FROM
GETHSEMANE TO ASCENSION
AN
ULTIMATE HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
EASTER AND RESURRECTION PLAYS
RUSSELL EARL KELLY, PHD
iUniverse
Inc, 2008
…………………………………
This is
a faith ministry/
Your
contributions would be appreciated.
ACT I
GETHSEMANE TO TRIALS
Scene 1
Arrest
Scene
2 Annas
Scene 3
Caiaphas
Scene
4 Peter’s
Denials
Scene
5 Caiaphas
Again
Scene
6 Judas
Scene 7
Pilate
Scene
8 Herod
Scene 9
Pilate Again
Scene
10 Second Scourging
ACT II
CRUCIFIXION
AND BURIAL
Scene 1
Crucifixion
Scene
2 Death
Scene 3
Nicodemus and Joseph
Scene
4 Joseph
and Pilate
Scene
5 The Centurion
Reports
Scene
6 The Women
Watch
ACT III
RESURRECTION
AND APPEARANCES
Scene 1
Guards Requested
Scene
2 Guards
Seal the Tomb
Scene
3 The Women
Approach the Tomb
Scene
4 The Empty
Tomb
Scene
5 The Women
Report
Scene
6 Peter
and John
Scene
7 The Women
to Tomb Again
Scene
8 Jesus
Appears to the Women
Scene
9 The Soldiers
Report
Scene
10 Emmaeus Road
Scene 11
Jesus Appears to Peter
Scene 12
The Women Report Seeing Jesus
Scene 13
Men Report; Jesus Appears
Scene 14
Thomas Believes
Scene
15 Eight Days Later
ACT IV
AT THE SEA
OF GALILEE
Scene 1
ACT V
FINAL APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION
Scene 1
On a Mountain in Galilee
Scene 2
Ascension
Scene
3 Second
Coming in Glory
List of
later appearances
Bibliography
Footnote
References and Ultimate Harmony
ACT
I
GETHSEMANE
TO TRIALS
Act
One, Scene One
Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane
The
scene opens with twelve men standing in the Garden of Gethsemane late at night. Jesus had just rebuked his disciples for sleeping
while he was praying. And he had just told them that he was about to be betrayed.
The
sound of marching is in the air. Many Roman soldiers and a large group of other people are approaching carrying torches and
lanterns. The Roman soldiers arrive first. They are accompanied by the chief priests, Pharisees, scribes, elders and many
others who are carrying swords and clubs. Jesus’ disciple Judas Iscariot is with them.
Jesus:
“Whom are you seeking?”
Centurion:
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus:
“I am he.”
As
soon as he answers ‘I am he,’ the crowd falls to the ground. The Bible does not say why this happened. Perhaps the Roman centurion was honoring Jesus because he recognized him and had
seen some of his miracles. As he bows his men bow and others bow as a reflex action. God Himself had ordained it to be so.
Jesus:
“Whom are you seeking?”
Centurion:
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus:
“I told you that I am he. If you are seeking me, let these others go their way.”
Judas:
[steps forward and kisses Jesus on both cheeks] “Hail, rabbi.”
Jesus:
"Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" "Friend, do what you have come for."
Several
in the crowd grab Jesus.
Peter:
"Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
Peter
suddenly lunges forward with a short sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus the high priest’s servant. Jesus is released.
Jesus:
"Stop! No more of this." [Jesus touches his ear and heals him.] [Looking at Peter] "Put your sword back into its place. All those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me? Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve thousand angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must happen this way?"
The
Roman cohort with its commander and the officers of the Jews take Jesus and bind him.
Jesus:
"Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as you would a common criminal? Every day I have sat in the temple teaching and you have not seized me. [pause] This has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures. This hour and the power of darkness are yours.”
All
of the disciples flee and leave the scene. The soldiers and crowd leave. John decides to follow the crowd and is seen following. He is only wearing a sheet for clothing
and when some in the crowd grab him he runs away naked.
Act
One, Scene Two
Annas
Jesus
is led first to Annas the father in law of Caiaphas the high priest. Simon Peter and John are cautiously following. John is known by the high priest and is allowed inside his courtyard. John then returns to the entrance of the courtyard, speaks to the servant girl watching the doorway and persuades her to
allow Peter inside.
Girl door-keeper
to Peter: “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?”
Peter:
“I am not.”
It
is cold and the servants and officials have made a fire. Peter is standing with them while the older high priest Annas is questioning Jesus about his teachings.
Jesus:
“I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews gather. I have
said nothing in secret. Therefore why are you asking me what I teach? Ask those who heard me. They know.”
Official:
[slapping Jesus with the palm of his hand] “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”
Jesus:
“If I have spoken wrongly, tell me what I have said wrong, but why do you hit me if I have spoken the truth?”
Act
One, Scene Three
Caiaphas
It is still night. Jesus
has been sent by Annas to Caiaphas, the current high priest. The chief priests, scribes and elders are assembled. Peter has
followed at a distance.Once again he has entered a courtyard and is sitting with
others at a fire.
The
chief priests and Sanhedrin spend several hours trying to find witnesses who will lie in order to accuse Jesus of crimes worthy
of death. Those who come forward contradict themselves and are not acceptable.
First accuser:
“This man stated ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’”
Second
accuser: “We heard him say ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and build another one made with out hands.’”
And
even these two accusers cannot agree. The high priest stands and approaches Jesus.
Caiaphas:
“Are you not going to answer? What is it that these men are saying against you?”
Jesus
says nothing.
Caiaphas:
“I exhort you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God, the Son of the Blessed One.”
Jesus:
“It is as you have spoken. I am. And I say to you that in the future you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds
of heaven.”
Caiaphas:
[ripping his outer garment] "He has spoken blasphemy! Behold, you have now heard his blasphemy. Why do we need any more witnesses? What do you think?”
All in
unison: “He deserves death.”
Men
come from the crowd around Jesus. They spit in his face, blind-folded him, beat him with their fists and yell “Prophesy
to us, you Christ. Who hit you?” Even the high officials slap him in the face. As they accuse Jesus of blasphemy they
themselves blaspheme against God.
Act
One, Scene Four
Peter’s Denials
Peter
is sitting at a fire in the high priest’s courtyard with servants and officials.
Servant
Girl #1: “You were also with Jesus the Nazarene from Galilee. [turning to the others] This man was with him too.”
Peter:
“Woman, I do not know him. [looks towards the others] I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.”
Official:
“You are not one of his disciples, are you?”
Peter:
“I am not.”
Peter
stands up and walks out to the gateway of the porch.
Servant
Girl #2: “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. This is one of them.”
Man: “You
are one of them too.”
Peter:
“Mister, I am not.”
About
an hour passes.
Servant
Girl #1: “Did I not see you in the garden with him? You were the one who cut off my relative’s ear.”
Un-named:
“Surely you too are one of them. Even your accent gives you away. You are also a Galilean.”
Peter:
[curses and swears] “Curse all of you. Mister, I do not know the man you are talking about!”
[A
rooster crows, pauses, and crows again.] A cock crows a second time. From a short distance Jesus turns and looks at Peter.” And Peter remembers how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And Peter went out and began to weep bitterly.
Act
One, Scene Five
Caiaphas Again
It
is early morning in Judea. Night-time trials are illegal and it is necessary to re-convene the Sanhedrin for an official day-time
trial. The chief priests, scribes, Sanhedrin and other leaders of the people are assembled once more.
Caiaphas:
“Tell us if you are the Christ.”
Jesus:
“Even if I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I ask you a question you will not answer me. From now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
Caiaphas:
“Are you the Son of God, then?”
Jesus:
“It is as you say. I am.”
Caiaphas:
“We need no further witnesses. We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth.”
As
the scene ends Jesus is tied up and all leave the room.
Act
One, Scene 6
Judas
The
scene opens with Judas standing with some of the chief priests inside the Temple. Jesus has just been condemned by the Sanhedrin
and is being moved to be tried by Pilate.
Judas: [vainly attempting to hand back the thirty pieces of silver]
“I have sinned and betrayed an innocent man.”
Chief priest:
“What is that to us? That is your problem.”
Judas
throws the pieces of silver deeper into the Temple and leaves the scene to hang himself.
Chief priest:
[walks a distance, picks up the bag of silver and walks back to the other chief priests] “It is not legal to put this
money into the temple treasury since it is the price of blood.”
They
discuss the matter and use the money to buy the Potter's Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason the field
was called the Field of Blood. Therefore the prophecy was fulfilled which said: “They weighed for my price thirty pieces
of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was valued at of them. And I took the
thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”
Act
One, Scene Seven
Pilate
The
scene opens with an open outdoor court at the governor’s mansion, the Praetorium. All of Jesus’ accusers are present
and all are being questioned by Pilate.
Pilate:
[to the chief priests] “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
Caiaphas:
“If this man were not a criminal we would not have delivered him to you. We found this man misleading our nation, forbidding men to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a King.”
Pilate:
“Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.”
Caiaphas:
“It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”
Pilate
walks off of the outside pavement, enters into the building and calls for Jesus to be brought inside before him. Jesus is brought inside and stands while Pilate is seated. There are Roman body-guards present.
Pilate: “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus:
“Why do you ask? Are you saying this from your own curiosity or did others tell you about me?”
Pilate:
“Am I a Jew? Your own nation and chief priests have delivered you to me. What have you done?”
Jesus:
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight so that I would not
be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from this realm.”
Pilate
(laughter) : “So you are a king!”
Jesus:
“It is as you say. I am a king. I was born to be a king and I came into this world to be a king to testify of the truth. All who are of the
truth hear my voice.”
Pilate:
[sitting back unimpressed that Jesus was a threat to himself] “What is truth?”
Pilate
motions and Jesus is escorted back outside. Then Pilate goes out to address the crowd again.
Pilate: “I find no legitimate cause to
condemn this man.”
Upon
hearing this the chief priests begin accusing Jesus even more than they had before but Jesus does not answer.
Pilate:
[to Jesus] "Do you not hear how many accusations they are bringing against you? Aren’t you going to answer them?”
Jesus
does not answer a single accusation against him. Pilate is amazed.
Caiaphas:
“He stirs up the people. He has been teaching all over Judea beginning from Galilee and reaching even here.”
Pilate:
[to Caiaphas] “Is this man a Galilean?”
Caiaphas:
“Yes, he is.”
When
Pilate hears that Jesus is a Galilean and belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction he sends Jesus to be judged by him. Herod was in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. The scene ends with soldiers escorting Jesus away.
Act
One, Scene Eight
Herod
The
scene opens with Herod, like Pilate, sitting outside in a high chair of honor and flanked by Roman body-guards. The crowd
has followed Jesus. Herod is very pleased when he sees Jesus. He has wanted to see Him for a long time because he has heard
about him and hopes to see Jesus perform a miracle.”
However
after being asked many questions Jesus again remains silent. The chief priests and scribes continue to vehemently accuse him.
Herod
and his soldiers also ridicule and mock Jesus. Next Herod clothes Jesus in a gorgeous robe and sends him back to Pilate. Because
of this incident Herod and Pilate reconcile their differences and become friends.
Act
One, Scene Nine
Pilate Again
The
scene opens back at Pilate’s open court as before with Pilate seated while Jesus and body-guards stand before the crowd.
The
Romans are holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas who had been imprisoned for murder during a revolt. Prior to this time
the crowd had been asking Pilate to continue his custom and release a prisoner.
Pilate:
[to the chief priests] “You brought this man to me as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. Having examined
him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. No! And neither has Herod,
for he sent him back to me. He has done nothing deserving death.”
“You
have a custom that one prisoner should be released at the Passover feast. Whom do you want me to release for you --Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ, the king of the Jews?”
The
crowd is quiet for a moment. Pilate thinks that they would not want to release the murderer Barabbas because he knows that
they had only handed Jesus over because of envy.
Pilate:
“Therefore I will punish Jesus and release Him.”
Pilate’s
wife is seen walking up to his side and whispering in his ear.
Pilate’s wife: “Have nothing to
do with that righteous man. Last night I had a horrible nightmare because of Him.”
Pilate’s
wife leaves and the crowd is manipulated to ask for Barabbas to be released.
Pilate:
“Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”
Crowd:
“Barabbas. Not this man, but Barabbas. Away with this man and release for us Barabbas!”
Pilate
signals to the soldiers and Jesus is taken away and scourged.
After the scourging is over the soldiers twist
together a crown of thorns, put it on Jesus’ head and put a purple robe on him. They shout “Hail, king of the
Jews” and hit him with their hands.
Pilate:
“Look, I am bringing him forth to you in order that you may know that I find no fault in him.”
Jesus
is brought out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.
Pilate:
“Behold the man. What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ, the king of the Jews?”
Crowd:
[chanting over and over] “Crucify him, crucify him. Let him be crucified!”
Pilate:
“Why? What wrong has he done? You take him and crucify him. I find no guilt demanding death in him. I will punish him again and release him.”
Caiaphas:
“We have a law, and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God.”
Pilate:
[upon hearing this Pilate is more afraid and motions for Jesus to be brought back inside the judgment hall. The scene follows the movement of Pilate, Jesus and two of his guards back into a room.
Pilate: “Where are you from? [silence] Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you and authority to release
you?”
Jesus:
“You have no authority over me except that which has already been given to you from above. Because of this the one who
handed me over to you has the greater sin.”
Pilate
now wants to release Jesus even more than before. He leaves Jesus inside and goes back outside to speak to the crowd.
Caiaphas: “If you let this man go, you
are not Caesar's friend. Any person who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
Pilate
summons for Jesus. He is brought out and stands in front of Pilate who is sitting on the Judgment seat in the place called
the Pavement or Gabbattha. It is the day before the Passover after 6 A. M. Pilate has overcome his fear and now wants to aggravate the Jews.
