Script, Music and Lyrics written by Lawrence Stokes

© 2002 Lawrence Stokes

Characters

Music

To hear the songs click the titles bellow or click on this icon , which you'll find throughout this script.

Historical Notes:

A great leader of the Jews names Hillel set aside a number of psalms which were his favorites. They have been included in the Passover ever since. The text for the song, The Hillel, was taken from Psalm No. 113

At the time of Christ, it was a tradition for a priest to climb to the top of the temple and blow the shofar (goat's horn), signaling the beginning of the slaughter of the sacrificial lambs. The traditional time for this to take place was the ninth hour.

In the New Testament, we find a disagreement as to when the last supper took place. According to John, it took place a day before the Passover, on Thursday. If this was the case, then Jesus was crucified on Friday. The Bible tells us that He died at the ninth hour, coinciding with the traditional time for beginning the slaughter of the lambs. In other words, just as the shofar was blown and the lambs were being killed, Jesus was fulfilling  the prophecy that a great and last sacrifice would take place, which would take away their sins. I've depicted this concept in my play.

The Bible doesn't say who Cleopas' companion on the road to Emmaus was. I've heard it suggested that his companion might have been his wife. I could have been. I've used a great many 'It could have beens" in this play. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Act I

Scene I  "A Dark Night"

[The curtains are closed. Jacob is standing at the left side. A light is on him, and the rest of the front stage is faintly lit.]

Jacob:  My name is Jacob, and I would like to tell you about my brother Cleopas and his wife Mary and some rather amazing things that happened to them. It all took place around the same time that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified. In fact, this whole story came about during the week preceding the Passover of that year. And what a year that was! But you can read all about that in the history books. I want to tell you things that only I know, because I was there. All that the history books tell us is that Cleopas and a companion walked to Emmaus and as they walked they talked to Jesus (who was supposed to be dead), but they didn't know it was Jesus until later--but I'm getting head of myself. The point is, who was Cleopas and who was he walking with? Only I can tell you this, and Oh, what strange events led up to that momentous walk to Emmaus!

The story all begins a week before the Passover on a Sunday morning--yes it must begin there on the dark streets of Jerusalem before the sun has come up, if you are to have all the facts.

[Background music: Song No. 1: Sneak. ]

[Levi is dressed in a black cloak. He stealthily enters from the left side, just behind Jacob and makes his way to the right side. He follows the movements and description as Jacob relates them.]

There is a man hurrying down the street trying not to be seen. He is dressed in a black cloak which is rustling back and forth as he darts from one black shadow of concealment to another. He is ringing his hands, and his eyes are shifting as if looking for something or someone. His name is Levi, and he is a leader among my people, but has fallen into less desirable circles.

[End music.]

[Suddenly, Caleb steps out of the shadows, onto the right side of the front stage just as Levi arrives. Caleb blocks Levi's way.]

Levi:  Caleb is it you?

Jacob:  The new comer pulls back his hood.

Caleb:  It is I.

Levi:  I need your help. We are in great danger this day--I feel it in my bones. Something horribly detestable is going to happen, and we must stop it! . . . But I don't know what it is. Caleb, you must help me find out. Come, let us go.

[Exit Levi and Caleb.]

Jacob:  What could they be up to in the dark of this morning? I never was sure of it, so we must leave them on their own. Let me now take you to a time later that day.

[Exit Jacob. Lights out.]

 

---

Scene II  "The Triumphant Entry"

[The Cast / Choir is standing at the back of the theater, quietly waiting. They are spread out so at queue, they can come down all the aisles toward the stage. The curtains open. The Proclaimer is standing front stage (the front stage is the area in front of the curtain). Light on him.]

The Proclaimer:  [One talking as if giving a proclamation.]  And there appeared one Jesus of Nazareth at the gates of the City of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey. A glorious sensation suddenly came upon us. It was as if we heard the blast of a lone horn rising from the temple, and then another, further off, as if coming from behind the veil of heaven itself. A song of praise leapt from our mouths, and then the voices of the whole throng rose in all it's power in praise of our King of Kings and His Triumphant Entry!

[Song No. 2: Triumphant Entry. ]

[ A horn player steps up to the side of The Proclaimer Horn plays main theme, an echo is heard repeating it coming from the back of the theater. The stage is dark. A light shines on The Proclaimer.]

The Proclaimer (sung):  He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King!

Choir:  He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King! Hosanna, Alleluia!

Enter the city, O King of Jerusalem, enter the City thou Son of David!

Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

The Proclaimer (sung):  We will praise his name forevermore!

[The Cast / Choir starts to move down the isles. They are holding palm branches above their heads. A slide show shining on the back of the stage begins, depicting Christ on a donkey with the crowd hailing Him King. The slides should change about every 10 seconds.]

[Musical interlude under following dialogue.]

The Proclaimer (spoken):  All the multitude were in the attitude of praise, and they were throwing palm branches and even their own cloaks in the way for the donkey to trod upon--Shouting praises to the Lord and Hosannas to the Most High God!

[Break dialogue for louder musical part from measure 27-29.]

As you must already know, this was the ancient custom: for a new king to ride on the back of a donkey as he enters the holy city.

[The Cast / Choir has reached the stage. They turn and face the audience.]

Choir:  Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King!

He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King! Hosanna, Alleluia!

Enter the city, O King of Jerusalem, enter the City thou Son of David!

[Musical interlude.]

[Musical interlude under following dialogue. The Cast / Choir dance: the men stand at the side while the women dance using the palm branches. ]

The Proclaimer (spoken):  On this day, Jesus looked every part a king of Israel. Our hearts went out to him and we knew not why.

Choir: Holy King, He has come, Alleluia.

The Proclaimer (spoken):  He rode into the city both in great majesty and in meekness as we knew he should.

Choir:  Enter our city, the Holy City. Alleluia!

Daughter of Zion, Thy Holy King has come. Daughter of Zion, He has come.

He will save us from our sins. (All: Hosanna).

He will bring us peace again. (All: Hosanna).

He comes into the Holy City today!

[Horn duet plays the first theme]

Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

[End song.][Lights out.]

 

---

Scene III  "Jacob's Family"

[Jacob enters and stands at the left of  the front stage. Light on Jacob. The crowd freezes in semi-darkness on stage.]

Jacob:  Yes, and I was there too, for the multitude pasted right by my front door. As the Crowd dispersed, I cast my eyes around looking for my brother, Cleopas, and his wife, Mary, for I was expecting them to arrive at any time. Every year they come and stay with me at my house during the Passover.

While we wait, I will tell you a little about them. Cleopas is a lawyer of great importance (may God forgive him) and so he has a great sense of justice that emanates from him. Mary is the very image of an angel, and very dear to my heart, though she is of no relation to me. Cleopas is sometimes very rude to her and quite overbearing to the rest of us, but we endure it well. And besides, he really is a remarkable man. We overlook his short comings because of the strength of his character and the way he lifts our spirits when he is with us--that is, when he isn't being overbearing. It's like there are two men: one brilliant, and capable of great moments of teaching and an out pouring of love; and then there is his other side which is rude and inconsiderate and easily roused to anger. I wonder, if we could get these two different sides of Cleopas' inner man to fight, which one would come out conqueror?

But here they are now. They must have got caught in that procession in the streets that just pasted my house.

