Journey of a Lifetime

By Rich Gerber and Peggy Barnell

Summary

A modern-day family on a visit to Israel trace the events of the Gospels from the Nativity to Easter.

Cast

Multiple people and children needed for crowds, choir songs, funeral scene, triumphal entry, etc

Performance note

We normally make use of every available platform space for Easter. Stage right is the tomb, though it is very well camouflaged as rock/mountain. Stage left is the temple area, where we set up a market place in front. We use the loft as a sort of mountain where Jesus is tempted in the desert, and where several other scenes take place. Our set designer uses starched, spray painted sheets to make the walls look like mountain side and they are quite realistic in appearance. A good bit of greenery, artificial or live adds to the set. There are several 'rocks' that people sit on or around on the platform, these too being stools or bases covered in starched and painted sheets. For this particular play the second level (loft) adds a great deal over all because we blend the modern day with the biblical. The modern family is on the mountain during several scenes and can seem to visualize the story as it takes place down below. The effect is a bit more dramatic to keep the modern family separate from the biblical scenes until the latter part, when the family walks into the actual crucifixion scene and moves among the biblical characters. We then used the same mountain for the final rapture scene. During the big choral finale (in which the song describes Jesus' return for the rapture) Jesus appears with the angels on the mountain at the appropriate time in the song. It's a really powerful scene with special lighting to enhance the song and the action.

Script

Scene 1: (A hill outside Bethlehem)

(Dad and mom enter with kids following. Dad has a guidebook that he is trying to interpret.)

Luke: Daddy, are we lost?

Leah: Ha! You're probably right, Luke, we probably are lost!

Beth: No, honey, of course we're not lost. I'm sure Dad knows exactly where we are, Michael? Don't you, Michael?

Mike: (turning map upside down) Well, let's see, if this is North and if the sun sets in the West in Israel...

Beth: The sun does set in the West in Israel, doesn't it, dear?

Leah: Oh, great! I knew it! Why did we have to come on this stupid trip, anyway? I hate it here already.

Mike: Oh come on, Leah, this trip is gonna be fun for all of us - you'll see. (tries to put his arm around Leah's shoulder)

Leah: (pulls away and walks away a few steps, shrieks loudly, runs back to dad frustrated) Daddy! Daddy! Help, help!! It's a big, slimy, hairy crawdad or something!

Luke: (running to the creature) Where! Let me see! Let me see it!

Mike: Relax and stand back - it's not hairy or slimey - it's not even big! It's just a little scorpion.

Beth: A scorpion?? Mike - they're deadly!

Mike: It's okay, honey, come on, everybody stand back. If we just give it a little room, it's not going to bother us.

Beth: Oh, Michael, a scorpion!

Luke: This is so cool!

Mike: Luke, you stay right here with me. Now, I think I've got this straight. From where we are standing and according to this map, right over there about half a mile is Bethlehem.

Beth: The birth place of Jesus (in awe).

Luke: Over there! Right over there! Just like in the Bible story? Like you read to me, Mommy?

Beth: It's not just a story, Luke, though yes, it's what I read to you from the Bible. It really happened. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in a manger and it was really in Bethlehem - right over there!

Mike: Yes, Luke, for all we know we could be standing in the very spot where the shepherds stood 2000 years ago, when the angels appeared in the sky to tell them about the birth of the Christ child.

Leah: Angels! Yes! Finally we can talk about something interesting! Let's hear about the angels.

Luke: Leah! The angels just came so they could let everybody know about Jesus.

Mike: That's right, Luke. Angels are simply God's messengers.

Leah: Dad! You know how much I like angels, and they are in the Bible. How can you say they're only messengers?

Beth: Well, Leah, you're right - angels are in the Bible, but Dad is right, too - they are heavenly messengers. Remember the story of Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her to tell her that she was going to have a baby? Gabriel brought her the wonderful news that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. I imagine Mary wasn't very much older than you are right now when she received that heavenly visit.

Leah: I wish an angel would visit me...

Beth: Okay, Leah, close your eyes and just imagine now what it was like for Mary: Young, engaged to be married, maybe a little apprehensive about what the future would bring...

Scene II (The city of Nazareth)

(Mary is working with some flowers/greenery. She hums and stops to admire her work.)

Mary: What wonderful detail you give, God, even to the tiny petals of a flower.

(angel music begins, Mary realizes something is different)

Gabriel: (enters above and behind Mary)Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

Mary: What? Who are you? What is this?

