Joy Unspeakable Book, Music, and Lyrics by Gloria Emmerich

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

WOMEN: MEN: MARY (Mother of Jesus) JESUS SUSANNA JAMES JARA JEDIDIAH MARY MAGDALENE JOHN SIMONE PETER

LIST OF SONGS:

ACT ONE:

1. Joy Unspeakable .................................................. Company 2. Jesus in the Middle .............................. Jedidiah & Susanna 3. Thread of Hope ......................................................... Daniel 4. Thread of Hope (Reprise) .................... Daniel, Peter & Jara 5. He’s My Son .................................................................. Mary 6. Listening to Jesus ..................................... Jara & Company 7. Joy Unspeakable (Reprise) .................................. Company

ACT TWO:

8. A Stone’s Throw Away ................................. Mary Magdalene 9. Do You Believe in Me? ................................ Jesus & Company

10. The Master Has Risen.............................................. Company 11. Joy Unspeakable Finale ........................................... Company

Copyright © 2009 by Gloria L. Emmerich

Published by Emmerich Publications, Inc., Minneapolis, MN No portion of this musical work may be reproduced by any means

without specific permission in writing from the publisher.

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Short sections of this script have been removed for copyright protection. However, enough of the

script has been left for continuity purposes. A DVD of the entire musical is available from the

www.christianmusicalsonline.com website.

Joy Unspeakable Book, Music, and Lyrics by Gloria Emmerich

ACT ONE

OVERTURE

PROLOGUE: Opening number: JOY UNSPEAKABLE. DANIEL, JOHN, JAMES, SIMONE, MARY (JESUS’ mother, MARY MAGDALENE, SUSANNA.

SONG #1 – JOY UNSPEAKABLE Company

COMPANY: Right from the start He was no typical stranger. Meeting Jesus was a total life-changer,

It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy! And everybody has a different story; So many empty lives now full of glory, It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy!

A crippled man now walking; healed of dumbness, she can’t stop talking. The blind can see, the deaf can hear and the lost are found. The sick, the lame, the broken, healed by a touch or a word He’s spoken. After meeting the Master, you’ll be passing the joy all around!

Right from the start He was no typical stranger. Meeting Jesus was a total life-changer,

It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy! And everybody has a different story; So many empty lives now full of glory, It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy! (KEY CHANGE)

(Repeat twice then go on.)

Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy! Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable - - joy!

(BLACKOUT)

ACT ONE SC 1: JESUS’ mother MARY, JOHN, JAMES, and SIMONE wait near the city gates of Jerusalem for JESUS to join them.

JOHN: (Watches JAMES pace and is getting more and more irritated with him and finally speaks.) James, Jesus told us to wait here! Your pacing back and forth isn’t going to bring Him here any sooner!

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JAMES: (Continues his pacing but this time it takes him right up to JOHN’S face.) Well, it’s better than standing around mumbling in my beard like YOU!

JOHN: (Slightly embarrassed and miffed that JAMES heard him.) I wasn’t mumbling…I was…I was just clearing my throat…something stuck in my throat is all!

JAMES: HA! For the past twenty minutes?! You were mumbling like an old man! SIMONE: (Although use to her sons’ frequent bickering it still grates on her nerves.)

JAMES! JOHN! Stop this arguing! Jesus will get here when He is good and ready and your pacing and your mumbling isn’t going to change anything. Now, both of you behave! You’re killing me! And I am not ready to die!

JMS/JHN: (Both glare at each other then turn sheepishly to their mother.) Yes, Mama… SIMONE: (To MARY.) If those two ever stop picking on each other it’ll be a miracle! JAMES: (Pointing to JOHN.) He’s the one that always starts it! JOHN: ME?! You’re the one who acts like a donkey all the time! SIMONE: (Clutches her heart, pretending to have an attack.) Ohhh… MARY: Simone… are you all right…? JAMES: Shall I fetch some water, Mama? JOHN: (Scared and serious.) Is she dying, Mary!? SIMONE: (Suddenly sits up, good as new, smacking them both.) YES, I’m dying! I said you

were killing me! Now give me some peace and quiet before I go! JMS/JHN: Yes, Mama… SIMONE: Don’t you “Yes, Mama” me! And remind me when we get into the city to dunk

your heads in the well! (To MARY.) You see? This is what they give me after raising them all those years. I’m telling you, Mary. I need a miracle! Maybe you can ask your son, Jesus to give me one. Heaven knows I need a miracle with these boys!

MARY: (Trying to hide a smile through all of this.) I’ll see what I can do, Simone. JAMES: (Quickly changes the subject.) I remember Jesus’ first miracle! JOHN: I do too! MARY: The wedding in Cana. JAMES: (Looks surprised.) In southern Galilee; that was the first for you too? MARY: (Laughs.) Oh yes. And He wasn’t quite ready to show His powers yet. But…I

asked Him anyway. JOHN: So you’re the one who got Jesus started with the barrels! MARY: (MARY laughs.) At first I didn’t understand why He wanted those barrels. JAMES: You didn’t understanding?! Imagine how all of us felt! I still can hardly believe

it. I watched the servants fill those barrels with plain water. When Jesus told the bride’s father to dip his cup into one of the barrel, I held my breath!

(Section Removed) SIMONE: I wish I’d been there! Did you taste it, James? JOHN: (Jumps in.) Are you kidding? None of us could wait to try it. I mean, we

watched the servants pour water into those pots. And seconds later, those same vessels were bursting with wine!

JAMES: The bride’s father said it was the best he’d ever had. I know I’ve never tasted any wine that was better!

MARY: Looking back, it was such a simple miracle really; considering all that we’ve seen Him do since.

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JOHN: It just shows how much Jesus really cares about the people…turning water into wine for a wedding.

JAMES: Such a simple thing, yet, Jesus knew it was important to that couple in Cana. SIMONE: I don’t know, James; it seems appropriate to me. It sounds like Jesus’ first

miracle was to show all of you that He cares for the little things too. If He can turn water into wine at a simple wedding, just think what He can do for us!

MARY: You know, I’m actually leaving soon for Cana to visit the couple that was married. Do you remember them, John…James? Jedidiah and Susanna.

JAMES: (He and JOHN both laugh.) Oh, yes…I remember. How could I forget! What a couple of characters they were!

JOHN: Made me laugh so much my sides ached. But it was mostly their accent that got to me. They sure talk different down there, don’t they?

MARY: That’s part of the charm of Cana. I’ve never met a friendlier, warmer people than in the regions of southern Galilee.

SIMONE: I’ve never been to Cana. Maybe someday…if my boys don’t kill me first! JAMES: (Ignores her comment.) You’d love it, Mama. Susanna would talk your leg off! JOHN: (Aside to JAMES.) If Mama didn’t talk hers off first! (Both laugh; an arm around

each other’s shoulder.) SIMONE: (To MARY.) There now. Why can’t they always get along like loving brothers? MARY: Hmmm, sibling rivalry I suspect. SIMONE: Hmmpf! With MY boys it’s more like sibling Rebel-ry! (She and MARY laugh.) JOHN: Well, be sure to send greetings from James and me when you see them, Mary. MARY: I will, John. JAMES: It seems everybody’s off on some trip or another. Isn’t Peter gone too? JOHN: Yeah; he went to visit Daniel, remember? He had to take his mother-in-law Jara

with him and he wasn’t exactly thrilled about it: Said he’d rather clean a boat load of rotten fish than travel around with his mother-in-law! (The boys laugh.)

SIMONE: (Scolding.) John! James! That’s not funny! Jara’s a wonderful woman and the sooner you learn to respect your elders, the better! Maybe next time Jara goes on a journey I’ll send both of you with her! (The boys look horrified. SIMONE chuckles, turning to MARY.) She’d whip them into shape in no time, don’t you think, Mary? But that would take another one of Jesus’ miracles, no doubt!

MARY: (Smiles.) I would think so, Simone. (JESUS enters.) JAMES: Jesus, you’re finally here! Seems like we’ve been waiting forever! John was

impatiently grumbling so much I was about to send him out looking for you. JOHN: Ha! I should’ve sent James out after you, Lord. With all the pacing he’s been

doing, if I’d set him in a straight line he’d be in Jericho by now! JESUS: (Always amused with the “Sons of Thunder.”) Really? Why, I thought the two

of you would have been exercising the words of one of David’s psalms. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” [Ps. 37:4 & 7]

JAMES: (Sheepish.) Um…that was in the back of my mind, Lord... JOHN: Uh…mine too….I love the psalms… JAMES: Me too. SIMONE: Sorry, Lord. (glares at her sons.) I think their only “desire” was getting into

the city to eat before dark! (Wags a finger at her boys.) Purely selfish desires! JOHN: (Desperate to get the focus off of himself and JAMES.) We were actually having

a great time reminiscing about the wedding in Cana, Jesus. Your first miracle!

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SIMONE: (Wanting full credit for the subject.) I’m the one who brought it up, Lord. I was telling your mother, Mary that it would take a miracle to make my boys behave! So, what do you think, Lord? Will you give us a miracle today? Because, my boys are killing me!

JESUS: (Laughs.) Well, you look healthy and strong enough to me, Simone. But, you never know what life-changing miracle from God is waiting to happen.

MARY M: (Enters, hysterical. She falls at their feet and screams.) Help me! Please, someone save me. They want to stone me!

JESUS: Woman, what is your sin? MARY M: (Full of guilt.) My sins are many, Lord. But I don’t want to die! Please save me!

I know I was wrong…but don’t let them kill me! (Collapses and weeps.)