Pilate: [boisterously] “Behold your King!”
Crowd:
[chanting louder and louder] “Away with him. Away with him.. Crucify him. Crucify him.”
Pilate:
[in a sarcastic tone] “Shall I crucify your king?”
Chief Priests
[in unison]: “We have no king but Caesar.”
Pilate:
[takes a basin of water and washes his hands in front of the crowd] “I am innocent of this man’s blood. He is
your responsibility.”
Crowd:
[in unison] “May his blood be upon us and upon our children!”
Pilate:
“I sentence this man, Jesus of Nazareth to be put to death by crucifixion immediately.”
Pilate
motions behind him. Soldiers bring out and release Barabbas who triumphantly waves and joins the crowd.
The
soldiers lead Jesus away.
Act
One, Scene Ten
Second Scourging
Several
soldiers take Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s palace where the entire cohort of 600 Roman soldiers is assembled.
Jesus
is scourged a second time.
Again
they strip him of his own clothes and place the scarlet robe upon him, a crown of thorns on his head and a reed in his hand.
Solders:
[kneeling and bowing before him] “Hail, king of the Jews.”
The
soldiers come up in large numbers and spit on Jesus. Some take the reed out of his hand and hit him continuously with it. Isaiah even wrote that they pulled out his beard.
After
the mockery ends the soldiers remove the scarlet robe, put Jesus’ own garments back on and lead him away to crucify
him.
Act
II
CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL
Act
Two, Scene One
Crucifixion
It
is nine o’clock in the morning, the third Jewish hour of the day. The scene opens with Jesus carrying his cross out of the governor‘s courtyard. As he comes out the soldiers seize Simon of Cyrene and force him to carry Jesus’ cross behind him.
There
is a large crowd of people, mostly women, following Jesus and mourning.
Jesus:
[stops and turns around] “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children. The
days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never gave birth and the breasts that
never nursed.' Then they will say to the mountains ‘Fall on us’ and to the hills ‘Cover us.’ If
these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two
others, convicted criminals, are also being led away to be put to death. They arrive at the place of a skull, called Golgotha in Hebrew. Many others are already there dying on crosses in the background.
Roman
soldiers offer a pain-killer drink to Jesus and the two others. The others drink as much as they can. Jesus sips it and spits
it out. The scene fades.
The
scene opens again with the two others already on their crosses while Jesus is being crucified. He is laid down on the cross. His hands are tied. Then his hands and feet are nailed to the cross. As the nails are pounded Jesus cries out in pain. A
sign with the victim’s crime is nailed to the top of the cross. The sign reads in Hebrew, Greek and Latin: ‘Jesus
of Nazareth, King of the Jews.’ The cross is then lifted by three soldiers and dropped forcefully into a hole in the ground. Jesus again cries out in pain.
Jesus:
“Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.”
The
four soldiers divide Jesus’ garments into four parts with each receiving a part. They then cast dice to see who gets
the seamless inner garment. Thus prophecy is again fulfilled.” Afterwards they sit down on the ground with spears at their sides.
Chief Priest:
“Do not write ‘The King of the Jews.’ Write that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’”
Pilate:
[who watches the first part of Christ’s suffering] “What I have written I have written.”
Passer-by:
[one of a long line wagging their heads] “So you are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Why don’t
you save yourself? If you are the Son of God then come down from the cross.”
Official:
[one of the chief priests, scribes or elders] “You saved others but you cannot save yourself. If you are the King of
Israel come down off the cross and we will believe in you.”
Official
#2: “You trust in God. Let God deliver you now if he wants you. You did say ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Soldier:
[offering Jesus sour wine]: “If you are the king of the Jews save yourself.”
Thief #1:
“Come down from the cross that we may see and believe also.”
Thief #2:
“Are you the Christ? Then save yourself and us.”
Thief #1
[to #2]: "Since you are under the same sentence of condemnation do you not fear God? We are guilty and deserve our punishment.
This man has done nothing wrong.” [looks at Jesus] “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”
Jesus:
“Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
While
Jesus is being mocked by one group after another there is a small gathering of faithful supporters at the foot of the cross
observing and listening to the mockery. The group includes Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Cleopas, Mary Magdalene
and the apostle John. Jesus has just made it clear that he was going to die on this day. His mother is sobbing uncontrollably.
Jesus: [to Mary] “Woman, behold your son! [Jesus nods his
head towards John, then he says to John] “Behold your mother!” [Jesus nods his head towards Mary]
John
takes Mary away to his own home.
The
sun suddenly stops shining and darkness covers the land in the middle of the day from the Jewish sixth hour until the ninth
hour (from noon until 3 PM).
The
scene goes dark for a very long period of time and people scurry to find some kind of light. The first torch is lit by a soldier.
Then others are lit. Soon torches and lanterns are held by almost everybody. Because of the darkness soldiers disperse those
who are lingering at the cross but allow the passers-by to continue. Three hours of darkness pass with both mourners and mockers
taking turns briefly at the cross. At about the ninth hour Jesus says in a loud voice in Aramaic …
Jesus:
“Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani”; “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me.?”
Bystander
#1: “This man is calling for Elijah.”
Jesus:
[knowing that prophecy had now been fulfilled] “I thirst.”
Bystander
#2: [places a sponge on a long hyssop stick, pours sour wine-vinegar onto it and gives Jesus a drink] “Let us see if
Elijah will come to take him down.”
Bystander
#3: “Yes, let us see if Elijah will come to save him.”
Jesus:
[loud] “It is finished. [pause] Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” [Jesus exhales and bows his head
in death.]
Act
Two, Scene Two
Death
The
opening scene is very dark and foreboding. There is thunder and lightning but no rain. The place is a hill
just outside of Jerusalem called Golgotha in Hebrew and Calvary in Latin --the place of the skull.
It
is the ninth hour and darkness has been over the land for three hours since noon. Torches and lanterns have been lit. Because of the darkness Roman soldiers have had to disperse those who had been lingering
too long at the foot of the cross.
Jesus of Nazareth (the
son of the carpenter Joseph and his wife Mary) -- the one whom his followers had hoped would be the Messiah, has just spoken
his final words, “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” and has died.
It
is the time of the evening sacrifice. The thick 90 foot tall veil which separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Jewish Temple suddenly rips from
top to bottom exposing the sacred room. Not the work of a man’s hand. Panic erupts in the Temple as ordinary priests, Levites and even ordinary worshippers
all gaze into the forbidden room in utter shock.
And the earth shakes the
rocks are split and some of the tombs open. Many of the saints who had fallen asleep are raised and recognized.
What
is God trying to tell Israel by all of this?
Four Roman soldiers are
sitting around the cross with spears beside them. A Centurion is standing in front carefully watching Jesus. The Centurion takes a step closer still staring at Jesus. For
a brief moment he glances at the passers-by then boldly looking back up at Jesus’ body glorifies God and boldly says
“Certainly this was the righteous man. Truly this was the Son of God.”
When
the multitude observes what is happening they began beating their breasts in both fear and anguish. A large crowd mostly women, with torches in hand, are mourning over Jesus from a well-traveled road nearby.
The wind swirls around the middle cross between
two of many dying criminals. Several light-beams from above begin to break through the clouds as if celestial beings are peeking
through the closed blinds of heaven. The strange darkness very quickly disappears and daylight returns.
The
senses of the onlookers are all challenged. Hands and bodies shake in anticipation of something else very bad about to happen.
They are afraid to touch the reality of the present. Smells of sweat and blood and decaying bodies which had been left on
other crosses for wild dogs and vultures to eat throughout the week offend the nose.
The
Jews themselves had requested that legs of criminals be broken to hasten their death in order to keep from desecrating the
Sabbath. Soldiers are seen in the background going from cross to cross with large clubs breaking the legs of those still alive. Sounds
of breaking bones, pain, suffocation and dying are all around. The soldiers arrive at the three crosses in front and break
the legs of the two criminals on each side of Jesus. These two criminals scream as their bones crack, gasp for their last breath of air and collapse in death.
As
a soldier with a heavy club in his hand reaches Jesus, he is angry that Jesus is apparently already dead. Putting the club down and reaching for a spear from a nearby soldier he thrusts it deep into the left side of Jesus directly
up into his heart. Blood mixed with water flows out of the already lifeless body. Thus, like the Passover lamb, no bone was broken.
Nothing
feels good. Nothing smells good. Nothing sounds good. And nothing looks good. The broken and shrouded women and several grief-stricken
men are seen at a distance loudly wailing.
Was
this once a man? Jesus is barely recognizable as even a man -- much less a Messiah. Fresh blood, dried blood, splinters and
pieces of bone, glass and metal cover every inch of his body from his head to his feet. His shoulders are dislocated from
awkward attempts to breathe and the huge spear-wound in his side has stopped flowing blood and water from around his heart.
There
is a strange unexplainable thickness in the air. All creation seems to be upset as if disturbed by the death of its Creator.
As the scene fades the Roman soldiers are guarding prisoners who are ripping bodies from other crosses while the centurion
certifies their death.
Act
Two, Scene Three
Nicodemus and Joseph
The
scene opens from inside a small room. Two members of the Jewish high court, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, secret disciples
of Jesus, are meeting. Nicodemus is already there pacing nervously back and forth. As Joseph enters he looks over his shoulders
while gently closing the door behind himself to make sure he had not been followed.
As
wealthy members of the Jewish high court they are dressed in their finest garments. As Pharisees, they are also wearing the
required holy pouches, the phylacteries, containing portions of the Law on their right hands and on their foreheads.
Joseph:
“Nicodemus, what are we going to do now? Jesus is dead and the kingdom of God is nowhere to be seen.”
Nicodemus
stops in front of Joseph, and beckons for him to come closer ---preparing a mild rebuke. Joseph does not move. Instead he
reveals a wide grin, opens his partially uplifted hands and says with a bold tone:
Joseph: “I still believe that
Jesus will somehow bring in the kingdom of God as the Messiah. I’ve been through too much with him and seen too much
from him to deny him now.”
Nicodemus: “I remember the first time I met Jesus.
He looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.’ And when I told him that I did not understand what he was talking about, he said ‘Aren’t you a
master of Israel? And you don’t know these things! Unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus
begins pacing nervously back and forth again.
Joseph: “Evidently some kind of spiritual rebirth is necessary
in order to enter God’s kingdom. I have asked myself, ‘If this is true, then what is the kingdom of God all about?’
I’m a Jew, a good man and a member of the Sanhedrin like you. I always thought that we
were guaranteed a part in the kingdom of God! [pause] We were wrong! [pause] Somehow in our
expectation of an earthly kingdom, we have completely missed the important spiritual part of God’s
kingdom.”
Nicodemus: “Moses said that God’s kingdom is only
for those who have been circumcised in their heart. Jews like us who are ready for God’s kingdom have obeyed the call of the Spirit of God and have
followed Jesus as His disciples. Tell me. What has just happened?”
With
a show of some exasperation, Nicodemus throws out his hands.
Joseph: “I cannot explain it either,
but I am prepared to risk everything I am and have to serve him. I even offer my own new tomb for his burial.”
Nicodemus:
“You know, the Sanhedrin did not invite either of us to their illegal night trial to condemn Jesus. They probably suspected
that neither of us would have voted to condemn him.
Joseph:
“I heard that Jesus quoted the prophet Daniel and told them that he, as the Messiah, would someday sit at the right
hand of God and come to judge them!”
Nicodemus:
“He said it twice –both times he was in front of the Sanhedrin.”
Joseph:
“And that is why they found it necessary to have him put to death! [pause] If one of us does not go to Pilate immediately, the Roman soldiers will take his body down and throw it into the
common grave for the wild animals and vultures to devour. [very deliberately one word at a time emphatically]
“We-must-do-something-very-soon.”
Nicodemus: “Somebody must. Cannot his
mother, his relatives, or his disciples claim the body? We are members of the Sanhedrin. We could get into trouble.”
Joseph:
“John had to take Jesus’ mother away. She was extremely affected by seeing her son die in such a horrible manner. And the apostles and disciples are afraid of being arrested and crucified themselves. Nobody knows for sure that we are disciples
yet. We can offer to take the body as an act of charity.”
Nicodemus: “I cannot go and ask Pilate
for the body. They already suspect me of being a disciple since the day I argued in his favor before the council. You, Joseph, must step out in faith and ask Pilate for the body. They will not suspect you of being a
disciple.”
Joseph:
“And what will I tell Pilate when he asks me why I want the body?”
Nicodemus: “Tell him the truth. Tell
him you don’t want Jesus to be thrown into a mass grave with common criminals. Remind Pilate that he himself declared
that Jesus was innocent and two days ago thousands of people publicly praised Jesus. Tell him that Jesus deserves better than
that.”
Joseph:
“O. K. I’ll go. [pause] I’m going right now.”
As
Joseph opens and walks out of the door he turns and says…
Joseph: “Get some
wrappings and spices and meet me on the hill to help me take the body down. My tomb is nearby.”
Act
Two, Scene Four
Joseph and Pilate
The
scene is inside Pilate, the Roman governor’s judgment hall. It is after the ninth hour (3 PM) and before sunset (6 PM). Pilate is sitting in an elevated chair at the back of a large
room. Two Roman soldiers are present as body-guards.
As
the scene opens one of the soldiers closes the front door and is walking towards Pilate.
Body-Guard: “Sir, there is a man at the door named Joseph of Arimathea. He wants permission from you to remove and bury the body of Jesus
of Nazareth. From his manner of dress, he appears to be quite wealthy and a member of the Sanhedrin.”