[Background music: Song No. 3: reprise of Triumphant Entry. ]

[Lights up on stage. The crowd comes alive and wanders off stage. Crowd noises. As the crowd departs, Cleopas and Mary are left alone making their way toward Jacob. Jacob moves onto the stage to meet them.]

[Speaking to Cleopas and Mary.]  Welcome, welcome. I see you have found your way. I'm sorry about the disturbance in the streets. Someone is always throwing in an extra celebration at this time of year. These ones are zealots in favor of a new prophet. He is from Galilee, and Jesus is his name. Have you heard of him?

Mary:  I know him well.

Cleopas:  Yes, I know of him. As for extra celebrations, I am in favor of sticking with the old and tried ways. I don't go in for variants--especially ones that disturb.

How are you, Jacob? You look well.

Jacob:  I am fine as usual. Please come in, both of you, and rest from your journey. I am always glad to have you as guests in my home. And this year the Passover is to be especially grand for it begins on the Sabbath! That means that our Pascal meal will also be our Sabbath meal. Of course the priests are working up something special to perform at the temple as well.

Cleopas:  Yes, yes. Did you purchase the lamb?

Jacob:  I did. Would you like to see him? He is playing with the children in the other room. Cleopas: Indeed, I would like that very much.

Mary:  And more to see your children, for they are a delight to my eyes. But I am very curious to see what kind of a creature he is. I remember last year's lamb was so shy and he had that one floppy ear.

Jacob:  Here! I see them coming now, and you can judge for yourselves.

[sounds: children enter: shuffling, laughing, pulling (grunting: come on Lamby), lamb bleating, etc. Five lively Children tumbled into the room, and the lamb was resisting by pulling back. Then he leapt forward and butted a child in the bottom and knocked him down. The lamb was finally brought into the room and the Children were laughing at all the fun. They looked up surprised as they saw Cleopas and bowed politely to him, then the five Children rushed to Mary and crowded around her to show her their lamb.]

Child #1:  Mary, this is our lamby. We love him so.

Child #2:  He is so soft and cuddly.

Child #3:  I scratch his neck.

Child #2:  Yes, and should we tell what else you do. Poor lamby, I will protect you.

[sounds: murmur of Children, lamb bleat]

Jacob: And you will squash him with all your hugs? Remember, this lamb is our honored guest and you are his keepers--for a week.

[Song No. 4: We Love Our Lamby. ]

Sung by Children:  Thank you father for this pet, We'll take good care of him for you.

We'll feed him, wash him, comb his hair, and we will chase him too.

And thank you father for this pet. We'll watch him carefully.

We romp around, we pull his tail and feed him someone's shoe.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

He's got big eyes and fuzzy ears, he's very gentle too.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

Sung by child #3:  I sneak up behind my lamby, moving quietly on my toes.

My hand begins to hover and I quickly grab his nose.

He butts me with his head and makes me whirl around and take a fall,

Then licks me in the face and bounds away down through the hall.

Sung by children:  We romp around, we pull his tail and feed him someone's shoe.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

He's got big eyes and fuzzy ears, he's very gentle too.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

Our lamby ran away and disappeared into thin air.

We looked high and low but could not find him anywhere. boo hoo

Then all at once up popped his head from inside mother's sewing box.

We jumped for joy and danced around, then combed his pretty locks.

[Musical interlude.]

We romp around, we pull his tail and feed him someone's shoe.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

He's got big eyes and fuzzy ears, he's very gentle too.

We love our lamby, yes we do.

[End song.]

Cleopas:  Come and gather around me children, and I will tell you a little more about your lamb, if you will allow it.

Child #4:  Yes, please do. [Murmur of the other children.]

Cleopas:  As you know, this Friday we will take our lamb to the temple and with the others he will be killed in preparation for our Pascal meal that evening. [children sigh: oh] I know it is hard for you to endure, so I will tell you a little story to make it easier to bear. The story is about a special horn call.

If you listen very carefully this Friday afternoon at the ninth hour, you will hear a horn blow clear in tone and very high in the sky as if it was coming right out of heaven.

[Sound effect: insert shofar horn blow here (in distance or dream like) to give an example of what it sounds like so that the listeners will recognize it later in the play when it is really blown.]

The name of this horn is "shofar" and it is the same kind of goat horn that helped to level the walls of Jericho many years ago. The reason that the sound will appear to come down out of heaven is because the priest blowing the horn will be standing on top of the holy temple. That's as close to coming out of heaven as we can get, wouldn't you say so?

Children:  (Murmur of consent) Yes, yes, ahh.

Cleopas:  The priest climbs to the top of the temple so that all can see and hear him, for this horn call is very important. It signals the beginning of the slaughter of the sacrificial lambs.

Child #1:  Oh must we kill him?

Cleopas: Yes we must, for this killing of our lamb represents a great sacrifice that will be made for our sins at some future time by a great prophet who is yet to come.

Now, I will tell you a secret: it is a tradition in our family that when this prophet comes and makes this last and greatest sacrifice, he will die at the very moment that the shofar is blown, at the ninth hour and on the first day of the Passover. Each year I secretly yearn for this to be the special Passover when this all comes about. Will you all listen for the horn with me and share my secret hope that this year will be the one I have been waiting for?

Children:  Murmur of approval and consent: Yes, yes, yes [Over lapping.], yes uncle Cleopas.

Mary:  This week we will all grow quit fond of this innocent little creature, and this has a purpose with God, for the more we grow to love this lamb, the more it will hurt when we kill it at the temple. We will love this prophet when he comes more than we could ever love any lamb, and it will hurt us infinitely more when we remember his sacrifice for our sins. To think that this little lamb is like the Messiah which is to come, pure and innocent.

Cleopas:  [A far away look.] It is said that he will come as a lamb to the slaughter. But he will also come in majesty entering the city as a king, riding on the back of a donkey, just as the kings of old entered this city at the commencement of their reign. Thus is it written.

Mary:  Could this lamb represent Jesus? Or, could Jesus be the promised Messiah? For he has entered the city riding on a donkey.

Children:  Is that true? Yes, is it?

Cleopas:  No, the lamb does not represent Jesus. The true Messiah will also come and free us from our political oppressors. We are under such strict rule as subjects of Rome. And yet we are the people of God and we should be under our own rule as in the olden days. "It is not lawful to pay tribute to Caesar." That is what Levi, my friend of the Sanhedrin says when we debate the subject.

Mary:  I have always felt that the Messiah will come and bring us spiritual freedom.

Cleopas:  But it says in the scriptures that he will come in great glory and subdue all things under his feet. [Sigh.] It is true that I don't understand what many of the writing of the prophets mean. Perhaps I should be more open to new ideas.

Mary:  I know that he is the one we have been waiting for. I feel a great peace when he is with us.

Cleopas:  I have not even heard that he calls himself the Messiah.

Mary:  He says it very quietly. But he doesn't have to say it, because those that are near to him feel it in their hearts.

[Song No. 5: I Can't Explain. ]

[Music: introduction.]

Mary (sung):  Throughout my life I have prayed for him to come and bring me peace. He is the one.

Jacob (sung):  How can you say it so firmly? I must see it to believe. How can you know?

Mary (sung):  I can't explain, I only feel it deep in my heart.

Jacob (sung):  I am waiting for the king to come.

Both (sung): Has he already come?

[Music: interlude.]

Jacob (sung): With glory and might he will come to free us from the Roman's pow'r. He will be king.

Mary (sung): I can't explain why he only teaches peace and heals the sick. He brings me peace.

