The Entrance Into Jerusalem
Drama
SUNDAY MORNING READERS' THEATER
Cast: Two people, RIBLAH and HAMATH. Gender is not important here.
Length:
5 minutes
RIBLAH and HAMATH are seated on their stools.
RIBLAH:
Did you get to see the parade? I'm afraid I missed it. All I heard was the noise.
HAMATH:
Yes, I saw it. It was great. There were dozens, even hundreds of people, all waving palm branches and shouting their heads off.
RIBLAH:
I heard that, but I couldn't catch the words. What were they shouting?
HAMATH:
They were saying, "God save the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "God save him from on high." Stuff like that.
RIBLAH:
Who were they shouting it at?
HAMATH:
A travelling preacher. A guy named Jesus of Nazareth. I've heard of him before - somewhere.
RIBLAH:
And how did this guy respond?
HAMATH:
To the shouts, you mean? He smiled but he didn't seem to get too excited, considering all the fuss they were making over him.
RIBLAH:
I'm amazed he didn't try to stop them.
HAMATH:
Stop them? Why should he do that?
RIBLAH:
What they're doing seems pretty dangerous to me.
HAMATH:
Dangerous? How could that be dangerous?
RIBLAH:
Don't you realize what these people are saying? By calling this man "Son of David," they're practically naming him "Messiah."
HAMATH:
Really? I hadn't thought of it that way.
RIBLAH:
Of course. Who else would the "Son of David" be but the Messiah?
HAMATH:
The Messiah? You're kidding!
RIBLAH:
No. Stop and think about it. That's one of the names the scriptures give to the Messiah. That's who these people must think he is.
HAMATH:
Yes. I can see what you mean. (Pause) The guys at the top aren't going to like this.
RIBLAH:
That's putting it mildly. The last thing the present power establishment wants is someone who thinks he's the Messiah coming into Jerusalem with a huge following of devoted fanatics. They've got this religion business organized just the way they want it. They won't like a wandering preacher with delusions of grandeur coming in and messing things up.
HAMATH:
Yes, I can see their problem. What do you think they might do?
RIBLAH:
I hate to think. But all those people who are following him had better be a little more careful who they're seen with.
HAMATH:
What do you mean?
RIBLAH:
I mean that he's a dangerous person to know. The temple police are probably out there right now, taking down names.
HAMATH:
Oh, no! My cousin Rebecca was in that crowd.
RIBLAH:
If I were you, I'd get her out of there right now.
HAMATH:
It's too late. The parade's been over for an hour.
RIBLAH:
Too bad!
HAMATH:
(Gloomily) Yeah! I hope Rebecca had enough sense to keep away from the police.
RIBLAH:
(Consolingly) I'm sure she did.
HAMATH:
Do you think he really might be the Messiah?
RIBLAH:
Who? Jesus of Nazareth?
HAMATH:
Of course, Jesus! Who else have we been talking about?
RIBLAH:
You don't have to get huffy. He's not the only fellow floating around, claiming to be the Messiah. And you know what happened to the others. All put to death in various unpleasant ways.
HAMATH: Yes, but, well, do you? Do you think this Jesus is the Messiah?
RIBLAH:
I don't see where it matters much one way or the other. If he is, fine! I doubt the authorities could do much to harm the real Messiah. But if he isn't, better stay away from him if you know what's good for you.
HAMATH: But if he is, wouldn't it be best to follow him around and hear what he has to say?
RIBLAH: Not me! I'm not going to get my name on some blacklist. I have a family to support. This Jesus guy's in way over his head. They'll have him up on Golgotha before the week's out, mark my words.
HAMATH: Well, I think I'm going to try to talk to him, if I can. I've been hearing about the coming of the Messiah all my life. If he really is the Messiah, he could change the whole world. He could change my life.
RIBLAH:
How do you know that he's the one?
HAMATH: A lot of people seem to think so. And they're putting their lives on the line for their belief. I'll listen to him and then make up my own mind. (Slipping down from the stool) See you later!
RIBLAH: Wait! I think you're making a big mistake! (Slipping off the stool and going after HAMATH) Wait! It's not worth it! What good could it possibly do?
