Passion Walk by Tami Duncan What This bundle of five scripts, 4 of which are monologues, is meant to be used in a Passion Walk experience. You will find the thoughts, emotions and descriptions of witnesses to Jesus' crucifixion and moments leading up to it. You will find anger, sadness, brutal honesty, fear as Peter, Pilate, a Roman Soldier, Mary Magdalene and Simon of Cyrene bring to life their perspective on the excruciating death of Jesus Christ. Who Peter Pilate Roman Soldier Mary Magdalene Simon of Cyrene Extra Cast: Miriam Two Roman Soldiers When Wear (Props) During the events surrounding the cross All actors should wear biblical costumes *See the end of this script for a full prop list. Why Matt 26:31-46, Matt. 27:11-26, Luke 22:63, Matt 27:55-56, Matt 27: 32-33 How Time These scripts were originally performed at different staged stations of the cross. Audience members walked from one station to the next where a scene would be performed. These scripts can also be used during a worship service for a sermon series. Approximately 4 minutes for each script Skit Guys, Inc. Only original purchaser is granted photocopy permission. All other rights reserved. Skit Guys is a trademark of Skit Guys, Inc. Printed in U.S.A.
Peter In the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter is feeling the emotion from the Passover meal and the knowledge that something is coming, so he starts off with high energy and nervous excitement, but shortly his energy becomes drained, and he can barely hold his eyes open. Pacing with energy; excitement in his voice and in his eyes Peter: Something's coming. A revolution, I feel! The Passover meal tonight it was different, it was about something deeper and much greater. Will Jesus finally end the oppression from the Romans? Will we finally fight for and gain the freedom we once had? I long for that. I long to take control for justice. I'm ready! I'm also scared, but so ready. I've never been a part of anything like this. But I will not cower. I promised Jesus I would be by his side, promised him that I would die for him, and I would! Takes a deep breath as if to calm his nerves; sits on the ground and begins reflecting. Jesus has become my best friend. We've only known each other a short time really, but yet there's numerous stories to tell. (Smiles) I will never forget the time I tried to walk on water like he was doing - a little embarrassing. He does these amazing things, never afraid, and I want to be as brave as He is. And then he does things that only the lowliest servant would do. Like tonight (looks down in embarrassment) he washed my feet. Why would he do that for me? I am nothing. I've failed WERMARK him many times when I've tried to be brave. I want to be the same loyal friend as he has been to me. I must be brave as he is brave. Although, right now (his eyes are growing heavy) Right now, I'm so exhausted (he closes his eyes for a few seconds and then his whole body jerks awake) I cannot sleep! (he stand, rubs his face, and walks around) I must be ready, but for what exactly, I do not know. He stops moving, turns his head to listen; take time with the following lines. Jesus' voice I hear him praying. His voice is so full of sorrow; his prayer is heavy with grief, and he now seems afraid. Jesus, afraid? Does he not believe that we will be victorious? Does he not trust that I will be there for him? Jesus thinks that I will betray him, but I could never do that. What kind of friend would I be? Even if everyone else abandons him, I will not! I will defend Jesus with my life. He kneels down to pray this time. 2
Father, let me not be filled with fear. Let me be brave. Fill me with courage and strength. Protect me from temptation. (His voice begins to drift as his eyes close again) Redeem us, Lord (his head falls forward and again he sleeps for only a few seconds, and again he jerks awake) What was that? I heard something. (His eyes and voice reflect fear; he rises to his feet quickly and looks toward the sound, which will be the direction he will exit in a moment) (He calls out) Jesus? (Then to himself with nervous energy returning) I hear them coming many of them. (He pulls out his sword and with courage in his voice says ) The time is here. I am ready to fight, ready to prove that I will not abandon him! (He runs off and exits) WERMARK 3
Pilate Two soldiers are in the background, each holding a spear; they have no expression towards what Pilate is saying. Pilate's emotions waver back and forth from being confident about himself and his position to trembling with doubt and fear as he contemplates his actions in Jesus' sentencing. *Note: a recording of the mob's voices can be used during this script. Pilate: He's just a man, just a simple man, this Jesus. But why does my heart race, and why do I feel weak when I look into his eyes? (With confidence) I am not weak! I am Pilate, the Governor. I am powerful, and I cower for no one. Does Jesus not know that his life is in my hands? I make the final decision! Sighs and shakes his head. Yet there is something unsettling in the silence that comes after my questions. He does not defend himself or fight for his rights. What is this about? The man is innocent. I find no reason to turn him over to a sentence of death. But the people they are convinced they are sure that he must die. (Becoming anxious) What do I do? I cannot think! Their cries and screams are loud and unbearable. (Yells out) Shut up! (Long pause) Be quiet! I command you! (Long pause) WERMARK What do the people have against this Jesus that stands for execution? It did not even please them that I was willing to