Jacob (sung): Where is the power and the glory? Is he our king?

Mary (sung): He is King of kings to those with faith.

Both (sung): Jesus,

Jacob (sung): Is he?

Mary: He is

Both: The Christ.

Mary (sung): I can't explain it, but I know he is the one.

[End song.]

Cleopas (spoken): If I could only sit and talk with him, then perhaps I would learn the truth.

I must go for a while. I promised that I would stop by the temple when I arrived. I won't be long.

[Cleopas steps forward to the front stage. Light on him. Lights off on the stage.]

 

---

Scene IV  "The Temple"

[Sounds: crowd of temple. Many people enter stage and stand in groups. Cleopas is standing to the side, apart from the crowd.]

Cleopas (speaking to the audience as Jacob does):  I, Cleopas, will tell in my own words what I observed at the temple this day and what I felt in my mind and in my heart. When I arrived in the temple courtyard, there were many people milling about and some gathered in groups talking. Jesus of Nazareth was teaching a large group of people at one end of the courtyard. They were very attentive listening to Jesus tell a story. I caught a word or two of the story as I entered. He was saying to the group,

Jesus:  Friend, how did you come in hither not having a wedding garment?

Cleopas (speaking to the audience):  I subconsciously looked down to see if I had on my own wedding garment. I started. Of course I didn't. This was no wedding.

[Levi and others move toward Jesus to interrupt his teaching to ask a question.]

My friend Levi and some of his associates stepped forward and started to speak to Jesus. Jesus looked at them as a tolerant father looks at a son who has just lied. It was plain that Jesus was master of them in every way before he even spoke.

Levi:  Master, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth, neither do you care what any man may say, for their opinion cannot persuade you to teach anything but what is right before God.

Cleopas (speaking to the audience):  Levi was obviously setting a trap of some kind. I listened even more intently, though I did not stand any closer and I had to strain my ears to hear over the general noise of the room.

Levi: Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?

Cleopas (speaking to the audience):  I recalled the conversation I had with Mary earlier in the day on that very subject. And I felt a desire well up inside me--I really wanted to know the answer, not as Levi was asking but sincerely from the heart. Then Jesus said with a look of scorn clearly defined on his face, for he perceived Levi's wickedness:

Jesus:  Why tempt me, you hypocrites? Show me the tribute money.

Cleopas (speaking to the audience):  One of Levi's followers handed Jesus a penny. What would Jesus say? Levi always won this particular argument with anyone who would engage him. He was master of this issue, or was he? Again, I strained to hear the answer. Then Jesus said,

Jesus:  Whose is this image and superscription?

General answer from group of men:  Caesar's [Many answers over lapping.] Caesar's, yes; it is Caesar's, of course.

Jesus:  Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

Cleopas (speaking to the audience):  I could see the agony of defeat in Levi's face and a look of wonder and awe in all of their faces, including mine, for who would have though of such an answer. Levi's group withdrew into the shadows. [Levi's group move away.] Jesus had clearly been master in this particular conflict. I yearned to go to Levi and hear what rebuttal he was giving, the one he dared not speak directly to Jesus' face.

I started across the courtyard when Jesus looked my way. I stopped involuntarily and Jesus held my gaze for some time.

[Background music: Song No. 6: Suspense 1. ]

[Sounds: crowd noises stop: complete silence. The lights dims and a light comes up on both Jesus and Cleopas. They face each other  for a moment in silence. Then Cleopas turns and faces the audience.]

The noise of this place faded out of my mind and it was as if Jesus and I were the only ones in a great hall. There was a light immediately around him. He no longer had a look of scorn, but his face was gentle, and he had a look of kindness which startled me. I at once awoke and broke away from my day dream.

[End music.]

[Sounds: crowd noises return. Lighting back to normal. Cleopas walks toward Levi's group. Levi's angry voice stands out as Cleopas draws near.]

The sounds of the crowd rushed back over me and I turned my head towards Levi's group. I could hear his angry voice as I approached. He was not giving a rebuttal as I had thought, but he was talking of murder--the murder of Jesus of Nazareth.

Levi (speaking to Cleopas):  We are going to do away with this upstart and troublemaker, and I have a part for you to play.

Cleopas:  I will not take any part in the murder of an innocent man!

 [Cleopas turns to face the audience, detaching himself from Levi's group. Levi's group freeze in silence.]

My answer came before I could think and I was surprised by its directness. I could have been more subtle. They were dumbfounded for a moment and I took that opportunity to walk away. [Cleopas moves slightly away from Levi's group.]   Little did I know that I would never take part in their councils again.

Scene V  "Jacob's Hair Tonic"

[A peddler's wagon placed in the center of the stage. There is a large sign is on the side which says; "Jacob's Hair Tonic." A table is setting next to the wagon covered with some bottles, a drinking glass and a bell. The Assistant is standing next to Jacob.]

Jacob:  I am afraid that this next part of the story is a little embarrassing for me, on account of my method of making a living in those days. Well, I might as well say it: [pause, clear throat] I sold a worthless potion on the streets out of my wagon and claimed that it would make your hair grow if you were bald or couldn't grow a beard. Actually, I got the formula from the personal books of a great, great, aunt. But of course I didn't think it was any good. I just wanted something new to sell. The general public wouldn't buy my last stuff anymore. It was--well let's not go into that.

While Cleopas was at the temple I took my little wagon out on the streets to try my luck with this new concoction. As usual, I had with me a trusted assistant. [Assistant tips his hat] And, I had made a new sign for the side of my wagon. It said: "Jacob's Hair Tonic."  [Points to wagon] Next to the wagon I set out a table full of bottles and also a drinking glass half full of my tonic to use in case I needed to demonstrate. This is what happened.

[Jacob picks up the bell and begins to ring it.]

Jacob: Jacob's Hair Tonic, get your hair tonic here! Do you have a bald spot, or perhaps you can't grow a proper beard? Let me introduce you to the cure for all your troubles!

[Crowd moves on to the stage to hear what is being sold.]

Assistant: [Quietly as if to Jacob alone.] O.K. Jacob, now I'll do my usual part. [Out loud] I would like a bit more hair. How much?

Jacob: A mere farthing.

Assistant:  Then I'll take one. [He slaps the money on the table, takes a bottle and opens it, steps back and takes a good drink.]

Assistant:  [Drinking, gulping sound.] Ahhh.

 [Assistant puts on a marvelous act! He jerks about and grabs his bald head. Then with a slight of hand he pulls off a  false bald scalp, hides it, and reveals a full head of hair.]

Assistant:  Bless you, Jacob. I haven't had hair on my head for years! Bless you.

[A crowd of people then rushed up, all crying and a clamoring for my Hair Tonic. Jacob looks pleased, rubbing his hands together in a greedy way.]

Crowd:  I want some, how much?

Crowd:  I can't grow a beard

Crowd:  Neither can I

[Sounds: a commotion as money and bottles are exchanged. continues until "then, something went wrong".]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  They bought every bottle. All I had left was a pile of money, and a drinking glass half full--my sample glass that I never had to use. Then something went wrong.

[Crowd noises stop: silence. Levi and his Wife enter the stage on the left. As they approach the wagon, all eyes are watching them, turning their whole bodies to follow the movements of these two as they pass.]

Jacob (stepping upstage and talking to the audience): What am I to do? They are Levi and his wife!  If he notices what I am doing...? He is of the Sanhedrin, after all, and if he judges that I am breaking a law. . . oh, I hate to think of the penalty. Why did they have to walk by just now? I'm sure that I made my sign much too big.