(Section Removed) SIMONE: (Interrupts.) James, ask them; you don’t know that for sure… (JAMES exits.) JESUS: (Watches JAMES leave then speaks to MARY M.) What is your name? MARY M: Mary Magdalene, Lord. SIMONE: (Approaches MARY M. to wipe the blood off her forehead; but MARY M. stops

her.) You’re bleeding, Mary. I was only trying to wipe away the blood. MARY M: (Embarrassed, she snaps at SIMONE then turns away.) It’s none of your

concern! I’m…I’m not worthy of your kindness. SIMONE: (Slightly hurt, she forces a smile.) None of us are worthy, Mary. (She holds the

cloth out to MARY M. who quickly grabs it and dabs her forehead, embarrassed.)

JAMES: (Enters, going up to JESUS.) They say she’s possessed of many demons, Lord and she was caught in the very act of adultery.

JOHN: The Law of Moses says she must be stoned…to death. I don’t think they can be talked out of it…they’re very angry. What should we do, Lord?

JESUS: (Squats down, writes in the sand, then stands and speaks to the mob offstage.) Is there a man among you, holy and blameless; who is without sin? (Pauses for a response but gets none so continues.) If so, let him cast the first stone at this woman. (Getting no response, He leans down again to write in the sand.)

JAMES: (To JOHN.) Look; they’re all turning away. They’re leaving! JOHN: Lord, all of her accusers have left! JESUS: (Stops writing. He lifts her chin to look into her eyes.) Where are your accusers? MARY M: (Looks over, amazed to see that those waiting to stone her are gone. She turns

to JESUS, speaking with trembling voice.) They…they’ve all gone, my Lord. JESUS: (Rises, never taking His eyes off MARY M.) No man condemns you…and neither

do I. (He takes MARY’S hand, helping her to her feet and smiles.) Go, and sin no more. (He turns to leave. The others smile at MARY M. too then follow JESUS.)

MARY: (To SIMONE.) There’s your miracle, Simone. A life changing miracle from God. SIMONE: (Looks at MARY M.) You’re right, Mary; isn’t it wonderful? (Both smile at her.) MARY M: (Suddenly calls out to JESUS.) Wait! My Lord, please! I…I don’t know what to

do now. JESUS: (Turns to MARY M.) You must be born again, Mary. Come. Turns and exits.) MARY: (Confused.) Born again? (Calls to JESUS.) I don’t understand, Lord. SIMONE: (Excited.) Yes! Come with us, Mary, and Jesus will teach you so many things! MARY: We’ll help you, Mary; we were all been lost and alone…until we met Jesus. Now

we live our lives for Him.

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JOHN: All of us follow Jesus now. You’re more than welcome to come with us. SIMONE: There’s nothing to stop you, Mary! You won’t regret it, I promise! MARY: (Smiles.) I’ve never felt so at peace about anything before! (Makes up her

mind.) All right…I will! I will come with you. (The women embrace her, laughing they all exit to follow after JESUS.)

(BLACKOUT)

ACT ONE SC 2: The home of the Cana couple, JEDIDIAH and SUSANNA. Jesus’ mother MARY is visiting.

SUSANNA: Mary! What a pleasure it is havin’ you visitin’ us! I can hardly believe it’s been, what, two years since the weddin’?!

MARY: I think so. SUSANNA: (Turns to call her husband.) Jed! Honey bunch! We’ve got company, Darlin’.

It’s Jesus’ mother, Mary. (Turns back to MARY.) Well… (Looks around before continuing.) Time does fly when you’re havin’ fun, I reckon. (She chuckles.)

MARY: (Chuckles too.) Yes, it does. SUSANNA: (Offers MARY a chair.) Sit, Mary… MARY: (Sits.) Of course, I’ve been busy traveling…with Jesus. SUSANNA: That’s wonderful! We hear Jesus is still goin’ from town to town preachin’.

Bless His heart! Well, may God in Heaven give Him strength! I know it can’t be easy never knowin’ where you’re gonna lay your head each night.

MARY: We always seem to manage, and there are several other women who travel with us. We all lend a hand in whatever way we can.

SUSANNA: And what a blessin’ that must be! Servin’ the Master every day! MARY: God supplies all our needs. Most people we meet along the way are very kind

and generous, and share whatever they have in return for Jesus’ preaching. JEDIDIAH: (Enters, excited to see MARY. He takes her hands and kisses them, embarrassing

her till she giggles.) Welcome, welcome! I can’t believe it! We haven’t seen you since the weddin’, have we, sugar pie?

SUSANNA: (Giggles.) I know! That’s what I said too. Now, next time you meet up with Jesus you let Him know that Jed and I tell everyone we meet about Him and what He did for us, and who He IS, of course. I still get chills when I say it…the Son of God! And to think, He was at our very own weddin’!

JEDIDIAH: He sure was, sugar pie. Quite an honor… MARY: (Giggles and gives SUSANNA a strange look.) Sugar pie…? SUSANNA: (Giggles.) I know, I know! It’s our silly accent, isn’t it? Don’t you remember?

(Section Removed) SUSANNA: (Lovingly pats MARY’S arm.) It’s all right, hon. I’m afraid we’re a dyin’ breed JEDIDIAH: You know how it is. So many folks from the north shore have moved down

here. Then the younguns pick up their way of talkin’ and before you know it there won’t be any true southern Galileans left!

SUSANNA: It’s already happenin’. People even now can’t figure out why we talk like this. I just say, “You’re not from around here, are you? Well, we were born and breaded right here in southern Galilee…and we’re mighty proud of it!”

JEDIDIAH: Uh…I think it’s “born and bred” sugar pie…

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SUSANNA: (Tickled.) Oh…did I say breaded? (Giggles hysterically.) Well, I sound like a big ol’ hush puppy, don’t I? (She and JEDIDIAH laugh, amusing MARY.)

JEDIDIAH: People think just cuz we talk different…must be somethin’ wrong with us. SUSANNA: (Looks at MARY.) Isn’t that the silliest thing you ever did hear? Why, Jesus

didn’t mind being at our weddin’! He never made one comment about our accent, did he, honey bunch?

JEDIDIAH: Treated us no different than anyone else. I was real impressed with Him the first time I met him. You raised him up right, Mary; He’s a fine man!

MARY: (Smiles shyly.) Well, thank you; but I think our Father in Heaven had a lot more to do with Jesus’ upbringing than Joseph or I did.

SUSANNA: Now, don’t you go puttin’ yourself down, hon. God could o’ chose someone else to be Jesus’ mother….but He chose you! Must be a reason for that!

JEDIDIAH: There sure was! MARY: (Laughs.) All right, all right. Thank you. SUSANNA: (Leans down and takes MARY’S hands.) Mary, tell us. Where’s Jesus now? JEDIDIAH: Yeah; what’s He been up to the last few years? I mean, we hear bits and pieces

from time to time of where He’s been, but it’s hard keepin’ up with it all. MARY: (She suddenly relaxes, opens up: JESUS is her favorite topic.) Well, first of all,

you wouldn’t believe the miracles! He’s healing the sick, casting out evil spirits; eyes that were blind since birth have been opened…

JEDIDIAH: And I thought the miracle at our weddin’ here in Cana was a big deal! SUSANNA: (Giggles, and pats JED’S hand.) Hush now, Jed. Let her go on…what else, Mary? MARY: The teachings…He’s taught us so much about God, His love, how to live our

lives to serve Him. It’s just wonderful. You’d love it, Susanna. SUSANNA: (Winks at MARY.) Well, if I wasn’t tied down to a certain young man, I’d be off

with you in the blink of an eye…! JEDIDIAH: Well then, maybe I’d be off after you with a “blink” of my eye! I saw you a

winkin’ at Mary, my sassy little sweet potato pie! (They laugh.) MARY: You’d be welcome to join us too, Jed. SUSANNA: (Excited.) You hear that, Jed?! JEDIDIAH: Now listen, little darlin’, there’s nothin’ I’d love to do more than follow Jesus

around from town to town. But we’ve got responsibilities here… SUSANNA: (A little sad and mopey.) I know…I know… JEDIDIAH: (Tries to cheer her up with a little song he sings to the “familiar” folk tune.) “Oh

Susanna, don’t you cry for me. For I love my little sweetie pie, from southern Galilee!”

SUSANNA: (All laugh and SUSANNA gives him a playful push so he’ll stop.) Now stop, Jed… MARY: Besides, you and Jed have your own ministry right here, Susanna. You’ve been

spreading the news about Jesus all over this area. That’s important, too. JED/SUSA: (Spoken together.) That’s right. (They look at each other and laugh again.) MARY: (Rises.) Well, I really must be going. (Hugs SUSANNA.) Take care of yourselves.

And of course, you know Jesus sends His love to you both. He has fond memories of Cana and His time at your wedding.

SUSANNA: (Proud as can be.) Really? Well, it was quite a weddin’, wasn’t it? JEDIDIAH: You give Jesus our love too, Mary, and tell Him that no one comes to Cana

without hearin’ about Jesus! (He takes MARY’S hand in his and kisses it before letting go.) You take care, Mary. You know you’re always welcome in our home, you and Jesus…..and all the disciples for that matter.

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MARY: (Smiles.) Thank you, Jed. God bless you. (JEDIDIAH nods goodbye.) SUSANNA: I’ll walk you out, Mary. I’ll be right back, honey bunch. (Gives JED a smile and a

pat on the arm then exits with MARY.) JEDIDIAH: All right, sweetie pie. (Watches them go then turns to the audience.) Yep, I

admit it. Oh Susanna came after me! I didn’t even know she existed till one day there she was, standin’ next to me at the harvest dance in the village square. Hooey! What a beauty! I thought I knew every girl there was in our town but I’d never seen her ‘round here before. Course, I found out later she was visitin’ relatives and would be here the whole summer. (Sees SUSANNA coming so winks at audience and comments.) Best summer I ever had! (Laughs.)

