The Messenger

by Geoff Edkins

ACT ONE
(The stage is empty. The scenery is very basic and all purpose with
various raised areas. Changes in location, etc. are denoted by
lighting rather than cumbersome bits of scenery. The back wall should
be a cyclorama, or not. A plain, solid colour would be nice, but it
really doesn't matter as long as it does not distract from the action.
The musicians should be a part of the overall design and not just
pushed as far out of sight as possible. If practicable there should
be a raised balustrade at the rear, about four to six feet high
spanning the width of the stage with either a central set of steps
leading up to it or two sets either side. Ideally the central steps
would be desirable with two areas for the musicians to the left and
right of them, the drums and percussion SL and the Keyboards SR beside
the steps. Guitarists and Bass positions should fit in quite easily.)

(The action takes place all around the stage, and possibly the
auditorium/church. There will be a need to light some areas separately
DSL, DSR and USC on the podium and possibly the front area. The use
of at least one follow spot would be advantageous though not
essential.)

(It is envisioned to use a small but malleable cast which includes as
many of the musicians as possible and it would be helpful if many of
the cast could take over from musicians when it is their turn to act.
It is hoped that this will be essentially an ensemble type production
with little distinction between "musicians" and "actors". Each member
of the cast will be expected to play more than one character. I have
made no attempt here to distinguish which characters should be played
by the same actors.)

(The cast should be in similar costumes, maybe of differing colours,
perhaps tracksuits. They don suitable additions, e.g. hats, cloaks,
etc., as required.)

No. 1 : PROLOGUE

(As the play begins a low, electronic note emanates from the stage as
No.1 : Prologue begins. Smoke. Darkness. ISAIAH, who is to become
the narrator, enters carrying a book to which s/he will refer
throughout the play. S/he is lit by a single spot.)

ISAIAH (Isaiah 6:1-9) : I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and
exalted,and the skirt of his robe filled the temple. Seraphim were in
attendance on him. Each had six wings, they were calling to one
another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is
full of his glory." As each called, the threshold shook to its
foundations at the sound while the house began to fill with clouds of
smoke. Then I said, "Woe is me! I am doomed, for my eyes have seen
the Lord of Hosts. I, a man of unclean lips! I, who dwell among a
people of unclean lips." One of the seraphim flew to me, carrying in
his hand a glowing coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair
of tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "This has touched
your lips; now your iniquity is removed and your sin is wiped out." I
heard the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" I
said, "Here am I! SEND ME!!"

ISAIAH (Isaiah 40:3-5) (Sings) : There'll be a voice crying out in the
wilderness,
Preparing a way for the Lord,
Fill every valley and level every hill,
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

ISAIAH B (Isaiah 40:9 11) : Go onto the mountain and proclaim the good
news,
Speak out, shout it out Zion, announce the good news,
Speak out and do not be afraid,
Tell all the towns of Judah that their God is coming.

The Sovereign Lord is coming to rule with power,
He will take care of his flock just like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms,
Your God is coming.

EZEKIEL (Ezekiel 34:16) : The sovereign Lord will care for his sheep,
He will take care of them, they are his own.
He will look for those that are lost,
He will bring back those that are lost,
He will bandage those that are hurt, heal those that are sick
But those that are strong he will destroy.

He will judge each of his sheep,
Separate the bad from the good,
And he will give them a king to be their shepherd.
And he will take care of them,
He will take care of them, they are his own.

JEREMIAH (Jeremiah 31:31-34) : The time is coming when he'll make a
new covenant,
It'll not be like the covenant of old,
He will put his law within them
And write it on their hearts,
He'll forgive them their sins and no longer remember their wrongs.

Thus proclaimed the Lord!
Thus proclaimed the Lord!

MALACHI (Malachi 4:5-6) : But before the day of the Lord arrives he
will send you a prophet,
He will bring the fathers and their children back together again,

MALACHI B (Malachi 3:1-3) : Then the Lord you are looking for will come down to his temple,
The one you long to see will arrive.
He'll be like a fire that refines metal,
He'll come to judge and purify the priests.

JOHN THE BAPTIST (Luke 3:7-10) :
The axe is ready to fall,
The axe is ready to fall,
Each tree with no fruit at all will be cut down,
And thrown in the fire.

I baptise you with water to show you repent
But, He who comes after me, he will then,
Baptise you with Holy Spirit and fire.
With spirit and fire.

JESUS (Matthew 20:18-19) (Spoken) : The Son of Man will be handed over
to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn
him to death and then hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him,
whip him and crucify him. But three days later he will be raised to
life !

BLACKOUT

No. 2 : THE AXE IS READY TO FALL
(Luke 3)

ISAIAH :   (Sings)
There'll be a voice crying out in the wilderness,
Preparing a way for the Lord,
Fill every valley and level every hill,
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.

(Raunching Guitar introduction)

JOHN THE BAPTIST: (Sings)

V1. The axe is ready to fall,
The axe is ready to fall,
Each tree with no fruit at all will be cut down,
And thrown on the fire!