[The crowd moves out of their way as Levi and his Wife walk on.]

Jacob (still speaking to the audience):  [Heaves a great sigh.] All is well, they have past.

[Then Levi's Wife looks back at the table--and saw the glass. She turns and picks up the glass.]

Wife:  I am thirsty. Thank you young man.

[Jacob reaches out as if to stop her. She drinks it down. Levi and his Wife continued on their way. Jacob pulls on his collar and rolls his eyes.  Jacob squeaks with fright and Levi and his Wife turn and look back at him. Jacob smiles back as if forcing himself. As they walk on, she starts to grow a beard.  Jacob picks up one of his bottles and scratches his head as he looks at it. Before long, Levi's Wife has grown a FULL bristly beard.]

Levi (speaking to his Wife):  Where did you get that beard?

[She feels her chin and discovers her beard. She throws up her arms and screams. ( a long wailing cry which continues until she leaves the stage.) Then she runs to the right of the stage, turns and doubles back into the middle of the crowd to wag her beard in Jacob's  face.  And then runs off the stage to the right. Sound: scream trailing off into the distance]

[Background music: Song No. 7: Hair Tonic. ]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  The crowd went berserk! They went mad! And they loved it! Just think of it, the wife of a Sanhedrin--with a beard!  I can't explain how it happened, unless old aunty really had the goods and this tonic of mine really worked.

[Jacob faints. His Assistant kneels beside him and fans his face. The crowd simultaneously pulls the cork of each bottle, drinks their tonic, and starts a crazy dance, twirling around and around. During one of their twirls, as they spin around to face the audience, they all have full beards.]

[End music.]

[Close curtain.]

Scene VI  "The Betrayal"

[Background music: Song No. 8: Hair Tonic, as if blending over from last scene, but softer. Scene takes place in the front stage. ]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  Now I will take you to Levi's personal chamber a few days later. Levi was sitting. Caleb was standing and having great trouble controlling his laughter.

Caleb:  [Laughing.]

Levi:  Drat that Jacob and his tonic. [Shakes his fist.] My wife thought it was water. I had to shave her face every hour for a day until her beard stopped growing.

Caleb:  [Caleb laughs harder.]

Levi:  You stand there laughing at me, you scoundrel!

[Music ends.]

Caleb:  I, a scoundrel? I only laugh while you plot the demise of your fellowman.

Levi:  Baah! Nonsense!

Caleb: Yes, it is true. I laughed when you found out that Lazarus had been raised from the dead, and by whom he was raised.

Levi:  I was upset and why shouldn't I be? Lazarus should still be in the tomb. Death is a monster whose jaws never let go once they get a grip--it is final.

Caleb:  Then how is Lazarus alive? [Mockingly.]

Levi:  It is all a bad dream! I cannot say how it happened! Perhaps Jesus should trade places with Lazarus. Lazarus lives and Jesus dies, it would be just.

Caleb:  You are a child of hell, for you are contemplating murder--but, so am I.

Levi: Yes, let's get down to the business at hand. This self appointed prophet from Nazareth infuriates me! Did you see how the people followed after him when he rode through the city on a donkey?

Caleb:  And did you hear what they were saying?

Levi:  Yes, and I can't even repeat it. It's blasphemy! I knew something very disagreeable was going to happen that very morning. [Pause.] We must take him and execute him.

Caleb:  I, for one, am afraid of the people.

Levi:  We will take him at night when he is in seclusion, when he is off his guard. I hate him beyond words, for he is trying to set himself up in our place. But this feeling goes deeper than that. I feel an inward loathing to even be in his presence--a hatred so black that it must have been born of another place in time. [Pause.] I wonder if you know who our true master is, Caleb?

Caleb:  God, of course.

Levi:  God? No. I've known for a long time that he was not my master. It is another, darker in purpose and more powerful!

Caleb:  I must bow my head for I can not look you in the eye just now. But I too have known. Yet I was afraid to say it out loud. [Anguish.] Then we can't kill Jesus and fight against God!

Levi:  Oh yes I can, for though my master is the shade of night, I am a true servant and I will play my part.

Caleb:  [Subdued.] And, I will follow you.

Levi:  I have just received a stroke of inspiration. One of his disciples must betray him to us--to tell us when and where he will be vulnerable to our plan--a secret place at night that only a "true" disciple would know of.

Caleb:  But who? And how will he know to come to us?

Levi:  He will be chosen and directed to us for this purpose. This disciple will be a devil like ourselves. We will wait. He will come.

[Background Music: Song No.9: Sneak. ]

[Foot steps are heard until Levi pauses. Judas enters from side of theater and slowly makes his way to the stage. He is wearing a black cloak. ]

Levi:  I see in my mind, a man approaching our chamber. He is wearing a black cloak. Those he passes step out of his way. He is like a wave of evil mist being guided unerringly to our door.

[Levi pauses. Three or four more foot steps are heard and then they stop.]

Caleb, open the door and let him in.

[Sound: door creaking.]

[Music ends.]

Judas: My name is Judas. I have come to betray my master.

Levi:  Enter, Judas. We have been waiting for you.

[Song No.10:  Silver (Lyrics of Judas and Levi over lap each other). ]

Judas (sung):  Thirty pieces of silver, my desire.

Levi (sung):  We can arrange it for you.

Judas (sung):  Filthy lucre. Give it to me and I will betray him with a kiss, in the dark.

Levi (sung):  We appreciate all that you say you will do, and we will wait for you to come and bring us word for silver.

Judas (sung):  I will come tonight for silver.

Levi (sung):  Come tonight for silver.

Both (sung):  Tonight.

[End song.]

Scene VII  "The Last Supper"

Peter:  This is the Lord's Supper--the last supper and the Son of God has gathered his most trusted followers around him. Jesus washed our feet. Judas was sent away to do his deed. Then Jesus blessed the bread and wine and distributed them to his disciples in remembrance of His eternal sacrifice. We could not understand that he was about to suffer for the sins of the world--to suffer for our personal shortcomings so that we might someday stand blameless in the presents of God--the Father of us all. Among all of those there, I especially had need of his forgiveness this night, for I am Peter and three times I denied that I even knew him before the cock crew.

[Background Music: Song No. 11: Peace. ]

[A table set for the Passover Meal is on the stage, with chairs for the actors. For each of the following poses, the actors will stand still. A light will fade on, lighting up that particular pose. For instance, for the first pose where all the Disciples are eating, the whole table is lit up. For the next pose, where Jesus is washing their feet, the light will only be lighting up Jesus and one other disciple. While one pose is being viewed, the other actors are in the dark and are free to move into the next position. One light should fade on as the previous one fades off--giving the effect of a slide show. If one actor is needed in in position in one pose and in another position in the next pose, then a brief moment of darkness will be needed between the two poses.]

Pose 1)  All are eating.

Pose 2)  Jesus washes feet of a disciple.

Pose 3)  Jesus is offering to wash Peter's feet. Peter says no by mouthing the word 'no' and holding his hands out in front of him.

Pose 4)  Jesus says, 'One will betray me' by spreading his hands out to his side and placing them on the table, while looking downward with a dejected expression. A disciple is asking, 'Is it I?' in anxious expression and by pointing at his breast with a forefinger.

