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| Lent 5 "Palm/Passion Story" |
Note to worship leader: The Passion-Resurrection saga is the central story of the Christian church – in some instances the Passion more so than the Resurrection. It was clearly the central story for the early Christian church. All four gospels and Paul spend much time on this narrative. Only Luke spends major time on the birth narrative. A basic element in the Story Lectionary concept is that we begin with the church where it is, and build on that. And the reality is that in most churches, the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are sparsely attended. If we stay with the traditional gospel reading for Palm Sunday, then most people in our churches never hear the passion story because they are not there for any of the other Holy Week services. Because of that, more and more churches are calling the Sunday before Easter “Palm/Passion Sunday” and selecting the scriptures accordingly. That presents another problem. It's a long story but it needs to be told. Very few readers can present such a long story without putting the entire congregation to sleep – which of course is really counter-productive. The Christian story is a powerful drama, and to present it in a boring manner is almost sinful. Anything we can do to make the story crackle with dramatic energy is helpful. Toward that end, I have arranged the Palm/Passion story as Reader's Theatre. This is not one of those embarrassing “bathrobe dramas” that so often afflict the Christian Church. The actors wear the clothes they would normally wear to church, and they stand behind lecterns or music stands. Therefore the dramatic energy they project comes entirely from the way they use their voices and faces. I have stayed very close to the scripture as we find it in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Only in a few instances have I amended the text for clarity. That means rehearsal. Significant rehearsal! Rehearsal with a “director” who listens to the way the readers do their characterization and helps them bring out the power – the energy of the scriptural story. If this kind of rehearsal is not done, it would be far better to not do this reading at all. Without this kind of preparation, the whole effort will simply reinforce the idea that scripture is boring and irrelevant. The narrative below is arranged into “scenes.” That simply means that if you need to cut or if you want to insert a hymn or song or anthem, that's a good place to do it. Otherwise, the story just moves right along without a pause. As always, you are entirely free to adapt any or all of this Reader's Theatre Drama to your own situation. (While you are doing all that, enjoy a private little chuckle over verse 21:7 where the writer of Matthew has Jesus riding two donkeys at once. The writer misunderstands Zachariah's prophecy where the repetition of the phrase about the donkey is the Hebrew poet's way of adding emphasis.) Text based on: ("New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.") (This reading takes about 16 minutes) But unless we hear the story of the pain, the horror of the crucifixion, we will miss the full significance of Easter Sunday. For the first Christians, the story of Jesus' death was their central story. They told it and re-told the crucifixion story, adding details, adding bits and pieces from other stories they had heard. The story grew in the telling, until it became for them a story of what happens when love, generosity and hope confront power, money, the military. That's why the story of Jesus' crucifixion has become far more than a piece of history. We listen to this story over and over, because we know it is true in our lives. We experience the deep, profound sadness when we see what happens when the naked lust for power and control confronts the spiritual gifts of love, kindness, justice, peace. Entry into Jerusalem Jesus: Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, 'The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately. " Nar: This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion*, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting: Voice 1 & 2: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Nar: When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil. Voice 1: Who is this? Voice 2: This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth* in Galilee.* The Last Supper V1: Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover? Jesus: Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, 'My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples'.' Nar: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, Jesus took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said: Jesus: Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me. Nar: The disciples became greatly distressed and began to say to one after another: V1 & 2: Surely not I, Lord? Jesus: The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." Nar: Judas, the one who betrayed him, whispered to Jesus: V2: Surely not I, Rabbi? Jesus: You have said so. Nar: (see note below) While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples. Jesus: Take. Eat. This is my body. Nar: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to his friends: Jesus: Drink from it. All of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Nar: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them: Jesus: You will all become deserters because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. V2: Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you. Jesus: Truly I tell you, Peter. This very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. V2: Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you. V1: Neither will I! Nar: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane*. Jesus: Sit here while I go over there and pray. Nar: Then Jesus took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee*, and began to be grieved and agitated. Jesus: I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me. Nar: And going a little farther, Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed! Jesus: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want. Nar: Jesus came to the disciples and