of those priests while he was at it. But he didn't.

JOHN:

(Starts to guide Mary off) Come on, Mary, I'll take you home.

MARY:

No, wait, I just have to touch him, to hold him one last time... (Soldiers take Jesus down from cross, Mary kneels on ground cradling his head,        holding him to her, and weeping. 'Mary's Child' (v 1-3), All Together Again 141 is sung slowly, dirge-like, in the background)

NARR 2:

Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea arrived. He was        secretly a disciple of Jesus. His name was Joseph.      

NARR 1:

He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate granted his request.

NARR 2:

(Joseph enters. John helps a dazed Mary to get up) Joseph took the body (Soldiers, Joseph and John carry Jesus out as narrators continue, followed by the women. Salome and Mary M comfort Mary) and wrapped it in clean linen, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance.

NARR 1:

Mary Magdalene and another woman watched the burial.

NARR 2:

After sundown, the chief priests and religious leaders arranged a meeting with Pilate.

NARR 1:

They said, 'We just remembered what that liar announced while he was        alive, "After three days I will be raised".

NARR 2:

'We've got to get the tomb sealed until the third day. There's a chance his disciples will come and steal the body. Then we'll all be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.'

NARR 1:

Pilate told them to take a guard and secure the tomb as best they could.

NARR 2:

So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting        guards.

SONG:

'O dearest Jesus', All Together OK 345 (Or other appropriate song)

JAMES:

(In despair) I just wish I'd gone with you. I should've gone with you. Why        didn't I go? Because I'm a coward, that's why! Even the women went!

JOHN:

James, you can't keep punishing yourself like this!

JAMES:

That's easy for you to say. You didn't run away, you didn't desert him in        his last hours.

JOHN:

But James...

JAMES:

(Turning on him) My master and my friend was suffering and dying on a        cross and I was hiding, cowering in this room.

JOHN:

You weren't the only one that wasn't there!

JAMES:

Maybe if we'd all stood by him, maybe we could have done something to        stop it!

JOHN:

There's nothing we could have done. (Dawning realisation) It was        almost like he knew it was going to happen, like he... meant it to        happen.

JAMES:

Yes... he was acting funny in those last days. But why? (Mary enters)       What good could possibly come out of his death? (Notices Mary) Oh,        I'm sorry, Mary.

MARY:

No, that's alright. Have you thought about what you're going to do?

JAMES:

I've got no idea. Jesus was my life, and now that he's gone... I could go        back to fishing, but it would seem so empty... (Trails off)

MARY:

You know, I keep imagining that it's all some kind of horrible dream and        that any minute now he's going to walk in that door, alive and... (Mary M        and Salome run in shouting)

MARY M:

(Joyfully) He's alive!

JOHN:

What!

SALOME:

(Very excitedly) Jesus is alive! He's risen!

MARY M:

We saw him! He even spoke to us!

SALOME:

It's amazing, it's a miracle!

JOHN:

(Can't believe this) You're crazy!

JAMES:

(To John, shaking head) They're hysterical!

MARY:

(Bitterly) Is this some kind of cruel joke?

MARY M:

No, you've got to believe us!

SALOME:

(Going to Mary, and taking her hands) Mary, it's true, he really is alive!

MARY:

(Feeling faint) I think I need to sit down... (Salome helps her to a chair)

MARY M:

We went to the tomb with some spices for his body...      

JAMES:

(Interrupting) And just how did you intend to move that huge great        stone?

JOHN:

Not to mention sneaking past all those guards!

SALOME:

(Exasperated) If you'd just let us tell the story!

MARY M:

When we got there the guards were gone, and the stone was rolled        away...

SALOME:

(Interrupting excitedly) And there was an angel!

MARY M:

He was as bright as lightning and his clothes were shining white. He        said to us, 'Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here, he has risen, just as he said.’

SALOME:

He showed us the empty tomb and there was nothing there except the        linen wraps. Then he told us to tell you.

MARY M:

(So excited the words come tumbling out) But the most wonderful thing        was that as we were leaving Jesus met us. He said Hello. Can you        believe it? He was dead and buried and he stands there and says        Hello, like it was the most normal thing in the world!

SALOME:

(To Mary) But it was really him, Mary, it was really him!

MARY M:

He's risen! Isn't it wonderful? He's alive!

JOHN:

(To James) Maybe you won't have to go back to fishing after all!

JAMES:

(Suddenly daring to hope) He's alive?

ALL:

(Loudly and excitedly) He's alive! (All exit)