Pose 5)  Jesus has dipped a sup and is in the act of handing it to Judas. Judas is reaching out for the sup. He won't face Jesus, but is looking toward Him from a side view.

Pose 6)  Jesus tells Judas to go by facing him while pointing at him with a forefinger, His arm stretched straight out from his shoulder. Judas is a few feet away from the table, slinking away, while peering guiltily over his shoulder at Jesus. He his clutching a money bag in his hand.

Pose 7)  Jesus is holding up a basket of matzah and is looking heavenward as if in the act of blessing it.

Pose 8)  A disciple is holding a piece of Matzah as if getting ready to eat it.

Pose 9)  Another disciple is taking a bite of a piece of matzah.

Pose 10)  Jesus is holding up a wine glass and is looking heavenward as if in the act of blessing it.

Pose 11)  Several disciples have a wine glass raised to their lips as if taking a drink. drink it

Pose 12)  Peter is pointing up with his whole left arm and forefinger, and has his right hand placed over his breast. He is looking at Jesus. Jesus is facing Peter. He has his hand raised in front of him with three fingers extended.

Pose 13)  They are all in the act of sing a hymn.

[End Music.]

Peter:  And Jesus left the upper room of this last supper and went out to the Garden of Gethsemane which is on the Mount of Olives. This was one of his favorite places. It was a place of quiet and solitude, and here the last great drama of his mortal life began. His disciples followed after him. Jesus knelt and began to pray.

Scene VIII  "The Great Sacrifice"

[Song No. 12:: This Bitter Cup. ]

[Jesus, the Disciples, and the Mob act out the lyrics of the song as they are sung.]

Jesus (spoken along with music instead of singing)]:  Remove this cup, this bitter cup.

Jesus (sung):  Not my will but thine be done.

Why sleepest thou? Could'st thou not watch with me?

Choir:  He was betrayed, they took him away.

Hate filled their hearts, tried and convicted,

take him away! Crucify, crucify him!

Soprano Solo:  Spoke not a word, let them accuse,

Nailed to a cross. they mocked and scorned.

Jesus (sung):  Forgive them, they know not what they do.

My God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Choir:  Black was the earth, sorrow, pain, [chord] death.

[End song.]

[Background music: reprise of This bitter Cup. ]

[A slide of a purple sunset with the silhouette of three crosses projected onto the back of the stage. Mary and Woman #2 are standing on the right side of the stage, looking at the crosses. The wind is blowing, making their ropes flutter.]

Jacob:  The entire sky was red and purple with the sunset. The heavens cast this light on all the earth around about--on the rocks, the trees and even on the people, turning everything the color of deep red and purple. Three silhouettes of crosses could be seen against the color of the sky. Mary and another woman were standing near the crosses.

They had been weeping, but their grief seemed even too deep for weeping now as they stood silently looking on. The wind was blowing, whipping their robes and hair about.

They could hear the howling of the wind. It sounded not unlike the world of the dead, as if its sound had some how leaked out into our world for a moment to snatch the spirit's of those who had just died.

[Music continues after dialogue ends. Wind sounds. End music.]

Mary:  It is cold, and my heart is heavy.

Woman #2:  My heart too throbs with pain for our master who is no more. But this cold is unseasonable, for it is spring and the day is young. It is only the ninth hour and already the sky blackens with the night.

Scene IV  "The Shofar"

 [The stage is the temple grounds. A priest mounts higher and higher as he climbs to the top of the temple. He finally reaches the appointed place and pauses to catch his breath. He puts the shofar to his lips and blows. A light follows his ascent.]

[Song No. 14: The Hillel. ]

[A slow and solemn procession of men leading lambs enter the temple grounds. These are the heads of house holds who are appointed to slaughter a lamb for each of their family's Passover meal. Jacob leads their lamb and Cleopas brings the knife. The priests of the Temple file in singing with an air majesty.]

Choir:  Who is like unto the Lord, He who dwells on high.

Praised be his name from the rising of the sun 'til the setting of the same.

Praise the Lord, O ye servants of God.

Bless'd be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the Lord, O ye servants of God.

Bless'd be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Who is like unto the Lord, He who dwells on high.

Praised be his name from the rising of the sun 'til the setting of the same.

Praise the Lord, O ye servants of God.

Bless'd be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Praise the Lord, O ye servants of God.

Bless'd be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

O praise the Lord forevermore.

[End song.]

[Background music: Song #15:  Suspense 2. ]

Cleopas:  (give the impression that we are hearing his thoughts):
Where is Mary? I wish she were here. I feel so strange--as if somewhere, somehow a lamb has already been sacrificed for me. What am I thinking!? I must kill this lamb, yet I can not.

[Sounds: storm builds, thunder strikes, man runs on stage.]

[End music.]

Man:  The veil of the temple--it is split from the top to the bottom!

Uproar from crowd:  What! who! how did this happen!? [And other such expressions.]

[Background music: Song No. 16: reprise of Peace. ]

[Cleopas put down the knife and leaves the temple grounds by going to the front stage. The curtain is closed. He walks slowly in thought.  Man pulling a cart crosses the front stage. Cleopas meets him.]

Cart man:  Good day, sir. Were might you be going?

Cleopas:  I'm just going.

[Man rolls his cart off stage.]

[Music queue: measure ??? as Cart Man leaves.]

[Cleopas wanders aimlessly through the city, not caring or thinking about where he is. Suddenly he finds himself outside the city gate.]

 [The curtain is opened, revealing the sunset side as before. Mary is standing at the right side of the stage, head bowed.]

The sunset is fading. He looks up and sees the crosses and realizes where he is. Mary is standing at the side, and Cleopas walks up to her. It is still windy, and Mary's head is bowed.

[End music; wind sound begins again, but subtly.]

Cleopas (said in slight surprise):  Mary.

Mary:  Hello Cleopas.

Cleopas:  This man on the cross, he is Jesus, isn't he?

Mary:  Yes.

Cleopas:  I am sorry, sorry for you and for me. I had some questions that I desperately wanted to ask him. But now he is dead, and I will never know what he might have told me. This is the end of hope, for he is dead.

Mary:  End of hope? The Sabbath is about to begin. As long as we have the Sabbath, there is hope. Let us go to Jacob's house and partake of the Passover.

Act II

Scene I  "Levi's Anger"

[Background music: Song No. 17 Hair Tonic.  Start music a little before dialogue as to end at the right time.]

Levi:  It is marvelous! We did it! He is finally out of the way. We did all that we had planned to do--and more! We fulfilled our heart's desire. Laugh...

[End music.]

[Man rushes in.]

Man:  Master, Master!

Levi:  [Angrily.] What, what do you want!? [Slyly.] Can't you see? We are celebrating.

Man:  He is alive! Or at least that is what the solders say. At any rate, the body is gone.

Levi:  Noooo! Must we kill him again? Come with me.

[All run off stage while murmuring.]

Scene II  "The Women's Testimony"

[The Women are gathered in the front stage with the curtain closed. The Cast / Choir sings with the women.]

[Song No. 18: Beautiful Morning. ]

Choir (women):  Clear spring air. Beautiful morning, new life.

Women find Jesus is gone, Where has he gone?

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is risen.

[Musical interlude under following dialogue. At the end of interlude, pause the music and wait for the dialogue to finish.]

The Proclaimer (spoken):  The women went to tell the disciples what they had seen and heard, but on the way Jesus suddenly appears.

Choir: He appears.

Jesus (sung): Why are you troubled. I live! Peace unto you.