Gabriel: Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name, Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.

Mary: How will this be, since I am a virgin?

Gabriel: The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even your Aunt Elizabeth, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.

Mary: I am the Lord's servant. May it be as you have said.

Song: Breath of Heaven (as performed by Amy Grant)

Scene III: (A hill outside Bethlehem)

Leah: (caught up for a moment in the vision she has seen) It's been a long time since I've heard all that...

Beth: It amazes me that Mary was so quick to accept the angel's message from the Lord. I wonder if she even stopped to consider what her family would think, or what her fiancee, Joseph, would think about the news that she was pregnant...

Luke: But it was the baby Jesus!

Mike: Who would have even thought that God would choose to use a humble, Jewish girl and a carpenter to parent the Savior of the world? God's ways are not our ways.

Leah: (the moment of awe has now passed for Leah) Are we gonna stand in this hot sun all day? Let's get moving (starts to walk away, but her mood changes again). Hey, Dad, can we go down to that mall place we saw earlier?

Mike: Oh, you mean the little market we saw in the village?

Leah: Yeah! Maybe they'll have some angel stuff for sale there - I can add to my collection.

Mike: Wait a minute, Leah, are you sure you want to leave so soon? Just a little bit ago you were excited about being in the very spot where the angels made the announcement of the birth to the shepherds.

Luke: Maybe I should take a stone as a souvenir.

Beth: That's a good idea, Luke.

Luke: It would have been neat to be a shepherd. They got to play with all the baby sheep.

Mike: Being a shepherd was hard work. It was a 24 hour a day job, and you had to always be on your toes. Let's see, Luke, over there is lots of brush and rocks, and over on the other side is a steep hill. If we were shepherds, I believe this would be an ideal place to tend the sheep.

Leah: But a big bad wolf could hide in that brush and sneak up on the poor, unsuspecting sheep! (she grabs Luke from behind and picks him up).

Luke: (in mock fear) Help! Help! Put me down, Leah! Daddy, what do the angels look like? The ones that the shepherds saw, I mean.

Leah: Oh, I bet they were beautiful - flowing white gowns and faces that lit up the sky.

Beth: (pulling out a new testament from her bag) Well, let's just see how the Bible describes it. Luke chapter 2 says, And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them..

(blackout)

Scene IV

(shepherds in the field, obviously bored and sleepy, leaning on their staffs. If you want to make this fun, the shepherds can be a bit of comic relief with a big awkward reaction to the angels and falling all over each other as they exit.)

Shepherd #1: (Looking around) Did you hear something?

Shepherd #2: Naw - just sheep!

(Angel music begins, shepherds react to it , then startle and freeze to listen to the angels that appear above and behind them)

Angel Gabriel: Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger. (More angels appear)

Angels: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

(angels exit with more angel music, praising God as they depart)

Shepherd #1: I pinched my hand and I didn't wake up, so this must not have been a dream.

Shepherd #2: Praise Jehovah, God! Jared! Simeon! Angels! There were angels right here! I saw them - tell me you saw them, too.

Shepherd #3: Of course we saw them, Levi! Did you hear?? The Savior, the Messiah has come. The Christ has arrived! (begins to do a jig [dance] of joy).

Shepherd #1: Come on, come on, we must go - let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.

(Blackout)

(Mary and baby Jesus at the Manger)

Mary: (to God) Dearest Lord, finally the time has come that I can gaze upon this child - Your child, Your Son. I still wonder how it can be that you would choose me for this, this honor...this privilege. Who am I that I have found such favor in your sight?

I had a few doubts there at the last. Traveling for so long. Oh, I was so weary and I knew that my time was near. And then of all places we ended up here, (looks around) in a cold stable that smells of cattle and sheep. But when I saw Him - I knew. Just like when the angel told me what was to come. I knew it was true - it was all true. And now the others know, too. They came to see Him - bowing down to him right here in the wet straw and the mud - they worshipped Him! They said that angels in the sky told them about the birth of the Savior. (Joseph enters)

Look at You (talks to baby Jesus now) my son...my Messiah! So perfect, so beautiful. I love you, my son, (kisses Him). I can only imagine what the future holds for You. Surely a magnificent throne will be yours, with fine robes and a palace. Or maybe, maybe God has something very different in mind for You.

Song: Joseph's Song (as performed by Michael Card)

Scene V: (A hill outside Bethlehem)

Leah: Did the angels tell anyone else about the birth of Jesus?