V2. You snakes, you vipers what made you believe
As sons of Abraham you would receive
Escape from the punishment coming to you?
So, what do you do?
You just do whatever you please,
You fools, you can't see the wood for the trees,
The Lord can make sons of Abram from these...
Yes, from stones just like these!

INSTRUMENTAL/GUITAR SOLO

V3. I baptise you with water to show you repent,
But, He who comes after me, he will then
Baptise you with Holy Spirit and fire,
With spirit and fire!

(INSTRUMENTAL OUTRO over which JESUS meets and is baptised by JOHN)

JOHN: (Speaks) Do you come to me? It is I who need to be by you.

JESUS: Let it be so for the present; it is right to do all that God
requires.

(JOHN baptises JESUS during which ISAIAH, who has been watching, moves
forward to say...)

ISAIAH (Matthew 3:14-17) (reading) : No sooner had Jesus been baptised
than the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove to alight on him. And there came a voice from heaven
saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I take delight."

(As the music fades so does the lighting to BLACKOUT.)
(Darkness.)

ISAIAH: (Reading) During this time he went out one day into the hills
to pray, and spent all night in prayer to God. When the day broke he
called his disciples to him, and from among them chose twelve and
named them apostles: Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter, and Andrew
his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and
Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,
Judas son of James and Judas Iscariot who turned traitor.

No. 3 : WILL YOU WALK WITH ME?

JESUS:

V1. My friend, will you walk with me?
My friend, will you take the road I tread?
Will you throw away your fishing nets
And catch restless souls instead?
Will you come with me and make yourself my own?
For you know I cannot do this all alone!

V2. My friends, will you walk with me?
My friends, leave all of this behind
Will you turn your backs upon the past
To save all mankind?
Will you walk with me, make the road your home?
For I cannot do this all alone.

V3. My friends, the road will be hard,
With danger at every turn,
Some people will hate and fear,
Some others will want to learn,
The road will be long and hard, but you know
I cannot do this all alone!

DISCIPLES:

V4. My Lord, we will walk with you,
My Lord, leave our old lives behind,
We will turn our backs upon the past
To carry your light,
We will walk with you, Lord, we will be your own
So you won't need to do this all alone.
Yes, we will walk with you, Lord, we will be your own,
So you won't have to do this all alone.

No. 4 : THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
(Matthew 4:24 - 5:12)

ISAIAH : (Reading) He travelled throughout Galilee, teaching in the
synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing
every kind of illness and infirmity among the people. His fame spread
throughout Syria; and they brought to him sufferers from various
diseases, those racked with pain or possessed by demons, those who
were epileptic or paralysed, and he healed them all. Large crowds
followed him, from Galilee and the Decapolis, from Jerusalem and
Judea, and from Transjordan. When he saw the crowds he went up a
mountain. There he sat down, and when his disciples had gathered
round him he began to address them.

And this is the teaching he gave:

(The music changes to a low modulating sound. During the following
speech JESUS moves through the crowd as individually they represent
each of the types of people to whom JESUS refers.)

JESUS : (Standing) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of
Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation.
Blessed are the gentle; they shall have the earth for their possession.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they
shall be satisfied.
Blessed are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them.
Blessed are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God's children.

(The lighting slowly begins to change, highlighting the disciples)

Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right; the kingdom
of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are you when you suffer insults and persecution and calumnies
of every kind for my sake. Exalt and be glad, for you have a rich
reward in Heaven.

(DISCIPLE 1 breaks away from the group as the music segues..)

No.5 : YOU HAVE CHOSEN ME

DISCIPLE 1 : (Sings)

V1. You have chosen me to be your disciple,
You have chosen me to spread your word,
You have chosen me to take your message to the people,
You have chosen me, oh, you have chosen me,
You have chosen me to be your friend.

(Another DISCIPLE joins in)

V2. I want to serve you, Lord, I want to be your disciple,
I want to serve you, Lord, anyway that I can,
Help me to serve you, Lord, and do the things you ask of me,
I want to serve you, Lord, Oh, I want to serve you, Lord,
I want to serve you, Lord, the best that I can.

Bridge
Lord, give me strength to do all you ask of me,
Lord, give me strength to follow in your way,
You have my life, you have my soul,
You have my heart, you have my all,
So, give me strength to follow in your way.

(By now a group of disciples have formed a group onstage and they all
sing the rest together)

Ah!..... Ah!......
Ah!..... Ah!......

V3. Teach us to serve you, Lord, to be your disciples,
Teach us to serve you, Lord, each and every day,
Teach us to serve you, Lord, to take your message to the people,
Teach us to serve you, Lord, Oh teach us to serve you, Lord,
Teach us to serve you, Lord,
Teach us how to pray.....

(The mood changes as we segue into....)

No. 5a : THE LORD'S PRAYER

JESUS : (Sings from the platform USC)

Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
May your kingdom come,
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.

DISCIPLES :

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
Now and for evermore!

No. 6 : THE STORYTELLER

(During this song the company shares out the sung narrative, all
singing the choruses except MARY's. The choruses after MARY's should
build up to a climactic ending.)