Choir: He is a live.

[End music.]

[The Women exit. Open curtain. The Disciples are gathered: general murmur of gathering--nothing too distinctive heard. Women rush in out of breath.]

Women (each line by a different woman, almost overlapping in fast succession):  He is risen, Jesus is risen, The tomb is empty, we saw an angel, Then he appeared and we touched him and know that he is real.

Men (each line by a different man, almost overlapping in fast succession): Wait, hold it, not so fast, one at a time.

Peter:  Mary, you tell what happened so all can understand.

Mary (still out of breath at first): We went to the tomb to dress the body with spices and the stone was rolled away. A man all in white and very frightening was sitting on the stone and he said, 'Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.' We looked in the tomb and found it empty. Then we ran here as fast as we could to tell you to come and see, but on the way, Jesus appeared to us. He was not a ghost for we held him by the feet and worshipped him. We know that it was Jesus in the flesh.

Three Men:  This sounds to us as an idle tale, It is too fantastic to believe, It cannot be true.

Peter:  I, for one am going to go and see the tomb and find out for myself.

Men:  We will all come.

[Peter rushes out and others follow.]

Mary (speaking to the other women): They are in doubt, but we know what we saw. I feel like running into the street and shouting with a loud voice to all who will listen, saying that Jesus is alive!

[Song No. 19: We Want to Tell All the World. ]

Choir: We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

We can testify that though he was dead,

Yet he lives for we saw the empty tomb,

And an angel of the Lord declared unto us that Jesus Lives.

[Song No. 20: I have always known. ]

Mary (sung):  I have always known that Jesus was the one,

He took away my sins, He died for me, He's the one.

I can never pay him back for all his love,

He took away my sins, He died for me, what great love.

When I think of all that he's done for me--

All the pain, the anguish and suffering.

Showing the way, He is my guide and shepherd,

I will obey his ev'ry word.

If I should ever start to fall, he will be there

lifting me up with tender care.
 

Choir:  I have always known that Jesus was the one,

He took away my sins, He died for me, He's the one.

I can never pay him back for all his love,

He took away my sins, He died for me, what great love.
 

When I think of all that he's done for me--

All the pain, the anguish and suffering.
 

Showing the way, He is my guide and shepherd,

I will obey his ev'ry word.

If I should ever start to fall, he will be there

lifting me up with tender care.
 

Mary (sung):  I have always known that Jesus was the one,

He took away my sins, He died for me, He's the one.

[Song No. 21: ending of We want to tell all the world. ]

Choir:  We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Who gave his live that we may have eternal glory.

Hosanna to God!

[End song.]

Scene III  "The Road to Emmaus"

[Cleopas and Mary are leaving for a journey. They are standing next to Jacob, who is standing at the side of the front stage. There is a light on Jacob, Cleopas and Mary. The rest of the stage is dark.]

Cleopas:  Good bye Jacob. We will be back tomorrow, after we finish our business. It is not too far. Emmaus is only nine miles away.

[Cleopas and Mary walk away as if on a journey. As they do so, a light follows them. The rest of the stage is still dark.]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  Now begins the famed walk to Emmaus. And we will see that a miracle took place here on this dusty road. Let us join with them and catch some of what they are discussing, and to see what else might take place.

[Cleopas and Mary are walking across the stage as if on a journey.]

Mary: ...but he is alive. I saw him. He talked to me. Can't you understand? He is the Messiah!

Cleopas:  I want to believe but something holds me back.

Jacob:  At this moment, .

[They continue to walk. Jesus walks up to them, stepping into their light, but they do not recognize Him.]

Cleopas:  Greetings, friend.

Jesus:  Good morning. I will walk with you if I may.

Cleopas:  Please do.

Mary (As if continuing a conversation she was having with Cleopas before Jesus joined them):  Cleopas, Listen to me. Think of all the things that happened--about his miracles, especially Lazarus--you knew Lazarus. And remember the way Jesus was hailed King when he entered the city. He came with authority. And as he taught daily in the temple, it was as if he was sent from God. Doesn't this all make sense?--That he must be the Messiah?

Cleopas:  But he is dead!

Mary:  He is not dead!

Jesus:  What is this that you speak of?

Cleopas:  Are you a stranger in Jerusalem, that you don't know what has been happening here these last few days?

Jesus:  What are you talking about?

Cleopas:  Haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth who was a prophet and about the great miracles he performed? All the people know of it, for there were many eye witnesses. Then the chief priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and they have crucified him.

Mary:  But we trusted that he would be the one to redeem Israel.

Cleopas:  And besides all this, it is now the third day since his death and some very strange things have been happening.

Mary:  I and the other women went early to the tomb to dress it with spices, but the tomb was empty! And we saw an angel sitting on the stone that was rolled away! Then as we were hurrying back to tell the disciples what we had seen, Jesus appeared to us, and we know it was him in the flesh for we touched him as we held his feet, worshipping him.

Cleopas:  That is what they say, but it sounds so fantastic! We can hardly believe them. But some of the men, led by Peter, went to the tomb and indeed it was empty, just as the women had said.

Jesus:  O fool, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and entered into his glory?

Cleopas:  I admit that I am unsure and confused. You seem to be a man of God, please tell us what you think on this matter.

 

[Pantomime: Jesus continues to speak with them, but in silence and occasionally Cleopas responds with a question or some other action--in silence, as they wander about the stage. The light includes the three of them, but the rest of the stage is still dark. This 'wandering' continues until they reach Emmaus.]

Jacob:  I will say a word here, that Jesus talked to them as they walked to Emmaus and they knew not who he was. But Jesus expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Mary already believed that Jesus was the Messiah and always had, but Cleopas was slow to believe. This day he had the experience of a lifetime to be taught out of the scriptures by the Redeemer of the World. He puzzled and he fretted over what he was shown. At times the light came through the clouds briefly and Cleopas would begin to soften his heart and believe, and then he would baulk at the whole thing anew.

I talked to you earlier about the two side of Cleopas: The arrogant and belligerent side crossed with the masterful and loving side--the side closest to God. Now the time had come when these two parts of Cleopas were at war one with another, and there could be no truce--one side would win and the other would be abolished forever. And Jesus loved him enough to take the time to open the scriptures to him, and by so doing, open the windows of heaven that God may pour down a blessing upon his head. But this is not all one sided, Cleopas must also open his heart to receive the blessing. What was the result of this conflict? You must wait and see, and I will let Cleopas tell you in his own words.

[Exit Jacob.]

[Song No. 22: Word of God. ]

Choir:  Search the holy word of God and you will find many images of Jesus Christ, My Redeemer.

Look and see God's love within the words of holy men of old,

Showing the way, Everlasting good news.

[Musical Interlude.]

Look and see God's love within the words of holy men of old,

Showing the way, Everlasting good news.

Pow'r from on high brings us everlasting salvation.

Jesus the Christ is the Son of God. Hosanna!

Search the holy word of God and you will find many images of Jesus Christ, My Redeemer.

Look and see God's love within the words of holy men of old,

Showing the way, Everlasting good news.

Pow'r from on high brings us everlasting salvation.

Jesus the Christ is the Son of God. Hosanna!

[Musical interlude. End music.]

Cleopas:  Friend, this is our village and we stop here.

Jesus:  Then I must say goodbye for my destination is further on.

Cleopas:  No, stay with us. It is almost evening and it has been a long day.

Mary:  Yes, please.

