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Here's a script because Easter programming is so hard to come by. WARNING: This script requires a puppet version of Jesus. If you have reservations about using a puppet as Jesus (as many do), this script is not for you. May we recommend instead, "Bite Your Tongue, Jack" or "Lookin' for Easter" from our Seasonal 1 CD. Or, with a little forethought, you can arrange to have the Jesus role played from offstage.
THE EASTER STORY
© Frontier Creations, Inc.
By Mary Shive
SETTING / PLOT:
Children are in a Sunday school class, listening to the Easter story. Suddenly, the classroom and teacher fade away, and the children find themselves in the middle of the Bible story. They watch the disciples in the garden, see Judas betray Jesus, follow Peter through his denial and stand from afar looking to the cross. Later, they go with the women to the tomb and find the angel. Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room. He promises to return. The disciples tell others of His glorious ascension and of Christ’s Great Commission. The sound of the Sunday school bell brings the scene abruptly back to the classroom. The teacher reminds them to learn next week’s memory verse and dismisses the class.
BACKDROPS / SCENES:
Sunday school classroom--one or two walls of it (teacher begins the Bible lesson)
Outdoors--Garden of Gethsemane (the disciples and children battle sleep as Jesus prays)
Outdoors--night time; dim courtyard with a campfire (Peter will deny Christ)
Scene with three crosses and a crowd in the background, seen from a distance (puppet children are watching from afar)
Empty tomb with stone rolled aside (women will see the angel)
The Upper Room (Jesus appears to the disciples and promises to return someday)
Sunday school classroom again (teacher dismisses the class)
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Sunday school teacher
Three puppet children: Andy, Bessie and Sam
Jesus
Peter, James, John, Thomas and a few other disciples
Judas and soldiers
A girl, a lady and two men (for Peter’s denial)
Mary Magdalene
Angel
PROPS:
One or two boulders
SOUND EFFECTS:
Chime (like the “turn the page” twinkle)
Sound of a rooster crowing (one or two times)
Sound of a school bell ringing (to end the Sunday school class)
THE EASTER STORY
Scene 1--SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSROOM
(Classroom setting: The view is from the side so that no one’s back is to the audience, e.g. the teacher faces stage right and students face stage left. More children may be present than just the three speaking.)
MRS. SMITH: Good morning, class! Happy Easter! Today we are going to learn about the Easter Story. Does anyone know why we celebrate Easter? (Children raise their hands, jump up and down and say things like “Ooo! Pick me!”) Okay, Andy. Why do we celebrate Easter?
ANDY: Oh, I know, Mrs. Smith. We celebrate Easter because that’s when everybody gets baskets of candy.
MRS. SMITH: Well, Andy, good try, but that’s not why we celebrate Easter.
ANDY: It isn’t?
MRS. SMITH: No. Does anyone else know? (Bessie raises her hand.) Bessie?
BESSIE: (With a lisp--Bessie is missing her front teeth.) My mommy says that we celebrate Easter because that’s when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
MRS. SMITH: Oh, Bessie, I see you have lost your front teeth since last week! Well, you are very, very close. The real reason we celebrate Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning. The whole Easter season is about how Jesus came to Earth to be our Messiah and Savior. Does everyone remember our Sunday school lesson from last week? The people welcomed Jesus into the city by putting coats and palm branches on the road for His donkey to walk on. BUT, not all of the people believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Some of them even wanted to kill Him. That’s what we are going to learn about today. Open your Bibles and find Mark chapter 14.
(Suddenly, at the sound of a chime, the classroom disappears, and three of the children--Andy, Bessie and Sam--find themselves in Bible times just before the Crucifixion.)
Scene 2--JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES IN THE GARDEN
(The Garden of Gethsemane: Peter and John are battling sleep on a large, near-by boulder, and Jesus is praying in a far corner of the stage. The children look at each other in confusion.)
BESSIE: What? Hey, where did everybody go?
ANDY: Yeah, what happened to our Sunday school class?
SAM: And where are we, anyway?
BESSIE: Look! There are some men over there by that rock. It looks like they’re sleeping.
SAM: Let’s get a little closer. Maybe they can tell us what’s going on. (Sam and Bessie start walking toward the disciples, leaving Andy behind.)
ANDY: Wait a minute! We shouldn’t talk to them. They’re strangers! Hey--wait for me!
BESSIE: Ahem. (No one wakes up.) Excuse me! (Pause.) Hello?
JOHN: What? Oh. Uh, who are you?
BESSIE: Hi, everyone! I’m Bessie. This is Sam, and that’s Andy.
PETER: Well, hello there, Bethie, Sam and Andy.
BESSIE: No, it’s not Bethie. It’s Bessie.
PETER: Yeah. That’s what I said. What brings you children to the Garden of Gethsemane at this hour of the night?
ALL THREE CHILDREN TOGETHER: The Garden of Gethsemane!?!?!
JOHN: (yawning and stretching) That’s right. I’m John, and he’s Peter. We and the other disciples are out here watching and praying with Jesus. Say, Andy, shouldn’t you guys be in bed right now?
ANDY: Well, we lost our Sunday school class.
JOHN: You lost your what?