V1. And so, they started on their way,
The countryside they roamed.
A different town a different day,
The people heard what he had to say,
And then, their hearts he owned.

V2. He preached throughout the countryside,
He talked to everyone,
And, soon the people realised,
The scales of doubt fell from their eyes,
They saw he was the one.

He told the people about how their lives should be,
With stories and with parables so everyone could see.

Ch. Here he comes, he's the storyteller
A Good Samaritan, a Prodigal Son.
Here he comes, he's the storyteller
Tales for ev'ryone.

V3. Soon the news of Jesus spread,
They came from miles around.
The old, the young, the sick, the lame,
The Jews and Gentiles just the same,
They came from every town.

With miracles he cured the sick, He raised the dead to life.
He only had to say the word and He gave the blind their sight.

Ch. Here he comes, he's the miracle worker,
Changing water into wine,
Here he comes, he's the miracle worker,
He can change your life.

V4. But, not every one was so impressed,
The priests were most annoyed,
They hated every word he said,
That thought that he'd be better dead,
They wanted him destroyed.

And so they started making plans and they tried to catch him out
But he was too strong for them, and the people had no doubt.

MARY : Here he comes, he's the friend of the lonely,
The good shepherd come to save,
Here he comes, he's the friend of the millions,
The saviour of the world.

Ch. Here he comes, he's the storyteller
A Good Samaritan, a Prodigal Son.
Here he comes, he's the storyteller
Tales for ev'ryone.

Ch. Here he comes, he's the miracle worker,
Changing water into wine,
Here he comes, he's the miracle worker,
He can change your life.

Ch. Here he comes, he's our Lord the Messiah,
The good shepherd come to save,
Here he comes, he's our Lord the Messiah,
Come to save our lives,
Come to save your life!

ISAIAH : Jesus was walking through some cornfields on the Sabbath.
His disciples began to pick the ears of corn, rub them in their hands
and eat the grain. Some Pharisees asked;

CHIEF PHARISEE : Why are you doing what our Law says you cannot on the
Sabbath?

JESUS : Haven't you read what David did when he and his men were
hungry? He went into the house of God, took the bread offered to Gad,
ate it, and gave it also to his men. Yet it is against our law for
anyone except the priests to eat that bread. The Son of Man is Lord
of the Sabbath.

(The PHARISEES are furious and begin plotting)

ISAIAH : On another Sabbath Jesus went into a synagogue and taught. A
man was there whose right hand was paralysed. Some teachers of the
Law and some Pharisees wanted a reason to accuse Jesus of doing wrong,
so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man;

JESUS : (Bringing the man forward) Stand up and come to the front.
(To the Pharisees) I ask you: What does our Law allow us to do on the
Sabbath? To help or to harm? To save a man's life or destroy it?
(To the Man) Stretch out your hand. (The man does so)

ISAIAH : He did so, and his hand became well again. They were filled
with rage and began to discuss among themselves what they could do to
Jesus.

No. 7 : WE ARE THE PHARISEES

(CHIEF PHARISEE sings lead with three others singing "doo wop" type
backing vocals)

V1. We are the Pharisees - the teachers of the law,
We are the Pharisees - so now you know the score,
We'll show you we're no fools, we stick to all of the rules,
Yes we're the Pharisees
Don't mess with us!

V2. We are the Pharisees - and that means that we're never wrong, (us,
wrong? Ha!)
No, we're the Pharisees - religiously speaking we're strong (Phew)
We've got the seniority - we're the ones with all the authority,
We are the Pharisees
Don't mess with us!

Bridge
If you go around the place causing us all kinds of trouble,
Or spreading malicious and vicious and scandalous lies,
Undermining our teaching, outlining a different solution,
Then you'd better start making plans for somewhere to hide!

V3. We are the Pharisees - our egos are really enormous,
We are the Pharisees - prestigious religious performers,
We're the business, we're the tops, have you got it yet, pops?
We are the Pharisees
Don't mess with us!

INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE

V4. INSTRUMENTAL 2 lines
We're the top dogs, we're the boss, and you, pal, are making us cross,
We are the Pharisees
Stop messing with us.

V5. We - are - the - Pharisees - Full of prejudice, anger and hate,
We are the Pharisees - don't mess around with us, mate,
Or else we'll tie you in knots, and send you back home in a box,
We are the Pharisees
We're telling you straight!

V6. We are the Pharisees - Push us too far and we'll snap (Crack Ow)
We are the Pharisees - we'll lead you into a trap,
We'll turn your people against you and kill you if we can,
'Cause we are the Pharisees - and
You've been messing with us,
You've been messing with us,
You've been messing with us,
Stop messing with us,
Stop messing with us,
Stop messing with us!.

(As the music ends the cast have formed a group sitting and standing
around JESUS who is seated. JUDAS stands slightly apart brooding.
MARY brings in a bowl and begins to wash JESUS' feet as...)

No. 8 : I WANT TO THANK YOU, LORD.