Pilate:
“Is Jesus dead already? He was only crucified a few hours ago.”
Body Guard:
“Yes sir, the report is that he has already died.”
Pilate [talking to himself]: “I am sick
and tired of this Jesus. My wife is angry at me because of a dream she had about him. The Sanhedrin has aggravated me to death about him. He lived in Galilee and even Herod Antipas did not want to deal with
him. [to the guard] He’s dead, you say. I tried my best to let him go after only a beating. I washed my hands of him. And now he still won’t leave me alone from Hades. Tell this Joseph, whoever he is, to leave me alone. I’ve had
enough of his Jesus for one day already.”
The guard turns and begins
to go back towards the door. He turns back around as Pilate speaks.
Pilate: “Wait! I want to make sure that
this Jesus of Nazareth is really dead. Call the centurion in charge of the crucifixions. Bring him here immediately.”
The
body-guard leaves to get the Centurion.
Act
Two, Scene Five
The Centurion Reports
As
the scene opens Pilate’s guard opens the door from outside and holds it open. Accompanied by two of his soldiers the
centurion enters the room. As Pilate’s guard closes the door behind him and joins the others, they all snap to attention
before Pilate.
Centurion:
“Sir, the man Jesus of Nazareth is dead indeed. I checked him myself. No breath. Not even a blood-flow from his wounds.”
Pilate:
“I have your word then. Amazing! Personally I thought he was innocent of the charges brought against him. I suppose we tortured him too much before the crucifixion.”
Centurion: “Sir, from what I saw I would
agree with you that he was a righteous man.
Pilate:
“Innocent --not righteous! He was still a worthless Jew.”
Centurion: “Sir, I have been checking
dead bodies for years. None have gotten up and walked away yet. My men here will also certify that he is dead.
This one [pointing] came to break his legs and got so angry because he was already dead that he jabbed a spear into
his heart to make sure.”
Soldier
(out of order but proud of his deed): “And, sir, I saw blood mixed with water come out of his side. He must have just died before I got there to break his legs.”
Centurion: “I assure you, the man is
as dead as he can possibly be.”
The
two soldiers who entered with the centurion nod their heads in agreement towards Pilate while remaining at attention.
Pilate:
“Good, he won’t bother me any more then.” [to his guard]: “Now you can tell this Joseph not to bother
me.”
Pilate’s
guard begins to leave the room again and turns again as Pilate begins to speak.
Pilate: “No! Wait! I’m curious.
[pause] I want to know more about this ‘Joseph of Arimathea.’ He might be of some value to me. Why he might even
bribe me. Let him in.”
The guard leaves and shortly arrives back with
Joseph.
Pilate:
“Just who do you think you are bothering me on the eve of your holy day? And a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin
at that! [silence] Well, speak up!”
Joseph: [terrified, his boldness gone, begins stuttering]. “Sir,
I, uh, well, I uh, you see, I have watched him and think many of the people secretly admire him. [pause, clears his throat,
regains some confidence] I would like to perform an act of charity and give the body an honorable burial.
[pause again; this time hesitantly, contemplating whether or not to utter his next suggestion] “Who
knows, [pause] the people might change their minds again and turn against you if they decide that they really did like Jesus
and blame you for desecrating his body after death.”
Pilate: (furious and loud) “Are you threatening
me? Do you know who I am? Do you think I am stupid or something? You came here to warn ME, to do ME a favor!!
I ought to have YOU put to death.”
Pilate pauses and looks
around behind him, expecting his counselors to rush to his side. As two counselors quickly walk out of
a room behind him, he points to Joseph and says:
Pilate: “Stay right where you are [looking
around] --all of you. I’ll be right back.”
Pilate withdraws to the
next room and his counselors follow.
Pilate: [they are all standing] “The arrogance of the man.
Well, what do you think I should do?”
Counselor #1: “Sir, he has a point. Several days ago this
Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem like a king and the crowds praised him.”
Counselor #2: “Yes, but today they hated
him and called for him to be crucified.”
Counselor #1: “Not everybody. There was
a huge crowd of women following him and crying. These Jews are crazy and totally unpredictable. Who knows what they’ll do tomorrow! Why, they might even say that the
man has risen from the dead! Ha. Ha.”
Pilate: “I cannot take the word of a
godless Jew. You cannot trust them. They only cause trouble for me. [pause] O. K., I’m going to let this man have the body.”
Pilate
and his counselors all enter the room where Joseph and the five soldiers are standing.
Pilate [to the centurion]: “Take this
man [Joseph] with you and let him have the body. Make him do the dirty work of removing it. And I don’t want to hear
another word about [sarcastically] ‘Jesus.’”
Joseph,
the centurion and the two (of four) soldiers leave.
Act
Two, Scene Six
The Women Watch
Joseph
and Nicodemus arrive at the foot of the cross riding a small two-wheel donkey-drawn cart. Prisoners guarded by soldiers are
still tearing bodies down from other crosses in the background. The last of the onlookers are walking by Jesus and beating
their chests or wailing as they walk away. The Centurion and several Roman soldiers are watching while many women and a few
male disciples are still keeping vigil from a road in the distance.
In
the background and seen from the women’s point of view Joseph (much younger than Nicodemus) begins knocking back and
forth with a hammer to loosen the nail from Jesus’ feet which are about three feet off the ground. This takes several excruciatingly but otherwise quiet minutes. He finally loosens the large nail and removes it.
Joseph
removes a small footstool from the wagon and spends several minutes removing the second nail and cutting the rope from Jesus’
left hand. The body slides off the extension on the cross used for a seat and hangs from the right arm. Joseph moves the footstool
and begins removing the last nail. As the nail is removed Nicodemus holds up the limp body while Joseph cuts the rope to release
it. The body falls into Nicodemus’ arms and Joseph helps him place it into the back of the cart. After covering it with
a shroud Nicodemus and Joseph drive away to the tomb.
While all of this is happening at a distance
the women are watching and talking among themselves.
Among the many women is
Mary of Magdala, a devoted disciple who had followed Jesus for years after he had cured her of demonic possession. There was Mary, the mother of James the less and Joseph, two of Jesus’ disciples. And there was Salome, wife of Zebedee,
and mother to Jesus’ disciples John and James, and possibly a sister to Mary the mother of Jesus. Joanna is there --probably the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward.
As
relatives of Jesus this might explain why they were allowed to be so near at the crucifixion. While their sons were four of
Jesus’ apostles the parents of the four appear to have been close disciples who traveled and ministered to him and the
others.
Mary M:
“How can anybody be so cruel? Just look at Jesus. They almost beat him to death with whips. They
pushed thorns onto his head and then they nailed his hands and feet.”
Salome: “What are we going to do now?
Jesus is dead. To think that I asked him to let my sons rule nearest to him! Jesus is dead. The whole world has suddenly turned upside down. Aiiiiieeeee! (bitter sobbing).”
Mary: “At least we can make sure that he gets a proper
burial. [pause] Who are those two men taking his body? One looks like Rabbi Nicodemus. I heard that he defended Jesus before the
Sanhedrin once. I don’t recognize the younger man. He looks important, though, like another member of the Sanhedrin.”
Mary M.:
“What do they want Jesus’ body for? What are they going to do with it?”
Salome: “Let’s stay out of sight
and follow them. I want to know what they are going to do with the body too.”
Mary: “You’re right, Salome. Let’s
just wait and follow them.”
Act
Two, Scene Seven
Burial
Joseph’s
family tomb is a long room chiseled out of solid rock in a garden. A flat table for preparing the body has been chiseled into the wall at the rear of the tomb facing the opening. On each side
are small chiseled shelves for holding boxes for bones after the un-embalmed bodies have decomposed.
As
the scene opens Nicodemus and Joseph have arrived and have already placed the body inside onto the open flat area at the back
of the tomb. A torch is burning on the wall inside the tomb. The women are hiding behind bushes a short distance away and
are unsuccessfully trying to see what is happening inside. Although Nicodemus and Joseph are very familiar with tombs of the
wealthy, the women outside are not.
Joseph: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. My Lord. Look what they have
done to you! It’s not even human how they have treated you.”
Nicodemus:
(pouring a pitcher of water into two small basins and picking up two small wash-towels.) “Help me wash the body. We
are running out of daylight and the Sabbath will soon be upon us. We’re already defiled from touching the body but I
don’t want the authorities accusing us of breaking the Sabbath too.”
The
two men place the body on the table, remove the shroud and quickly begin washing the body. Next they pick up rolls of expensive
linen and begin wrapping the body from head to foot while placing large amounts of expensive spices and herbs between the
rolls. After folding a small headpiece and wrapping it onto the head, they place a very large quantity of spices and herbs
beneath the body. The women are vainly trying to watch from outside.
As the two men care for
the body, they talk.
Joseph:
“Just look how they emaciated him. None of this should have happened. I am ashamed to be a member of the Sanhedrin and
intend to resign. That was the most illegal trial I have ever heard.”
Nicodemus: “Not only were the judges
not impartial but they even took part in the arrest and tried Jesus at night illegally. They did not even have a formal accusation
against him when he was arrested.”
Joseph: “Cowards, I say. They went out of their way to
find hostile witnesses who contradicted themselves and finally convicted him using his own testimony which is also illegal.”
Nicodemus:
“And that cowardly governor, Pilate, pronounced him innocent three times and still sentenced him to death. That,
my friend, is even illegal under Roman law.”
Joseph:
“At least he is getting a royal-quality of burial with all of these spices and with his own new tomb.”
The
scene shifts to the women outside who are twisting and turning while trying to watch what is happening.
Salome:
“Can you see what they are doing? Are they desecrating our Lord’s body even more? I can’t
tell.”
Mary M.
“I cannot see either. I hope they are doing the right thing. Just in case, though, I am going to get the best spices
I can afford in order to make sure my Lord is given a proper burial.”
Mary: “Good idea. Thankfully, this garden
isn’t far from where we are staying.”
While the women are talking,
Nicodemus and Joseph complete their task, walk out of the tomb and push with all of their strength to roll the heavy stone
down into a groove across the door.
Joseph:
“Barring a great miracle, I’ll come back in a few months and place the bones into an ossuary box.”
Nicodemus:
“Somehow, though, I sense that this is not the end. We’ve seen the miracles our Lord performed. Something tells
me that there might be a surprise in store for all of us. I certainly hope so.”
The
scene shifts back to the women.
Mary: “O no! Look, look. They are blocking the opening
with a heavy stone. Now we won’t be able to go inside.”
Salome: “Don’t let that worry you.
My two sons and your two sons together should be able to move that stone. We have plenty of men to help.”
Mary M.:
“Yes, but will they risk being seen in public? The Sanhedrin and Romans may want more innocent blood. [pause]
I’m coming back anyway. It is Passover time and there are plenty of men around. We can find some strong men to help me in the morning.”
The two men leave and
the women come out of hiding and sit on large rocks near the tomb. They stare at the tomb for a minute.
Mary: “We’d better hurry and get back. It is getting
dark and the Sabbath is upon us.”
The women leave.
ACT
III
RESURRECTION AND APPEARANCES
Act
Three, Scene One
Guards Requested
Sunset has arrived. The
Sabbath Day is present. The Sadducee chief priests and Pharisees, normally both social and theological opponents have met
on the holy Sabbath day in order to do something that could possibly cause them to violate the Sabbath. They have risked being
forced to step into the building of a Gentile –a pagan Roman.
The scene opens with Pilate’s bodyguard
again announcing the presence of Jews at the door.
Guard: “Sir, there is a large group of
Jews waiting outside to speak with you. The chief priests and Pharisees are leading them.”
Pilate:
“What? You have got to be kidding me! This is their holy rest day. [In a very arrogant and mocking tone of voice] Aren’t
they afraid that I might drag them in here and force them to sin? [pauses and grins] I just might do that!”
Guard:
“Sir, it is about Jesus of Nazareth ---again.”
Pilate [wagging his head back and forth]: “I
wish that I had gone back home to Caesarea as soon as I sentenced him. Will I ever be rid of the man? He is already haunting me from Hades. Why can’t they just leave me
alone?”
Pilate
walks to the door. A guard opens it and Pilate steps outside to address the chief priests and Pharisees as two guards follow
him outside. Not missing an opportunity to intimidate them, he says:
Pilate: “Well, you bunch of sorry heathen
misfits, what do you want now? Why don’t you come inside and speak with me? Are you afraid of committing
a sin by entering my building?” [referring to Joseph] “One of your members has already been defiled by coming
inside.”
Caiaphas
(the chief priest): [Ignoring the reference to Joseph] “Sir, forgive our intrusion, but we would not be here unless
it was absolutely necessary. It is for your own reputation that we have come with a request.”
Pilate:
“Don’t patronize me! Yes, I know. Jesus of Nazareth! I told you over and over that I found
no fault with the man. You stirred up the crowds to get me to release a dangerous criminal and let this Jesus die instead. Well, he’s dead and he’s buried. End of story! Now leave me alone!”
Caiaphas: “Sir, we remember when he was
still alive that deceiver said that after three days he would rise again. We want you to give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples might come and steal
his body and say he has risen from the dead. And if that happens then their last deception will be worse than their first
deception.”
Pilate:
“Sure. I will get the blame and you won’t have any problems at all, will you? Worried about me, are you?
Now isn’t that gracious of you! [pause] I’m not worried about anything like that. I washed my hands of
the responsibility of having him put to death. Because you incited them your own people shouted for his blood to be placed
upon their hands. [pause] My soldiers are capable of putting down any rebellion you heathen weaklings might attempt.”