have Jesus punishedbeaten and flogged and humiliated. There was no satisfaction from that. They are bloodthirsty, angry and have absolutely no regard for this life on trial. They seek revenge of some sort. His voice quivers as he paces the floor. I do not feel right to carry this out; there is something deep within beyond the laws, even the rights of this man, that tells me he should not die. (His confidence returns somewhat) But I have tried. I have done what I can, and the people will not listen. I have offered Barabbas, a man that deserves death, but they will not waver. It's as if they don't even see Barabbas. They look right past him with evil intent in their eyes, with disdain on their faces. They will not budge. Well I will not be made a joke. The outcome of disagreeing with this mob could be costly. It is important that I satisfy the people. 4
Feeling weak once again, his confidence gone, he falls to his knees trembling. Is there any other way? (Yells loudly) Think! (Begins to sob as he's crouched over on the floor) I can wash my hands clean of this, but could I ever wash my conscience clean? Could my mind ever be at rest after turning this innocent man over to the cruelest of deaths? My own wife even warned me. But what other options do I have?! His demeanor suddenly changes; he slowly looks up from his crouched position with a stoic, expressionless look on his face; he rises to his feet. None. I have no other options. But, this decision falls on the people, not me! If they want his life, they can have his life. If they are bloodthirsty, then let his blood be on them - on all of them! Dips his hands in the bowl of water and scrubs his hands frantically. I wash my hands clean of this, and I wash my conscience clean of this. Grabs a towel to dry hands and wipes the towel across his face. The people want crucifixion? (He takes a couple of steps forward with boldness) Then crucify him! WERMARK 5
Roman Soldier The Roman Soldier should be a big, strong guy. He does not have or show remorse. He sees his job as a job and explains up front what his duties are and his commitment to follow orders. Soldier: (He paces back and forth, and speaks to the crowd almost as if he's recruiting new soldiers as he explains his duties) You cannot be a Roman soldier and at the same time be weak at heart you will not last. I'm trained to have no mercy, to carry out my orders no matter how brutal. I don't care about the prisoner even if he claims to be the Messiah, King of the Jews. Looks intently at the crowd and with some anger in his voice I do as I'm told, or it's my life at stake. Do you understand? I have done no wrong, the prisoner is in the wrong. And where there is wrong, there must be punishment. The punishment is harsh. Some prisoners do not survive it. The people must see that we mean business, and if they choose to break the law, there may be no second chance. Some say that I'm callous. Maybe. Some say that I'm ruthless. Maybe. Heartless and unforgiving. Maybe. I say that I do my job. I carry out the task, and it's a job well-done. You want to know about the process, you say? You want to know what WERMARK just happened to Jesus? (Looks at the crowd with intensity as if trying to intimidate them) Is this your Jesus? (Loudly) Think before you answer that! (Pause) If you must know what just took place, I will enlighten you but you will not like it, and most of you will not be able to stomach it. If any of the props are being used, enhance the following by demonstrating with them, ie, crack the whip on the ground, slam the end of the spear into the ground to grab the attention of the crowd, etc. A whole company of us soldiers gathered around Jesus, and at Pilate's command Jesus was flogged. Flogging is done with whips. Lashes, many lashes, were given across the back of Jesus with these whips. Not just leather whips, but leather embedded with pieces of bone and pieces of metal. These pieces dug into Jesus' skin, tearing and ripping his flesh. His body became unsightly. We placed a purple robe on the man of royalty. (Laughs with sarcasm) Only the best for our royal prisoner. And, he deserved a crown, don't 6
you think? (Stands tall and pompous, again mocking) If he considers himself a king, then he must have all the right accessories. We made a crown especially for Jesus, made from thorny bushes that grow all over around here. I must say, this crown did not fit comfortably. It was placed firmly enough that the thorns dug into his head and caused him to bleed, until his face was streaming with his own blood. Build this part in intensity. We continued to mock him, humiliate him, make fun of him; we spit on him and hit him over and over, not caring about his feelings, not caring about his pain, (his voice grows louder) not caring that this torture brought him low to the ground, along with his dignity as a man. This is what we soldiers do! Is that enough? Should I say more? He lowers his voice and intensity. The job was completed, because I followed orders. (Points to self ) I am a devoted Roman soldier, and I did the job as it should have been done. WERMARK 7