MARY : (Sings)
I want to thank you, Lord, for making me your disciple,
I want to thank you, Lord, for showing me the way,
I want to thank you, Lord, for all the things you've done for me,
I want to thank you, Lord,
O, I want to thank you, Lord,
I want to thank you, Lord, and wash your cares away.

JUDAS :
See this woman, walk unannounced into the room,
See this woman, with her expensive rich perfume,
See this woman, she should have sold it for the poor,
See this woman, and all that she stands for,
See this woman, Lord, see this woman.
See this woman, and outcast and a whore!

JESUS :
You will have the poor always,
But you won't always have me.
The poor, you will have always,
But you won't always have me.
Leave her alone, now.
Just leave her alone, now, let her be.

(JESUS looks at MARY and helps her to her feet. JUDAS is dejected.
The DISCIPLES melt into the shadows.)

No. 9 : BECAUSE I'M YOURS

MARY : (Sings)

Chorus 1. INSTRUMENTAL

Verse 1. Not long ago I was lost, I had strayed,
A marionette in a cruel masquerade,
Alone in a wilderness, 'till you found me,
You came and forgave me, and you set me free!

Chorus 2. Because I'm yours, yours and yours only,
My friend, please take my hand,
Because I'm yours, friend of the lonely,
At last I understand.
I understand you're the son of God,
The one I've been looking for,
You are the one to set me free
So, please take my hand,
Please take my hand.

Verse 2. When I hear you talking when I hear you speak
It feels like you're talking especially to me,
I want to hear more, Lord, I want to remain,
Let me share in your mission, let me share in your pain.

Chorus 3. Because I'm yours, my Lord and my Master,
Please let me be by your side,
Because I'm yours, my Lord and my Master,
My love, I cannot hide.
I cannot hide what I feel for you,
The love I have inside,
You are the one to set me free
So, please take my hand,
Please take my hand.

Chorus 4. Instrumental for 4 lines.

You are the one I've been waiting for
On you I'll depend,
I want to spend all my life with you
Please let me be your friend,
I want to walk all of the way with you,
Until the bitter end,
Let me stay by your side until the end,
Until the end.

(The music changes to a more sombre feel.)

JESUS : (Spoken) The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief
priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death
and then hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, whip him and
crucify him. But three days later he will be raised to life.

(On the last "plink" of the music DBO)

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

(Preferably, this Act should begin before the house lights are down,
that is, if it is decided to have an interval. The first song serves
merely as an entr'acte.)

No.10 : O COME LET US SING TO THE LORD

V1. O come let us sing to the Lord,
Let us sing to the rock of salvation,
Let us come to him, his praises we'll sing,
O Sing to the Lord all ye nation.

V2. O come let us sing to the Lord,
Let us sing to the rock of salvation,
Let us come to him, his praises we'll sing,
O Sing to the Lord all ye nation.

Ch. For the Lord is a great God and King above all gods,
In his hands are the depths of the earth,
The mountains and oceans are his for he made them,
His hands formed the dry land.

INSTRUMENTAL CHORUS

V3. O come let us worship the Lord,
Let us kneel before our maker,
For he is our God and we are his flock,
We're the sheep of his every acre.
Yes, he is our God and we are his flock,
We're the sheep of his every acre.

(There follows JESUS' entry into Jerusalem. This should be as epic as
possible and a joyous spectacle. The PHARISEES are on the podium to
the rear, they are disgruntled onlookers. The stage has been set to
represent the temple.)

No. 11 : HOSANNA

CROWD :
Ch. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!

CITIZEN 1 :

V1. Take a look into the streets, take a look at what you see,
Can't you see the prophesies are coming true?
See him riding on a donkey, see them shower him with palms,
See our Lord, the Messiah is here

CITIZEN 2 :

I can't wait to see their faces when the priests hear of this,

CITIZEN 1 :

Come, let's join the celebration,
My friend, come with me,
Because, can't you see, that the day of the Lord is at hand.

CROWD :

Ch. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!

CHIEF PHARISEE :

V2. Tell your people to be silent, tell this rabble to disperse,
Tell the multitude this time you've gone too far,
Tell your followers to go now, tell them that we'd much prefer
If they held their hero worship miles away from here.

JESUS :

If my friends all fell silent, the rocks and stones would sing.

CHIEF PHARISEE :

See this man and his disciples, we cannot leave them be,
My friends, can't you see
This could spell the end of us all?!

CROWD :

Ch. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King,
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King!

(The crowd exit leaving the PHARISEES brooding still on the podium USR.)

MAL : (Sings) Then the Lord you are looking for will come down to his temple,
The one you long to see will arrive!
He'll be like a fire that refines metal,
He'll come to judge.....!

(The music changes dramatically to a confrontational feel as JESUS
enters the temple and begins to throw out the moneylenders, etc. The
PHARISEES display their dislike for what they see but, for the moment,
remain USR.)

No. 12 : TEMPLE MUSIC

JESUS : (Sings)
My temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves!
My temple should be a house of prayer,
But you have made it a den of thieves!

