Drama - Year C - Easter 2

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Drama - Year C - Easter 2

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DRAMA - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

Bible reference: John 20:19-31

 

UNSOLVED MYSTERY

 

CHARACTERS: Producer, Thomas, Soldier, Jim, Woman

 

PROPS:

Producer's chair, microphone for Jim, screen, video, optional pictures of Jesus and Jesus on cross

 

(This play could be done with live crosses using a video link-up to another room and a video or multi-media projector. It could also be done less technically by cutting a screen frame out of a large cardboard backdrop and having the 'video crosses' acted out live as people 'appear' in the frame. An overhead projector could be used for the optional pictures of Jesus)

 

PRODUCER:

(Anxiously to off stage) Are we ready yet? Get him in position. We're going to air in ten seconds. (To Thomas as he enters) Remember, this one's live. It's got to be good. Five, four three two one, you're on. (Goes to side of stage, sits in producer's chair and watches, theme music)

 

THOMAS:

(To audience) Good evening/morning, everybody. I'm Thomas Doubtit, and you're watching 'Unsolved Mysteries', the 33AD edition, the program where we examine the strange and the unusual, so that you can make up your own mind. We present the facts in an unbiased fashion and allow you to examine the evidence for yourselves. Today we have the case of a disappearing corpse. Was the body stolen for mysterious purposes? Or did the man actually come back from the dead as he said he would?

      We begin this story just over a week ago during the preparations for the Passover festival. Among the thousands of visitors to Jerusalem, the centre of the Jewish faith, for this annual festival was a former refugee from Egypt, recently a resident of Nazareth in Galilee in the far north. (Optional picture of Jesus on screen) His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph. He claimed to be a descendent of King David. While that is not unusual in itself, it is inflammatory in the light of the current highly explosive religious and political environment. Last week his small group of followers proclaimed him to be the Messiah, the Son of God, in a public parade. (To producer, amazed) Wait a minute, is this for real? Was he that stupid?

 

PRODUCER:

Of course it is! Now get on with it, you're live!

 

THOMAS:

(To audience) Sorry about that brief interruption! During the last week he aggressively agitated against the current temple leadership, and caused them acute economic and political embarrassment. There were a series of minor skirmishes and late on Thursday night he was arrested. A most unusual coalition of religious and political powers forced a conviction for sedition. A further unresolved mystery was the haste with which he was executed. (Optional picture of Jesus on cross on overhead) The arrest, trial and execution all took place within 24 hours! No spokesperson from either the temple or the governor's office is prepared to publicly comment on these allegations. However, an unnamed source from within the Praetorium has admitted to being present at the crucifixion. He confirmed that the death took place at 3 pm on Friday afternoon.

      At this very moment we have with us one of the soldiers who carried out the execution. This very brave soldier has not been given permission to speak to us, so it is necessary to keep his identity hidden. (Soldier appears on screen with face blocked out. Thomas questions him) Sir, were you present at the execution?

 

SOLDIER:

(Nervously) Ah, yes.

 

THOMAS:

Are you certain that Jesus, the son of Joseph, died?

 

SOLDIER:

Yes. He died before the other two . . . ah, criminals had their legs broken.

 

THOMAS:

But are you certain?

 

SOLDIER:

(Confidently) I'm absolutely certain. We drove a spear into his side just to make sure. It's standard practice! Saves the coroner a lot of work.

 

THOMAS:

Where was he buried?

 

SOLDIER:

His body was placed in a tomb not far from the crucifixion site. The tomb was sealed by order of the governor and the temple authorities.

 

THOMAS:

Is it true that you have the robe of this condemned man? Won in a gambling match?

 

SOLDIER:

Huh?

 

THOMAS:

Is it true that you have the robe of this condemned man?

 

SOLDIER:

No comment.(Screen blanks)      

 

THOMAS:

(To audience) There we have it, confirmation that Jesus was put to death and was in fact buried. The unusual nature of his prosecution and execution leaves many unanswered questions. But none as difficult to fathom as what happened next. (To Jim, who has appeared on screen) Jim, can you describe what happened next?