Caiaphas:
“All we ask, sir, is that you seal the tomb and place a guard on it until after the third day.”
Pilate:
“You have 600 of my soldiers at your disposal. Use them. Make the tomb as secure as you can.”
Pilate
goes back inside and the chief priests and Pharisees leave.
Act
Three, Scene Two
Guards Seal the Tomb.
The
scene opens with Roman guards sealing the tomb. They have placed twisted strips of cloth between the round stone and the outside
wall of the stone cave. One is slightly tilting a lit lantern. A second is holding a stick of wax near the heat causing it
to drip onto the twisted cloth strips being held by a centurion. The hot wax causes the cloth strips to adhere to the stone.
When the wax is sufficient the centurion presses his signet ring in several places along the cloth and says:
Centurion
(#2): “Well, this has got to be a first –guarding a poor man’s tomb. I think that the chief priests have
lost their minds.”
Guard:
“This has been one strange week. First the sky goes black for three hours yesterday and then that horrible earthquake.
You would think that the world is coming to an end.”
Centurion: “This is easy duty, though.
Let’s just build a fire, sit back and relax. Beside, what else can possibly go wrong?”
The
scene ends with the guards building a fire.
Act
Three, Scene Three
Women Approach the Tomb
The
scene opens a day and a half later. It has been the first day of the Hebrew week since sunset. Daybreak and the sunrise are not very far away. Several women are walking and carrying baskets of spices and herbs. They
probably intend to un-wrap the hastily prepared body of Jesus and thoroughly re-wrap it to include their own spices.
Mary: “It
won’t be long now. We’re almost there.”
Salome: “Yes. We sure are fortunate that
this rock garden and tomb are so near to where we are staying.”
Mary M.: “I am praying that we can quickly
find somebody to roll away that heavy stone blocking the entrance.”
Mary: “Mary,
I am sorry that my sons, Salome’s sons and the other men would not come and move the stone away. I guess they are right.
It is still too dangerous for them to be seen in public.”
Joanna: “I wonder how long they will keep hiding. We cannot stay there forever. You know, we have to get
on with our lives without Jesus.”
Mary M.: “I cannot imagine how that is possible. [pause]
Isn’t it strange that the prophet Isaiah said that the Messiah would be buried with the rich?”
Mary: “That
is one of those strange prophecies that nobody understands. The rabbis cannot agree about whom it is referring.”
Act
Three, Scene Four
The Empty Tomb
As
the women walk around a curve they catch their first glimpse of the tomb. The new day has arrived. There seems to be a slight
sound of angels faintly singing. Something very special is in the air.
The
women stop and gaze at the tomb from a short distance away. A beam of light, the first beam from the rising sun, lands directly on the tomb as if being guided by an unseen hand. They notice a large group of soldiers standing nearby. “What,” they ask to themselves, “are they doing here?”
Suddenly
--a jolting earthquake! The women scream as they are knocked off their feet and fall to the ground. The soldiers are also
thrown to the ground.
Slowly
the women begin brushing themselves off and standing up. They shield their eyes as they see something very bright, flashing
like lightning. They see the soldiers from their fallen positions staring at the bright flashing light, shaking violently in great fear and then collapsing –perhaps dead.
Unaware that the bright light was an angel
sitting on the rolled-away stone, the women keep on shielding their eyes until the angel stands up and enters the tomb.
Terrified
and confused the women cautiously move towards the now-open tomb. Mary Magdala bravely runs ahead of the other women and arrives
first.
Mary M.:
“The stone. The stone is rolled away. We can go inside.”
The
other women arrive and they all enter the tomb. As they stand just inside the entrance they first see the angel who had been
outside sitting at one end of the table where Jesus’ body had laid. As the first angel stands up a second angel appears
standing beside him.
Angel #1:
“Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who has been crucified.”
Two Angels
in unison deliver their message: “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.
Remember how He spoke to you while he was still in Galilee saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of
sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again.”
1st angel
(pointing to the empty table at the back of the tomb): “Come and behold the place where they laid him.”
Speechless,
the women walk deeper into the tomb and gaze at the empty space where they had faintly witnessed Nicodemus and Joseph wrapping
the body. The body is gone! They stare in shock with their hands over their mouths.
1st Angel:
“Go quickly and tell his disciples and Peter that he has risen from the dead and, behold, he is going ahead of you (for a great public appearance) into Galilee. There
all of you shall see him. [pause] This is my message to you.”
After
first looking at the empty table, then looking at the angels and finally looking at each other, the faces of the women suddenly
light up and come alive with unspeakable joy.
Women in unison: “O yes, he did say that. I remember now.”
Salome:
“Our Lord has risen from the dead. Hurry! We have got to tell the others.”
As
the women hurry back towards the others the angels disappear and the guards slowly stand up and walk towards the tomb.
Act
Three, Scene Five
Women Report
The
scene opens with the women nearing the house where the others are staying. Because of the earthquake they are all outside.
There are about 20 of them. Most are men. Some are sitting on the ground while others are standing.
Several
of the men notice the women at a distance coming fast towards them.
First man: “Look, the women are back
already. Something appears to be wrong.”
Second Man: “Maybe somebody got hurt during the earthquake.
I certainly hope not.”
Narrator: Mary Magdala sees Peter and John
by themselves. Again she breaks from the other women and runs ahead towards Peter. Out of breath, both terrified and overcome
with joy, she gasps:
Mary M.:
“Peter, Peter: Somebody has taken away my Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
[Catching her breath] “There was a terrible earthquake …”
Peter interrupts: “Yes, we know. That
is why we are all outside. What did you say about our Lord?”
Mary M. (continues as fast as she can talk):
“There was a bright light --- we saw soldiers fall dead on the ground --- there were two angels --- and the tomb was
empty. [begins crying] And, Peter, our Lord’s body is gone.”
As
Mary M. is speaking to Peter the other women arrive at the house. Each of them searches and picks out someone special to relate
their story. Some choose a husband, others choose a son and others choose a close friend. They are all speaking at once telling
their own version of the story as fast as they can. Pandemonium reigns.
Thomas
has been walking back and forth from one woman to another carefully listening. Finally he stands in the middle of the yard,
throws up his hands and says:
Thomas:
“I don’t believe any of you. How could our Lord’s body simply disappear from the tomb? Maybe
you went to the wrong tomb. This is nothing but silly women’s tales, idle tales and nonsense. The earthquake scared you to death and you cannot think straight. Gibberish, I say. You are all nuts.”
One
by one, the others who had stayed behind begin uttering agreement with Thomas.
From the group: “He’s right.”
“I agree.” “The earthquake scared them senseless.” “Women’s wild tales!” “It
makes no sense.” “His body is still there. Why don’t you all just calm down and go look again.”
Peter:
“I cannot stand this suspense. I know it’s dangerous to be seen in public now but I am going to check this out
for myself. Anybody here brave enough to come with me?”
John: “I’ll
go with you. I’m not afraid.”
Narrator: Peter and John
disappear down the path towards the tomb.
Act
Three, Scene Six
Peter and John
The
scene opens with John arriving at the entrance to the tomb exhausted. He stoops down to peer inside and catch his breathe
and sees the linen wrappings. As John is looking inside Peter arrives and brushes by John as he enters the tomb.
Peter:
“He is gone, John. Look at these linen wrappings which covered his body. And look over here [turns towards the head napkin]. Look at the burial cloth that had been around his head. It is folded
up by itself, separate from the linen. This is strange. I wonder what really did take place here.”
John: “I believe that the body has been
taken but nothing makes sense. It could not have been grave robbers. They would have stolen the expensive linen and left the body. Who would want the body
and not the linen?”
Peter:
“I’m not quite so sure yet. The women were right though about the body being gone, but where are the two young
men in white that they thought were angels.”
John: “And where are the so-called soldiers?
Maybe the women were imagining that part of their story.”
Peter: “I don’t know about you,
but I’m going home to be alone for a while and think this thing over by myself. There’s nothing else we can do
here. Nothing but un-answered questions!”
After finding the tomb
empty, Peter and John may not have immediately returned and reported to the others. However since the men on the Emmaeus Road later told Jesus that several of the disciples had also witnessed the empty tomb,
then they must have returned to the group before those two men departed to Emmaeus.
Act
Three, Scene Seven
The Women to Tomb Again
The
scene opens back in the large room. Offended by the men, now all of the women including those who had not gone the first time
are staying together away from the men.
Mary M.: “I am not waiting for Peter and John to return.
I’m going back right now. Who’s going with me?”
The other Mary says to the group “I’m
going back too. I’m going to make sure this time. Surely you’ll believe Peter and John when
they return. Why, they are men!”
Salome: [to the men] “Call us delusional women, will you?
I’m going back too. Come on ladies.”
From the group of men left behind is heard:
“Now look at them, wandering off again.” “You just cannot believe anything a woman says.” “I
wonder what kind of story they are going to come back with this time.”“ “Let’s follow them.”
“Are you crazy? Then they will mock us.” “If there were soldiers there they might recognize us.” “I’m
staying right here.”
The
scene ends with all of the women disappearing down the path towards the tomb.
Act
Three, Scene Eight
Jesus Appears to the Women
The
scene opens with Mary arriving at the tomb for the second time. She is alone and far ahead of the other women. She stops for a moment at the tomb and begins crying. Still crying, she stoops
down, looks inside and sees the same two young men she had seen there before. They are sitting at each end of the chiseled
table where Jesus’ body had laid.
Two angels
(in unison): “Woman, why are you crying?”
Mary M:
“They have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him.”
Suddenly
Jesus appears behind Mary. Sensing somebody behind her she briefly stops looking at the empty table and turns to glance at
Jesus but does not recognize him.
Jesus:
“Woman, why are you crying? Who are you seeking?”
Mary M.
(glancing over her shoulder at Jesus from a half-turned position): “Who are you? [thinking that he might be the gardener].
Sir, if you have carried him from here, please tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Mary
turns back around to look at the empty table.
Jesus [from behind]: “Mary.”
Mary
recognizes her own name being spoken once more by the familiar beloved voice of her Lord. She grabs her chest with both hands
as her heart suddenly jumps inside. Turning around quickly to face Jesus, her eyes light up with unspeakable joy and her face
reflects the wonder of seeing a miracle.
Mary M.:
[embracing Jesus, says in Hebrew] “Rabboni”-- My great Master.”
Jesus:
"Do not spend any more time with me now: I am not going immediately to heaven. You will have several opportunities of
seeing me again. Go and tell my disciples, that I am, eventually, to ascend to my Father and God, who is your Father and God
also. Therefore, let them take courage."
In
a daze, Mary does not respond. Jesus touches her hands.
Jesus: “Mary, Mary, you’ve got
to go now.”
Jesus
takes a step backwards. Mary reaches her arms out towards him and very slowly steps backwards out of the tomb while gazing
at him. As she turns to leave the other women arrive at the tomb for the second time.
Mary M.:
“I have just seen our Lord – alive!”
Jesus [steps out of the tomb]: “Peace
to you!”
Speechless,
the women gather around Jesus in awe and fall on their knees at his feet in worship. For a moment the usual sounds of adoration and worship are heard from the many women gathered around Jesus.
Jesus:
“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brethren to go into Galilee and they shall all see me there.”
Act
Three Scene Nine
The Soldiers Report
Since
the tomb was now empty the Roman guards return to Jerusalem and begin telling the chief priests what they had witnessed. Unable
to accept the facts, Caiaphas the chief priest calls an emergency meeting of the Sanhedrin. The large group of soldiers is
also present with their centurion.
Caiaphas: “Listen to me everybody. These soldiers have
returned and report that the earthquake moved the stone away from the tomb of Jesus. [pause] It gets even worse. They report
that [emphatically] angels from God stood between themselves and the tomb. And now the body of Jesus is gone.”
2nd chief
priest: “Nonsense! They lie. They probably fell asleep and Jesus’ disciples stole the body. They should be put
to death for sleeping on duty.”
3rd chief
priest: “I suppose the next thing we’ll hear is that Jesus is being seen alive walking and talking around Jerusalem.
We cannot allow that kind of rumor to get started.”
Caiaphas: “He’s right. We’ve
got to do something quick to silence these soldiers before they tell somebody else. It would be a disaster if the people heard
that [emphatically] God sent angels to take the body.”
2nd chief priest: “Then we must bribe
them and tell the guards to say they fell asleep and his disciples came and stole the body.”
Centurion:
“We cannot say that! First, Pilate would have us put to death for sleeping on duty. Second, we are not going to take
the blame for this. And, third, nobody would believe that stupid story anyway. Why we would be laughed out of the army even
if we did survive Pilate’s wrath.”
Caiaphas
[picks up and hands the centurion a small chest full of money] “And how much will it take to silence you and your men?”
The
other Sanhedrin members distribute four bags of money to each soldier.
Caiaphas: “Say that his disciples came
by night and stole him while you were asleep.” “And if the governor should hear about this we will take care of him and keep you out of trouble.”
Centurion
[looking at his treasure chest]: “I suppose with this much money we can ask for a transfer or retire. [pause] Nobody
will believe the true story and we could be put to death for this lie. [pause] We will hold you to your promise. But if Pilate
turns against us he will blame it all on you.”
The scene ends with the
soldiers leaving with their money.
Act
Three, Scene Ten
Emmaeus Road
The
scene opens with two men walking on a dirt road.
Un-named: “Cleopas, do you think that there might be some truth in the women’s report that Jesus’ body is gone and
angels were at the tomb?”
Cleopas: “Somebody might have stolen the body but I don’t believe the part about the angels and especially
the part about Jesus being alive. Why, even the apostles, those who were closest to Jesus didn’t believe them. If they
don’t believe the women, then why should we?”