(Music crescendo)

GET OUT!!!!!

(Most of those in the temple have departed leaving JESUS isolated CS.
At this point the PHARISEES storm down to confront JESUS.)

CHIEF PHARISEE (Luke 20:1-8) : (Shouts) What on earth do you think
you're doing? By what authority are you acting like this? Who gave
you this authority?

JESUS : I also have a question for you: tell me, was the baptism of
John from God or from man?

(The PHARISEES huddle round)

PHARISEE 1 : What do we say?

PHARISEE 2 : If we say "From God" he will say, "Then why didn't you
believe him?"

PHARISEE 3 : And if we say, "From man." the people will all stone us,
for they are convinced that John was a prophet.

(The PHARISEES shudder, reach a conclusion and face JESUS.)

PHARISEES : (Together) We do not know.

JESUS : Then neither will I tell you by what authority I act.

(JESUS turns to go. The CHIEF PHARISEE stops him.)

No. 13 : WE ARE THE PHARISEES (Reprise)

(The PHARISEES circle round JESUS)

PHARISEES : (sung)

V1. We - are - the - Pharisees - Full of prejudice, anger and hate,
We are the Pharisees - don't mess around with us, mate,
Or else we'll tie you in knots, and send you back home in a box,
We are the Pharisees
We're telling you straight!

V2. We are the Pharisees - Push us too far and we'll snap!
We are the Pharisees - we'll lead you into a trap,
We'll turn your people against you and kill you if we can,
'Cause we are the Pharisees - and
You've been messing with us,
You've been messing with us,
You've been messing with us,
Stop messing with us!

(JESUS leaves but JUDAS, who has been watching comes forward. The mood
changes to one of hatred and conspiracy.)

No. 14 : THE BETRAYAL

JUDAS :
What must I do to deliver him to you,
What is it you want to know?
What will it be, tell me what do you need?
Tell me and then let me go.

PHARISEES : (Circling round JUDAS)
Remuneration for all information
Leading to this man's arrest
Will be high, you deserve it, we think it is worth it
To rid ourselves of this pest.

Where does he go where we'll be unopposed,
The place, the hour, the day?
We need to know when we can send in our men
To take this delinquent away.

JUDAS :
This Thursday night, unaware, out of sight,
In a garden he'll be on his own,
There he'll be found with no crowd around,
The disciples and Jesus alone.

(The PHARISEES melt into the shadows leaving JUDAS isolated in a pool
of light.)

No. 15 : I HAD TO DO IT

JUDAS : I had to do it - We've sat around for far too long,
I had to do it - He'll have to show them that he's strong,
I had to do it - It's time he made a stand,
I had to do it - He'll drive these Romans from our land!
I had to do it - I had to do it!
Can't you see I had to do it?!
I had to do it - So, now he'll have to stand and fight!

(He becomes aware of his isolation and dashes off SR. JESUS and the
DISCIPLES enter at once SL. They have brought the bread and wine
needed for the last supper. JESUS is subdued but the others, unaware
of what is to happen, are reasonable happy. During the music they
prepare for the meal, when they are all seated JUDAS slinks on SR,
walks behind the others and sits at the left end of the row. JEREMIAH
sings from the podium.)

No. 16 : THE LAST SUPPER

JEREMIAH: (Sings)
The time is coming when he'll make a new covenant,
It'll not be like the covenant of old.
He will put his law within them and write it on their hearts,
He'll forgive them their sins and no longer remember their wrongs........

ISAIAH (Luke 22:14-16) : (Reading) When the hour came he took his
place at table, and the apostles with him; and he said to them, "How I
have longed to eat this Passover with you before my death! For I tell
you, never again shall I eat it until the time when it finds its
fulfilment in the kingdom of God."

(JESUS and the DISCIPLES have been miming this.)

JESUS : (Sings)
Because I'm yours, yours and your only,
This bread is my flesh,
Because I'm yours and the world's only,
This wine, this wine is my blood,
This is the blood of the new covenant
Poured out for you,
Do this whenever you drink in remembrance of me,
You must remember me.

ISAIAH (Parts of Luke 22:21-34) : (Reading) He said, "Even now my
betrayer is here, his hand with mine on the table, alas for that man
by whom he is betrayed." At that they began to ask among themselves
which of them it could possibly be who was to do this. Then he turned
to Peter and said,..

JESUS : (Spoken) Simon, Simon take heed. I have prayed for you that
your faith may not fail.

PETER : Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.

JESUS : I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow tonight until you
have denied three times over that you know me.

(PETER stares at JESUS. Pause. Music ends. JUDAS quietly leaves. The
others begin to either disperse or go to sleep. JESUS prays.)

No. 17 : GETHSEMANE

JESUS : (Sings)
So this is it, we're nearly there, my work is nearly done,
But now, we're here I'm not prepared for what there is to come,
My grief, it burns inside of me, it nearly breaks my heart,
The sorrow nearly crushes me, it's tearing me apart.
I don't want to be your sacrifice, I don't want to be the one,
I don't want to drink your poison, how could you kill your son?
Take this suffering away from me,
I don't want to die so don't send me,
You're breaking my heart, Lord, can't you see?
It's breaking my heart so don't send me,
It's breaking my heart so don't send me.