RIBLAH exits behind HAMATH still calling, "Wait! Come back! Think it over!"
Length:
5 minutes
RIBLAH and HAMATH are seated on their stools.
RIBLAH:
Did you get to see the parade? I'm afraid I missed it. All I heard was the noise.
HAMATH:
Yes, I saw it. It was great. There were dozens, even hundreds of people, all waving palm branches and shouting their heads off.
RIBLAH:
I heard that, but I couldn't catch the words. What were they shouting?
HAMATH:
They were saying, "God save the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "God save him from on high." Stuff like that.
RIBLAH:
Who were they shouting it at?
HAMATH:
A travelling preacher. A guy named Jesus of Nazareth. I've heard of him before - somewhere.
RIBLAH:
And how did this guy respond?
HAMATH:
To the shouts, you mean? He smiled but he didn't seem to get too excited, considering all the fuss they were making over him.
RIBLAH:
I'm amazed he didn't try to stop them.
HAMATH:
Stop them? Why should he do that?
RIBLAH:
What they're doing seems pretty dangerous to me.
HAMATH:
Dangerous? How could that be dangerous?
RIBLAH:
Don't you realize what these people are saying? By calling this man "Son of David," they're practically naming him "Messiah."
HAMATH:
Really? I hadn't thought of it that way.
RIBLAH:
Of course. Who else would the "Son of David" be but the Messiah?
HAMATH:
The Messiah? You're kidding!
RIBLAH:
No. Stop and think about it. That's one of the names the scriptures give to the Messiah. That's who these people must think he is.
HAMATH:
Yes. I can see what you mean. (Pause) The guys at the top aren't going to like this.
RIBLAH:
That's putting it mildly. The last thing the present power establishment wants is someone who thinks he's the Messiah coming into Jerusalem with a huge following of devoted fanatics. They've got this religion business organized just the way they want it. They won't like a wandering preacher with delusions of grandeur coming in and messing things up.
HAMATH:
Yes, I can see their problem. What do you think they might do?
RIBLAH:
I hate to think. But all those people who are following him had better be a little more careful who they're seen with.
HAMATH:
What do you mean?
RIBLAH:
I mean that he's a dangerous person to know. The temple police are probably out there right now, taking down names.
HAMATH:
Oh, no! My cousin Rebecca was in that crowd.
RIBLAH:
If I were you, I'd get her out of there right now.
HAMATH:
It's too late. The parade's been over for an hour.
RIBLAH:
Too bad!
HAMATH:
(Gloomily) Yeah! I hope Rebecca had enough sense to keep away from the police.
RIBLAH:
(Consolingly) I'm sure she did.
HAMATH:
Do you think he really might be the Messiah?
RIBLAH:
Who? Jesus of Nazareth?
HAMATH:
Of course, Jesus! Who else have we been talking about?
RIBLAH:
You don't have to get huffy. He's not the only fellow floating around, claiming to be the Messiah. And you know what happened to the others. All put to death in various unpleasant ways.
HAMATH: Yes, but, well, do you? Do you think this Jesus is the Messiah?
RIBLAH:
I don't see where it matters much one way or the other. If he is, fine! I doubt the authorities could do much to harm the real Messiah. But if he isn't, better stay away from him if you know what's good for you.
HAMATH: But if he is, wouldn't it be best to follow him around and hear what he has to say?
RIBLAH: Not me! I'm not going to get my name on some blacklist. I have a family to support. This Jesus guy's in way over his head. They'll have him up on Golgotha before the week's out, mark my words.
HAMATH: Well, I think I'm going to try to talk to him, if I can. I've been hearing about the coming of the Messiah all my life. If he really is the Messiah, he could change the whole world. He could change my life.
RIBLAH:
How do you know that he's the one?
HAMATH: A lot of people seem to think so. And they're putting their lives on the line for their belief. I'll listen to him and then make up my own mind. (Slipping down from the stool) See you later!
RIBLAH: Wait! I think you're making a big mistake! (Slipping off the stool and going after HAMATH) Wait! It's not worth it! What good could it possibly do?
RIBLAH exits behind HAMATH still calling, "Wait! Come back! Think it over!"
