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Drama as Christian Worship

About From Darkness into the Light

"From Darkness into the Light" is a staging of the Easter story from John's Gospel

Free Sample of From Darkness into the Light

Bible Passages

John 1:1-9

John 19:38-42

John 21:1-25

Cast

Movement Parts: Three people are necessary to portray Jesus being taken from the cross and put in the tomb, in dance, tableau, or pantomime. (These characters represent JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, NICODEMUS, and the BODY OF JESUS in movement.)

Angels (Speaking Chorus)

Angel 1 (Solo Speaking Part)

Angel 2 (Solo Speaking Part)

Story Teller (Solo Speaking Part)

Mary Magdalene (Solo Speaking Part)

Simon Peter (Solo Speaking Part)

John (Solo Speaking Part)

Disciple 1 (Solo Speaking Part)

Disciple 2 (Solo Speaking Part)

Thomas (Solo Speaking Part)

Jesus, after the Resurrection (Solo Speaking Part)

Set

A large cross, and a special platform or very sturdy table which is used as the hill on which the cross is mounted, the cave or tomb of Jesus, and the table in the room where the disciples gather. When the platform is a tomb, a stone closure is needed that can be rolled in place. The tomb has a low cot, or a small platform inside of it which later becomes the bench or the seat for the table. In SCENE 3 a doorframe with a chain and lock is needed

Props List

Crown of Thorns

Large white cloth or white sheet

Small white cloth

Large sack containing herbs

Flask of anointing oil

Small basket of herbs

Candles

Tray with grapes and a loaf of bread

Scene 1 - At the Cross

(It begins in darkness. The cross is mounted on the platform, center stage, and The Body of Jesus is on the cross.This may be accomplished simply by having the dancer standing on the platform in front of the cross. It does not have to be a graphic portrayal, as it is soon to become the burial scene. As the lights (blue gel) come up slowly/dimly, THE BODY OF JESUS is barely distinguishable. A single long-sustained note a violin or two matched voices crescendos slowly, then switches to a note ½ step higher, before it decreases and fades. Enter, NICODEMUS -- SR [staging a] with a large bag over his shoulder -- "100 lbs. of herbs and spices." He places the bag near the front of the tomb and stands next to the platform. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA enters SL [staging b] carrying a large white sheet and a smaller white cloth, folded. He places these on the very front of the platform still folded, above the door of what will be the tomb then he steps onto the platform, behind THE BODY OF JESUS. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA releases THE BODY OF JESUS from the cross, first the left arm, which falls limp, then the feet, as NICODEMUS reaches up for support, and last the right hand, as JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA and NICODEMUS lift THE BODY OF JESUS down onto the floor level. The light level rises slightly, so that NICODEMUS and THE BODY OF JESUS are visible, as JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA comes down from the platform.)

STORY TELLER: John 19:38-39.

(NICODEMUS and JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA carry THE BODY OF JESUS center stage in front of the platform. One takes from NICODEMUS'S sack a flask of oil which he smells, and then ceremoniously pours onto THE BODY OF JESUS. Incense may be burned in different areas of the sanctuary to spread the fragrance throughout the congregation. They with great tenderness, prepares and places leaves and herbs onto THE BODY OF JESUS. JOSEPH OF ARAMATHEA takes the sheet and the two wrap THE BODY OF JESUS with all the care of a parent tucking in a beloved child after the lullaby. The face of THE BODY OF JESUS is not covered. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA removes the crown of thorns and places the small white cloth on his forehead to cover the wounds. Then NICODEMUS pulls the large white sheet up to cover the face of THE BODY OF JESUS. The two lift the body onto a small platform or a low cot within the tomb. They roll a stone barrier in front of the entrance of the tomb. Then they stand for a moment, heads bowed, hands folded. THE BODY OF JESUS exits secretly from the back of the tomb leaving the large cloth on the cot and the smaller cloth at the head end of the cot on the floor.)

STORY TELLER: John 19:40-42.

(The speaking chorus as ANGELS flank both sides of the chancel, speaking in antiphony. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA and NICODEMUS exit in opposite directions as they had entered.)

Scene 2 - The Garden at First Light

ANGEL CHORUS LEFT: John 1:1.

ANGEL CHORUS RIGHT: John 1:2.

ANGEL CHORUS LEFT: John 1:3.

(Candles starting at the end farthest from the cross are lit at each row, and the light is passed up the rows of ANGELS.)

ANGEL CHORUS RIGHT: John 1:4.

(The lights come up, as morning light.)

ANGEL CHORUS LEFT: John 1:5.

ANGEL CHORUS RIGHT: John 1:6-7.

ANGEL CHORUS LEFT: John 1:8.

ANGEL CHORUS RIGHT: John 1:9.

CONGREGATION SINGS A HYMN: (Hymn suggestions "Be Thou My Vision" or "When Morning Guilds the Skies" or "Light of the World We Hail Thee...")

(During the singing of the Hymn ANGEL 1 and ANGEL 2 enter from the rows of ANGELS, and roll the stone from the tomb revealing to the congregation that the tomb is empty. ANGEL 1 carefully folds the smaller cloth and places it on the cot. ANGEL 2 watches down the aisle in expectation of MARY'S entrance. As MARY MAGDALENE enters from the aisle with a small basket of herbs ANGEL 1 and ANGEL 2 step away from the tomb, so that MARY MAGDALENE will not see them. After the hymn is sung MARY MAGDALENE sees the open tomb. She is startled and drops her basket. In fear that the enemies of Jesus had taken the body, she runs back up the aisle shouting.)