While the two men are
walking Jesus appears “in another form” behind them and quietly walks with them, at first not saying a word. They briefly glance over their shoulders and politely
nod at him and continue talking to each other.
Un-named: “Yes, I guess you are right. I’m glad we
left early. It was getting really depressing. [pause] But what do we do now? Jesus is dead.”
Cleopas:
“I suppose we will just rearrange our lives all over again and pretend that all of this never happened. I hate that
it ended the way it did. I really do.”
Un-named: “Three and a half years following
Jesus. I don’t regret a minute of it. I would do it all over again if I had to. He really touched my life for good.”
Cleopas:
“Just think. Several days ago we were on top of the world when almost the entire city welcomed Jesus as a great Savior.
The palm leaves and shouts of praise ---man, what a spiritual high that was!”
Un-named:
“We will always have that memory.”
Jesus: “Pardon me gentlemen, what exactly
are you talking about?”
The
two men suddenly stop walking and have very sad expressions. They turn around to face Jesus.
Cleopas: “Are you the only person visiting Jerusalem who
is not aware of what has been happening the last few days?”
Jesus:
“What things?”
Un-named:
“We have been talking about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a great prophet. He performed mighty works and spoke wonderful
things about God’s kingdom.”
Cleopas:
“Our own chief priests and rulers betrayed him into the hands of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who crucified him.”
Un-named:
“We hoped and prayed that Jesus would be the long-awaited Messiah who would redeem our nation, Israel. [pause] This
is the third day since he was put to death.”
Cleopas:
“And that’s not the half of it. Some of the women with us went to the tomb this morning and said that they found
it empty. And they said they saw two angels from God who told them he was alive.”
Un-named:
“And then two of the men from our group went and came back saying that the tomb really was empty.”
Cleopas:
“But they didn’t see any angels and they didn’t see Jesus either. Who knows whom to believe?”
Jesus: “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have spoken. Was not the Messiah supposed to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?”
As
they again continue to walk down the dusty road Jesus begins quoting passages from the Bible which refer to himself -- beginning
at Moses and proceeding through the entire Scripture.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed
and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Gen 12:3 …and in
you shall all families of the earth be blessed. ……………………
Arriving
at the village of Emmaeus, Cleopas and his friend stop. Jesus is quoting Isaiah 9:6
Jesus:
“And the prophet Isaiah wrote ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon
his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.’”
Cleopas: “Sir, I hate to interrupt, but
we have arrived at our destination.”
Jesus stops talking and
walks past them a few steps as if he were going farther.
Un-named: “It has been a long walk and
the evening approaches. Won’t you please bless our house with your presence? Eat with us and rest with us tonight.”
Jesus
stops and turns around.
Cleopas:
“Yes, please do. We’d love to hear more of what you have to say about our Lord. Stay with us.”
The
scene fades and opens quickly with a view through an outside window of the three men sitting at a table. Jesus is seen breaking
bread and giving it to them. From outside the house one can hear shouts of “My Lord.” “It is you.” “You’re alive.”
And “forgive me, my Lord.”
Suddenly
Jesus vanishes from the table. [pause] Silence for a few moments. Then the two disciples open the door, walk out of the house and back onto the road.
Cleopas:
“We have got a lot of miles to cover and it will be almost sunset when we get there. The disciples have got to hear
about this.”
Un-named:
“Now I know why my heart felt on fire while he talked with us and explained the scriptures.”
Cleopas:
“I felt the same way.”
The scene closes with
the two men tucking their long outer garments into their waist belts and moving quickly.
Act
Two, Scene Eleven
Jesus Appears to Peter
According
to both Luke and Paul, Jesus appeared to Simon Peter also.
Peter is slowly walking
alone, very dejected and aimlessly looking down at the ground. He had seen the empty tomb but had not seen any angels. He
and John had reported their story to the others and had been laughed at as if they were women. He had spent much of the day meditating –running everything that had happened during the last few years over and over
again in his mind. “What is going on?” he keeps asking himself. “Has the whole world suddenly gone mad,
or just me?”
Jesus appears blocking
the path in front of him. Sensing a presence Peter stops and looks up at Jesus.
Jesus: “Peter, do you recognize me?”
Peter:
[As he stops and looks up to see the face of Jesus, his eyes brighten, he smiles, he grins and then he falls to Jesus’
feet in worship.] “My Lord, my Lord, my Lord. It really is you. My Lord, my Lord. I am a sinful man.”
Jesus:
[Reaching down and touching Peter on the head.] “You may stand up, my friend. I have much work for you. You must be
strong and use your gift of leadership. Your mission will not be an easy one.”
Peter: “Whatever you say, my Lord. I
am your servant.”
Jesus:
“Go and tell the others I have risen. They must all believe. Go quickly.”
Jesus
vanishes. The scene ends with Peter looking around for Jesus before he runs away.
Act
Three Scene Twelve
Women Report Seeing Jesus
The
scene opens as first Mary Magdala and then the other women arrive back at the house to announce that they have seen Jesus
alive. They are all exhausted from their hurried trip. They are all almost delirious from their unimaginable experience of seeing
Jesus alive. They are all terrified because of the sheer incredibility of what they had experienced. And they are all extremely
anxious to tell their stories as fast as they can without interruption.
The
scene moves to inside the room where about 15 men are staying. They are startled as they hear very loud banging on the front
door. Thomas is not with them.
Mary M.: “It’s me, it’s me. Mary. Let me in.”
Recognizing
her voice, somebody yells, “It’s Mary” and the door is quickly opened. Mary darts inside screaming.
Mary M.:
“He’s alive. He’s alive. He really is. I saw him myself. Our Lord is really alive. Praise
God. Praise God. Praise God.”
As soon as Mary M. has finished her joyful
outburst the other women arrive. They enter the room as fast as they can, unconsciously pushing several men aside who had
been blocking the doorway and looking at Mary M. in the center of the room.
Mary: “She’s right. We all saw
Jesus this time. He is alive.”
Not seeking out their own husband or son or
friend as they did the first time they were rebuffed and laughed at, the women stick together. As if in a rehearsed choir
they shout in unison “he’s alive,” “he’s alive,” “our Lord is alive.”
Un-identified
men: “Well, you’ve done it again. We all thought that you might come back and report actually seeing Jesus this
time. [pause] Well, we still don’t believe you. Please stop this cruel game. What you are doing is crazy. Our Lord is
dead and now his body is missing.”
2nd Un-identified man to the women: “You are not the only
ones telling wild stories. A little while ago some friends came by and told us that a lot of people in Jerusalem are claiming
to have seen people they know to be dead walking around the city. I think that these earthquakes have rattled a lot of people’s
brains.”
Zebedee:
[The oldest man there] “Stop it. Hold everything. Either all of you are drunk or you have somehow made up this preposterous
story. Look at you. You are all exhausted and hysterical! [pause] Yes, something has happened to all of you, but what?
Now I want all of you to try to be calm, sit down, catch your breath, take turns and very slowly and very carefully
tell us what happened.
As Zebedee is speaking
the other men who had not seen Jesus slowly gather around him in approval.
The
women are confused and upset from being rejected a second time. The men are both confused and angry –accusing the women
of making light of something very serious. The scene closes as the women huddle in a corner of the room to talk among themselves.
Act
Three, Scene Thirteen
Peter and Cleopas Report
Jesus
Appears.
The
morning has gone and most of the afternoon. About six hours have passed since the women returned the second time. As the scene
opens three men approach the house. The first is Peter. He is followed closely by the two men from Emmaeus who have returned.
The scene shifts to the interior of the building. The women are still sitting together
in one corner chattering to each other about what they have witnessed and hoping the men will somehow finally believe them.
The men are visibly disturbed by the incessant chattering of the women.
Peter [out of breath, enters the house as the
other two men follow]: “Our Lord IS alive. He personally appeared to me just a few minutes ago. I tell you, I saw him.
He appeared to me. I wasn’t this far [illustrating a foot] from him. I kneeled and kissed his feet and he even touched
me on the head. [Very loudly] My brothers and sisters, Jesus has risen from the dead.”
The
two disciples from Emmaeus enter immediately behind Peter.
Cleopas: “We saw him too. Peter is right.
The Lord has risen indeed.
The
women stand up and close ranks with the three men who have seen Jesus. They are now the majority, but not the majority of
men.
Peter [spinning around suddenly realizes that his testimony is
being rejected again]: “You don’t believe ANY of us, do you?” “What’s wrong with YOU?”
“Hey [arms outspread pointing to the group around him], all of us saw him. [pointing to himself] It happened to me!
[pause] I know what I saw.”
An unexplained eerie silence
grips all present as they sense someone, or something, out of place, appearing suddenly in the middle of the room. Jesus appears!
Jesus:
“Peace unto you.”
Not
being accustomed to someone suddenly appearing out of nothing, everybody in the room turns to Jesus in terror and takes a
step backward away from him. Their first response was that they had seen a spirit.
Jesus:
“Why are you troubled? And why are you questioning my resurrection from the dead? Look at my hands and my feet.
I am real. Touch me and see for yourself. A spirit does not have flesh and bones and I do.”
When
Jesus had said this, he lifted up his garment from the floor and showed them his hands and his feet. Astonishingly even this
did not convince those in the room that they were not looking at a spirit. After witnessing all of what Jesus had just done
they were so joyful and amazed that they still could not believe what they were seeing.
Jesus:
“Do you have food here?”
Jesus
walks over to a table and picks up a small piece of fish and a small piece of honeycomb. While they are all staring at him
as if in a trance he eats the food.
Finally,
as with the Emmaeus disciples, when they witness Jesus eating, they realize that he is really with them in the flesh. The room is full of one person after another crying, “It is you.” “Praise God!” “My Lord!”
“Lord, forgive us for doubting you.”
Jesus: “As my Father has sent me, even
so I send you. I send all of you out to declare the forgiveness of sins through faith in my shed blood of the New Covenant.
And when he had said this, he
breathed on them, and said:
Jesus:
“Receive the Holy Spirit. Declare that those whose sins you forgive have already been forgiven in heaven and those whose sins you do not forgive have
not been forgiven in heaven.”
The
apostles receive from the Lord the doctrine of reconciliation and the doctrine of condemnation. They are to declare that those
who believe on the Son of God as the result of their preaching have their sins remitted. And they are to declare that those
who will not believe remain under condemnation.
Jesus
vanishes.
Thomas
enters the room.
The
approximately 30 people inside have just seen Jesus. Jesus has vanished again and everybody is talking loudly at the same
time.
Thomas:
“What’s going on here? What’s all the noise about?”
Peter: “Thomas, our Lord is alive. He
was here. Everybody in this room saw him just a few moments ago.”
Thomas:
“Unless I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and press
my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Peter:
“We saw his hands and feet. We saw the scars where the nails had been. All of us did. You can believe us, Thomas.”
Thomas:
“And how much proof did you have to have before you believed? Like I said before, when I see him
and touch him myself, then I will believe it.”
Act
Three, Scene Fourteen
Eight Days Later
Eight
days pass since Jesus is first seen alive by the apostles, disciples and women. The apostles are still
in the upper room waiting for word from Jesus. This time Thomas is present also.
Jesus
once again appears suddenly, standing in the middle of the room and gives his familiar greeting.
Jesus: “Peace unto you.”
Thomas,
though astonished and terrified, cautiously approaches Jesus.
Jesus: “Thomas, Place your finger here
[pointing to the scar in his open right hand] and behold my hands [holding open his left hand also] and place your hand here
[pushing his garment against his side to reveal a deep scar] and press it into my side. Do not be an unbeliever but believe.”
Thomas
touches first the scar on Jesus’ right hand, then the scar on his left and then pressing his hand over the deep wide
scar in his left side –apparent even through the garment. He looks at Jesus eye to eye and falls down as his feet.
Thomas: “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus:
“Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are they that have not seen me and yet have believed.”
Act
IV
At the Sea of Galilee
Act
Three, Scene One
At the Sea of Galilee
As
the scene opens Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James and John the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples are fishing in
a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also called Tiberias). They are about 100 yards from shore.
Peter:
“Although we haven’t caught anything all night this is better than sitting around waiting for a sign from the
Lord. I sure am glad you guys came along to help me with the boat.”
Thomas: “Yes, but I still don’t
feel right leaving Jerusalem.”
Nathaniel: “This has been one long strange night. Not a
single fish. Do you think God is trying to tell us something?”
As
the morning breaks Jesus is seen standing on the shore but the disciples do not recognize him.
Jesus [with
his hands cupped over his mouth shouts out]: “Children, have you caught any fish?”
Those in
the boat: "No."
Jesus:
“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
James:
“What a strange thing to say! Why would fish be on one side of the boat and not on the other side?”
Peter:
“Let’s humor the guy. Besides, we don’t have anything else to do.”
The
disciples on the boat are seen pulling in their nets from the left side and then throwing them over the right side of the
boat. Suddenly there is frenzy in the water as fish are jumping and squirming trying to get out of the net.
Peter:
“Pull men, pull. This is a miracle.”
The men are all pulling
frantically to try and get the net full of fish back into the boat. They fail and settle back with exhaustion.
John [while
looking at Jesus says to Peter beside him]: “Peter, It is the Lord!"
Without
saying a word Peter wraps an outer garment around himself, jumps into the water and begins moving towards Jesus. The other disciples follow in the boat, towing the net full of fish.
The
boat hits bottom, the anchor is dropped, the men jump out and wade to the shore. They arrive about the same time as Peter
and see Jesus standing beside a fire with burning coals, cooked fish and bread.