Mary Magdalene These women were particularly close to Jesus as they had been with him, taking care of his needs throughout his ministry. The crucifixion is devastating, and of course, they feel completely helpless, Mary in particular. Miriam is doing her best to comfort Mary. This dialogue, that is only a supposed dialogue, should be touching and should display the deep connection and love they had for Jesus. Mary: (Clearly upset and beside herself) Is that the way an innocent person should be treated?! Miriam: (Trying to put her arm around Mary, her voice is calm) Mary Magdalene, please Mary: (Pulls away; she cannot hold her anger back) No! This is a tragedy, and I cannot be quiet this time! Jesus never deserved to be treated with heartless cruelty! Those men are evil and hateful. There is not the slightest evil in Jesus. None! Why must he have been hammered to a cross? Why? It makes no sense! Let them be put to shame, Lord! (Breaks down, kneels to the floor, sobs) It should have been me. Miriam: (Surprised at Mary's comment, she kneels down with Mary) Oh, Mary, no. Mary: I've done so many things. I deserve to die that kind of death so much more than that precious, innocent man. WERMARK Miriam: Jesus would not want you to think that of yourself. Mary: But it's true. Miriam: All of your past is gone, Mary. Jesus healed you of that, remember? Mary: I just feel so helpless. I wish we could have done something. I wish we could have stopped it all from happening. All we could do was watch and witness the most terrifying things I've ever seen. Miriam: I know, I know. (Now she cannot hold in her tears, and she and Mary cry together as she reflects on what was witnessed) I cannot believe what he endured, Mary (Mary puts her arm around her and Miriam leans in) They spit on him and hit him as if he was absolutely nothing. I still hear the sound of the whips in my ears. They treated him as if he wasn't even human. Mary: No one else would have survived. To think that he was with us yesterday but dying today. 8
They begin to recount what he has done for them and the way he has always loved and accepted them. Mary: (Continues) He has done so much for me, healed me of my sick mind and heart. I wish that I could have repaid him. Miriam: Mary: Miriam: Mary: Miriam: Even though I really had nothing much to offer to his ministry, he made me feel important, made me feel like I had something to offer. He never treated me with disgust, but he could have. He never looked down on me for my past. There was this love in his eyes for my very soul. Yes. He always, always accepted me, never shaming me, but always treating me with the most sincere kindness I've ever known. I don't understand what has happened that Jesus could be seen as a criminal. (She stands and paces) What do we do? (Stays kneeling on the ground) Mary. Mary, we have to say goodbye. Mary: (Puts her head in her hands and shakes her head "no") No, I can't. I just can't. Miriam: (She stands) Come, let's go prepare the spices for his burial. It's the only way we can return our love to him. Mary: (Looks down to the ground b/c she doesn't want to accept that he is gone WERMARK and will be buried; she gives thought on the matter and then looks up at the Other woman) You're right. I must accept that he is gone but that I can still honor him. (She looks up and with her still trembling, emotional voice says ) Jesus, I will never, ever forget you. Miriam puts her arm around Mary and they exit together. 9
Simon of Cyrene Simon has just carried the cross of Jesus, as he was unexpectedly forced to do so. He is in a small state of shock as he recounts his steps just moments ago. Simon: I hardly know what just happened. (He stammers as he reflects the past moments) I, I was coming into town with my boy, my son for, for Passover. I didn't have any idea I I Shakes his head, tries to breathe and regain his composure. A great mob of people were coming my direction. There was a loud commotion, but I could not see what all of the yelling and anger was about, until around the corner of the wall came a man so badly beaten, so badly flogged that he struggled to walk, struggled to breathe. I could hardly see his face. There was so much blood and dirt that if I had known him, I would not have even recognized him. He was alive, but just barely. I caught his eyes his eyes told me he was a man of compassion. Not a man of crime. But the people around me despised him. They cursed his name. I clearly heard that his name was Jesus. I've heard stories of this man. I do not understand. Were not these same people praising and worshipping this man just days ago? What has happened that they could turn so quickly? WERMARK Returns to a dazed state of shock. I was told to carry Jesus' cross. I was not asked to carry it; I had no choice but to take the cross from his back to mine. His emotions well up. The weight was heavy; the road seemed forever long; I had now joined Jesus in the humiliation, the shame, as everyone hurled vicious insults. What must my son be thinking as he watched his dad participate in this parade of disgrace? With every cruel word, the cross seemed heavier and harder to carry. Then, we reached the place. Relief came as I dropped the cross to the ground. But dread came also as my heart broke for the man beside me Jesus, who was about to be crucified on the very cross I had carried for him. (Tears are streaming) I will never, ever forget this day. 10
PROPS AND SETTING *Note: The settings for each of these scripts can be as elaborate or as simple as you'd like. Use your imagination! Costuming can often be found at your local community theatre. Peter: Setting- Garden of Gethsemane Small sword Appropriate apparel Pilate: Setting- room/office Recording of mob's voices (optional) Bowl of water on a small table or on the floor Towel Apparel for that of a Governor Roman Soldier costumes Two spears Appropriate apparel Roman Soldier: Setting- soldier's quarters Apparel for a soldier Spear Sword Whip, if possible WERMARK Appropriate apparel Mary Magdalene: Setting- small room Appropriate apparel Simon of Cyrene: Setting- on a road Appropriate apparel 11