MARY MAGDALENE: John 20:2b. (Note: If the aisle is long, she shouts several times until she tells it directly to PETER and JOHN who are entering down the aisle.)

(When they hear this they run in as though racing. JOHN arrives first with PETER close behind. PETER nearly pushes JOHN aside in his hurry to see what has happened, and he goes right into the tomb. JOHN stands outside the tomb and watches PETER. PETER picks up the large white cloth, crinkles it up, and holds it in a caring way against his chest. Then he sees the neatly folded smaller cloth that had been at the head of THE BODY OF JESUS. He takes that and shows it to JOHN. As they are both aware of the meaning of this, their demeanor changes from the tension of fear and violation, to complete amazement and joy. They look up at the empty cross, and then kneel in prayer.)

(While PETER and JOHN are kneeling in prayer THE RISEN JESUS enters Up Stage Right and offers this prayer.)

JESUS: John 17:9-11.

(Then JESUS stands aside, out of sight Down Stage Right.)

(When the prayer ends, PETER and JOHN start off, up the aisle, and they pass MARY MAGDALENE who has come forward about half-way down the aisle, cautiously trying to see what the other two disciples have discovered. ANGEL 1 and ANGEL 2 move in closer to the tomb again. MARY MAGDALENE gathers her courage and goes again to the tomb. The two angels are sitting on the cot. ANGEL 1 has neatly folded the large white cloth, and put it between them. As MARY MAGDALENE nears the tomb she carefully picks up her spilled basket. She is crying as she kneels by the tomb with the basket, so she does not immediately notice the angels. Suddenly she notices the ANGELS in the tomb and startled she jumps up as though she would run away again, but ANGEL 1 raises his/her hands in a calming gesture. THE RISEN JESUS enters from Down Right and stands behind -- downstage of MARY MAGDALENE.)

ANGEL 1: John 20:13a. Woman, why are you crying?

MARY MAGDALENE: John 20:13b. (MARY MAGDALENE turns toward Jesus as he speaks. But her head as bowed, and she is crying.)

JESUS: John 20:15a,b.

ANGEL 2: She thinks he is the gardener.

MARY MAGDALENE: John 20:15d.

JESUS: John 20:16a.

MARY MAGDALENE: John 20:16b. (She recognizes him and starts toward JESUS as if to put her arms around him.)

JESUS: (taking a step back) John 20:17.

(MARY MAGDALENE also steps back, starring at JESUS then she is clearly overjoyed, as runs back up the aisle, and exits.)

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Suggestion "Christ the Lord has Risen Today" or other Resurrection hymn.)

Scene 3 - A Week Later, In The Room Where The Disciples Gathered in Secret

(During the singing of the hymn ANGEL 1 and 2 join the ranks of ANGEL CHORUS, and all exit, as they are singing along in the hymn. JESUS exits into the wings Stage Right. The cross is removed, and the tomb is changed to become a table. The cot is the bench. The doorway is added, Stage Left. The white cloth is the table cloth, and DISCIPLES bring grapes and bread on a tray, and set them on the table. DISCIPLES enter through doorway Stage Left. This includes DISCIPLE 1 who stands by the door while others enter. DISCIPLE 2 -- crosses to sit on the cot behind the center of the table, PETER, JOHN X SR and THOMAS Down SL. DISCIPLE 1 secures the chain on the door when they are all in then crosses center stage behind the table.)

STORY TELLER: John 20:26a

DISCIPLE 1: John 20:25a

DISCIPLE 2: John 20:19-23 (NOTE: This story is better told to Thomas in first person changing "they" and "The Disciples" to "we" etc. Also, in this case, the words "Jewish authorities" may more truly reflect the meaning as "religious authorities.")

THOMAS: John 20:25b.

(DISCIPLE 1 & 2 begin breaking the bread into pieces, and separating the grapes to prepare servings at the table, as JESUS enters from UPSTAGE, SR not through the SL door.)

JESUS: (to PETER, JOHN and the others) John 20:26c.

(Everyone stops whatever they are doing. PETER kneels toward JESUS. JOHN steps toward JESUS as if he would want to touch him, but JESUS crosses directly down left to THOMAS.)

JESUS: John 26:27.

THOMAS: (As he reaches slowly, and takes the hand of JESUS in his, and touches the wound in his hand, then kneels.) John 26:28.

JESUS: (As offers a gesture for THOMAS to stand --which THOMAS does.) John 20:29

(The DISCIPLES and JESUS gather at the table where they each receive some of the bread and the grapes, as the STORY TELLER concludes.)

STORY TELLER: John 20:30-31.

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Suggested hymn: "Jesus Shall Reign Where ‘ere The Sun")

(During the singing of the hymn the DISCIPLES take bread and grapes from the table, and walk among the congregation randomly sharing with people bread and grapes as they exit to the back. JESUS exits to the back also.)

JESUS: (From the back as a benediction) John 20:21.

THE END