Description

The need for peace and security is truly timeless.
2,000+ years ago the Jewish people had been defeated, essentially enslaved in their own land by Roman armies. Forced to be subservient, they never gave up belief God would, as promised, send a Messiah who would overthrow the Romans and return peace and security to the Israelites. But no Messiah came.  Peace, security, will the Messiah ever come?
Drama is split into two sequences where the same general subject matter, (adapted to the different situations), is being acted out in two separate dramas, going on alternately. Sequence 1 is set just prior to Jesus’ birth, Sequence 2 is in a contemporary time frame. The two time frames indicate the old adage of, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Cast:  10

• Person 1.  Seq 1: Marcus,  Seq 2 Mark
• Person 2  Seq 1  Deborah. Seq 2. Debbie
• Person 3  Seq 1. Mary. Seq 2. Maria
• Person 4  Seq 1. Jehosheba. Seq 2. Jessie
• Person 5  Seq 1. Ruth. Seq 2. Ruth
• Person 6  Seq 1. Elizabeth  Seq 2. Liz
• Person 7  Seq 1. Rachael. Seq 2. Rochelle
• Person 8. Seq 2 “bookworm type” & Narrator
• Person 9  Seq 1  Soldier. Seq 2  Police Officer #1
• Person 10. Seq 1. Soldier  Seq 2 Police Officer #2

Bible Reference:   Luke 24:25

Set:    blank

Lighting:    will separate the two acting areas

  Sound:   wireless mics if available

Song:   “I Love To Tell The Story” Kate Hankey 1834

SFX:  none

Costumes:

• Bible period clothing, including soldier’s uniforms
• Contemporary normal leisure clothing, police in uniform
• All clothing should be darker colors in order to blend in as much as possible when lights are down in acting area.

Props:  swords

Special Instructions:   none

  Time:   12

Sample of Script:

Sequence  1 – 1

lights up, group talking, Marcus is in the center of the group, all are listening intently to him

Marcus: Well, I can tell you that when I grow up I shall take things into my own hands! You know, sometimes I’m ashamed to admit that I am Jewish. All that our people ever do is just permit themselves to be pushed around by those, . . . those, Roman savages!

Deborah: What else are our people to do, Marcus? After all, what we really want is peace and security. And the Romans are better trained, better armed. Besides, we Jews have no leader.

Mary: But God has promised to bring us a leader, a Messiah.

Jehosheba, lifelessly: A leader! A Messiah! I don’t believe that a Messiah will ever come. Really, there is no solution to our situation. We might as well give up.

Rachael: Jehosheba, you are upset, there’s no reason for that! Just be happy! Enjoy!

Marcus: Quiet Rachael! Jehosheba is right! For how many thousand years have our people deluded themselves into believing this myth! “The Messiah is coming!” “The Messiah is coming!” Some chance! No way!

Jehosheba, lifelessly: Really, there is no solution to our situation. We might as well give up. There is no peace or security for our people.

Marcus: Give up if you wish, but my “Messiah”, my source of peace and security, will be this broadsword! (pulls sword from under his clothing).

All gasp.

Anthony: Marcus! Where did you get that weapon? It’s a Roman sword! Where did you find it? Why didn’t you take it back? Do you realize the penalty for a Jew having a Roman weapon? Do you not realize . .

Marcus: Hush, child! Yes, of course I realize the penalty is death for having a Roman sword! And I care that much! (snaps fingers). The Roman soldier that I stole this sword from will be the one in trouble, not I!

Rachael: Why is everyone so upset all the time? Life can be fun! Be like me! Be happy!

Ruth, ignores Rachael, to Marcus: Wow! You stole the sword from a Roman soldier! You are very brave!

Elizabeth: You are very foolish, that’s what you are! You not only put yourself in danger, you have endangered this peaceful community!

Marcus, mocking: “Endangered this peaceful community.” This cowardly community is what you mean!

Deborah: There simply is no answer! Forget it! We’re doomed!

Elizabeth: We can have peace if we will all just avoid dangerous situations! That is the way to have security!

Rachael: People! Anger! Have fun! Why don’t we all just go somewhere that we can all have fun?

Marcus: What do you have in mind, Rachael? Want to go watch the Romans crucify any Jew who has enough courage to speak out against them?

Rachael: No, no! We will, we will . . . . . we will think of something great to do! Now who wants to go with me?

Mary, matter-of-factly: When the Messiah comes He will bring peace and security and He will set all things right.