 

JIM:

Thankyou, Thomas. Yes, a most unusual situation has occurred. Yesterday morning, a small number of women, relatives and friends of Jesus, went to the tomb to complete the embalming of the body. When they arrived, the rock which sealed the tomb had been rolled away. The soldiers who were placed on guard had left and the body of Jesus had disappeared!

 

THOMAS:

Have you been able to locate any of the soldiers?

 

JIM:

(Shaking head) No, I haven't. Rumours have it that the soldiers have all been incarcerated and will be court-marshalled for dereliction of duty. They've been charged with abandoning their posts while under fire. This has been a gross mishandling of duty and someone has to take responsibility.

 

THOMAS:

They abandoned their posts under fire? Who was attacking them?

 

JIM:

The official line is that the followers of Jesus arrived under cover of darkness and stole his body. Spokesmen from both the temple and the governor's office indicated that armed resistance had been met when Jesus was arrested on Thursday, and these same rabid supporters had returned to avenge his death on Sunday morning.

 

THOMAS:

How many armed supporters are we talking about?

 

JIM:

(Shame-faced) At best we can only identify one, Peter, the leader of the gang. Another, called John, was seen in the vicinity of the tomb about two hours after the soldiers disappeared. But they hardly constitute a threat to a corp of fully armed soldiers.

 

THOMAS:

Have you been able to identify any further witnesses to these incidents?

 

JIM:

Thomas, it's been extremely difficult to find any witnesses. I've been able to find people who can tell me stories. The local gardener arrived for work around 8 am and found nothing more than a large white burial shroud. He also indicated that there was evidence of a disturbance at the burial site. Two of the soldiers left weapons behind.

      At this stage, 24 hours after the disappearance of the body, we only have a number of sightseers who've heard of these incidents and come to see for themselves. None of them seem to know too much. We've been unable to locate any of Jesus' followers. But if we do I'll let you know.

 

THOMAS:

(To Jim) Thankyou, Jim. (Jim fades from screen, to audience) Well, there you are! A most unusual and unsolved mystery. Why was Jesus executed in such haste? Why were the soldiers assigned to guard his tomb unable to keep it secure? Will the governor allow his soldiers to be questioned publicly? In our next edition . . .

 

PRODUCER:

(Interrupting, holding ear as if listening through ear-piece) Stop! Jim has a witness!

 

THOMAS:

Wait a minute. Jim has something else. Jim are you there?

 

JIM:

(Appearing on screen) Yes, Thomas. We've been ablte to locate a woman who says she knows something important. We've yet to establish her identity, but she can speak for herself. (Woman appears on screen with Jim, who questions her) Lady, can you tell the audience of 'Unsolved Mysteries' what you know about the mysterious disappearance of Jesus' body?

 

WOMAN:

There's nothing mysterious about his disappearance at all. He's alive!

 

JIM:

You mean he didn't die? The death certificate from the governor's office says that he died at 3 pm on Friday.

 

WOMAN:

(Excitedly) That's right. He did die, just like he said he would. But he also came alive again, just like he said he would. My cousin saw him! Nobody believes her, everybody thinks she's in shock, but I know my cousin. Jesus is alive!

 

JIM:

Have you seen him?

 

WOMAN:

No, I haven't, but I know I will! (Woman exits)

 

JIM:

Well, Thomas, I'm not too sure what to think about that. With this information we are obviously going to have to do some more research into the claim that Jesus is actually alive. We'll have to see what the temple authorities and the governor's office have to say about this. It's back to you again, Thomas. This is Jim Smith for 'Unsolved Mysteries'. (Screen blacks out)

 

THOMAS:

With this unexpected break we really have an unsolved mystery. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? What will the temple authorities say about his claim to be God's Son now? I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this story. This is Thomas Doubtit bringing you 'Unsolved Mysteries'. Stay tuned. (Theme music)

 

PRODUCER:

(Relieved, standing) That's it. (Going to Thomas) What happened with the earlier section?

 

THOMAS:

Well, it's a bit over the top, isn't it? Claiming to be the Messiah, God's Son? And what do you make of the eyewitness to the resurrection?

 

PRODUCER:

This could be a really big story.

 

THOMAS:

Yeah, but it's only a story. I'd have to see Jesus alive with my own two eyes before I'd believe it! (Both exit)

 

 

© 1997 Geoff Kuchel

 

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