Mike: Do you remember the Bible story about Simeon and Anna? They knew they would see Jesus the Messiah before they died, but the Bible says it was God who revealed it to them, not angels.

Leah: Yeah, I remember. Simeon and Anna were the old man and woman who always stayed at the temple, praising God and stuff. (Pause) Wait a minute, didn't they tell lots of people when they finally saw Jesus?

(Mike and Beth nod and agree)

Leah: (continues) Then weren't Simeon and Anna like angels? Weren't they God's messengers too?

Beth: They were God's messengers, but they weren't angels. Leah, you do know that angels and people are different don't you? God created both angels and people and He can use either one. Angels are not to be worshipped - you know that right, honey?

Mike: Colossians 2:17 says, Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. We need to remember, Leah, Jesus is the one we worship.

Leah: So did Jesus always live at the temple and teach and heal people and stuff when He was a little boy?

Luke: Duh, Leah, even I know that. Don't you remember the story about when Jesus was 12 years old? He got up in the temple and preached about God.

Mike: There's actually very little written about the life of Jesus as he was growing up, other than the story you're talking about.

Beth: We do know that he learned a carpenter's trade from his father, Joseph. And - I'm sure He had to go to school and do chores around the house.

Leah: Yeah - I bet He didn't complain about it like you do, Luke!

Mike: I don't think he fought with his brothers either, Leah!

Beth: All right - that's enough out of all of you.

Leah: I'm hungry - can we go now?

Mike: Funny you should mention that, Leah. It was soon after Jesus began His active ministry that He was out in the desert for 40 days without food.

Luke: 40 days! I'd starve.

Beth: It was during the time in the desert that He was tempted by Satan. And Leah, angels came to comfort Jesus after the 40 days of temptation and trial was over.

Leah: I wouldn't want to almost die of starvation to get to see an angel.

Mike: Remember, Leah, Jesus is available to you at every moment of every day. There's no requirement other than inviting Him into your heart. Then He's there all the time!

Leah: Yeah, I know, Dad, I remember. Angels are just God's messengers.

Mike: Now you're talking. When Jesus returned from the desert, He began the work He had come to do: He called His disciples, taught thousands of people, healed multitudes, raised people from the dead, fed the 5000 and just think, it all took place right here in this country.

Beth: And I want to see every inch of it - come on!

Luke and Leah: Come on let's go!!

(Mike hangs back, still trying to make sense of the map, turning it upside down and right side up)

Beth: Mike, are you still fooling with that map? Come on!

(Lights fade)

Scene VI: (Matt. 4:1-10)

(Jesus in the dessert. The voice of Satan is heard, he is not seen)

Satan: If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.

Jesus: It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Satan: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Jesus: It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Satan: All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.

Jesus: Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.

(Angel music begins and angels come to comfort Jesus as lights fade. It woks very well to have Jesus above the choir with a soft spot light on him as the song ‘He Is' sung)

Song: He Is (as performed by Aaron-Jeffery)

(Galilee)

(Crowds enter as song ends - they are all excited and looking for Jesus Jesus enters, greets and touches a few people then begins to teach them.)

Jesus:

(as Jesus finishes teaching, several parents bring their babies and small children to Jesus. The disciples rebuke them).

Jesus: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Jesus: And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and on the street ;corners so that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think they will be heard because of their words.

Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner therefore pray:

Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen!
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sin, neither will your Father forgive your sin.

SONG: Heal Me (as performed by Aaron Jeffery)

(During this song Jesus moves about the crowds to talk with individuals, stops to sit with the children,etc.... But He is always aware of the people who are singing the song, Heal Me. At the end of the song, the singers come to the open arms of Jesus and the crowds shower Jesus with praise and adoration.)

(This crowd begins to disperse. As they begin to exit another crowd begins to enter. (funeral procession) Jesus goes to speak with the loudly mourning mother.)

Jesus: Don't cry. (he goes up to look at the young man on the stretcher as the procession comes to a halt)

Jesus: Young man, I say to you, get up!

(the boy sits up and begins to talk - Jesus helps him off the cot and gives him to his mother. The crowd begins to exit, praising God).

(Nicodemus approaches Jesus as the crowds exit)

Nicodemus: Rabbi....(bowing down)

Jesus: Yes, Nicodemus. (Jesus helps him up)

Nicodemus: Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.

Jesus: I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

Nicodemus: How can a man be born again when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born.