(Section Removed) SUSANNA: Are you kiddin’ me? How could I forget that?! Why I followed you ‘round like a

sick puppy nearly the whole night before I finally got up the nerve to go stand next to you. Why, I thought for sure you could hear my knees knockin’ together! (To audience.) The good Lord knows I could!

JEDIDIAH: Well now, maybe that’s what made me turn and look at you! (Winks at the audience.) When I looked into them sparklin’ violet eyes I knew I was a goner!

SUSANNA: (Laughs.) Now, there you go exaggeratin’ again! If my eyes were a sparklin’ it’s because they were reflectin’ off o’ your big beautiful smile! (To audience.) The good Lord knows every girl’s eyes in town sparkled lookin’ at that smile!

JEDIDIAH: Yep, we were head over heels in love. Before the summer was over we were makin’ plans for our big weddin’ in the fall.

SUSANNA: Autumn, dear. That’s my favorite season. The gorgeous red and golden leaves, why the hills are ablaze with color! We were plannin’ a good old- fashioned harvest weddin’ and the whole town came out, didn’t they, honey bunch?

JEDIDIAH: It was more like the entire region! By the time we got to the town courtyard for the reception we could barely find a place to stand for all the people. I don’t think I knew but half of them!

SUSANNA: Oh now, there you go exaggeratin’ again. T’weren’t that many people, darlin’. Besides, it was a beautiful day and most folks were just sittin’ around enjoyin’ the unusually warm weather we were havin’. You remember, honey bunch; we were talkin’ to Daddy when Jesus and his mama, Mary stopped by to say what a beautiful weddin’ it was.

JEDIDIAH: Yep, I remember. The whole lot o’ them was there: John, James, Peter, all twelve of ‘em. And a good thing they did show up; we was plum out o’ weddin’ punch with nothin’ but water to serve the guests by the time they arrived.

SUSANNA: (Giggles.) Daddy was so embarrassed! I told him it didn’t matter none. Everybody was havin’ a good ol’ time without his silly ol’ weddin’ punch. Course, Mama thought it was a disgrace to the family. Runnin’ out’a punch at a weddin’? Goodness sakes! You’d a thought Aunt Carol had run off with the town drunk the way my parents were carryin’ on.

JEDIDIAH: Now, sugar pie, you know how important it was to them. They’d been plannin’ this weddin’ for two months and wanted everything to be just right. It was worth fussin’ about to them.

SUSANNA: Course Mama just had to run tell Mary all about it, then Mary up’n’ tells her son!

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JEDIDIAH: Yep. I’m not sure Jesus was too keen on showin’ off his powers just yet. But, He was right smart to obey His mama when she told him to help out. That’s one of the things I admired about Him. He respected His mama, and He was a humble man too. (Getting worked up.) Not a big show-off like some of these young folk today.

SUSANNA: Yes dear. Well, when Jesus told the servants to fill those big barrels with water, I thought mama was gonna faint dead away. (Giggles.) Even Daddy turned a little pale.

JEDIDIAH: Turned green, actually… Your ol’ man’d be the laughing stock of the town servin’ his guests water at a weddin’. (Laughs heartily.)

SUSANNA: Well, thankfully Jesus had somethin’ better in mind. (Gets excited.) Why they must o’ filled 15 barrels with water! I remember the look on Daddy’s face when Jesus handed him a cup to dip into one of the barrels. (Laughs.) I thought he was gonna keel over for sure!

JEDIDIAH: (Laughing with her.) Yep. But my favorite part was when your Pa took his first drink, ‘member? He took a sip, his eyes got big; he took another sip, then he grinned real big, then gulped down the rest and burst out laughing, hollerin’ to everyone to come have a drink of the finest weddin’ punch ever made!

SUSANNA: What a miracle that was! I think ev’rybody should invite Jesus to their weddin’ don’t you, honey bunch? What a special blessin’ it was havin’ Him there.

(Section Removed) JEDIDIAH: Yep, but I’d say Jesus was the “big man” after that day. Just think, sugar pie;

Jesus’ first miracle and it happened at our weddin’! Hooey! Not many folks can boast about that, now, can they?

SUSANNA: Now, you ain’t exaggeratin’ there, honey bunch! (Both laugh.)

SONG #2 - JESUS IN THE MIDDLE – Jed & Susanna duet

VERSE 1 JEDIDIAH: We were determined to marry; neither wanted to tarry, So we set the date as soon as we could. SUSANNA: Autumn was the season; our love was the reason, That our marriage was gonna be good. BOTH: With our vows said and done, the party’d only begun, JEDIDIAH: When we noticed that the punch had run dry. SUSANNA: Mama told Mary who said, “Quite contrary.” My son Jesus all the punch will supply.” CHORUS BOTH: So that’s why everybody ought to be invitin’ Jesus to their unitin’, For a marriage should start with Jesus bein’ a part; it’s more excitin’. Don’t give Him only second fiddle, For the Lord should be smack dab in the middle. Put Him first in your life, before your husband or wife, You’ll stop the marital strife, hey diddle, diddle!

VERSE 2 SUSANNA: Then the barrels were filled and all the people were thrilled, To find that Daddy saved the best punch for last. JEDIDIAH: He said, “Jesus turned the water to punch for my daughter, I’ve a hunch that it’s a gonna go fast!” BOTH: When Uncle Josh and Aunt Carol took a drink from the barrel, SUSANNA: They thought Daddy was a big man that day. JEDIDIAH: But he said, “It was Jesus; He’s the only one can please us, BOTH: Aren’t you glad He was invited today?!

CHORUS BOTH: So that’s why everybody ought to be invitin’ Jesus to their unitin’,

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For a marriage should start with Jesus bein’ a part; it’s more excitin’. Don’t give Him only second fiddle, For the Lord should be smack dab in the middle. Put Him first in your life, before your husband or wife, You’ll stop the marital strife, hey diddle, diddle! Jesus ought to be there; be sure to save Him a chair…smack dab in the middle!

JEDIDIAH: (Gives SUSANNA a big smile.) I sure do love to hear you sing, sugar pie! SUSANNA: (Giggles.) Well, you keep a smilin’ at me like that and I’ll sing all day long,

honey bunch! (JED gives her another cheesy smile. She giggles and swats him.) Oh now Jed! (JED bursts out laughing and does a little jig as he exits. SUSANNA watches, giggling and shaking her head, then turns to audience.) Isn’t he something…? (Suddenly, a series of loud crashes is heard offstage ending with a cat scream. SUSANNA cringes at each crash. When it stops she calls out.) Jed? Jed…? Are you all right? (Heads offstage, concerned.) Talk to me, honey bunch… (After her exit the lights go black and another cat scream is heard before the scene change music begins.)

(BLACKOUT)

ACT ONE SC 3: DANIEL’S house. He enters carrying a heavy sack on his back.

DANIEL: (Drops his bag then turns to the audience to address them while wiping his brow.) I know what you’re thinking. Carrying these sacks is hard work; there’s no doubt about that. By the time the sun goes down each evening every muscle in my arms, legs and back are aching something fierce. But, to be honest with you…I love it! No, I mean it! It makes me feel alive and useful. Of course, I haven’t always felt like this. Wasn’t all that long ago I couldn’t feel anything from my chest on down. (Motions with his hands where he was paralyzed.) Completely numb. I couldn’t move, sit up, feed or dress myself. I was a pitiful sight. So I’m sure you’ll understand when I tell you I never went out much. I was a typical home body. Don’t get me wrong, though. It wasn’t like a felt sorry for myself; oh no! I just didn’t want to bother anybody by asking them to, you know, haul me around. That’s a lot to ask of anyone. I guess I’d pretty much convinced myself that this was how it was going to be, so it made no sense for me to complain about it. I was crippled, and that’s all there was to it. Besides, I felt much safer at home. It was too dangerous for me out there. But then some friends of mine, who I’d known since childhood, started telling me about this man called Jesus who was in the area. They’d

(Section Removed) Anyway, hearing my friends talk about this man Jesus, got me pretty excited. Maybe I wasn’t so convinced that I had to be paralyzed for the rest of my life. Maybe, deep down inside I was really hanging on to some tiny thread of hope; that some day I could be free from this numb and useless body…

SONG #3 - THREAD OF HOPE – Daniel solo

Verse 1: I had convinced myself that this was how I’d always be. Those twisted, gnarled arms and legs were part of me. I learned to cope and live my life; no hope of freedom from the strife. I learned to bear this burden placed on me; a normal, useful life I’d never see. Verse 2: I would protect myself from added pain by staying home.

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Paralyzed and numb, where could I roam? Within my walls no stares or pity; rooms and halls my only city. I was safe and sheltered in my home; A recluse crawling through the catacombs. Chorus: Yet, just the mention of His name and my soul began to stir. Deep down inside me I could feel that possibly a change might actually occur. And now I’m holding on to one little tiny thread of hope. For I have nothing else to lose; by holding on to this I choose… To more than merely cope. Verse 3: Now I could feel anticipation growing in my soul. If I could meet this man called Jesus, I’d be whole. I’ll hold on tight with all my might; I’ll cling to this small thread of hope; For I have nothing else to lose; by holding on to this I choose… To more than merely cope.

(While music continues to play out, JARA & PETER enter.)

PETER: (Jovial.) Hey, Daniel! Are you trying to make up for lost time, my friend? DANIEL: Peter! What do you mean, “trying?” That’s exactly what I’m doing, brother.

(They slap each other on the back, laughing.) PETER: (Brings his mother-in-law, JARA forward.) Daniel, this is my mother-in-law, Jara.

She’s heard all of us talk about you so much that I told her next time I was over this way I’d bring her along to meet you.

JARA: (DANIEL shyly nods. Staring, she gives him the “once over” then turns to PETER.) Are you sure, this is the right man? (PETER and DANIEL look at each other then back at her.) Well…look at him! This man is as strong as an ox, Peter! Maybe you got him mixed up with some other miracle.