Jesus:
“Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Peter
and several others go back to the boat, climb aboard, unhook the net, jump off the boat and drag it to shore –full of
fish –large fish—l53 of them –yet the net does not break!
Jesus:
“Come and have breakfast.”
The
seven disciples are speechless. They know that it is Jesus. [A short time passes as they clean and cook fish.]
Jesus
first takes the bread and passes it among them as they break off pieces and eat it. Next he does the same thing with the fish.
Jesus is seen eating and drinking with his disciples. When they have all finished eating, Jesus calls Simon Peter over to the side.
Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you truly
love me more than these?”
Peter: “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you as a brother.”
Jesus:
“As a shepherd feed my lambs.”
Jesus [a
second time]: “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
Peter: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love
you as a brother.”
Jesus:
“Be a shepherd to my little sheep.”
Jesus [third
time]: “Simon son of John, do you love me as a brother?”
Peter [distressed]: “Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you as a brother.”
Jesus: “As a shepherd feed my sheep.”
Jesus
next reveals the manner of Peter’s death ….
Jesus: “I tell you the truth, when you
were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted but when you are old you will stretch out your hands and someone
else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. [pauses] Follow me!”
Peter [turns
and sees John following them]: “Lord, who will betray you? And what is going to happen to John?”
Jesus:
“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Act
IV
FINAL APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION
Acts
Five, Scene One
On a Mountain in Galilee
In
First Corinthians, chapter 15, one of the earliest written documents of the Christian faith, the Apostle Paul writes:
“Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand by
which also you are being saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.”
“For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
“He
was seen of Cephas and then of the twelve. After that, he was seen of more than five hundred brethren at one time --of whom
most are still alive, but some are fallen asleep.”
“After
that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”
The
Apostle Paul here says that at some time Jesus was seen by over 500 people at one time.
Then
we are told that he appeared to James, his half-brother, the one who would soon take over leadership of the church in Jerusalem.
Jesus
also appeared on a mountain top in Galilee where he gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28. This may be the indisputable
public appearance mentioned by the angels and also where the 500 saw him.
Jesus: “All authority has been given
to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all that I commanded you. And lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.”
Act
Five, Scene Two
Ascension
It
has been 40 days since Jesus was resurrected. Pentecost is 10 days away. Jesus is walking with his disciples from Jerusalem
to Bethany. He has shown himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs --being seen of them for forty days speaking
of things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Jesus:
“These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were
written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
Then
he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
Jesus:
“It is written and therefore it is necessary that Messiah should suffer and rise from the dead the third day. And it
is necessary that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in my name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And you are witnesses of these things.”
“And,
behold, I send that which my Father has promised upon you. But you must wait in the city of Jerusalem,
until you are encompassed and clothed with power from on high. For John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”
Reaching
the foot of Mt. Olivet in Bethany, Jesus stops and turns to face his disciples behind him.
Peter [speaking
for all of the disciples]: “Lord, will you now restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus:
“It is not for you to know the times or the dates which the Father has set by his own authority. But you shall receive
power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,
and in Samaria, and even unto the uttermost part of the earth. Peace to you.”
After
Jesus speaks these things, while they watch he ascends and disappears into a cloud. For a long while after Jesus has disappeared the men keep looking upward into the sky.
Suddenly
two men appear beside them in white apparel.
Two Angels
in Unison: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing gazing into heaven? This same Jesus who has just been taken up from
you into heaven shall return in the same manner in which you have seen him depart into heaven.”
Act
Five, Scene Three
Second
Coming in Glory
[Note:
a video or slide presentation would be good here.] The closing scene is from the viewpoint of Jesus who is ascending above
the earth. At first the small group of disciples is seen looking directly upwards. Next a mist of clouds
slowly obscures the view until nothing is seen but white clouds below. Then the clouds themselves become smaller and smaller
and the planet itself comes into view. Finally the planet itself becomes smaller and smaller and the scene begins to become
solid white from the glory and brightness of heaven itself.
While this is happening
the narrator is reading the list of appearances.
The
scene begins to reverse. The brightness of heaven fades as the earth is seen in a distance growing larger. Angels are heard
at first very softly in the background singing “Jesus is coming again.” The chorus becomes louder and louder as
the clouds again come into view.
When the clouds first
begin to dissipate there is one final loud crescendo “Jesus is coming again!”
List of Later Appearances
Narrator:
The Word of God records many more times that Jesus was seen after his ascension into heaven.
Stephen saw Jesus in a vision while he was
being stoned to death. Stephen said “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand
of God.” [Acts 7:55-56]
Again,
while Stephen was being stoned to death, Paul said that he heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him. Jesus said to him “Depart,
for I will send you far away unto the Gentiles.” [Acts 22:20-21]
Again,
when Paul was on the road to Damascus to kill Christian, he saw a bright light and heard Jesus speaking to him. Jesus said
“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” [Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:15]
Again,
while he was in Arabia Paul saw Jesus and later told the Galatians that his gospel was by “revelation” of Jesus
Christ. [Galatians 1:12, 17]
Again,
on his first return to Jerusalem before his first missionary journey Paul had a vision of Jesus while he was praying in the
Temple. Jesus said “Hurry and get out of Jerusalem because they will not receive your testimony concerning me.” [Acts 22:17-19]
Again,
while in Corinth Jesus appeared to Paul to encourage him. Jesus said “Do not be afraid but speak out and say what you want to say. For I am with you and no man shall attack
you to harm you. For I have a lot of people in this city.” [Acts 18:9-10]
Again,
while imprisoned in Judea Jesus appeared to Paul and said “Be of good cheer, Paul. As you have testified
of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also in Rome.” [Acts 23:11]
And again, the Apostle John saw Jesus while
he was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos. This is recorded in Revelation, chapter one.
“And
many other signs truly Jesus did in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book. But these are written,
that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.”
Footnote
References and Harmony
Act 1: Scene 1: Arrest in the Garden
1.
Judas with Romans
Mt 26:47 Mk 14:42
Lk 22:47 Jn 18:2-2-3
2, Betrayal soon
Mt 26:47 Mk 14:42
---
---
3.
Crowd arrives.
Mt 26:47 Mk 14:43
Lk 22:47 Jn 18:3
4. Whom seeking?
---
---
---
Jn 18:4
5.
Jesus of Nazareth
---
---
---
Jn 18:5a
6.
I am he
---
---
---
Jn 18:5b
7.
They fall to ground.
---
---
---
Jn 18:6
8.
Whom seeking? 2nd
---
---
---
Jn 18:7a
9.
Jesus of Nazareth
---
---
---
Jn 18:7b
10.
I am he. Let others go. ---
---
---
Jn 18:8
11.
Kiss: Hail Rabbi
Mt 26:48-49 Mk 16:44-45 ---
---
12. Betray
with a kiss? ---
---
Lk 22:48 ---
13. Do what came for.
Mt 26:50a ---
---
---
14. Crowd
grabs Jesus. Mt
26:50b Mk 14:46 ---
---
15. Shall
we fight?
---
---
Lk 22:49
16.
Cuts off ear.
Mt 26:51 Mk 14:47
Lk 22:50 Jn 18:10
17. Stop. Heals ear.
--
---
LK 22:51 ---
18. Perish by sword.
Mt 27:52 ---
---
Jn 18:11a
19.
Drink the cup.
---
---
---
Jn 18:11b
20.
12, 000 angels.
Mt 26:53 ---
---
---
21. Must
fulfill Scripture.
Mt 26:54 ---
---
---
22. Bound;
taken away. ---
---
---
Jn 18:12
23.
Common criminal? Mt
26:55a Mk 14:48 Lk
22:52 ---
24. Daily in temple?
Mt 26:55b Mk 14:49a Lk
22:53a ---
25. This fulfills Scripture.
Mt 26:56a Mk 14:49b ---
---
26. Power
of darkness. ---
---
Lk 22:53b ---
27. Disciples fled
Mt 26:56b
Mk 14:50 ---
---
28. John
flees naked.
---
Mk 14:51-52 ---
---
………………………………………………………………………………….
Act 1: Scene 2: In front of Annas.
29. In front of Annas.
---
---
---
Jn 18:13 [14]
30.
Annas
---
---
---
Jn 18:13
31.
John enters
---
---
---
Jn 18:15
32.
Peter enters
---
---
---
Jn 18:16
33.
Aren’t you one?
---
---
---
Jn 18:17a
34.
I am not.
---
---
---
Jn 18:17b
35.
Peter at fire.
---
---
---
Jn 18:18
36.
Annas questions Jesus
---
---
---
Jn 18:19
37.
Nothing in secret
---
---
---
Jn 18:20
38.
Ask hearers
---
---
---
Jn 18:21
39.
Official slaps.
---
---
--
Jn 18:22
40.
Why hit me?
---
---
---
Jn 18:23
……………………………………………………………………………..
Act 1: Scene 3: Caiaphas’ Illegal Night Trial
41. To Caiaphas
Mt 26:57
Mk 14:53 Lk 22:54
Jn 18:24
42.
Bad witnesses.
Mt 26:59-60 Mk 14:55-56 ---
---
43. Witness
#1.
Mt 26:61 ---
---
---
44. Witness
#2.
---
Mk 14:57-59 ---
---
45. Caiaphas
stands.
---
Mk 14:60a ---
---
46. Going
to answer?
Mt 26:62 Mk 14:60b
---
---
47. Jesus
says nothing. Mt
26:63a Mk 14:61a ---
---
48. Oath;
are you Christ? Mt 26:63b
Mk 14:61b ---
---
49. Son
of Blessed One? ---
Mk 14:61c ---
---
50. It
is as you say.
Mt 26:64a ---
---
---
51. I
am.
---
Mk 14:62a ---
---
52. Ps
110:1; Daniel 7:13 Mt 26:64b
Mk 14:62b ---
---
53. Blasphemy!
Mt 26:65a Mk 14:64a ---
---
54. No
more witnesses. Mt
26:65b (Mk 14:63) ---
---
55. What
do you think? Mt 26:66a
---
---
---
56. Deserves
death.
Mt 26:66b Mk 14:64b ---
---
57. Mockery;
abuse.
Mt 26:67-68 Mk 14:65 ---
---
……………………………………………..
Act 1: Scene 4: Peter’s Denials
58. Peter’s Denials
59. Peter
at fire.
(Mt 26:58) (Mk 14:54) ---
---
60. You
were with him. Mt 26:69b
Mk 14:67b ---
---
61. This
man was with him ---
---
Lk 22:56 ---
62. Woman,
I do not know him ---
---
Lk 22:57 ---
63. I don’t know.
Mt 26:70 Mk 14:68a
---
---
64. I
don’t understand.
---
Mk 14:68b ---
---
65. Official
asks.
---
---
---
Jn 18:25a
66.
I am not
---
---
---
Jn 18:25b
67.
Peter goes to porch.
Mt 26:71a Mk 14:68c ---
---
68. This
is one of them. Mt
26:71b Mk 14:69 ---
---
69. (Man)
You are one of them. ---
---
Lk 22:58a ---
70 Mister, I am not.
Mt 26:72 ---
Lk 22:58b ---
71. Hour passes.
Mt 26:73a Mk 14:70a Lk
22:59a ---
72. Relative’s ear.
---
---
---
Jn 18:26
73.
Accent.
Mt 26:73b ---
Lk 22:59b ---
74. Also a Galilean.
---
Mk 14:70b ---
---
75. Mister,
I do not know.
Mt 26:74a Mk 14:71
Lk 22:60a ---
76. Cock crows 2nd time.
Mt 26:74b Mk 14:72a Lk
22:60b Jn 18:27a
77. Jesus looks at Peter.
---
---
Lk 22:61a ---
78. Peter
remembers.
Mt 26:75a Mk 14:72b Lk
22:61b Jn 18:27b
79. Peter cries.
Mt 26:75b Mk 14:72c Lk
22:62 ---
……………………………………………………………………………………….\
Act 1: Scene 5: Caiaphas’ Morning Trial
80. Caiaphas’ morning trial.
Mt 27:1-2 Mk 15:1a
Lk 22:66-71 ---
81.
All assembled again. Mk
27:1 Mk 15:1a
Lk 22:66 ---
82. Tell us, are you Christ?
---
---
Lk 22:67a ---
83. If I told you, not believe.
---
---
Lk 22:67b-68 ---
84.
Ps 110:1; Dan 7:13.
---
---
Lk 22:69 ---
85. Are you the Son of God?
---
---
Lk 22:70a ---
86. It is as you say.
---
---
Lk 22:70b ---
87. No further witnesses.
---
---
Lk 22:71 ---
88. Jesus is tied up and led out. Mt 27:2
Mk 15:1b Lk 23:1
Jn 18:28a
…………………………………………………………………………….
Ac1: Scene 6: Judas Iscariot
89. Judas
Mt 27:3-10 ---
Acts 1:18-19 ---
90. Betrayed innocent blood.
Mt 27:4a ---
---
---
91. That
is your problem. Mt 27:4b
---
---
---
92. Throws
money into Temple. Mt 27:5 ---
---
---
93. Price
of blood.
Mt 27:6 ---
---
---
94. Bought
Potter’s field. Mt 27:7-10
---
---
---
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Act 1: Scene 7: Pilate’s First Trial
95. Pilate’s First Trial.
Mt 27:2-24 Mk 15:1b-5 Lk 23:1-6
Jn 18:28b-38
96.
Outside court.
---
---
---
Jn 18:28b
97
What accusation?
---
---
---
Jn 18:29
98.
If not a criminal
---
---
---
Jn 18:30
99.
Says he is a king.