SAM: You see, just a second ago we were at church. Then, all of a sudden, everybody disappeared, and NOW we’re in the Garden of Gethsemane!! I think we’re lost.
BESSIE: Yeah. Way lost!
PETER: Lost, huh? Well, I don’t think we can tell you how to find your Sunday school class, but you are welcome to stay and pray with us if you’d like. (He yawns.)
ALL THREE: Okay. (Yawning, everyone starts to fall asleep against the boulder. Jesus comes toward them.)
JESUS: Peter, are you guys sleeping? Couldn’t you even stay awake for an hour to pray? Watch and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation. (He walks back to his corner of the stage and continues to pray. Meanwhile, the disciples try again to pray but end up falling asleep as before.) Father, let this cup pass from Me. But let not My will but Yours be done. (He returns to the disciples.) Go ahead and sleep now. The time of my betrayal is at hand. (Judas and one or two soldiers arrive.)
JUDAS: Hello, Master. (Judas kisses Jesus and a soldier grabs Him.)
JESUS: Judas, are you coming to arrest me with swords and clubs as if I were a thief? You could have arrested me at any time in the temple, and you didn’t. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.
(Soldiers and Judas lead Jesus across the stage and exit.)
ALL (murmuring in disbelief): (Sam) What‘s going on? (John) What is Judas doing here? (Andy) And where are those soldiers taking Jesus? (Peter) What are we supposed to do now? (John) Maybe we’re next! (Bessie) We better get out of here! (Running off stage, they forsake Jesus.)
Scene 3--PETER’S DENIAL
(Outdoor scene: Peter is standing near a fire, all by himself.)
LITTLE GIRL (walking onto the stage, humming, stops to talk to Peter): Excuse me, sir. You were one of Jesus’ disciples, weren’t you?
PETER: What? Certainly not! I don’t know what you mean.
LITTLE GIRL: Oh. Sorry. It’s just that you really look a lot like the one they called Peter, that’s all. (She pauses, but he says nothing.) Oh, well. I guess not. (She exits, humming again. A cock crows somewhere in the night, but Peter does not notice.)
(A small group of 3-4 people enter, talking to themselves.)
LADY: Hey, guys. Look at that man over there. He was one of the followers of that Jesus of Nazareth!
PETER: Who, me? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t even know him.
MAN: Sure, you do. You sound like you’re from Galilee, anyway. Isn’t that where Jesus came from?
LADY: Oh, I definitely think so. Are you sure you’re not one of those disciples?
PETER: Look. I already told you. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never even met the guy! Now just leave me alone, will ya? (A cock crows again in the background.
***OPTIONAL: Jesus’ voice can be heard, as if Peter is remembering it, saying, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” *** Startled, Peter gasps.) OH, NO!!!!! What have I just done!?! (He runs off stage.)
SECOND MAN: Well, what’s the matter with him?
LADY: I told you he was one of them. Didn’t I tell you he was one of them? I just KNOW he was one of them. (They exit. Sam, Andy and Bessie sneak onto the stage.)
BESSIE: Whoa. D-did you hear that? Peter just told all those people that he didn’t know Jesus! I can’t believe he did that!!
SAM: No kidding, Bessie. I thought they were, like, best friends. Speaking of which, I wonder where the rest of the disciples went?
ANDY: We should probably try to find them. Didn’t Mrs. Smith say something in Sunday school about an Upper Room or something?
BESSIE: I think you’re right, Andy! Maybe we can find it. Let’s go look! (They exit.)
Scene 4--THE CRUCIFIXION
(Scene with three crosses in the distance surrounded by a large crowd in the background: A few of the disciples and Mary Magdalene are gathered around a boulder, watching.) (The children enter.)
SAM: Oh, here you are! We’ve been looking all over for----What’s going on over there?
JOHN: Sam, Jesus is being crucified over on the hill of Golgotha, just like a common criminal. Can you believe it? I mean, just last week they wanted to make Him their King-----And now look.
JAMES: I know. They’re even gambling for his clothes! I can’t bear to watch.
ANDY: But He didn’t even do anything wrong. He’s God! We’ve been learning all about Him in Sunday school!
JAMES: What’s Sunday school?
JOHN: Oh. James, Mary Magdalene, these are some new friends we met last night in the garden. This is Sam, he’s Andy, and that’s Bethie.
BESSIE: Not Bethie! BESSIE!!
JAMES: Yeah. That’s what he said.
BESSIE: But---
ANDY: No, her name isn’t Bethie. It’s Be-s-s-s-ie.
JOHN: Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place?
MARY MAGDALENE: It’s nice to meet you, Sam, Andy and Bessie. Did you children know Jesus?
SAM: Sort of---- Well, we do, but---- Um, actually---
JAMES: Mary Magdalene, I suppose just about everybody knows who Jesus is--or was, I guess I should say. I just can’t believe this is happening. I mean, what are we going to do now?
MARY MAGDALENE: Well, I guess we can’t stay here all night, can we? Why don’t you all come to my house for a while. Joseph of Arimathea said he would take care of Jesus’ body and bury it in his tomb. At least that way Jesus will have a real burial. Perhaps we can get some spices and anoint His body on Sunday morning. (Everyone exits.)