Jesus: I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying "You must be born again". The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the spirit.

Nicodemus: How can this be?

Jesus: You are Israel's teacher, and you do not understand these things. I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe, how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

(Jesus continues to talk with Nicodemus as lights fade)

Song: Come Just As You Are (as performed by Crystal Lewis)

(this works well to have a small group to one side of the stage. They begin to sing the song as Jesus continues to mime talking to Nicodemus They exit half way through the song)

Scene VII: (Galilee - present day)

Beth: Oh, Michael, I'm so glad we've made this trip. To think that we are standing on the same soil that Jesus walked on - it just gives me chills!

Luke: Yeah - this is so neat!

Mike: The biggest reason we came on this journey was so we could see where it all took place. Your mother and I wanted to bring you, so that we could all see that what we hear about in church every Sunday morning, is more than just a story. It all really happened and we hoped it would seem more real to see the places where the events actually took place.

Leah: Dad, please - I don't want to see the rest. I know how it ends; what those cruel people did to Jesus. They beat Him and spit on Him and made him die on the cross.

Beth: Leah, that's not the end of the story - and no one made Jesus die. He gave up His life willingly for us - for you and me. He made the way for us to come to him.

Mike: Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus? For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I didn't really understand that for a long time, Leah. It wasn't until I was willing to trust Jesus, to open my heart and my life to him, that I really began to understand what it all meant: His life and his death and his resurrection from the grave. It was all part of God's plan. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin - for my sin. He became the sacrifice, in place of all the burnt offerings that had been required in Old Testament days. He paid the price once and for all - no more burnt offerings or sacrifices are required. We can have a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus.

Beth: Leah, your father and I pray every day that you and your brother will understand how much Jesus loves you and that you will be willing to open your lives to Him, as we have done. The crucifixion is very important. We need to experience it all - not just part of the story. Come (arm around Leah) we'll do this together. We can walk the very same path that Jesus walked when He made the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Luke: That's when all the people were waving those palm trees.

Mike: (picks Luke up on shoulders) Palm branches, Luke. People were shouting "Hosanna - blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! There was excitement in the air - people knew something really wonderful was happening.

Beth: But at the same time, the chief priests and Pharisees were plotting how they could kill Jesus. They hated Jesus because people were putting their faith in Him instead of all the rules and regulations that they had taken to the extreme.

Mike: The Gospel of John says that at one point during the triumphal entry, God Himself answered Jesus from heaven.

Leah: Like a voice from the sky?

Mike: Yes, Leah, God's voice. The crowd was stunned; some thought they had heard thunder, others thought it was the voice of an angel, but the Bible makes it clear it was God Himself who spoke.

Leah and Luke: WOW!

Beth: Jesus was telling the people what was ahead, but most of them couldn't begin to understand it at that point.

Mike: It's hard to imagine that many of the people who cheered Jesus and waved palms that day were shouting "Crucify Him" just a few days later.

(Fade lights)

Scene VIII:

(Jerusalem - 2000 years ago - the Triumphal Entry)

(Crowds begin to enter. Business is going on in the temple. Jesus enters and begins to walk about, He stops to talk to many people, some in the audience, some in biblical costumes).

Jesus: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, ;while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!

Voice of God: I have glorified it, and will glorify it again. (Crowds react in wonder & awe)

Jesus: This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

Pharisee: We have heard from the law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up"? Who is this Son of Man?

Jesus: You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before the darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.

(Jesus continues to move and reaches the temple area)

Jesus: What is this? What are you doing? (He makes a whip from cords and begins to drive out the sellers) Get those out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market! It is written: My house will be a house of prayer - but you have made it a den of robbers.

Pharisee: What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?

Jesus: Destroy the temple and I will raise it again in three days!

(lights fade to black)

Scene: IX: : (Jerusalem - modern day)

Mike: It was soon after this that the mood of the crowd began to change. The chief priests and Pharisees spread lies about Jesus and continued to plot how they could arrest and kill him. They hated him for exposing many of them to be religious fakes. A few of the religious leaders actually believed that Jesus was the Son of God, but the Bible says they loved the praise of men more than they loved the praise of God. In other words, they were more concerned about what their friends would think of them than what their hearts told them was true. Jesus knew that the time with His disciples was growing short. He continued to teach them, but like the crowds, they really could not understand yet what was happening or why....