---
---
Lk 23:2 ---
100. You judge him.
---
---
---
Jn 18:31a
101. Not
lawful for us to kill. ---
---
---
Jn 18:31b-32
102. Inside
with Jesus.
---
---
---
Jn 18:33a
103. Are
you king of the Jews? Mt 27:11a Mk
15:2a Lk 23:3a
Jn 18:33b
104. Why
do you ask?
---
---
---
Jn 18:34
105. What
have you done? ---
---
---
Jn 18:35
106. My
kingdom.
---
---
---
Jn 18:36
107. So
you are a king.
---
---
---
Jn 18:37a
108. It
is as you say.
Mt 27:11b Mk 15:2b
Lk 23:3b ---
109. King: witness the truth.
---
---
---
Jn 18:37b
110. What
is truth?
---
---
---
Jn 18:38a
111. No
cause to condemn.
---
---
Lk 23:4 Jn 18:38b
112. Accused; no answer.
Mt 27:12 Mk 15:3
---
---
113. Going
to answer?
Mt 27:13 Mk 15:4
---
---
114. No answer.
Amazed. Mt 27:14
Mk 15:5 ---
---
115. Preached
in Galilee. ---
---
Lk 23:5 ---
116. Is he Galilean?
---
---
Lk 23:6 ---
117. Yes.
---
---
Lk 23:7 ---
………………………………………………..
Act 1: Scene 8: Herod Agrippa
118. To Herod Agrippa.
---
---
Lk 23:8-12 ---
119. Herod Agrippa
---
---
Lk 23:8 ---.
120 Questions; silent.
---
---
Lk 23:9-10 ---
121. Robe; to Pilate
---
---
Lk 23:11-12 ---
……………………………………………………………………………………
Act 1: Scene 9: Pilate –Second Time
122. Pilate 2nd Time
Mt 27:15-30 Mk 15:6-19 Lk 23:13-32
Jn 18:39-19:16
123. Release
custom.
Mt 27:16 Mk 15:7-8
(Lk 23:17, 19) ---
124.
Plate & Herod; innocent. ---
---
Lk 23:13-15 ---
125.
You have custom.
(Mt 27:15) (Mk 15:6) (Lk
23:19) Jn 18:39a
126. Release whom?
Mt 27:17 Mk 15:9
---
Jn 18:39b
127. Envy
considered.
Mt 27:18 Mk 15:10
---
---
128. Punish
& release.
---
---
Lk 23:16 ---
129. Wife’s dream.
Mt 27:19 ---
---
---
130. Crowd
persuaded. Mt
27:20 Mk 15:11
---
---
131. Which
of the two? Mt
27:21a ---
---
---
132. Barabbas.
Mt 27:21b
133. Not this
man.
---
---
---
Jn 18:40
134. Away
with him.
---
---
Lk 23:18 ---
135. Jesus is scourged.
---
---
---
Jn 19:1
136. Soldiers
mock. Hail, king. ---
---
---
Jn 19:2-3
137. No
fault.
---
---
---
Jn 19:4
138. Robe
and thorns.
---
---
---
Jn 19:5a
139. Behold
the man.
---
---
---
Jn 19:5b
140. What
with king?
Mt 27:22a Mk 15:12
---
---
141. Crucify
him.
Mt 27:22b Mk 15:13
Lk 23:20-21 Jn 19:6a
142.
Why?
---
Mk 15:14 Lk 23:22a
---
143. You crucify
him.
---
---
---
Jn 19:6b
144. No
guilt.
---
---
Lk 23:22b Jn 19:6c
145. Punish & release.
---
---
Lk 23:22c ---
146. Son of God.
---
---
---
Jn 19:7
147. More
afraid.
---
---
---
Jn 19:8-9a
148. Where
are you from? ---
---
---
Jn 19:9b
149. Authority
to crucify. ---
---
---
Jn 19:10
150. Only
from God.
---
---
---
Jn 19:11
151. Wants
to release.
---
---
---
Jn 19:12a
152. Not
Caesar’s friend. ---
---
---
Jn 19:12b
153. Stone
Pavement.
---
---
---
Jn 19:13
154. 6AM
Preparation Day. ---
---
---
Jn 19:14a
155. Behold
your king.
---
---
---
Jn 19:14b
156. Away.
Crucify him. ---
---
---
Jn 19:15a
157. Crucify
your king? ---
---
---
Jn 19:15b
158. No
king but Caesar. ---
---
---
Jn 19:15c
159. Washes
hands.
Mt 27:24 ---
---
---
160. Blood
on us & children. Mt 27:25
---
---
---
161. Sentencing.
---
Mk 15:15a LK 23:24
---
162. Barabbas
is released. Mt 27:26a
Mk 15:15b Lk 23:25a ---
163. Scourging and mockery.
Mt 27:26-30 Mk 15:15-19 Lk 23:25b
Jn 19:16
164. To
Praetorium.
(Mt 27:27) (Mk 15:16) ---
---
165. 2nd scourging.
Mt 27:26b Mk 15:15c Lk
23:25c ---
166. Robe and thorns again.
Mt 27:28-29a Mk 15:17 ---
---
167. Hail,
king again.
Mt 27:29b Mk 15:18
---
---
168. Mockery
again.
Mt 27:30 Mk 15:19
---
---
169. Beard.
(Isaiah 50:6) ---
---
---
---
170. His own clothes.
Mt 27:31a Mk 15:20
---
---
……………………………………………………………..
Act 1: Scene 10: Crucifixion and Death
171. Crucifixion and death.
Mt 27:31b-50 Mk 15-20-37 Lk 23:26-46 Jn
19:17-30
172. 9AM third
Jewish hour ---
(Mk 15:25) ---
---
173. Jesus
carries cross. ---
---
---
Jn 19:17a
174. Simon
of Cyrene
Mt 27:32 Mk 15:21
Lk 23:26 ---
175. Large crowd of women.
---
---
Lk 23:27 ---
176. Weep for yourselves.
---
---
Lk 23:28-31 ---
177.
Two others being crucified. ---
---
Lk 23:32 ---
178. Skull; Golgotha.
Mt 27:33 Mk 15:22
Lk 23:33a Jn 19:17b
179. Many others dieing.
---
---
---
---
180. Refuses
pain-killer. Mt 27:34
Mk 15:23 ---
---
181. Two already
crucified. Mk 27:35a
Mk 15:24a (28) Lk 23:33b Jn 19:18a
182. Laid down on cross.
(Mt 27:38) ---
Lk 23:33c Jn 19:18b
183. Nails and sign.
(Mt 27:37) Mk 15:26 (Lk
23:38) Jn 19:19-20
184. Father, forgive them.
---
---
Lk 23:34a ---
185. Seamless garment.
Mt 27:35b Mk15:24b Lk
23:34b (Jn 19:24-25)
186. Soldiers sit down.
Mt 27:36 ---
---
---
187. Do not
write.
---
---
---
Jn 19:21
188. I
have written.
---
---
---
Jn 19:22
189. Rebuild
temple? Save self. Mt 27:39-40 Mk 15:29-30
Lk 23:35a ---
190. Officials mock.
Mk 27:41-42 Mk 15:31-32a ---
---
191. Let God
deliver you. Mt 27:43
---
Lk 23:35b ---
192. Soldier mocks.
---
---
Lk 23:36-37 ---
193.
Thieves mock.
Mt 27:44 Mk 15:32b
---
---
194. Save self
and us.
---
---
Lk 23:39 ---
195. We deserve punishment. ---
---
Lk 23:40-41 ---
196.
Remember me.
---
---
Lk 23:42 ---
197. Today in paradise.
---
---
Lk 23:43 ---
198. Names of women.
---
---
---
Jn 19:25
199. Behold
son/mother. ---
---
---
Jn 19:26-27a
200. John
takes Mary away. ---
---
---
Jn 19:27b
201. Darkness.
Mt 27:45
Mk 15:33 Lk 23:44-45 ---
202. My God. My God.
Mt 27:46 Mk 15:34
---
---
203. Calling
for Elijah. Mt
27:47 Mk 15:35
---
---
204. I thirst.
---
---
---
Jn 19:28
205. See
if Elijah comes. Mt 27:48
Mk 15:36 ---
Jn 19:29-30a
206. See
if Elijah comes. Mt 27:49
---
---
---
207. Finished.
Into hands. Mt 27:50
Mk 15:37 Lk 23:46
Jn 19:30b
………………………………………………………………………………………
ACT TWO: DEATH AND BURIAL
………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 2: Scene 1: Crucifixion
208. Jesus dies.
Mt 27:33-56 Mk 15:22-41 Lk 23:44-49
Jn 19:17-30
209. Golgotha.
Calvary Mt
27:33 Mk 15:22
---
Jn 19:17
210. 9th
hour; 3PM
Mt 27:45 Mk 15:23
Lk 23:44 ---
211. Darkness: 12-3PM
Discussion about72 hours and 3 days and 3 nights.
212.
It is finished.
---
---
---
Jn 19:30
213. Into
your hands.
---
---
Lk 23:46a ---
..............................................................................................................................
Act 2: Scene 2: Death
214. Death.
Mt 27:50 Mk 15:37
Lk 23:46b Jn 19:30b
215. Evening sacrifice.
---
---
---
---
216. Temple
veil splits. Mt
27:51a Mk 15:38 Lk
23:46c ---
217. Earthquake. Graves open.
Mt 27:51b-52 ---
---
---
218. Four soldiers.
(Mt 27::36) ---
---
---
219. Centurion
speaks.
---
---
Lk 23:47 ---
220 Son of God.
Mt 27:54 Mk 15:39
Lk 23:47 ---
221. Beating breasts.
---
---
Lk 23:48 ---
222. Women mourners.
Mt 27:55-56 Mk 15:40-41 Lk 23:49
---
223. Custom
to break legs. ---
---
---
Jn 19:31
224. Soldiers
break legs. ---
---
---
Jn 19:32
225. Jesus
already dead. ---
---
--- Jn
19:31-33, 36
226. Spear
into heart.
---
---
---
Jn 19:34a
227. Blood
and water.
---
---
---
Jn 19:34b
228. Blood
and Water.
---
---
---
Jn 19:34, 37
………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 2: Scene 3: Nicodemus and Joseph Meet
229. Nicodemus; John 3:5-10
---
---
---
---
230. Deuteronomy
30:6 ---
---
---
---
231. New tomb.
Mt 27:60 Mk 15:46
Lk 23:53 Jn 19:41
232. “All” Sanhedrin.
---
(Mk 14:64) ---
---
233. Ps 110:1;
Daniel 7:13.
(Mt 26:64) (Mk 14:62) (Lk 22:69-70)
---
234. 1st phase;
2nd phase. (Mt 26:64)
(Mk 16:62) (Lk 22:69-70) ---
235. Why Jesus must die.
(Mt 26:66) (Mk 14:64) ---
---
236. John took
Mary away.
---
---
--- (John 19:26-27)
237. Nicodemus
defended Jesus. ---
---
--- (John
7:45-52)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 2: Scene 4: Joseph Requests Body from Pilate
238. Joseph before Pilate.
Mt 27:57-58 Mk 15:32-45 Lk 23:50-52
Jn 19:38
239. Joseph
before Pilate. Pilate’s biography.
240. Pilate’s judgment hall.
---
---
---
(Jn 19:13)
241. Sir;
governor
---
---
---
---
242. Joseph
arrives.
Mt 27:57-58a Mk 15:42-43 Lk 23:50-52 Lk
19:38
243. Is he dead
already? ---
Mk 15:44a ---
---
244. Pilate’s
wife’s dream.
(Mt 27:19) ---
---
---
245. Sanhedrin
and Herod. ---
---
(Lk 23:7-15) ---
246.
We found no fault.
---
---
(Lk 23:16) ---
247. I washed my hands.
(Mt 27:24) ---
---
---
248. Bring
Centurion here. ---
Mk 15:44b ---
---
249. Pilate
amazed at death. ---
Mk 15:44c ---
---
250. Centurion:
righteous man. ---
---
(Lk 23:47) ---
251. Spear into heart.
---
---
---
(Jn 19:32-34)
252. Blood
and water.
---
---
---
(Jn 19:34)
...........................................................................................................................
Act 2: Scene 5: The Centurion Reports
253. Centurion certifies death.
---
Mk 15:45a ---
---
254. Crown
of women mourning. ---
---
(Lk 23:27) ---
255. Godless Jews.
Explanatory note.
256.
Permission to Joseph. Mt 27:58b
Mk 15:45b ---
---
………………………………………………………………………………….
Act 2: Scene 6: Christ’s Body is Taken Down
257. Women Watch Nicodemus and Joseph.
258. Feet 3 ft. from ground.
Explanatory note.
259.
Body is removed. Shroud. Mt 27:59
Mk 15:46 Lk 23:53a
---
260. Leave
for entombment. (Mt 27:31-35) ---
---
---
261. Mary Magdala;
demons. ---
(Mk 16:9) (Lk 8:2)
---
262a. List of women.
Mt 27:55-56, 61; 28:1 Mk 15:40-41, 47; 16:1
262b. List of women.
Lk 23:48-49, 55-56; 24:1 Jn 4:21; 19:25; 20:1
263. Joanna.
List of relatives.
264.
Sons right hand.
(Mt 20:21) (Mk 10:37) ---
---
265. World
upside down. ---Joel 3:15;
Acts 2:16-17---
266. Give
a proper burial. Explanatory note.
267. At the tomb.
Mt 27:60-61 ---
Lk 23:53b-56 Jn 19:39-42
268.