Scene 5--THE RESURRECTION
(An empty tomb: The sealed stone has been rolled away, leaving the tomb wide open.)
MARY MAGDALENE (speaking begins just before the puppets enter): Bessie, you do have the spices, right? And Sam and Andy, do you have the extra linens? I don’t know how we’re going to roll the stone away from the door of the tomb, but----(everyone gasps)
SAM: It’s open! The tomb is open!!
ANDY: Do you think we should go in?
MARY MAGDALENE: Oh, this is terrible! Someone has stolen Jesus’ body! How did they move the stone away from the tomb? I’m going to look for the gardener. (After Mary Magdalene exits, an angel appears at the door of the tomb. The children are startled.)
ANGEL: Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus, but He is not here. Go in and see! He is risen, just as He said.
BESSIE: Wow!! This is just like Mrs. Smith talked about in Sunday school! This must be Easter Sunday morning!
ANGEL: You’re right, Bessie. This is the first Easter Sunday. Why don’t you go tell Peter and the other disciples that Jesus is risen from the dead. (The angel exits.)
SAM: We have to go back to the Upper Room and tell the other disciples that Jesus is alive!!!
EVERYONE: Yeah, let’s go!! (Everyone exits. Mary Magdalene wanders back on stage to the tomb, crying. Jesus enters.)
JESUS: Why are you crying? Are you looking for someone?
MARY MAGDALENE: Sir, someone has taken the body of Jesus the Lord, and I don’t know where they have put Him. If you know where He is, will you please tell me?
JESUS: Mary----
MARY MAGDALENE: Is that You, Lord? Is it really You?!?!
JESUS: Don’t touch Me yet, but go tell the others that I am alive and that you have seen Me. (They exit.)
Scene 6--JESUS APPEARS IN THE UPPER ROOM
(The Upper Room: Several disciples are standing around the room doing nothing.) (Mary Magdalene and the children burst into the room at the same time.)
ONE OF THE DISCIPLES: What’s going on? What’s all the excitement about?
MARY MAGDALENE: You will never believe what just happened!
BESSIE: We were at the tomb, and we were going to put spices in there, and there was this angel, and----
MARY MAGDALENE: Jesus is alive!!!
ONE OF THE DISCIPLES: Whoa! Hold on a minute. Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell us what’s happening----SLOWLY.
SAM: Well, it’s just like Bessie said. When we got to the tomb this morning, the stone was rolled away. Then there was an angel of the Lord who told us that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He said He would.
MARY MAGDALENE: And then I saw Jesus!
OTHER DISCIPLES: Really? Are you sure? (Just then, Jesus enters the room.)
JESUS: Peace be unto you, my friends! Don’t be afraid.
JAMES: Lord, is it You?
JESUS: Yes, I really am alive! Here, look at my hands and my feet. I’m not a spirit. Go ahead and touch Me, if you want to.
PETER: It is You!
JESUS: Just as My Father sent Me, now I send you to go and tell others about Me and My Father. I will also send you the Holy Ghost while I’m gone. (Jesus disappears again.)
PETER: Wow! I can’t believe I doubted Him! I should have known better. I am so ashamed of my unbelief.
JOHN: We all should have known better, Peter. After all, how many times did Jesus tell us that God would raise Him from the dead in three days? We just didn’t get it. I can’t believe how dumb we were!
JAMES: This is wonderful! It’s too bad Thomas wasn’t here to see Jesus. (Just then Thomas enters the Upper Room.)
PETER: Thomas! You’ll never guess what just happened!!! Well, I suppose maybe you might . . . .
THOMAS: I doubt it. But I know you’re going to tell me, so let’s hear it.
PETER: Jesus is risen from the dead!
JAMES: Yes, and He was here, in this very room! You just missed Him.
THOMAS: Yeah, and I’m the king of England. That’s impossible. How can you joke around about something like that?
ANDY: But we’re telling you the truth!
BESSIE: We promise!
THOMAS: I can’t believe that what you guys are saying could possibly be true. Unless I can actually touch the nail prints and put my hand in His side, I will NOT believe you.
JESUS (suddenly appearing again): Peace be unto you, Thomas! I’m alive! Here. Touch my hands and my side. Do not be faithless, but believe!
THOMAS: My Lord and My God! I believe You!
JESUS: Thomas, you have believed in Me because you have seen Me, but those who believe in Me without first seeing Me will be especially blessed.
Scene 7--THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSROOM
(At the sound of the Sunday school bell, the scene abruptly changes back to the classroom.)
MRS. SMITH: Okay, kids. That’s it for this week! Don’t forget to study your verse for next week. Let’s say it one more time before you leave.
EVERYONE TOGETHER: John 20:31---“But these things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
MRS. SMITH: Class dismissed! (Mrs. Smith and any other children exit, leaving Bessie, Sam and Andy.)
BESSIE: Was that real? Did all of that really just happen?
ANDY: I don’t know, but that was the best Sunday school lesson I’ve ever heard.
SAM: Me, too!
BESSIE: Wait till I tell my mom! (All three run off stage.)
THE END
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