PETER: (He and DANIEL laugh.) No, Mother. This is Daniel; the paralytic man that was lowered down through the roof and Jesus healed him.

DANIEL: And thanks for the compliment, Jara. I don’t think anyone’s ever compared me to an ox before! (JARA just continues to stare with her mouth hanging open.)

PETER: (Tries to get her to stop staring.) Uh, Mother…you’re staring at him… JARA: (Waves a hand at PETER.) Well I know that; of course I am! (DANIEL walks over

to get a stool for JARA. She watches him then turns to PETER.) He doesn’t even have a limp! Bless the Lord!

DANIEL: (Offers JARA a seat.) Here, Jara. Sit down. JARA: (Takes his hand, continuing to stare, but won’t let go of his arm. She examines

his muscles then turns to PETER and whispers loudly.) Mmmm, strong as an ox! DANIEL: (Hearing her and unable to get out of her clutches, he answers.) So are you! JARA: (Slightly embarrassed he heard her, she quickly lets go of his arm.) Hmmpf… PETER: If you’re too busy, Daniel, we can come back later. DANIEL: No, now is fine! I needed a break anyway. My muscles were beginning to

gloriously ache! (Chuckles.) JARA: Well, I wouldn’t say there’s anything glorious about it when my muscles ache! PETER: I’ve told my mother-in-law a little bit of your background…how you were

crippled all your life until you met Jesus. I also mentioned your friends who told you about Jesus and how that gave you hope.

DANIEL: Well then, where would you like me to start, Jara? JARA: (Looks at him like “that’s a silly question.”) From the beginning, of course. PETER: (Impatient.) Jara, I’ve already told you the beginning. You have to hear it again?

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JARA: (Just glares at PETER, then turns to DANIEL.) Then, if you would be so kind as to start where my son-in-law left off, Daniel. (She leans in to speak just to DANIEL.) He always calls me by my name when he’s perturbed with me!

PETER: (Leans in too.) She always calls me “son-in-law” when she’s perturbed with me! DANIEL: (He and PETER exchange looks and then smile, stifling a laugh.) Well then, Jara;

I’ll begin where my four friends showed up to take me to Jesus. JARA: That’s a good place… DANIEL: All right. Well, I know it sounds crazy, but then again, (Chuckles.) that’s

exactly what my friends were: crazy! All four of them showed up one day, excited and laughing. They said they were taking me to a meeting in Capernaum where Jesus was preaching. I tried to talk some sense into them; I even yelled at them to leave me alone! But, they wouldn’t listen.

(Section Removed) DANIEL: They picked up my bed, with me on it, and headed out the door. JARA: (Concerned.) What did you do? DANIEL: (Stares at her briefly.) Nothing! I was crippled, paralyzed. I just lay there,

feeling rather foolish I might add…being carried through town on my bed! JARA: Oh, that’s right! I keep forgetting the paralyzed part. (PETER just rolls his eyes.) DANIEL: I just kept shaking my head and wishing I could hide under my blanket! As we

approached the place where Jesus was preaching we could hear quite a commotion going on. The place was so full that people were crowding around the windows and doorway because no one else could get inside.

JARA: How rude! You’d think they would’ve seen you coming and gotten out of the way so you could get in!

PETER: Remember, Mother. These people were there to hear Jesus and hopefully receive a healing too. They weren’t about to let someone in front of them.

JARA: Yes, I suppose so… DANIEL: The whole time we were making our way to that meeting I kept thinking what a

crazy idea it was. And, I’m ashamed to say, it made me a bit bad-tempered and impatient with my friends. But once we arrived and I saw there was no way in, I realized that I did want to be there and I did want to see Jesus… and now I wasn’t even going to get inside.

JARA: (She pats his hand, sympathetic.) You poor dear… DANIEL: Then, one of my friends got the bright idea to hoist me up on the roof. No one

paid any attention to us so it wasn’t long and there we were…all five of us on top of the roof! They tore off some of the tiles to make a hole big enough for me to get through. They tied ropes to each end of my bed and began to lower me down right over the heads of all those people. And I could just barely turn my head enough to catch a glimpse of this man in the middle of the crowd.

JARA: (Smiles.) Jesus! DANIEL: (Smiles back and continues.) Yes, Jesus. I felt like I was just dangling by a tiny

thread over their heads. I prayed my friends wouldn’t drop me! Fortunately, someone looked up and shouted to the others to get out of the way or I would’ve landed on their heads! And then, (Rises; in the moment.) there He was…Jesus…right in front of me…and He was smiling. (JARA and PETER smile; mesmerized.) Of course, I was embarrassed to death. There were people shouting at me for disrupting the meeting, and others were laughing and

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cheering me on. And all I could do was just lie there, staring up at my friends who were peering down through that hole in the roof. Jesus slowly raised his arms high, and then the whole place went quiet. He too looked up at my friends and smiled. Jesus seemed mighty impressed with their persistence in getting me there. I was so proud of them…and grateful to them for putting up with me. Then Jesus turned back to me and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

JARA: (Looks as if she will weep.) Oh, Daniel… DANIEL: (Caught up himself for a moment.) I know. But I only had a moment to take it

all in before the crowd became angry. There were scribes and Pharisees there, shouting at Jesus! One of them yelled, “Who are you to forgive this man?! Who do you think you are…God? You’ve no right! You’re nothing but a man!”

JARA: Those Pharisees are nothing but pious, pompous dogs! PETER: (Becoming impatient with her interruptions.) Jara, hush; let him finish… DANIEL: (Faces JARA and chuckles.) I thought the same thing, Jara. But Jesus looked at

them with such pity in His eyes, I almost felt sorry for them too. JARA: (She huffs out a retort.) Almost… PETER: (Perturbed.) Wait till you hear Jesus’ answer, mother. DANIEL: Peter knows Jesus always has the perfect answer. (Continues.) Then Jesus

said, “Why does this bother you so much? Is it easier to say, ‘your sins are forgiven’ or ‘take up your bed and walk?’ Since you don’t believe the Son of God has the power to forgive, then I’ll prove it to you.”

JARA: (Slams a fist into her hand; content with JESUS’ answer.) Good for Him! PETER: (Impatient with JARA interrupting again.) Listen, Jara; the best part’s coming. DANIEL: (He is caught up in his story again.) The next thing I knew, Jesus took my hand.

And it’s not because I saw Him take my hand…I felt Him take my hand. And He said to me, “Rise. Take up your bed and go on home.” (For a moment all three are frozen: PETER and JARA, eyes glued to DANIEL; DANIEL with eyes ablaze, remembers the moment.) At that very moment I felt this tingling in my arm, then it spread to my chest and my other arm…then on down to my toes! (Almost giddy, he giggles as he continues.) I started moving my fingers, hands, arms, my legs, wiggling my toes! (Gives a hearty laugh that makes JARA jump up and laugh with him.) I could feel them all! (Then PETER joins in.)

JARA: (Over excited, she stutters.) And then…and then…and then…what happened? DANIEL: I did exactly what He told me to do! I rolled up my bed, tucked it under my

arm, and as I started walking toward the door, everyone backed away.

(Section Removed) DANIEL: And I could hear my friends on the roof…shouting and praising God too! JARA: (She laughs and can’t help but join in.) Praise God! DANIEL: (They begin to calm down.) So, you can imagine I tell everyone I meet about

Jesus and what he did for me. I guess that scrawny little ‘thread of hope’ was just enough to keep me hanging on…

JARA: That’s all any of us have, Daniel. PETER: And sometimes that’s all it takes…just clinging to that tiny thread of hope… JARA: But knowing that Jesus is at the other end of that tiny thread holding on tight,

gives us hope.

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SONG #4 - THREAD OF HOPE – (Reprise) Daniel, Jara & Peter

DANIEL: Now I could feel anticipation growing in my soul. DAN/JARA If I could meet this man called Jesus, I’d be whole. ALL THREE: I’ll hold on tight with all my might; I’ll cling to this small thread of hope; For I have nothing else to lose; by holding on to this I choose… DANIEL: To more than merely cope. JARA: To more than merely cope. PETER: To more than merely cope.

DANIEL: I should be getting back to work. It sure was good to see you again, Peter. PETER: You too. Jesus sends His blessings, and of course, the others send greetings. JARA: I’ve been so blessed today, Daniel; thank you. You know, you and I have a lot

in common… DANIEL: How’s that, Jara? JARA: (Looks back at PETER for approval. He smiles and nods.) Jesus healed me as

well, not that long ago. He took my hand too, and lifted me right out of that pit of darkness and into His glorious light! I’ll never forget that feeling of overwhelming joy …

DANIEL: Into His light...yes, that’s exactly what it was like, Jara. I was living in darkness and fear, until He led me into His light and filled me with joy. (DANIEL and JARA embrace, knowing they shared a special moment with JESUS.) Tell Jesus I love Him more and more every day. Not a single person gets past me without hearing about Him! (He exits; JARA and PETER wave goodbye.)

JARA: (Smiling.) Such a nice young man…and such a moving testimony to God! PETER: Well, if we don’t get moving, you’re going to miss tonight’s meeting! JARA: (Stubbornly.) Ha! Over my dead body! (Struts past him, but his words stop her.) PETER: (Unable to resist a comment.) Now, Jara…don’t go getting my hopes up.

(Laughs heartily, amused with his own joke.) JARA: (Gives him a look.) You are so annoying… (She turns away shaking her head

then quickly looks back at PETER, who was holding up his fist at her. He quickly opens his fist and starts scratching his chin with an innocent look on his face.

(BLACKOUT)

ACT ONE SC 4: MARY sits in the garden, deep in thought, when JAMES enters.

JAMES: Mary, have you seen Jesus? People are starting to gather already to hear Him speak! I thought maybe He was with you.