Jesus:  Thank you. Then I will stay with you.

[A light shines on the side of the stage where a dinning area has been set up and has stayed in the dark until now. They all step into the dinning area. Jesus and Cleopas sit down. Mary leaves the stage as if to get the food. Cleopas has appeared deep in thought ever since they reached Emmaus. He sits, looking into his lap, with his hands clasped. Jesus is looking at Cleopas.]

[Song No. 23: ending of Word of God. ]

Choir: Search the holy word of God.

[End song.]

[Mary comes back on stage with some food, including bread. She places it on the table and sits down and looks at Cleopas.  Cleopas lifts his head and says:]

Cleopas:  Mary, I believe that today I have witnessed a miracle on the road to Emmaus, for though I have doubted all along that Jesus was the chosen Messiah, I no longer doubt because the Spirit of God has born witness to my soul that he is the very Christ. My knowledge is sure in this thing, for the windows of heaven have opened and God has poured me out a blessing greater than I can receive. My mind and heart have become new and many things that were dark and ungodly were burnt out of my soul.

[Jesus brakes the bread and blesses it.]

Jesus:  Dear Father, bless this food that it may be wholesome to those who partake of it. Amen.

 

[Jesus then passes the bread to them, and as he does so, their eyes are opened and they recognize the stranger as Jesus.]

Mary (surprise):  Jesus.

Cleopas (surprise):  Jesus.

Jesus:  Peace be unto you.

[Jesus vanishes, but a light shining around Cleopas and Mary ligers, showing that the power of God is still with them.]

Mary:  We must go back to Jerusalem tonight and tell the disciples what we have witnessed!

Cleopas:  Yes, let us leave at once!

Jacob:  And they did leave at once, rushing out into the street. Suddenly Cleopas stopped and Mary turned and looked at him puzzled.

Mary:  Come, hurry.

[Mary motions to Cleopas with her hands to come. But Cleopas remains still.]

Cleopas: Mary, . . . you are precious to me and I love you dearly.

[Cleopas and Mary embraced and are glad. But then rush off stage as if down the road, returning to Jerusalem.]
 

Scene IV  "Jacob's Conversion"

[Jacob is standing at the left side of the front stage with his wagon.]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  My story is beginning to wind up, but first let us return to Jerusalem. I was there and I have somewhat to say about what happened. As I was driving my wagon of goods back to my home that evening, I happened upon an angry mob led by a man I knew all too well--Levi, one of the leaders of the Sanhedrin.

[Levi, leading the Mob come on stage.]

They were out for mischief, that was clear. And I was determined to stay out of their way, yet my curiosity was roused and I wished to know more of their business. So I lingered and waited in this dangerous posse, as if forced to do so by some fate that bound my actions and controlled my will.

 [Cleopas and Mary enter stage. They are surprised to see the Mob.]

At that moment my brother, Cleopas, and his wife came into view. They were obviously surprised and in a state of agitation as they saw the mob and recognized it for what it was: a death trap for some unlucky soul--but for who? Cleopas had nothing to fear from Levi for they were in league together, so to speak. Perhaps he hesitated in fear for his wife because she was a disciple of Jesus and the Sanhedrin had just put him to death and were in an uproar about his disciples and were persecuting them.

[Cleopas walks boldly forward with his wife at his side and greets Levi.]

Cleopas:  Well Levi, what brings you out into the streets tonight?

Levi:  We are looking for those who profess to follow this fellow, Jesus of Nazareth. We have beaten a few of them and scared the rest into hiding, the cowards! But we want to find one of the important disciples, and we want to get his blood on our hands! Cleopas, you are close to some of his disciples, yet you are one of us and you could tell us where these jackals are hiding. Come Cleopas, help us and we will give you great honor.

Cleopas:  I do know where a disciple of Jesus is at this very moment, and he was once a great lawyer and shared in the secret malice of your inner thoughts.

Levi:  You always had a way with words, Cleopas. [to the mob] Did you hear that! We will have fun tonight and we will tear this traitor limb from limb, and scatter the parts of his mutilated body throughout the city!

The Mob:  [Uproar.]

Jacob (Speaking to the audience):  The mob was in a dangerous state and I sincerely hoped that they never found that unlucky man--but who could Cleopas be talking of, I couldn't guess. Cleopas hesitated to go on, looking at his wife with a love I've never seen there before. Mary touched his arm and nodded her approval. But what could this mean? Then Cleopas straightened up, faced Levi and the mob and spoke with a clear voice.

Cleopas: I am that disciple.

The Mob:  [Uproar.]

[Levi quiets the Mob with his hand, and all face Cleopas as he continues to speak.]

Cleopas:  I am that disciple! For this very afternoon I have walked on the road to Emmaus with Jesus and knew him not, and he expounded the scriptures to me and showed me that Jesus was the very Christ, and still I did not recognize him, but my heart burned within me and I knew by the power of God that Jesus was the one--that the Messiah had in reality come among us and we knew it not.

Jacob (Speaking to the audience):  What was he saying? My brother, a disciple of Jesus? My ears could hardly believe what I was hearing.

Cleopas:  Then as he sat at our table to eat and he blessed the food, our eyes were opened and the Holy One of Israel stood before us in all his glory. He blessed us with peace and then he vanished.  We were astounded beyond word and glad in our hearts. We then determined to hurry back to Jerusalem to report what had happened to his disciples and the general assembly of God. And I stand before you this day and defy you with my knowledge that Jesus whom you crucified is the very Redeemer of the world. He has swept away my sins by his power and by that same power he will thrust you down to hell--unless you do as I have done and humble yourselves and acknowledge Jesus as the promised Messiah. [Pause.]

Jacob (Speaking to the audience):  Cleopas seemed to hold the mob in a trance by the power of his word, and they stood transfixed in momentary silence.

The Mob:   [murmurs, building up to an uproar] Never! Never! Take him, we will shred him to pieces--he will not live long!

[More mob sounds, continue under Jacob's lines as well.]

Jacob:  This could not be true, and yet I knew it was true by some unseen power that had chosen to have mercy upon me.

The mob: [Murmurs.]

[Cleopas steps up onto a platform and quiets the mob by his stance and up lifted arms. the Mob sounds die off. A brighter light is shinning on Cleopas, as if a radiance is emanating from him.]

[Background music: Song No. 24: Suspense 3. ]

Cleopas:  I tell you one more time, I actually saw him! And I testify that what I say is true beyond any doubt, for I saw him in the flesh. Though he were dead, yet does he live!

[The Mob, Levi, Cleopas and Mary freeze their action and are quiet while Jacob tells this next part. The lights of the the stage are gradually darkened.]

Jacob (Speaking to the audience):  It was the voice of my brother and yet it was not his voice. He seemed to be transfigured before me, standing in majesty, defying the angry mob before him. He said--he actually said that he knew that what he had testified of was true for he saw him in the flesh. Those last words sank deep into my heart, and I was shaken and troubled--for I was a sinner, deep rooted in offences against God and mankind.

The mob was stunned and silent, but this silence must not be mistaken for complacency or abatement of its anger or energy. It was the silence of a steel trap as it is pulled back and awaits the time of release when all its energy can be put into action.

[Loud chord. End music.]

For a moment, I must take you on a journey into my own soul in order for you to understand the next part of my story. And so we leave the mob momentarily and bid them to wait for our return.

[A slide of a closed door is projected onto the back of the stage. The room that the door is in is dark. There is a very bright light shinning through the crack from around the door.]