Chiseled rock tomb. Mt
27:60a Mk 15:46b Lk 23:53b
Jn 19:41
269. Look
what they have done. ---Isaiah 53:1-10; Psalm 22---
270. Defiled by touching body.
---Lev 21:5; Numb 5:2; 9:6-7---
271.
Body is wrapped w. spices. ---
---
---
Jn 19:39-40
272. Hostile
witness; own witness. ---Notes on Mt 27:17 from New Scofield Bible---
273. Against Roman law too.
(Mt 27:24) ---
---
---
274. Royal
burial.
---
---
--
Jn 19:39
275. Stone
is rolled down. Mt 27:60b
Mk 15:46c ---
---
276. Ossuary
for bones. Explanatory
note.
277. Women plan
return. Explanatory note.
Exodus 24:33.
278. Women
sit at tomb. Mt 27:61
Mk 15:47 Lk 23:55
---
279. Women
leave.
---
---
Lk 23:56a ---
………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 1: A Guard is Requested
280. Guard is requested.
Mt 27:62-65 ---
---
---
281. Risk defilement.
Mt 27:62a ---
---
---
282. Guard
tells Pilate.
Mt 27:62b ---
---
---
283. Pilate
lived in Caesarea. Explanatory note.
284. Pilates blame leaders.
Explanatory note.
285.
Deceiver said arise.
Mt 27:63 ---
---
---
286. Request
seal tomb. Mt
27:64 ---
---
---
287. Heathen.
Explanatory note.
288.
Use the Roman guard.
Mt 27:65 ---
---
---
………………………………………………………………………….
Act 3: Scene 2: Guards seal the tomb.
289. Guards seal the tomb.
Mt 27:66 ---
---
---
………………………………………………………………………….
Act 3: Scene 3: Women walk to tomb.
290. Woman to tomb.
Mt 28:1 Mk 16:1-3
Lk 24:1 Jn 20:1
291. First day of week.
Explanatory note.
292.
Worry about stone.
---
Mk 16:3 ---
---
293. Joanna.
---
--- (Lk
24:10; 8:3) ---
294. Buried with
rich. Isaiah 53:9 ---
---
---
---
………………………………………………………………………….
Act 3: Scene 4: The Tomb is Empty
295. Resurrection morning.
Mt 28:2-8 Mk 16:4-8
Lk 24:2-10 Jn 20:1
296. Beam of light. Malachi 4:2 ---
---
---
---
297. Crucifixion
theories. Commentary.
298. 60 guards
on a watch. Commentary.
299. Earthquake.
Mt 28:2 ---
---
---
300. Flashing
light.
Mt 28:3 ---
---
---
301. Soldiers
as dead.
Mt 28:4 ---
---
---
302. Mary M.
arrives first. ---
---
---
Jn 20:1a
303. Stone
is rolled away. ---
---
Lk 24:2 Jn 20:1b
304. Women see angels.
Mt 28:5a Mk 16:5
Lk 24:4 ---
305. Do not fear. Seek Jesus.
Mt 28:5b Mk 16:6a
Lk 24:5 ---
306. Remember what he said.
Mt 28:6a Mk 16:6b
Lk 24:6-7 ---
307. Come see the place.
Mt 28:6b Mk 16:6c
---
---
308. Women
see empty tomb. ---
---
(Lk 24:3) ---
309. Tell disciples and Peter.
---
Mk 16:7a ---
(Jn 20:2)
310. To
Galilee. This is message. Mt 28:7 Mk
16:7b ---
---
311. I remember
now.
---
---
Lk 24:8 ---
312. Women leave.
Mt 24:8 Mk 16:8
---
---
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Act 3: Scene 5: Women Report Empty Tomb and Angels.
313. Women report empty tomb. ---
Mk 16:8 Lk 24::9-11, 22-23 (Jn 20:20
314. Mary M. tells Peter.
---
---
---
Jn 20:2
315. Women
report.
---
Mk 16:8 Lk 24:8-10
(Jn 20:2)
316. Report
rejected
---
Mk 16:11 (Lk 24:22-23) ---
317. Silly women’s tales.
---
---
Lk 24:11 ---
318. Peter and John go.
---
---
LK 24:12a Jn 20:3
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 6: Peter and John See Empty Tomb
319. Peter and John; empty tomb. ---
---
Lk 24:12a Jn 20:3-10
320. John arrives first.
---
---
---
Jn 20:4-5
321. Peter
enters first.
---
---
---
Jn 20:6a
322. Linen
wrappings.
---
---
Lk 24:12b Jn 20:6b
323. Linen wrappings.
Commentary.
324. Head
napkin.
---
---
---
Jn 20:7
325. John
believes women.
---
---
---
Jn 20:8-9
326. Take
body; leave linen? Commentary.
327. Not immediately return.
---
---
Lk 24:12c Jn 20:10
328. Peter and John report.
---
---
(Lk 24:24) ---
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 7: Women to Tomb Second Time
329. Women to Tomb Second Time. Commentary.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 8: Jesus Appears to the Women.
330. Jesus Appears to the Women Mt 28:9-10
Mk 16:9 ---
Jn 20:11-17
331. Mary
M. arrives.
---
---
---
Jn 20:11
332. Sees
two angels.
---
---
---
Jn 20:12
333. Why
crying?
---
---
---
Jn 20:13a
334. Taken
my Lord.
---
---
---
Jn 20:13b
335. Jesus
appears.
---
---
---
Jn 20:14
336. Whom
seeking?
---
---
---
Jn 20:15a
337. Tell
me where.
---
---
---
Jn 20:15b
338. Mary.
---
---
---
Jn 20:16a
339. Mary
recognizes.
---
---
--- (Jn
20:16b)
340. Rabboni.
---
---
---
Jn 20:16b
341. Do
not restrain me. ---
---
---
Jn 20:17
342. Other
women arrive. Commentary.
343. Peace to you.
Mt 28:9a ---
---
---
344. Women
bow.
Mt 28:9b ---
---
---
345. Do not
fear. Tell others. Mt 28:10
---
---
---
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 9: Soldiers Report
346. Soldiers report.
Mt 28:11-15 ---
---
----
347. Caiaphas
tells others. Mt 28:12a
---
---
---
348. Probably
fell asleep. Commentary.
349. Centurion replies.
Commentary.
350. Bribed;
say slept..
Mt 28:12b-13 ---
---
---
351. We’ll
handle Pilate. Mt 28:14 (15)
---
---
---
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Act 3: Scene 10: Jesus Appears
352. Jesus Appears to the Disciples. ---
Mk 16:12-13 Lk 24:13-42 ---
353. Two men walking.
Commentary on Emmaeus.
354.
Un-named.
Commentary on 2nd man. Lk 24:13
---
355. Do you
believe the women? ---
---
Lk 24:11, 22-24 ---
356.
Cleopas.
Commentary ---
Lk 24:18 ---
357. Jesus joins them.
---
Mk 16:12 Lk 24:15-16 ---
358. Triumphant entry.
(Mt 21:8-11) ---
---
---
359. What talking
about? ---
---
Lk 24:17a ---
360. Stop walking.
---
---
Lk 24:17b ---
361. Only one not aware?
---
---
Lk 24:18 ---
362. What things?
---
---
Lk 24:19a ---
363. Jesus a great prophet.
---
---
Lk 24:19b ---
364. Betrayed & crucified.
---
---
Lk 24:20 ---
365. Third day since.
---
---
Lk 24:21 ---
366. Women’s first report.
---
---
Lk 24:22-23 ---
367.
Two of us also.
---
---
Lk 24:24a ---
368. Saw no angels.
---
---
Lk 24:24b ---
369. O foolish men.
---
---
Lk 24:25-26 ---
370.
Beginning with Moss.
---
---
Lk 24:27 ---
371. Stay with us.
---
---
Lk 24:28-29 ---
372.
Breaks bread.
---
---
Lk 24:30 ---
373. Jesus vanishes.
---
---
Lk 24:31 ---
374. Heart was on fire.
---
---
LK 24:32 ---
375. Two men return.
---
---
Lk 24:33a ---
……………………………………………………..……………………………………
Act 3: Scene 11: Jesus Appears to Peter
376. Jesus appears to Peter.
---
---
Lk 24:34 1 Cor 15:4-5
377.
Report rejected implied. ---
---
(Lk 24:24) ---
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Act 3: Scene 12: Women Report Seeing Jesus
378. Women report seeing Jesus. ---
---
---
Jn 20:18
379. Mary
M. and others. Commentary.
380. Mt 27:53; report rejected.
Commentary.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 13: Peter and Cleophas Report; Jesus Appears.
381. Peter and Cleophas report; Jesus
appears. ---
Lk 24:33-48 ---
382.
Cleopas’ report.
---
---
Lk 24:34-35 ---
383.
Jesus appears. Peace. ---
---
Lk 24:36 ---
384. Seen a spirit.
---
---
Lk 24:37 ---
385. Touch me. Not a spirit.
---
---
Lk 24:38-39 ---
386.
Too good to believe. ---
---
Lk 24:40-41a Jn 20:20a
387.
Do you have food?
---
---
Lk 24:41b ---
388. Jesus eats.
---
---
Lk 24:42-43 ---
389.
Disciples believe.
---
---
---
Jn 20:20b
390. I
send you.
---
---
---
Jn 20:21
391. Declare
forgiveness. Commentary.
392. Breath. Receive Holy Spirit.
Commentary. ---
---
Jn 20:22
393. Declares
forgiveness. ---
---
---
Jn 20:23
394. Bind/remit.
Commentary. ---
---
Jn 20:23
395. Thomas does not believe.
---
---
---
Jn 20:24-25
396. Others
tell Thomas. ---
---
---
Jn 20:25a
397. Personally
touch him. ---
---
---
Jn 20:25b
………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 3: Scene 14: Jesus Appears to the 11 Eight Days Later
398. Jesus appears to the 11 eight
days later ---
---
Jn 20:26-31
399. Next
Sunday. Thomas there. Commentary.
400.
Peace unto you.
---
---
---
Jn 20:26
401. Touch
me, Thomas. ---
---
---
Jn 20:27
402. Thomas
touches Jesus. Commentary.
403. My Lord & my God.
---
---
---
Jn 20:28
404. Blessed
and not see. ---
---
--- Jn 20:29(30-31)
………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 4: Scene 1: Sea of Galilee
405. Sea of Galilee.
---
---
---
Jn 21 all
406. Seven
fishing.
---
---
---
Jn 21:2-3a
407. 100
years from shore. ---
---
---
Jn 21:1
408. Caught
nothing.
---
---
---
Jn 21:3b
409. Jesus
on shore.
---
---
---
Jn 21:4
410. Caught
anything?
---
---
---
Jn 21:5a
411. No.
---
---
---
Jn 21:5b
412. Change
sides.
---
---
---
Jn 21:6a
413. Fish
in jet.
---
---
---
Jn 21:6b
414. It
is the Lord.
---
---
---
Jn 21:7a
415. Peter
into water.
---
---
---
Jn 21:7b
416. Drag
fish.
---
---
---
Jn 21:8
417. Jesus
with food.
---
---
---
Jn 21:9
418. Bring
fish.
---
---
---
Jn 21:10
419. 153
fish.
---
---
---
Jn 21:11
420. Eat
breakfast.
---
---
---
Jn 21:12a
421. They
knew him.
---
---
---
Jn21:12b
422. Jesus
eats.
---
---
---
Jn 21:13 (14)
423. Questions
Peter-1
---
---
---
Jn 21:15
424. Questions
Peter-2
---
---
---
Jn 21:16
425. Questions
Peter-3
---
---
---
Jn 21:17
426. Prophesy;
Peter.
---
---
---
Jn 21:18-19
427. What
about John?
---
---
---
Jn 21:20-21
428. Not
to tell. Follow me. ---
---
---
Jn 21:22
………………………………………………………………………………………
Act 5: Scene 1: On a Mountain Top in Galilee
429. A mountain-top in Galilee.
Mt 28:19-20 ---
---
---
430. Great
Commission. Mt 28:19-20
---
---
---
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Act 5: Scene 2: Jesus Appears to the 11
431. Jesus appears to the 11.
---
--- Lk 24:44-53 to Acts 1:12
432. 40 days later.
---
---
Acts 1:3 ---
433. Came to fulfill prophecy.
---
---
Lk 24:44 ---
434. Opened understanding.
---
---
Lk 24:45 ---
435. Remission in my name.
---
---
Lk 24:46-48 ---
436.
Holy Spirit baptism soon. ---
--- Lk 24:49; Acts 1:4-5
437. Mt Olivet in Bethany.
Commentary.
438. Stops
and speaks.
---
--- Lk 24:30; Acts 1:12
439. Restore Israel now?
---
---
Acts 1:6 ---
440. Be my witnesses.
---
---
Acts 1:7-8 ---
441. Jesus ascends.
---
---
Acts 1:9 ---
442. Two angels.
---
---
Acts 1:10 ---
443. Shall return.
---
---
Acts 1:11-12 ---
………………………………………………………………………………………
List of Appearances
444. Stephen sees.
---
---
Acts 7:55-56 ---
445.
Paul heard: Stephen
---
---
Acts 22:20-21 ---
446.
Damascus Road.
---
---
Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:15
447.
Revelation in Arabia ---
---
Galatians 1:12, 17
448.
In Corinth.
---
---
Acts 18:9-10
449. Temple
vision
---
---
Acts 22:17-19
450. Prison
in Caesarea ---
---
Acts 21:11
Mt 26:47; Mk 14:43; Lk 22:47; Jn 18:3.
Mt 26:51; Mark 14:47; Lk 22:50; Jn 18:10. Cuts off ear