MARY: (She seems tired, thoughtful.) No James; I thought He might be out here in the garden, but I haven’t seen Him either.

JAMES: Well, if He does show up can you tell Him the people are gathering? I’m sure He’d want to know.

MARY: (A faraway look in her eyes.) Of course, James...I’ll tell Him.

(Section Removed) JESUS: (He smiles and calls to her.) Mother… MARY: (Turns, mildly startled, but pleased to see Him.) Jesus, come; sit with me for a

while. (He sits down beside her and looks out over the garden. Concerned, she studies His face.) Jesus, you look so tired. Are you sleeping well?

JESUS: (Smiles.) I sleep a little; enough to rejuvenate me so I can continue my ministry.

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MARY: But…not enough to be fully rested… JESUS: (Gives her a reproving look and pats her hand.) It’s enough… MARY: You can’t go on without rest, Jesus. I know your ministry is important but

sleep is important too. JESUS: My Father in Heaven gives me strength when I am weak or weary.

MARY: Yes, I know He takes care of His son, Jesus. But you are also my son. So you are a man as well…and your earthly mother thinks you need more rest. (Smiles and caresses his hand.) If you don’t take care of yourself, my son, then how will you go on ministering for years to come?

JESUS: (Squeezes her hand then stands and walks away.) The time is short, Mother; I don’t have years to come.

MARY: (Not wanting to hear this again, she stands.) Why do you say that? It’s not as if you’re old. You’re just in your early 30s…the prime of your life, with many years ahead of you to do God’s will.

JESUS: No. We’ve talked about this many times. My time on earth is short, Mother. It grows shorter every day…and there is still so much to do before I…

MARY: (Interrupts, not wanting to hear.) Yes, I know. I’ve heard this before. JESUS: Yes, you’ve heard this before…but you’re not listening with your heart. MARY: (Upset, tearful.) How can I when my heart is so full of sadness. (JESUS puts an

arm around His mother to calm her. She continues.) Before you were born the angel Gabriel told me that “with God nothing is impossible.” After all I’ve been through since that day I know it’s true. (Begins to cry.) So why isn’t it possible for God to protect you; to spare your life so that you don’t…

JESUS: Shh…Listen; listen to your heart, my beloved Mother. There’s a reason for the sadness in your heart and soul. For a time it must be. I know you love God and you love Me also. And I know you trust God. Now, you must trust Me also.

(Section Removed) MARY: (Sad.) I know. But, I don’t always understand everything that’s in my heart. JESUS: You will…in time you’ll understand and know why I must do my Father’s will.

Then you’ll look back and your eyes will be opened; everything will be clear. MARY: (Pleading, urgent.) When? How long? JESUS: (Smiles again and wipes her tears away.) Soon. The Holy Spirit will reveal it to

you. (He rises.) Now, we must go and join the others. Many have traveled far to hear the Word of God. Come.

MARY: (Tries to smile.) And…after you preach to the crowds…you will rest? JESUS: (Chuckles.) Yes; then I will rest. (Holds up a scolding finger.) But, only a little. MARY: (Takes His hand and kisses it.) You have always been the joy of my life, Jesus.

Thank you for being with me today, my son. JESUS: (Lovingly smoothes her hair.) I will always be with you, my beloved mother.

Remember that… (Puts His hand over His heart.) always…to the end of time. (Kisses her head and bids her come with Him.) MARY: You go ahead; I’ll be there shortly. (Watches Him leave; pondering His words.)

#5 – HE’S MY SON – Mary’s solo

MARY: I have called Him my son from the start; even tho’ I know deep in my heart, He is God’s only Son from above; and conceived of the Spirit in love.

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Yet, I am the one that He took His first steps to; My arms held Him close as I rocked Him to sleep. Day after day I would watch Him grow into, The Man of God I knew my love could not keep. MARY: I suppose that I’ve known all along, He must go; Father, help me be strong! As His Father You surely must see; whatever happens, His mother I’ll be Father in Heaven, I know He’s Yours; But for this moment, let Him be mine! He’s my son. He’s my son too. And I love our Son.

(BLACKOUT)

ACT ONE SC 5: Back at SIMONE’S house in the courtyard. JAMES and the women are anxious to visit with PETER and JARA after their time with DANIEL.

SIMONE: I still can’t believe Daniel’s friends dropped him down from the roof! JARA: (Laughs.) Oh now, Simone; they didn’t drop him…they lowered him on ropes. MARY M: He must’ve been thrilled when he stood up and walked for the very first time. JAMES: That was an amazing story, Peter. Thanks for telling us. I’ve heard bits and

pieces of Daniel’s story but hearing the whole thing from start to finish was incredible. I should have gone with you to visit Daniel, Peter!

SIMONE: (To JARA.) I told my boys that next time you go on a trip Jara, I’d send them with you. And maybe you could teach them a thing or two along the way!

JAMES: (Perturbed and embarrassed.) Mother…! JARA: It’d be my pleasure, Simone. Although if your boys are anything like my son-

in-law…there’s not much hope! (Winks at SIMONE.) MARY: According to Daniel, all you need is one tiny thread of hope, Jara. (All laugh.) PETER: (Laughing.) Thank you, Mary. At least James and John and I know there’s still

hope for us. So Jara, you never told me; what did you think of Daniel’s story? JARA: (Laughs.) What kind of a question is that? Why, of course I was amazed. I

never cease to be amazed at what Jesus can do! Every time I hear about one of Jesus’ miracles I get so excited I feel like my heart’s going to burst into pieces!

PETER: (Laughs.) Now, don’t go getting my hopes up, Jara! (JAMES joins him laughing.) JARA: (Glares at him, even though she knows he’s kidding.) You have got to be the

most annoying son-in-law a woman could have! (Addressing the women.) NOW do you see what I have to put up with?? (The other women suppress a giggle.)

PETER: (Laughs.) I know, I know. MARY M: (Changes the subject.) What about you, Jara? How did you meet Jesus? PETER: Jesus healed her one day when she was sick in bed, remember James? JAMES: Huh? Oh, yeah. But mostly I remember the food…mmmm, it was great! SIMONE: James, be quiet and listen! JARA: (Looks off, remembering.) Hmmmm…that was a strange day. You and the

disciples were gone before I woke up that morning. Didn’t even know I was sick till you came back with Jesus late in the day, did you?

(Section Removed) PETER: (Gives her a funny look.) Uh…I think the saying is “Stubborn as a mule,” Jara. JARA: (Gives a confused look.) It is…? Well then…I was as strong as an ox!

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JAMES: (Aside to PETER.) I think the “stubborn as a mule fits her better. (The men snicker until SIMONE smacks the back of both their heads.)

JARA: Thank you, Simone. Anyway, when I woke up that morning I was surprised that I couldn’t even get out of bed. I was so weak, and had quite a fever. I was burning up. (Leans in to the others as if telling a secret.) You know, I sweat so bad I soaked all the way through to the mattress!

PETER: (Gives her a look.) Mother, I don’t think we need to know every little detail… JARA: (Gives him a look back.) Oh yes you do! It makes it that much more miraculous

when you hear how bad it was. SIMONE: (Gives PETER a look.) Go on, Jara. Just ignore him. JARA: I usually do! Well, Anna tended to me the whole day, putting cold cloths on

my forehead. I thought for sure I’d be feeling fine by the time we’d leave for the meeting. You know, any time Jesus was preaching I’d be there, and I wasn’t about to miss Him that morning. But, I just kept getting worse and worse. I tried to will myself to get up but it was no use. There was just no way I was going to get out of that bed, and I was not happy about it one bit.

PETER: (Now interested.) Did you get up at all while we were gone? JARA: Not that I know of. Actually, I don’t really remember much, I was so delirious,

and weak as a newborn kitten. All I can remember is how upset I was that I wasn’t going to make it to that meeting. I’d never missed a single gathering since Jesus first preached in our area. I just couldn’t understand why God would allow me to be sick on a day His Son was going to be here. (Smiles.) Oh, how I loved to listen to Jesus preach!

SONG #6 - LISTENING TO JESUS – Jara & Chorus (Last verse only)

JARA: Listening to Jesus, God speaks to my heart. He reaches the depths of my soul to impart, His goodness and mercy; His love so divine; Through Jesus Salvation is mine. (Choral backup begins while JARA sings.)

The beautiful singing, there’s none can compare. The fellowship sweet and the teaching so rare; Then Jesus, the Master steps forward to share, God’s blessings abound and His presence is there.

JARA/CHORUS: Listening to Jesus, gives strength from above; He speaks of forgiveness, of mercy and love; A salvation message that I’ve never heard. I hunger and thirst for His Word. Listening, my spirit is stirred. Lord, I hunger and thirst for Your Word.

JARA: Of course, looking back, now I understand: God obviously had something better in mind for me on that day. Now…where was I?

SIMONE: You were too weak… MARY M: To get out of bed… MARY: So you missed the meeting. (All three ladies nod in agreement, eager to hear.) JARA: (Looks at each one as they speak…surprised.) Oh…yes. So Peter, James and

John had already gone off with Jesus, and my daughter Anna, bless her heart, stayed home with me. She was worried and stayed by my bed the whole day, until all of you came back from the meeting.

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PETER: Yes, I remember. When all of us got back we thought you’d have a meal ready. JARA: (Giggles.) That’s right. You were probably expecting a nice big dinner when

you got back with Jesus. Weren’t you surprised when there wasn’t even a loaf of bread sitting on the table! (She laughs, amused.)

JAMES: We sure were! You can laugh now. But I didn’t see anything funny about it then! We were all starving by the time we got back!

JARA: I must’ve been unconscious when you got home because I don’t even remember anyone coming in the room. In fact, I don’t remember anything until I woke up and saw Jesus standing there.