I know it's your will, O Father, but can't you change your mind?
Can't you reconsider, can't you see, Lord, are you blind?
Can't you see I'm frightened, can't you smell my fear?
Can't you hear my anguish, can't you taste my tears?

But I know it's your will, O Father, and your will, it must be done,
So I'll take this cup you offer, I'll end what you've begun.
I know you've got your reasons, I know you've got it planned,
So, I'll do the things you ask of me, but don't ask me to understand.

(JUDAS exits. JESUS looks around him at the sleeping DISCIPLES,
wracked with grief.)

JESUS (Luke 22:46) : (Spoken) What? Couldn't you stay awake with me?
Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may be spared the test.

No. 18 : THE ARREST

(During this short instrumental piece some SOLDIERS march on. JUDAS is
with them. They are in step with the music, they stop when the music
does. On a signal from a SOLDIER, JUDAS steps forward and moves to
JESUS but he stops.)

JESUS : Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?

(JUDAS kisses JESUS. Mayhem breaks out as the SOLDIERS try to arrest
and unresisting JESUS. The DISCIPLES attempt to fight it out. There
is much noise and it is becoming very frightening.)

JESUS : (Shouting) STOP!!

(There is silence. The PHARISEES have moved to the front of the
crowd.)

JESUS : (To DISCIPLES) Enough!! (He turns to the PHARISEES) Do you take
me for a robber, that you come out with swords and cudgels? Day after
day, I have been with you in the temple, and you did not raise a hand
against me. But this is your hour - when darkness reigns.

(Tense pause. JESUS and the CHIEF PHARISEE try to out stare each
other.)

CHIEF PHARISEE : Take him.

(JESUS is arrested and led away. The crowd follows. PETER is one of
the last to leave. As he walks across the stage he is stopped by a
MAID)

MAID : Here, you were with him, weren't you?

PETER : (He tries to shake her off) No, I do not know him.

(He glowers at her until she lets him go. He does not get far before
PERSON 2, one of a small gaggle of hangers on grasps his arm.)

PERSON 2 : Wait a minute, you are also one of them, aren't you?

PETER : (Scared) No I am not!

PERSON 3 : (To a friend) Of course he was with him. He must have
been, he is a Galilean.

PETER : I don't know what you are talking about.

(A trumpet sounds. Shocked, PETER realises what he has said. The
others lose interest in him and disperse. PETER is alone. He sits,
dejected, DSC. One of the WOMEN enters on the podium from DSR, unseen
by PETER)

No. 19 : WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

WOMAN : (Sings)

V1. Where do we go now?
You promised us security,
But now you've let them take you away.
The pain is hard to bear,
We're frightened, yes, we're scared,
We believed you'd last for ever,
But now all we have left is despair.
Please tell us Lord, where do we go now?

PETER :

V2. Where did we go wrong?
We promised you our loyalty,
We said we'd stand by you until the end.
But now we run and hide,
Your friendship we denied,
We left you when you needed us,
Just as yesterday you described.
Forgive us Lord, where did we go wrong?

INSTRUMENTAL   (Guitar Solo during which the WOMAN joins PETER DSC,
they console each other)

WOMAN and PETER:

V3. What do we do now?
We promised that we'd follow you,
But can we take the road that you tread?
We want to follow in your way,
But can't you see that we're afraid?
Don't you think you've gone to far?
Don't you think it's all a mistake?
Please tell us Lord, what do we do now?
Please tell us Lord, what do we do now?
Please tell us Lord, what do we do now?

(The trumpet sounds again. The trial begins.)

No. 20 : THE TRIAL
(Luke 22:66 - 23:25)

(Eerie music, similar to The Betrayal. Smoke, dinginess pervades. We
are in a seedy courtroom. The PHARISEES preside over the proceedings.
A gavel is hammered. The court is brought to order. JESUS is
brought in roughly by two GUARDS.)

CHIEF PHARISEE : Tell us. Are you the Messiah?

JESUS : (Subdued but not broken) Why? If I tell you, you will not
believe me; and if I ask questions, you will not answer. (He tries to
rise but is thrown back down by the GUARDS) But, from now on, the Son
of Man will be seated at the right hand of Almighty God.

PHARISEE 1: Then you are the Son of God?

JESUS : It is you who say I am.

PHARISEE 2 : (to CHIEF PHARISEE) What further evidence do we need? We
have heard this ourselves from his own lips.

(The PHARISEES move to allow PILATE to enter and dominate the stage.
When he sits so does the court except the PHARISEES who huddle
conspiratorially around PILATE's chair.)

PILATE : (To PHARISEES) Well?

PHARISEE 1 : We found this man subverting our nation...

PHARISEE 2 : ..opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar..

PHARISEE 3 : ..and claiming to be Messiah..

PHARISEE 2 : ..a king.

