IN THE GARDEN

Scrim: (All lighting in front of the scrim is lowered, the Drama Props Room is now lit and the Drama Team is gathered around the table which is now back in place.
Leader: Props, hey..... you want to put that rock on stage for us? Thanks!

Props: (struggling with the bulky rock of Gethsemane) Boy! Good thing I'm strong, huh? (with a slight laugh, he moves the rock to the center of downstage)

Scrim: (as soon as the Rock is placed, lights in the Drama Room are lowered behind the scrim. A good effect would be to have "stars" projected onto the scrim to give the feeling of night, scrim lighting should be a very dark blue or none at all)

Stage Note: When Jesus has taken his position at the Rock to pray.... the music introduction for "I Lay It Down" should begin immediately. There is no other spoken dialogue, except Jesus, within this scene. The spotlight on Jesus should be minimal.
Author's Notes: This particular scene is based on Matthew 26:36-46. However, in John 17: 1-26, there are three different prayers spoken by Jesus. One for himself, one for the Disciples and one for All Believers. Although these prayers have not been included with this scene, they could easily be included both before or after the song, "I Lay It Down".

Song: "I Lay It Down"

(Introduction)
(Verse 1)
In the Garden of Gethsemane I ponder,
With a sorrow unto death, to You I cry.
Though my calling leads me onward
To the suff'ring of the cross,
I pray this cup would pass me by.

(Verse 2)
I'm alone for all my friends have grown too weary.
In the darkness of the hour, I am undone.
Yet again, I plead and pray,
Dear Father, take this cup away,
And spare the suff'ring of Your Son.

(Chorus 1)
Must I lay down my life in agony,
Must I bear all the sin and shame?
Must You soon turn Your face away from me,
As the people mock my Name?
There is nothing that You cannot do,
So once again, I cry:
My Father, let this cup now pass me by.
My Father, let this cup now pass me by!

(Bridge)
Abba, Father! I cry,
Must I be crucified?
Must I shed my blood upon the ground?
Must I be led to wear a thorny crown?
Must I face the coldness of the tomb?
Please, Father must I die?
(Peal of Thunder)

(Verse 3)
I awaken those who close their eyes in slumber.
Now the hour has come; betrayal drawing near.
Soon the soldiers will descend,
And all the suff'ring will begin,
And my disciples flee in fear.

(Verse 4)
For this moment I was born; I cannot falter.
As the Lamb I come to give my life for all.
Since before the world began,
My death was in our master plan,
And I must answer to the call:

(Chorus 2)
If the shadow of death must pass this way,
As the wages of sin are borne,
Though the wrath and judgment I must bear
Leave me battered, bruised, and torn,
If the bearing of the cross must come
Before I wear the crown,
I yield my life to You; I lay it down.
I yield my life to You; I lay it down!

(Short Orchestra solo)

(Ending)
Though I dread the torture, death and grave,
Though I pray my life somehow be saved,
If the bearing of the cross must come
Before I wear the crown,
I yield my life to You; I lay it down.
I yield my life to You; I lay it down!

Disciples: (all the disciples, including Judas Iscariot and the Centurion enter onto the stage, Jesus rises from his kneeling position)

Judas: (going at once to Jesus) Greetings! Rabbi! (Judas walks over to Jesus and kisses his cheek)

Jesus: (looking at the Centurion) Friend, do what you came for.

Centurion: (takes Jesus by the shoulder and leads him off stage behind the scrim)

Disciples: (all, except Peter, follow after the Centurion)

Peter: (turns and gives a scowling look at Judas, draws his sword and rushes off-stage after the other disciples and Jesus)

Judas: (Lights go to blackout .... leaving Judas on-stage alone)

Author's Note: We have ended the scene before Peter cuts off the ear of the High Priest's servant Malchus and Jesus performs the miracle of re-attaching his ear.

END OF SCENE

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