PETER: Anna took me into the room and when I saw you lying there looking like death I immediately ran out and told Jesus.

JAMES: Jesus told us to come with Him into your room, so we did. JARA: Now I know why everyone was in my room gawking at me when I woke up!

(Section Removed) JARA: (Remembers.) Why, yes; I think I do! I mean I don’t exactly remember Him

holding my hand, but I did notice a cooling feeling in my right hand. (Giggles.) I thought I was dreaming about being down by the creek, dipping my hand in the cold stream. But then that coolness started going up my arm and through my whole body, like I was being lowered into a nice cool pool of water; it was so refreshing. When that cool water reached my forehead, I opened my eyes…and there was Jesus standing beside me, holding my hand and smiling like He does so well. Such a sweet, gentle man.

PETER: I remember when you opened your eyes. You sat straight up, stared at each one of us, and said, (Mimics JARA.) “Why are you all in here staring at me? What time is it?”

JARA: (Giggles.) I thought I was still dreaming! You all looked so serious, just staring! JAMES: We thought you were dead! PETER: You sure looked like it, anyway. JARA: Well, thank you very much! That’s what I look like when I sleep: A dead body? PETER: Only when you’re very sick and white as a sheet! (He grins at her.) JARA: (To the women.) And then, with that silly grin on his face, he tells me, “It’s late

in the afternoon!” I couldn’t believe it! PETER: (Teases.) Jara nearly knocked Jesus over when she jumped out of bed! JARA: Now, I did not. I grabbed my robe and headed for the kitchen to cook you a

meal! And which one of you ran off to tell everybody that Jesus healed me? PETER: (Gives JAMES a look.) James. JAMES: Hey, I was so excited; I wanted to tell the whole village what had happened. JARA: Well I noticed you managed to make it back in time for supper! JAMES: Ahhh, what a meal that was! And when the word got out, all those people came

to the house, and they loved your food too. JARA: (Appeased.) That’s right! I made so much there was plenty for everyone…

unless of course Jesus multiplied it like He does so well! (Giggles.) And we had a wonderful meeting that night. Jesus’ teaching, the singing, the healing testimonies that were shared…including mine.

PETER: It more than made up for the morning meeting you missed, don’t you think?

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JARA: I never thought of that! Why, it sure did. Now see? I told you God had something better in mind for me that day. I got to hear Jesus preach after all. And I haven’t missed a meeting since!

MARY M: (Amazed.) Not even one, Jara? JARA: That’s what I said. SIMONE: Now Mary, after what Jesus did for you, wouldn’t YOU want to be there if He

was going to speak? MARY M: (Smiles.) Of course I would. He changed my life forever. MARY: Everyone who meets Jesus is changed forever. JAMES: You can say that again! Ever since John and I left our fishing boat to follow

Him, we’ve never been the same. And Peter, too! PETER: It’s hard to explain just what it was that I felt when Jesus called my name and

told me to come follow Him. JARA: It’s not hard to explain at all. It’s an unspeakable joy that wells up inside you. SIMONE: (Laughs.) You’re right, Jara! That’s exactly what it is! As soon as you meet

Him you’re just overwhelmed with joy. You can’t help it! What about you, Mary? How did you feel when you found out you were carrying God’s Son?

MARY: (Smiles and shyly pauses, remembering.) Jara’s right. It’s an unspeakable joy that comes over you. I’ve seen it on the face of every person Jesus meets.

JAMES: Yes! You’re right, Mary! You’ve seen it, Peter; you too, Mama. Even though Jesus is a stranger to them at first…once they meet Him they’re filled with joy.

MARY M: It’s a joy that comes from Jesus changing your life completely. (JESUS enters at the CHORUS and joins them in the center. As they sing they relate to Him.)

SONG #7 – JOY UNSPEAKABLE (REPRISE) Company

COMPANY: A crippled man now walking; healed of dumbness, she can’t stop talking. The blind can see, the deaf can hear and the lost are found. The sick, the lame, the broken, healed by a touch or a word He’s spoken. After meeting the Master, you’ll be passing the joy all around!

(CHORUS) Right from the start He was no typical stranger.

Meeting Jesus was a total life-changer, It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy! And everybody has a different story; So many empty lives now full of glory, It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy! (Key change and repeat.) Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy! Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable - - joy!

(BLACKOUT)

END ACT ONE

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ACT TWO

ENTR’ACTE

ACT TWO SC 1: The courtyard of SIMONE, JAMES and JOHN’S house. SIMONE & JARA are chatting at the table after supper until the others come out to join them.

SIMONE: It sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip, Jara. JARA: Oh yes! And our visit with Daniel was amazing; so uplifting. You would never

have known that he was completely crippled before Jesus healed him! He was so strong…very muscular…such a handsome young man!

SIMONE: (Giggles.) Now Jara, you noticed he was good looking?! JARA: (Gives her a look.) I may be old, Simone…but my eye sight is just fine!

Nothing wrong with admiring a strong, young, handsome miracle of God, now is there?!

SIMONE: Absolutely not! (They both laugh.) Where’s Peter? Didn’t I see him earlier? JARA: Yes, but he wanted to visit Anna…and I suspect he didn’t want ME tagging

along with him. So he left right after he knew I was settled in. SIMONE: Ohhh, well that’s understandable. Peter’s probably away from his wife more

than usual. It must get very lonely for Anna. JARA: I don’t know about that. My daughter knows Peter even better than I do so she

knows how ornery and belligerent he can be. I wouldn’t doubt for a minute that she enjoys a little reprieve from his bullheaded temperament! He can be so annoying!

MARY: (Enters with MARY M.) Jara; are you talking about your son-in-law again? JARA: Yes, and he’s as obnoxious as ever! Whoever came up with the “in-law” phrase

didn’t know Peter! They should have called it “out-law!” (She laughs and after SIMONE’S initial shocked response she joins her as well.)

MARY: (Suppressing a laugh she only shakes her head smiling.) Well, Joseph’s parents were wonderful. I can’t think of one bad thing to say about either of them.

JARA: Why of course not, Mary! You had Jesus for a son! They knew better than to give you a hard time! (Giggles.)

SIMONE: (Giggles as well but pretends to reprimand JARA.) Jara! Do you always say whatever comes into your head?!

JARA: (Stops laughing and gives SIMONE a look.) Why of course not, Simone. I’m no fool. I only say what I know I can get away with! (Laughs again.)

(Section Removed) SIMONE: Yes, but I don’t get away with it like you do Jara. You will definitely have to

teach me that! MARY M: And me too! JARA: That part comes with age, dearies. The older you get the more things you get

away with! (They all laugh as JESUS enters with JAMES and JOHN.) JESUS: Thank you once again, Simone, for your generosity. I know our Father in

Heaven is pleased and will bless you for all the kindness you have shown Me. SIMONE: Everything I have is Yours, Lord; and I know it isn’t much. I’m the one who’s

blessed, Jesus. Every time you come to my home I’m humbled and honored. JAMES: Did you like the fish, Lord? JESUS: (Smiles, knowingly.) Yes, James. They were delicious. Thank you.

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JAMES: (Beaming.) Caught them myself, Jesus; just this morning. JOHN: Stop boasting, James. I caught some of them too. JAMES: Yes, but I caught the biggest ones, brother…remember? SIMONE: (Chuckles, to make light of the arguing.) Boys, boys…that’s enough. All the

fish were good, both big and small. (Then becomes stern.) Now stop arguing! JESUS: Listen to your mother, James. She’s right. SIMONE: (She lovingly smacks the back of JAMES’ head.) Well! Did you hear that, James? JAMES: (Rubs his head.) Ow! Yes, mother, I heard… SIMONE: (Looks confused at JESUS.) Uh….what was I right about, Lord? JESUS: (Chuckles.) That ALL the fish were good, Simone. The great…and the small.

God doesn’t just care for the great and ignore the small. In fact, many times it’s quite the opposite.

JOHN: What do you mean, Lord? JAMES: (Teasing.) He means, just because you’re smaller than me, little brother, God

still cares about you! SIMONE: James… JESUS: (Chuckles and puts a hand on JAMES’ and JOHN’S shoulder.) Well…God takes it

a little further than that, my “Sons of Thunder.” What’s great in the eyes of man may not always be what’s great in God’s eyes. Remember when I told you that God uses the simple to confound the wise? Well, sometimes it’s the simplest and smallest things that are great in God’s kingdom…and those things that are great in the eyes of man will be brought down and become small, insignificant.

JOHN: (Getting back at JAMES.) I see. So the small shall be great…and the great shall become small…? Are you hearing this, James? Looks like the roles are reversed, little brother!

JAMES: Well then, if now you’re great and I’m small they’d just get reversed again! So, Lord, how does that work? We’d just keep going back and forth.

MARY M: (Rather innocently comments.) If that’s the case, then it shouldn’t matter which one of you is small or great, James.

SIMONE: (Laughs.) Good for you, Mary! JOHN: (Joins in the laughter and gives JAMES a head rub.) Ha! Guess she told YOU! JAMES: (Rubs JOHN’S head right back.) Told YOU, too! JESUS: (Laughing as well.) Thank you, Mary. SIMONE: (Trying to speak privately to JESUS.) My Lord, since we’re sort of on the subject

of the small becoming great, can I uh…ask a favor? JESUS: (Instead of keeping it private He opens it up so everyone can hear.) Why, of

course, Simone. What is the favor you would like to ask of Me?

(Section Removed) SIMONE: I thought maybe You could have one of them sit on Your right and one on Your

left…you know, when You’re in your kingdom, Lord. I think they’d be perfect for the job! I know they don’t always get along…but I’m sure if they were both sitting beside You they’d be very helpful. (Getting caught up in her request she doesn’t notice JESUS’ expression has changed from amused to serious.) Perhaps they could help You with important decisions…or serious issues that come up…what do you think, Lord? One on the left…one on the right…Lord…?