PILATE : (To JESUS) Are you the king of the Jews?

JESUS : The words are yours.

PILATE : (After deliberating) I find no case for this man to answer.

CHIEF PHARISEE : (Agitated) But we insist. His teaching is causing
unrest among the people all over Judea! It started from Galilee and
now has spread here.

PILATE : Is he a Galilean?

CHIEF PHARISEE : But, of course.

PILATE : Then send him to Herod.

(PILATE exits to make way for HEROD. ISAIAH stands and reads while the
cast mime.)

ISAIAH : When Herod saw Jesus he was greatly pleased; he had heard
about him and had long been wanting to see him in the hope of
witnessing some miracle performed by him. He questioned him at some
length without getting any reply; but the chief priests and scribes
appeared and pressed the case against him vigorously. Then Herod and
his troops treated him with contempt and ridicule, and sent him back
to Pilate dressed in a gorgeous robe.

(HEROD exits. PILATE enters and takes his seat. All sit.)

PILATE : You brought this man before me on a charge of subversion.
But, as you see, I have myself examined him in your presence and found
nothing in him to support your charges. No more did Herod. Clearly
he has done nothing to deserve death. I therefore propose to flog him
and let him go.

(Uproar. Shouts from the crowd of "Crucify Him!)

PILATE : Why? What wrong has he done?

(More cries for his death. The "music" has become near hysterical.
There is a near riot. PILATE looks on, horrified. He calls a GUARD
over who goes and gets a bowl of water, it is the same bowl MARY used
in Act I.)

PILATE : (Theatrically washing his hands, shouting) My hands are clean
of this man's blood. See to that yourselves!

(PILATE storms off. Silence. Lighting fades slowly to a very tight
spotlight on ISAIAH. The rest of the stage is in utter darkness and
silence. Smoke.)

ISAIAH : They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet cloak; and
plaiting a crown of thorns they placed it on his head, and a stick in
his right hand. Falling on their knees before him they jeered at him:
"Hail, king of the Jews!" They spat on him, and used the stick to
beat him about the head. When they had finished mocking him, they
stripped off the cloak and dressed him in his own clothes. And then
they crucified him.

No. 21 : THE CRUCIFIXION

(INSTRUMENTAL during which JESUS is led away and crucified)

JESUS : My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?

No 22 : EASTER DAY

(INSTRUMENTAL with the following action taking the form of a mime show.
JESUS' body is taken down from the podium and carried reverently off
stage. MARY and some others stay overcome by grief CS. Slowly and
with dignity they exit, following where JESUS' body has been taken.
As the music changes to the major key, the lighting depicts dawn and
renewal. Two DISCIPLES enter and discover JESUS' body has gone. They
are elated and excited. They see angels in the tomb. Triumphantly
they leave to find the others to tell them. As the music returns to
the minor key, MARY, saddened and bowed enters and is devastated to
discover the tomb is empty. Heartbroken, she kneels SC. JESUS, in a
shining white suit (if possible), stands behind her. He watches her.
Just before the music returns to the major key, he speaks..)

JESUS : Mary.

(She turns, recognises him and is overwhelmed. She rises and makes to
hold him, but he steps back and indicates that she must not touch him.
He goes. She is left, exalted.)

No. 23 : HE'S ALIVE !

MARY: (sings)

V1. I have seen him, in the garden just now,
I have seen him, but I don't know how,
He was standing there, right in front of me,
And now I know what he said has come true,
Now I know what I have to do.

Ch.1 'Cause He's alive!
He's alive!
He's alive!
He's alive!

V2. Just three days ago I saw him crucified.
I stood, I wept, I watched him, I saw him as he died,
And after it was over, I saw them take him down,
I saw his lifeless body and removed his thorny crown.

But now, just now, in the garden where he lay,
I saw him resurrected, felt his warmth and saw him smile,

Ch. 2 He's alive!
He's alive!
He's alive!
He's alive!

Ch. 3 He's alive, (we must go and tell everyone)
He's alive, (for the day of the Lord has come)
He's alive, (now that death he has overcome)
He's alive, (yes, the day of the Lord has come)
He's alive, (we must go and tell ev'ryone that...)
He's alive!

(During MARY's song all the DISCIPLES, etc. enter and envelop her.
They are jubilant, they have seen JESUS alive. and join in with her in
the final choruses. Towards the end of the song THOMAS enters SR. He
has not yet seen the risen JESUS and is somewhat sceptical. The
DISCIPLES all rush off to prepare for JESUS' homecoming leaving THOMAS
alone.)

No. 24 : I WANT TO BELIEVE

THOMAS : (Sings)
V1. They say the Master is risen from the grave,
They say he's walking round alive and free,
And I have heard what the people say,
But I think it's too hard to believe.

V2. You see, I saw him crucified on the hill,
I saw him as they took him away,
And now they say that he's risen again,
And I just want to believe.

Ch. I want to seek but I'm too scared to find,
I want to see but I know that I'm blind
I want to run but I know I can't hide,
I want to believe, I want to believe,
I want to believe but I know that I'm blind,
I want to believe.