(lights fade)

Scene X:

(The Last Supper, Golgotha, The Resurrection)

(The Upper room)

Song: How Beautiful (as performed by Twila Paris)

(The first 2 verses and choruses of this song are sung while Jesus and the disciples go through the motions of fellowship and preparing to have a meal together. The 3rd vers is omited for dialogue below, then last chorus is sung as the disciples question easch other and Jesus about who the betrayer is.)

Jesus: (Takes the bread and gives thanks) Take this and divide it among you. I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. (Breaks the bread and passes it to the disciples). This is my body given for you - take and eat. Do this in remembrance of me. (Takes the cup and gives thanks). This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.

I tell you the hand of the one who will betray me is with me at this table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays Him.

Disciples: (begin to question each other and Jesus). Who? Is it I, Lord? Who is it?

(Song finishes)

(Golgotha)

(Lights up on people facing the audience - they are looking at the crucifixion. Above and behind the audience Some are mourning, most of them are mocking and laughing at the sport).

Mocker #1: So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself.

Mocker #2: He saved others but he can't save himself.

(enter modern day family, they are unseen by the biblical characters)

Luke: Dad, Mom, look!

Leah: The sign above His head - what does it say?

Mike: This is Jesus - The King of the Jews.

Leah: How could they do this to Him? Why would they kill Jesus?

Beth: It all seems so real - He must have suffered so much!

Mocker #3: You, on the cross! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross, then I'll believe in You!

Mocker #4: Hail, hail, King of the Jews (bowing down in scorn)

Leah: I can't watch (hides her face)

Luke: I'm scared, Daddy

(Mike puts Luke down, and crouches down)

Mike: Just think, Luke, He was willing to die, even when so many had turned their backs on Him (looking around)

Leah: (falls to her knees )Jesus! I'm so sorry! Please, forgive my sin!

Mocker #5: He trusts in God, let God save him now!

Mocker #6: So - this is the King of the Jews! (laughter builds, then Jesus cries out)

Jesus: Father! Into Thy hands I commit my spirit, it is finished!

Thunder and lightening and lights flash)

Soldier: (Removes helmet) Truly this was the Son of God.

(Black out)

Song: Arise My Love (as performed by New Song)

(at the close of the song, spotlight moves to the tomb, which rumbles and shakes and opens to a cloud of smoke and the victorious Jesus emerging)

The Resurrection

Scene XI: (Just outside Jerusalem) Modern day

Luke & Leah: (Jumping up and down) Yea, Jesus! All right!!

Mike: It's incredible what God did for us. And even though Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago, it still affects us and how we live our lives today.

Leah: You were right, Dad. It's the most important thing in the whole world to know Jesus, isn't it?

Mike: That's right, honey.

Luke: I can't wait to go home and tell all my friends about our vacation.

Beth: If you tell your friends about Jesus, Luke, then you're doing exactly what Jesus wants you to do.

Luke: I am?

Mike: Remember the great commission? Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations. When you tell your friends about Jesus, then you're sharing His love.

Beth: That's what the disciples and the other believers did. Even though many of them were persecuted or even killed for their faith, they wouldn't stop telling others about Jesus. They knew too that believing in Jesus is the most important thing in the world.

Mike: It's also very important to remember the promise God gave to us about the return of Jesus.

Luke: What promise?

Mike: Jesus spent time with the disciples and many others after He rose from the grave. But at the appointed time, He ascended into the clouds and disappeared right before their eyes! The Bible says that two angels stood beside the crowd and said "men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven."

Leah: So Jesus is coming back? For us?

Beth: It's my favorite part of the Bible - to read about Jesus returning in the clouds to take us home to heaven with Him.

Luke: Wow! Me, too? I get to go?

Beth: Yes, Luke, because you've said yes to Jesus you get to go - face to face with Jesus in a place so beautiful we can't even imagine how wonderful it will be.

Leah: So every day, we're a little bit closer to seeing it all happen....

Mike: All the signs that scripture foretold are falling into place. But no one knows the exact time that Jesus will return.

Leah: He could come today....

Song begins and choir enters

Redemption Draweth Nigh,

Hallelujah, It Is Jesus

(The rapture may be portrayed here as the choir and cast enter to sing. It is a nice effect to have many ‘extras' costumed to portray different eras and several different lines of work: construction worker , waitress, nurse, bathrobes, prom dresses, executive,indian, soldier, etc... be creative! )

................................................................................................................

© Rich Gerber and Peggy Barnell
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the authors would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. They may be contacted at: pedge58@hotmail.com