Passion Play samples

Overview: Passion Play presents a dynamic and moving Christian account of Jesus’ ministry from the prophecy by Isaiah to the glorious Resurrection. Passion Play makes an excellent Easter presentation that is unique in its ability to include the spiritual and emotional intensity of the crucifixion without physically presenting the act. This dramatic presentation will bless the cast, move and inspire the audience and enormously glorify God.

CAST Of CHARACTERS (66 +/-)

Mary Magdalene    Mary (Mother of James)

Mary (Mother of Jesus) Jesus

Narrator Satan

John the Baptist Isaiah

Voice of Angel    Voice of God

Caiaphas Nicodemus

Pharisees (2) Guard (2)

Man With Withered Hand Blind Men (2)

Helpers to the Blind (2) Flag Bearers (10)

False Witness Crowd A (5)

Priest#1 Crowd B (7)

Judas Angels (2)

Peter Lead Mourner

James Additional Mourners (5)

John Apostles (8)

Joseph

PROPS

* ”Isaiah” banner * Temple

* Baptismal waters * Large rock (as seat)

* Simple nativity * Sanhedrin council

* Tomb opening * Large stone (for tomb)

* Spices & Oils

SCENE 1 Jesus early life

SCENE 2 Jesus teaching and miracles

SCENE 3 Betrayal of Jesus

SCENE 4 Resurrection

Sample – opening setup

Open with spotlight on “Isaiah” banner. The light has not yet illuminated Isaiah, as he begins to prophesy.

Isaiah: (As the light is slowly rising).

The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light,

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them

For a child will be born to us,

A son will be given to us

And the government will rest on his shoulders

And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

(Lights fade on Isaiah.)

Narrator: The prophesy of Isaiah was fulfilled seven hundred years later in the birth of Jesus.

(Lights come up on the simple Nativity; Joseph, Mary and the Christ child.

As music begins to play, Isaiah once again speaks. Lights remain on the Nativity.)

Sample – Jesus continues to grow

Narrator: And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

(Lights come up on Isaiah).

Isaiah: The voice of one will cry in the wilderness,’ Make ready the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight’. All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

(Lights fade on Isaiah and come up on John the Baptist who is standing in the Baptismal waters, surrounded by a crowd including skeptical religious leaders.)

John the Baptist: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The ax is already laid at the root of the trees, every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Priest #1: (Shouting). Who are you? Are you the Christ?

John the Baptist: I am not the Christ. I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

(Jesus enters as John the Baptist is speaking. John recognizes Jesus as He approaches).

Sample – Satan tests Jesus

Satan: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the Temple, for the mouth of God has said, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning you’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike your foot against a stone’.

Jesus: On the other hand, it is written, ‘ You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’.

Satan: You spoke wisely, Jesus. I could use someone like you.

(Points out at the great expanse before them, as small white lights appear scattered below them.)

See there, all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. They are mine. All these things I will give you…if you fall down and worship me.

Sample – Jesus’ teaching and miracles

Narrator: After fasting and praying in the wilderness for forty days and having been tested by Satan, Jesus was prepared for His earthly ministry. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus defined His ministry and then He called out from among the people, twelve men to be His disciples. Empowered by God and bathed in the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the God-man, embarked on a history changing, three-year ministry of dynamic teaching and miraculous healing. However, it was His love and compassion that made this a life- changing ministry.

(As the lights come up Jesus is walking, followed by a crowd, which includes His disciples. On the ground nearby are two blind men).

Sample – Jesus in the garden

Narrator: When the meal had ended, Jesus took His disciples, with the exception of Judas, who had secretly plotted to turn Jesus over to the hands of those who wanted to kill Him, and proceeded to the Mount of Olives, as was His custom.

(Jesus and His disciples, less Judas, enter the stage. Jesus stops walking and speaks to them).

Jesus: Sit here while I go over there and pray. Peter, you and James and John, come with me.

(James, John, Peter and Jesus continue on for a short distance. Jesus stops once again and speaks to the three).

Jesus: My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me.

(John, James and Peter sit down at that spot. Jesus moves a short ways beyond them and then kneels to pray. The lights fade on Jesus as they come up on Satan, who has entered the stage near the first group of disciples. The disciples have fallen asleep. Satan speaks softly to them as he passes among them).

Satan: Yes… that’s good. Sleep. Sleep all of you. This will make Judas’ task much easier.

Sample – Jesus is betrayed

Jesus: The one who betrays me is at hand.

(Jesus points as Judas enters surrounded by an angry mob that includes some chief priests and officers of the temple).

Satan: Perfect.

(Judas kisses Jesus on the cheek. Then Jesus is seized as the light fades).

[Were you there when they came to seize my Lord]

Narrator: Those who had arrested Jesus, led Him away to be tried by Caiaphas, the High Priest

Sample – Jesus is crucified

(Sound of hammer hitting the spikes into the feet and hands of Jesus. Then a sudden loud clap of thunder and flash of lightning as Jesus is illuminated on the cross by only the flashes of light).

[Were you there when they crucified my Lord]

Satan: God!.. there hangs your beloved Son. In whom are you pleased now?

(He laughs and holds up the keys).

(WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS)

Jesus: It is finished!

Sample – The Lord id risen

Mary Magdalene: Where have they taken the body of Jesus?

(Suddenly a bright light shines forth from inside the tomb as the voice of an angel speaks to them from inside the tomb).

Angel: Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. See the place where he was lying.

(The two Marys look into the tomb).

Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen.

(The women run off stage excitedly exclaiming that Jesus is alive. The lights stay up on the outside of the tomb as they also come up on the opposite end of the stage, where Caiaphas, Pharisee#1, Pharisee#2 and two Roman guards are involved in a discussion).