V3. INSTRUMENTAL   SAXOPHONE SOLO

V4. So, if he really rose from the grave,
And if he's really alive and free,
I want to see it all for myself,
And then I will really believe.

Ch. I want to seek but I'm too scared to find,
I want to see but I know that I'm blind
I want to run but I know I can't hide,
I want to believe, I want to believe,
I want to believe but I know that I'm blind,
I want to believe.

I want to believe the things they said,
I want to believe my Lord rose from the dead,
I want to believe, I want to be by your side,
I want to believe,
Oh, Lord, I want to believe, I want to be by your side,
I want to believe.

(As the music ends JESUS enters unseen by THOMAS who ends the song with
his head bowed.)

JESUS : (Quietly) Thomas.

(THOMAS looks up surprised but overjoyed, he goes and hugs JESUS and
they exit SL hugging each other.)

(As the music for No. 25 begins JESUS and the entire cast enter,
jubilant and all smiles.)

No. 25 : THE STORYTELLER (REPRISE)

V1. So, they returned to Galilee,
With Jesus by their side,
They knew he'd done just what he'd said,
They saw him risen from the dead,
Their saviour glorified.

Performing further miracles left everyone no doubt,
And so, they went to tell the world so everyone would shout,

Ch. Here he is, he's our Lord the Messiah,
Jesus risen from the grave,
Here he is, our Lord the Messiah,
Risen from the grave.

ISAIAH (John 21:1-7) : (Spoken) Some time later Jesus showed himself
to his disciples once again, at Lake Tiberius. Simon Peter was with
some of the others when he said "I am going fishing." "We will go with
you." said the others. So, they set off and got into the boat; but
that night they caught nothing. Morning came and Jesus was standing
on the beach, but they did not know it was Jesus. He called out to
them, "Friends, have you caught anything?" "Not a thing." they
replied. "Throw out the net the other side." They did so, and found
that they could not haul the net on board, there were so many fish in
it. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the
Lord."

(Sung)

V2. But, all too soon the time came round
For Jesus to depart,
And though they felt they'd lose a friend,
They knew that this was not the end,
They knew it was just the start.

And as he went a blessing gave to his friends and to all men,
And then, surrounded by mist and cloud he ascended into heaven.

(JESUS has left them. They re assemble as if round a table. ISAIAH
enters. the music for No. 26 starts during the first narration.)

No. 26 : PENTECOST/FINALE

ISAIAH (Acts 2:1-12) : (Reading) The day of Pentecost had come, and
they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky
what sounded like a strong, driving wind, a noise which filled the
whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them
flames like tongues of fire distributed among them and coming to rest
on each one. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
talk in other tongues. Now there were staying in Jerusalem devout
Jews drawn from every nation. At this sound a crowd of them gathered,
and were bewildered because each one heard them speaking in his own
language. They were amazed and in astonishment exclaimed, "Surely
these people who are speaking are all Galileans! How is it that each
of us can hear them telling us of the great things God has done in our
own languages?" They were all amazed and perplexed and said to one
another, "What can this mean?"

(The cast have been busily acting throughout all this. At the
climactic chord PETER stands up.)

PETER : (Sings)

Part 1
At last, now I see, at last I understand,
Finally I realise what all this is about.
It's all becoming clear, I have seen the solution,
The mystery is solved, now it all seems so obvious to me.

(Psalm 16)
I know that the Lord is with me always,
He is near me, and I'll not be afraid,
I am thankful, I am glad, and I can dwell secure,
He protects me from death, And the one you love will never be abandoned
to the world of the dead.

You have shown me the path that leads to life,
And your presence fills me with joy.
You have shown me the path that leads to life,
And your presence fills me with joy.

Part 2; sung by the COMPANY

V1. We've heard all the messengers before us,
And now it's our turn to take the stand,
Take our message to the world,
We've got to spread the Good News,
Tell every town and city in the land.

V2. It's time to start out on our mission,
To carry on what others have begun,
The road will be long,
Why don't you come along?
We will change the population one by one.

Because our story isn't finished, No, it's only just begun,
And it's up to me and you to spread the Word!

Ch. We must shout it from the rooftops,
And we'll sing it in the streets
Because, if you need a messenger, send me,
Yes, Lord, if you need a messenger, send me, send me,
If you need a messenger, send me!

V3. Yes, we've heard all the messengers before us,
And, now it's our turn to take the stage,
We have seen the new beginning,
We have seen the risen Lord
We have witnessed the dawn of a new age.

Ch. So, we'll shout it from the rooftops,
And we'll sing it in the streets
Because, if you need a messenger, send me,
Yes, Lord, if you need a messenger, send me, send me,
If you need a messenger, send me!

Ch. Yes, we'll shout it from the rooftops,
And we'll sing it in the streets
Because, if you need a messenger, send me,
Yes, Lord, if you need a messenger, send me, send me,
If you need a messenger, send me!

(By this time the cast will be all on stage, ready to take their bows.)

THE END
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