found them sleeping. Jesus: Peter, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Nar: Jesus went away for the second time and prayed: Jesus: My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done. Nar: Again Jesus came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came back to the disciples. Jesus: Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand. The Betrayal Now, Judas, the betrayer had given them a sign: V1: The one I will kiss is the man. Arrest him. Nar: Judas came up to Jesus and kissed him. V1: Greetings, Rabbi! Jesus: Friend, do what you are here to do. Nar: Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus: Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Nar: Then all the disciples deserted Jesus and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas* the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward V2: This Jesus fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.” Nar: At that, the high priest stood up. V1: Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you? Nar: But Jesus was silent. V1: I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus: You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Nar: Then the high priest tore his clothes. V1: He has blasphemed!* Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy*. What is your verdict? V2: He deserves death! Nar: Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him. V2: Prophesy to us, you Messiah!* Who is it that struck you? Nar: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came up to him. V1: You also were with Jesus the Galilean*." V2: I do not know what you are talking about! Nar: When Peter went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him. V1: This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.* V2: I do not know the man! V1: Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you. V2: I do not know the man!!! Nar: At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said. Jesus: Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. Nar: And Peter went out and wept bitterly. When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate* the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. V1: I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. V2: What is that to us? See to it yourself. Nar: Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. Jesus before Pilate V1: Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus: You say so. Nar: But when Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. V1: Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you? Nar: But Jesus gave Pilate no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas*. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them: V1: Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah? Nar: Pilate realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed Jesus over. While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him: V2: Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him. Nar: Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask Pilate for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. V1: Which of the two do you want me to release for you? V2: Barabbas. V1: Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? V2: Let him be crucified! V1: Why, what evil has he done? V2: Let him be crucified!!! Nar: So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd. V1: I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves. V2: His blood be on us and on our children! Nar: So Pilate released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, handed him over to be crucified. Jesus is Crucified They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him. V2: Hail, King of the Jews! Nar: They spat on Jesus, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene* named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha* (which means Place of a Skull), they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots. Then they sat down there and kept watch over him. Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads. V2: You said you would destroy the temple and build it in three days. So save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. Nar: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him. V1: He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him. Nar: The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way. From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice: Jesus: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? V2: This man is calling for Elijah*. Nar: At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. V2: Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. Nar: Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. (SLIGHT PAUSE) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. Now when the centurion and those with him, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified. V1: Truly this man was God's Son! Nar: Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene*, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee*. When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea*, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. Final comments: And so the story leaves us with the aching pain of weakness and defeat. The Jesus story is about a man who seemed to show us the face of a loving God, but who is now nothing more than another corpse. Peter turned his back on his best, most loving friend, the way we all turn our backs on God's love. Mary Magdalene feels as if her heart has been torn out of her, just as we feel when our world seems to be tearing itself to shreds. Our service today is about death. About hopelessness. Everything is finished. Dead. There is nothing left – nothing except – nothing but a tiny golden thread of hope. Maybe – maybe the story has another chapter. Maybe there is something at the end of that golden threat. Maybe. Pronunciations Barabbas = ba-RAH-bus blasphemed = blas-FEEMD blasphemy = BLAS-fe-mee Caiaphas = KAY-uh-fus Cyrene = sigh-REEN Elijah = ee-LIE-jah Galilean = Ga-li-LEE-an Galilee = GAL-i-lee Gethsemane = Gath-SEM-mi-nee. Golgotha = GOL-ga-tha Magdalene = MAG-du-lane Messiah = me-SIGH-ah Nazareth = NAZ-a-reth Pilate = PIE-late Zebedee = ZEB-e-dee Zebedee = ZEB-uh-dee Zion = ZI-on Note: |