My mind wandered from the scene before me and out of the black night a ray of light showed forth like the crack of a door slightly a jar. I was in utter darkness and the light of the crack was brighter than any earthly light I had ever seen. I wanted to reach for the door latch, open the door and walk into that light, but how could I with all of my sins? It would be blasphemous to bring my darkness with me into that beautiful light.

[Background music: Song No. 25: reprise of Peace. ]

I stood wishing to go into the light and yet not daring to do so for some time until my mind caught hold of my brother's words concerning Jesus and how he was crucified, and how he was the Christ. Then I cried within my heart, 'O God, in the name of Jesus, I beg forgiveness of my sins. I plead before thy holy throne to have mercy on me, a most unworthy servant.' I unconsciously straightened my back and stood more erect as I continued my prayer, 'This day I make a vow before thee and thy holy angels that if Jesus will take me into his fold I will obediently follow him wherever he may lead, even unto death.'

[End music.]

At once I felt a rush of intense anguish as all my sins came up before my face at once, and then when I could stand the pain no more they suddenly vanished as if a wind had blown the smoke of a candle out of a room in one breath. Joy unspeakable came over me and I knew that my sins were forgiven. Then, feeling clean, I reached for the door to open it. But before I could reach out my trembling hand, the door opened of its own accord and I was over come by the fullness of this heavenly light.

[The slide changes to a picture of the same door, except it is now open and the very bright light is streaming into the room.]

I peered into the doorway, and as hard as I tried to see what lay beyond, I only saw the light. But within this light I could feel the presence of a being, and from this being came a stronger love than I have ever felt--a stronger love than I ever knew was possible. And, this love was directed towards me.

[The slide is turned off and the lights come up on the stage.]

Suddenly the vision closed, for vision it was, and the reality of the mob swept over me as a flood of foul water. And it seemed that though I must have spent some time in vision, I returned to the same point in time as when I began my vision, just as Cleopas was ending his testimony. I could almost hear his last words repeated in reality,

Cleopas:  I tell you one more time, I actually saw him! And I testify that what I say is true beyond any doubt for I saw him in the flesh. Though he were dead, yet does he live!

Jacob  (Speaking to the audience):  And now that I had had a vision of him too, I felt a new strength run through my body and I knew that I had the power to conquer evil. And I know just what to do!

[Cleopas and Mary are on one side of the stage and Levi with the angry Mob are on the other side. Jacob jumps into the driver's seat of the wagon and charges the Mob, driving a wedge between them and Cleopas and Mary. The mob scattered helter-skelter and Cleopas and Mary escaped unseen into the shadows and exit the stage. Jacob stands up on his wagon like a beacon on a hill and shouts at the angry Mob, saying:]

(speaking to the Mob):  Are you looking for disciples of Jesus?

Mob:  yeh! [Murmuring.]

Jacob:  I am his disciple, but you won't catch me!

(Speaking as if to someone inside his wagon):  Stay hidden, my brother, and we will soon be out of here.

 The mob:  Cleopas is in the wagon. After them!

[Jacob jumps down and drives his wagon free of the mob, and onto the right side of the front stage, turning it so the 'mules' are facing back the the left. The Mob complain they are forced out of the way.]

[Background music: Song No. 26: This Bitter Cup. ]

[The lights on The Mob darken and they are bathed in a red light.  Their arms are raised above their heads and wave back and forth like a bed of seaweed. They are in pursuit of Jacob, but in slow motion.]

[Music queue: start dialogue on measure 11 as the music get a little louder.]

Jacob (Speaking to the audience): The mob followed after me with an anger that made me afraid, even though I was filled with that marvelous light. I could see the darkness of hell serge around me and the devils of hell gnashing their teeth. For a moment, I stood paralyzed by the vision in front of me. But this was a time for action, and so I broke the spell that bound me. Giddy up, mules! Let's get out of here!

[Music queue: start following action on measure 19 as the music gets a lot louder.]

[Cleopas pulls the pin that holds the wagon to the mules, and leaving the wagon behind, he rides the mules across the stage to the left side. The Mob over runs the wagon and tears it to pieces in great violence.]

[Looking back, Jacob could see the mob converge upon my wagon, like a swarm of ants over running a dead carcass, tearing it into pieces, in a tumult of angry voices and the sound of ripping and shredding. ]

[The lights fade off the Mob, leaving the stage dark except for the light on Jacob. The Mob leaves stage unnoticed and prepares for procession in next scene.]

[Music queue: start dialogue on measure 28 as the music gets a lot softer.]

 I silently thanked the Lord that Cleopas and Mary had escaped unhurt.

In a sense, my wagon had been sacrificed in the place of my brother and his wife, and in my imagination I could all too vividly see and hear Cleopas and Mary being torn in like manner as was my wagon. But they weren't torn or hurt in any way--they had escaped. I also turned and hurried on to safety. And as I did so, one last thought came into my mind and lingered long, restoring peace to my soul: Not too long ago Jesus had performed a similar act of mercy for me, but his part was greater in magnitude as the glory of the sun is greater than that of the stars--yet, I had saved two lives and I was glad.

[Music queue: end dialogue on measure 44 as music quiets down.]

[Exit Jacob.]

[End music.]

Scene V  "The Ascension"

[Background music: Song No.27: reprise of The Word of God. ]

[The Choir enters from the back of the theater once again. This time they are wearing white robes and each person is carrying a candle (electric). As Jacob speaks, they move up the isles and gather on the stage.  The only light is the light of the candles, and the light on Jacob.]

Jacob (speaking to the audience):  Cleopas and Mary made it safely to the house of Ruben, where the apostles were gathered. Jesus had already appeared to Peter privately. Peter was a changed man--stronger in character some how. Before a month was over he was afraid no longer--a stalwart fighter for the  truth. But just then, Peter was telling the others what he had witnessed when Cleopas and Mary arrived. Cleopas told his story and then suddenly Jesus appeared before them, proving once and for all that he was indeed risen from the dead.

For forty days he taught them and encouraged them--giving them a commission to preach the good news to all the world. Then, as 500 of his disciples gathered in Galilee, he departed up into the heavens in great glory and we all marveled. [chorus starts here] Imagine the wonder of seeing a man slowly raising up into the sky, and  glowing as if he were one of heaven's stars. [pause] Then our attention was suddenly turned to two men in shining white apparel, standing in the air to one side.

Choir: Hosanna!

[Music pauses. Two Men in White Clothing step out into a light, making them stand out from the others.]

One of the men in white Clothing (spoken):  Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Choir : Alleluia!

[End song.]

[Song No. 28: We Want to Tell All the World.   Begin curtain call.]

 

Choir: We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

 We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Praise to the Lord! We will live once again.

Jesus Christ is alive! He will forgive our sins.

We want to tell all the world that Jesus Christ is alive.

Alleluia, Hosanna to him who gave his life that we may have eternal glory.

Who gave his live that we may have eternal glory.

Hosanna to God!

[End song.]

[Song No. 29: reprise of : Triumphant Entry. ]

[Horn plays main theme.]

Choir:  Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

The Proclaimer (sung):  He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King!

Choir:  He has come unto us, He is lowly and meek. He is our King! Hosanna, Alleluia!

Enter the city, O King of Jerusalem, enter the City thou Son of David!

Alleluia! Son of David! Bless'd is he that cometh in the name of God.

[End song. End play.]

 

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