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JAMES: I’ll sit on the right… JOHN: Actually, I thought you’d take the left side… JAMES: Me?! You take the left. JOHN: Why should I sit on the left? JAMES: Why should I? BOTH: Because you’re the one that’s…. SIMONE: (Slaps the back of their heads and giggles nervously since JESUS is silent.)

Boys…please. Let Jesus decide… (Still no response from JESUS.) …my Lord? JESUS: (Serious, He looks at SIMONE.) You don’t know what you’re asking, Simone. SIMONE? (Confused.) Lord…? JESUS: (Now looks at the boys.) Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? JMS/JHN: Yes, Lord. JESUS: And be baptized in the baptism in which I am baptized? JMS/JHN? (They look at each other then at JESUS and boldly answer.) Yes, Lord; we are. SIMONE: (Shouts for joy, hugging MARY.) Wonderful! (But stops when she looks at JESUS.) JESUS: (Sadly looks at them.) You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized in the

baptism that I am baptized with…but, to sit at my right and my left hand is not Mine to give. It is prepared by My Father in Heaven for those that He has chosen. (SIMONE and her sons are embarrassed; JESUS smiles, continues.) You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so with you. Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. And, whoever desires to be great among you, let him be a servant of all…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Just as I came to give My life…a ransom for many.

SIMONE: Forgive me, Lord! I’ve been so foolish…so selfish. (MARY goes to comfort her.) JOHN: (Goes over to JESUS and kneels at His feet.) Help me, Lord. Help me to be a

true servant of God.

(Section Removed) JESUS: (Helps JOHN and JAMES to their feet and embraces them both, one on either

side; then calls to SIMONE.) Simone, your sons now stand at my right and my left; (Pauses briefly, as He looks at PETER.) just as Peter does, (PETER joins JESUS and the brothers.) and Mary (MARY joins them too. He then stretches out His arms to all of them.) …ALL of you. You are all my friends and I have called each one of you to stand with Me now. You must remember, if you want to be great in God’s kingdom…you must learn to be a servant of all. (Each one answers JESUS with an affirmative comment as all move in to embrace JESUS.)

(BLACKOUT)

ACT TWO SC 2: SIMONE’S house. MARY M. is snapping beans into a bowl. SIMONE enters.

SIMONE: (Enters with a bowl to help MARY M.) Looks like you’re up to your elbows in beans, Mary. Here, let me help you. (Starts walking over to MARY M.)

MARY M: (Slightly aloof, withdrawn.) No, no. That’s all right, Simone. I can do it. I’m sure you have other things to do…

SIMONE: (Stops moving, saddened, but goes over anyway.) Why don’t you like me, Mary? MARY M: (Shocked SIMONE would think that.) I do like you! Why would you think that?

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SIMONE: Because every time I try to help you with something you refuse my help! Have I done something to offend you…other than act like a foolish mother, of course? I think I offend everyone when it comes to my boys! (Chuckles.)

MARY M: (Smiles and lets down her guard.) Any good mother would want the best for her sons, Simone. I can’t fault you for that. It’s just that Jesus has taught us to look at things so differently than we ever imagined.

SIMONE: (Grabs a handful of beans from the bowl and begins snapping.) Yes, He has. But…you haven’t answered my question.

MARY M: (Glances at SIMONE then stares at her bowl of beans.) No one has offended me, Simone…I’m just…offensive to myself, I guess.

SIMONE: And what does that mean? MARY M: I’m not like you…or anyone else here, for that matter. I was a horrible, sinful

person, Simone. I wouldn’t blame any of you for shunning me. SIMONE: (Laughs.) Mary, every last one of us is a “horrible, sinful person!” You’re no

different than me or any of the others who follow Jesus. MARY M: (Stops working and looks at SIMONE, serious.) Were you demon possessed? SIMONE: (Refusing to react, she continues working and answers quickly.) No. MARY M: Before you came to Jesus were you committing…well….you know…? SIMONE: No, I was not committing adultery. (MARY M. winces at the word. SIMONE takes

her hand.) Mary, you remember what Jesus said? No one’s sin is greater than anyone else’s. My sins are just as bad as yours, or James’, or John’s or…

MARY M: That’s easy for you to say, Simone; YOU didn’t do what I did, opening yourself up to evil spirits, letting them take control…No one here did that.

SIMONE: Oh Mary. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Jesus forgave you, whatever it was you did. It’s all in the past, forgotten…at least, forgotten by Him. I know it’s hard to forget what we did before we met Him. We’re only human, after all. But, isn’t it comforting to know that God has forgotten?

MARY M: (A little comforted.) Well, I think so; I mean…yes, it is. SIMONE: Think of it, Mary! It’s as if all the sins in our life that were written down have

been erased! They’ve completely disappeared and we have a brand new empty page in front of us so we can start over! And hopefully we’ll keep it empty…of sin, that is.

MARY M: Doesn’t your sin ever…ever haunt you, Simone? SIMONE: Heavens, yes! But I tend to think of it as a ‘gentle reminder,’ instead of a

‘horrible haunting!’ MARY M: (Chuckles.) What does that mean? SIMONE: When those memories come back to “haunt” me, as you say, it really just

shows me how far I’ve come and reminds me of what I know I shouldn’t do. There’s no way on earth that I would ever want to repeat those sins again, would you?

(Section Removed) MARY M: It wasn’t horrible in the beginning. I was doing quite well for myself. My

father left me some money and I had a very profitable business going; acres of land, workers who farmed it and took care of planting, harvesting, selling at the market. I never really wanted for anything. But, even with all that I was so empty inside. I searched for something, anything to fill that emptiness. So, I opened myself up for evil spirits to enter that void and take over my life. I

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became wild, out of control; nearly lost my land, my business. Many of my farm hands left and those who stayed took advantage of my “insanity” by stealing from me and treating me horribly, knowing I would never do a thing about it. In fact, most the time I didn’t know what was going on around me.

SIMONE: He really saved you from a fate worse than death, didn’t He? You’re a miracle! MARY M: (Nods in agreement.) I…I guess you could call it a miracle, couldn’t you? SIMONE: Absolutely, Mary! I suppose each one of us is a miracle. We’ve been given a

second chance at life; a life of serving the Master. MARY M: A second chance…yes. That’s definitely what it was. I can still feel Jesus’

eyes looking at me with such love and pity that day I thought I was going to be stoned to death. I couldn’t even look at Him for the longest time. I was afraid He’d turn on me at any moment, like the others had, and strike me.

SIMONE: Oh, Mary; He would never have hit you! MARY M: Oh I know that now. But, when you’ve been through what I have, you just

expect that everyone wants to hurt you. I had come to accept it. SIMONE: (Takes her hand.) Poor Mary…you must’ve been frightened most of the time. MARY M: I was. Frightened, angry, desperate…in fact, that very day I almost welcomed

death. I knew I deserved it. SIMONE: Until you met Jesus. MARY M: Yes. That miraculous meeting changed everything…

SONG #8 – A STONE’S THROW AWAY - Mary Magdalene

MARY M.: Lying broken on the ground; a lost soul just waiting to be found. My life a shattered, empty shell; no way to escape this living hell. But when I ran away that day, I fell at Jesus’ feet, Not caring what this stranger would say. I thought He bowed His head to pray, while at His feet I lay, Knowing that my fate was just a stone’s throw away.

Those voices screaming in my head, were gone the moment Jesus said, “No one condemns you, and neither do I.” “So go; sin no more.” And I started to cry. I felt deep down within my soul, His overwhelming love for me was truly making me whole. At last, I finally was free; those demons inside me, Because of Jesus, now had to flee. I was free!

Now, looking back, I’d say, my fate was just a stone’s throw away. I guess that all I can say, my fate was just a stone’s throw away. My fate was just a stone’s throw away. My fate was just a stone’s throw away.

(BLACKOUT)

ACT TWO SC 3: JAMES, PETER, MARY M., MARY, and JARA sit at the table in SIMONE’S courtyard with JESUS in the middle of a conversation.

PETER: Master, when You told the rich man to sell everything and follow You, he was distraught and went away without speaking. Then You said, “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Why was it so difficult for him to do this? We gave up all we had to follow you.

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JESUS: He was very wealthy, Peter. He had many possessions that he just couldn’t give up. You must be careful that you don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves cannot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

SIMONE: (Enters with food tray and sets it on the table then talks to JAMES privately.) James, this is the last of the food. And we have no money to buy more…

JAMES: It’s all right, mother. John and Peter’s brother Andrew made quite a catch of fish last night and are at the market right now trying to sell them. If that doesn’t work, Peter and I will find a way to get more food.

JESUS: (With his back turned, He’s been listening.) Why do you worry about your life, what you’ll eat or drink, or what you’ll wear? Surely life is more important than food, and your body more important than the clothes you wear.

(Section Removed) JESUS: Look at the birds of the air. They never sow nor reap nor store up food into

the barns; and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you much more valuable to Him than they are? Can any of you, however much you worry, make yourself an inch taller? And why do you worry about clothes?

JAMES: We have nothing else to wear but the clothes on our backs, Lord. JESUS: Consider how the lilies grow. They don’t toil or weave; but I tell you James,

even Solomon in all his glory was never arrayed like one of these! Now, if God clothes the flowers of the field, which are alive today and burned in the stove tomorrow, is He not much more likely to clothe you? You have so little faith.

MARY: We try, my Lord. But, it’s so hard to see sometimes. What are we to do? JESUS: Don’t worry; all of you. Don’t keep saying, “What will we eat or drink or

wear?” That’s what pagans always do. Your Heavenly Father knows you need all those things. Set your heart on His kingdom and His goodness, and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.

