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And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant
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Act 7 - The Road To Golgotha
Props: (While the dialogue is going on, Props will set the stage for the next scene.)
Stage Note: The Scene does not contain any Drama Room activity .... instead, this scene immediately begins with actors lines in front of and behind the Scrim. The area behind the Scrim is not lighted.
Scrim: The Scrim should be lit in a bluish color, with a "live" silhouette of the crowd. The thieve's crosses will be lit in silhouettes when their lines are spoken. Christ will be raised into position at the beginning of the scene. The silhouette of Christ on the Cross will be much larger on the Scrim, with Christ mounted on the Cross. The crowd of hecklers of Christ and Christ himself, should be behind the Scrim.
Author's Note: I felt the play would be easier to stage (and cast) if the actual crucified body of Christ is not seen by the audience. The cross on which Christ is crucified and the mocking Crowd can be effective as "live" silhouettes projected onto the scrim from behind. This can, however, be easily re-staged with a live crucifixion for a more realistic effect.
Staging: We do not know if all the disciples were present at the foot of the cross when Jesus died, but we know that Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary, wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, John, and other disciples were present. Therefore, besides those already mentioned, Simon, Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Peter and the Roman Centurion will be in front of the Scrim. The Roman Centurion will be off to far left, as if "on guard", the other actors will be gathered in kneeling or sitting positions beneath the silhouette of Christ.
Crowd: (As the cross of Christ is raised in silhouette) Ha. He cannot save himself.
Scoffer #1: (seen gesturing in silhouette) If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Scoffer #2 (seen gesturing in silhouette) Imagine the gall. Look what it says on His cross. It says He’s the KING OF THE JEWS. He’s not my king.
Thief #1 (the smaller cross on stage right is lit up) He trusted in God. " If you’re the Son of God, surely God will deliver you from the cross?"
Thief #2: (the smaller cross on stage left is lit up) I should be up here, but He has done nothing wrong. Why are you with us? Lord, please remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus: (Jesus gestures to the Thief #2 on stage left) Today, my friend, you will be with me in paradise.
Scrim: (the blue light on the Scrim should begin to change to a very dark, red color, the sun is darkened over the entire earth, and the mood is set for Jesus to die).
Jesus: It... Is... Finished! Father, Into your hands I commend my spirit. (Jesus dies and slumps on the cross)
Scrim: (the Scrim should now be a much dark red color, and thunder should be heard)
Song: "The Ballad of the Cross"
(8 Measure Introduction)
Simon:
By the prophets, God foretold of the sending of His Son
Who would give His life to set the captive free.
Stepping down from His throne and the glory He had known,
Jesus came to give His life for you and me.
Though He knew well the cost,
He was prepared to suffer loss
And give Himself as ransom for us all.
Into our hopeless world He came,
Endured the suffering and the shame,
Every moment staying faithful to the call.
Thaddeus:
Yet the One who spoke of love was rejected and despised;
He knew all too well the sinful heart of men.
Those with eyes refused to see;
Those with ears refused to hear,
as they sought a way to bring Him to an end.
By a friend He was betrayed, By soldiers, led away,
Yet for this very hour He had come.
They did not take - He freely gave;
For those He came to save,
The road to the cross He walked alone.
All Actors:
He could have called a million angels to His side,
Or stepped down from the cross and walked away.
Yet His love held Him there,
Through the pain and despair,
To free us from the debt we could not pay.
John:
In His suffering and pain Took the guilt and the shame
As He hung between the heavens and the ground.
Every nail, every thorn, Every stare, every scorn
Pierced the One who so freely laid it down.
With His face to the sky, "It is finished!" was His cry
The words that broke the gates of hell.
When His final words were said, Breathed His last, bowed His head,
Darkness o'er the land so quickly fell.
All Actors:
Yet death and darkness could not stand against His power:
He rose, victorious o'er the grave.
In His light we now may live, By the grace
He came to give All who call upon His name are surely saved!
All who call upon His name are surely saved!
Stage Note: When this song has completed, the Roman Centurion will move to the center of the stage next to Mary Magdalene and we will transition into Scene 8.
END OF SCENE
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557 songs in 18 languages. Four musicals. 863 images.
Everything is freely available for non-profit use.
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