MARY M: Maybe tomorrow I can… JESUS: Don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. (Smiles.) One

day’s trouble is enough…for one day, Mary. PETER: The shopkeeper cheated us, didn’t he, James? Half the food he sold us was

rotten! JAMES: More than half! There was mold on everything we bought at his shop! JESUS: Judge not lest you be judged, Peter, James. For you will be judged by the way

you criticize others; the measure you give will be the measure you receive. JAMES: Yes, Lord. PETER: But Lord, how can we just let people walk all over us and cheat us and… JESUS: Peter, why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and fail

to notice the log in your own? PETER: (Embarrassed.) What Lord? JESUS: How can you say to your brother, “Let me get the speck out of your eye” when

there is a log in your own eye? That makes you a hypocrite, Peter! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you can see clearly enough to remove your brother’s speck.

PETER: I’m sorry, Lord. I wasn’t thinking…

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JESUS: Whatsoever things are true and just and pure and righteous; think on these things. You must be on your guard, my brothers and sisters against false religious teachers who come to you dressed up as sheep but are really greedy wolves. You will know them by their fruits.

JARA: But what if the wolves in sheep’s clothing try to offer us good fruit, Lord? JESUS: A good tree is incapable of producing bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce

good fruit. The tree that fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and burned. Remember, you will know them by their fruit. For in that day there will be many who say to me, “Lord, Lord, we preached in your name and cast out devils in your name and did many great things in your name.” Then I will say to them, “Depart from me, you evil doer! I never knew you. You have worked on the side of evil!”

MARY: Help us, my son, to be trees that produce good fruit. SIMONE: Yes, Lord. We need to know the way so we won’t be fooled by the evil one. JESUS: You must stay on the straight and narrow path. For the gate is wide and the

way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go down that path. The narrow way, though it be difficult, leads to life and there are few who find it. Take heed to all that I say, my beloved ones. (Turns to JAMES.) Do you believe in me, James?

JAMES: (Smiles and looks Him in the eye.) Yes, Lord; with all my heart. JESUS: (Pats JAMES on the shoulder then moves to SIMONE.) Do you believe in me? SIMONE: I’ve placed my sons in Your hands, Lord. That’s not easy for a mother to do...

You know I love you, and believe in you, Jesus. (JESUS goes to MARY M.) MARY M: (She takes JESUS’ hand in hers and brings it up to her cheek.) You gave me a

whole new life, my Lord. I believe in you and in all that you’ve taught me.

(Section Removed) JESUS: (A long pause before he turns, looks at PETER, then crosses to him.) Peter…? PETER: (Somber.) We’ve given up everything to follow You, Lord. We all believe in You.

SONG #9 – DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME? – JESUS & Company

JESUS: Do you believe in Me, and in the words I say, And in Him who sent Me from Heaven above? Do you believe in My love? I’ve tried so many ways to show you My love; who I am, from where I came. Will you remember Me and all I’ve done? Or will you forget My Name? JESUS: Do you believe in Me, and in the words I say, OTHERS: I do believe in You, believe in You. Ooooo In what You say, ALL: And in Him who sent Me from Heaven above? JESUS: Do you believe in My love? OTHERS: I do believe in Your love. (The OTHERS sing backup under JESUS’ solo) JESUS: I tried so many ways to show you My love; who I am, from where I came. JESUS: Will you remember Me and all I’ve done. OTHERS: I remember all You’ve done., JESUS: Or will you forget My Name?_________ OTHERS: Ooooooo__I will not forget.___________ JESUS: Believe in Me. Remember Me. OTHERS: I do believe. Remember You. JESUS: Believe in Me, and remember Me. OTHERS: Ooooooo I will remember You.

(BLACKOUT)

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ACT TWO SC 4: Across the stage each character is in his/her own special. They each take turns retelling the story of the death of Jesus.

JAMES: We were all in the garden of Gethsemane when Judas brought the soldiers. None of us could believe that Judas would betray Jesus! We were all stunned, in shock, and we panicked. Peter took off first…then John, then I ran away. We just left Jesus there alone with no one to help Him…

MARY: When I heard the news that they’d taken my son to Pilate, I knew…I knew the time had come. I’d pushed all thoughts of Jesus words of His own death out of my mind, unable to face the truth. Jesus, my son, was going to die. I couldn’t bare it.

PETER: I was a coward. The first chance I got I ran away…but I secretly followed Jesus and the soldiers so I could know what was going on. People kept recognizing me…and I kept saying I didn’t know Him. Can you believe that? Three times I denied Jesus. It was the worst day of my life…

(Over the course of the next three monologues the lights change ever so slowly revealing JESUS on the cross behind a red scrim. His movements are very, very slow as he writhes on the cross behind the others as they tell their story.)

SIMONE: I was hysterical when James and John told me Jesus was going to be crucified. How could this be happening? He was the Son of God! I know He told us this would happen but none of us could grasp what He was saying. None of us understood that He had to die so that we could live!

JARA: Kneeling at the foot of the cross watching Jesus die tore my heart to pieces. My precious Lord and Savior hanging there in such pain and torment was more than I could take. I almost stopped breathing myself when He cried out to God the Father and took His last breath.

MARY M: I kept all my feelings locked up inside me until I heard the thunder and saw the lightning. Mary, Jesus mother screamed and that’s when I fell to the ground and wept like I’d never wept before. He was gone. The only person who loved me in spite of my sins…and forgave me of all I’d done…was gone. He came to bring us salvation…but He didn’t save Himself. (They all turn together and approach the foot of the cross…some kneel, some weep softly as lights fade to black.)

(BLACKOUT)

ACT TWO SC 5: Same as Act Two Sc. 4. They continue, now telling of Jesus’ resurrection.

SIMONE: For three days we were all distraught…like lost sheep, not knowing what to do. Everyone had gathered at the house as if we were waiting for a word from God, some clue as to what we should do, where we should go. Peter was beside himself, completely engulfed in self-pity.

MARY: I’d gone to the sepulchre with the other women to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial after the Sabbath. When we arrived we found the stone was rolled away and we began to cry. Then there was a bright light and two angels appeared and asked why we were weeping. Mary Magdalene told them we feared the body had been stolen and we didn’t know where to find Him.

MARY M: I’ll never forget what the angel said to me when I asked where they had taken Jesus. He said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here… He is Risen!” The others ran off, overjoyed, but I lingered in the garden still

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weeping. When the gardener came up and asked why I was crying I told him I didn’t know where they had taken my Lord. When He called me by name I nearly fainted. It was Him! My Lord! My Master! It was just as He told us it would be: “After three days, I will rise again!”

JARA: All the time Jesus was with us I prided myself on the fact that I’d never missed but one meeting where Jesus preached. I bragged about listening to Jesus, hearing His words of mercy, love, and grace…and yet, I too had failed to understand what He tried so hard to tell us: He was coming back! I know it was a miracle when Jesus raised me from my sick bed on that day long ago. But the unspeakable joy of witnessing the miracle of miracles when Jesus Himself rose from the grave, triumphant, in all His majesty and glory can’t begin to describe how I felt when I saw Him for the first time after His resurrection!

JAMES: I thought Mary Magdalene had lost her mind! An empty tomb, angels, a gardener who turns out to be Jesus?! Unbelievable. Of course, Peter tore out of the house as if he was on fire and ran to the tomb with John hot on his heels. When they got back and told us it was true all I could do was laugh. (Laughs hard and long.) Jesus was right! What fools we were to not believe Him. He was alive, He’d conquered death! It was a miracle!

PETER: I arrived at the tomb first but couldn’t bring myself to go inside. All of a sudden John pushed past me and ran inside the sepulcher so I followed. It was empty! And his grave clothes were now neatly folded on the stone slab where they’d left Him three days before! He was alive! My Master has risen!

(If no “doubling of characters” was used in the production, then DANIEL, SUSANNA, JEDIDIAH & JOHN enter during the intro and join in singing with “ALL”)

SONG #10 – THE MASTER HAS RISEN! Company

JAMES: Mary was right, I’d have never believed but an empty tomb tells me He’s free. MARY M: It’s the ultimate miracle He has achieved, the best one in all history! MARY: John saw with his own eyes and Peter saw too, the sepulcher stone rolled away. PETER: No body, no traces, it has to be true ALL: That our crucified Lord rose today! The Master has risen just as He declared! Jesus has conquered the grave. He’s told us to gather, it’s time to prepare.

He’s come back to heal and to save! (interlude)

JOHN: None of us could believe it had really happened, except for this unspeakable joy that welled up from deep inside each one of us! He had done exactly as He said He would do! He rose from the grave and conquered death!

SIMONE: I couldn’t believe that He rose from the dead. It seemed a bit doubtful to me. JOHN: Mother, don’t doubt, you were there when He said, “I’ll come back again, wait and see!” PETER: It’s clear to me now that for Satan to lose, God’s Son had to be sacrificed. JAMES: Now the devil’s defeated. Let’s spread the good news: ALL: The Victor is now Jesus Christ! The Master has risen just as He declared. Jesus has conquered the grave. He’s told us to gather, it’s time to prepare. He’s come back to heal and to save. The Master has risen it’s just as He said. He marched into Hell and survived. Why look for the living among all the dead, The Lord Jesus Christ is alive!

The Lord Jesus Christ is alive!

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(During the last line of the song all actors on stage separate in the middle as JESUS walks DSC. The cast turns to “present” JESUS.)

(BLACKOUT)

CURTAIN CALL: (After individual bows company sings.)

SONG # 11 – JOY UNSPEAKABLE FINALE Company

COMPANY: Right from the start He was no typical stranger. Meeting Jesus was a total life-changer,

It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy! And everybody has a different story; So many empty lives now full of glory, It’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy!

Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable joy, joy, joy! Yes, it’s a joy unspeakable; unspeakable - - joy!

(BLACKOUT)

THE END