Jesus, Bread Of Life
Drama
Hey Joseph!
A Complete Lenten Program
"I am the Bread of Life" -- Jesus
There it sits.
Golden brown. Unsliced.
Basted with butter.
Glistening and proud.
Hot right from Mother's oven.
Yum, yum. Oh, how we lusted after Mom's freshly baked bread. Her loaves were gorgeous. You could smell the aroma waft it's way down the path.
"Time for supper!"
We sat down -- mumbled a prayer and then dove in like pigs. "Pass the bread!" We sliced it. Heaped mounds of strawberry jam and chokecherry jelly on each slice. Sometimes we smothered Mom's bread in homemade peanut butter. Dad looked on proudly as he munched his slice knowing it was made from wheat grown in his own field in the south forty.
Mother's bread. I can still feel it and taste it and smell it. Better than grocery bread by a long shot. She baked all kinds: Raisin bread, rye bread, wheat bread, oat bread, french bread, banana bread, sour bread, date bread, flat bread, and fruit bread.
You know, tonight I wish Mom was able to bake one more loaf. She wishes she could, too. But now and for tonight the memory and image will do.
Bread is basic to life. Bread is symbolic of all the food we eat. "Give us our daily bread," Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Martin Luther expands the meaning of "bread": "Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors" (Luther's Small Catechism).
In our "Hey Joseph!" Lenten series, Joseph, God's man for the hour, walks out of the Old Testament and into our sanctuary to tell us and to show us how he was used by God to save life. Joseph fed not only his loved ones -- Jacob's family -- but the Egyptians as well, and he ensured the future of the nation Israel. Joseph becomes a type -- a prototype of God's Messiah who would come.
Later in the wilderness, God fed the Israelites with manna. A miraculous gift from heaven.
In John 6, Jesus reveals to his listeners who he is and what his purpose is. "I am the bread of Life" he tells them. Six times in six verses Jesus refers to himself as the bread sent down from heaven. He, like manna, is from God and for the people.
But many take offense at him. They explode in anger! This cannot be! They reject Jesus' words. They reject Jesus himself. They reject nourishment, strength, health, energy, life, and power.
Jesus demonstrates not only in words but in visible tangible form to all who believe in his offering. "This bread is my body. This wine is my blood. Take and eat. Take and drink."
"For in doing so," said the Apostle Paul, "you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again."
Are you hungry? Feeling weak, empty, lonely? Unsure and unsteady?
Look, my brothers and sisters, at the loaf again.
The loaf is large. It is no temporary manna in the wilderness. It is no little, bitty bun. It is so large and so comprehensive that you and I will never ever hunger again. It is a loaf that will satisfy you forever.
"O taste and see," said the psalmist, "see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8a).
Joseph's Monologue
Note: Joseph is in costume. This monologue is memorized. The props of the "Hey Joseph!" series are gone. He may speak from the center of the congregation or to the side of the Lord's Supper backdrop scene when that is used.
Good evening. I am Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, brother to Judah, Zebulun, Gad, Issachar, Reuben, Levi, Simeon, Benjamin, my youngest beloved brother, Asher, Naphatali, and Dan.
These past forty days in your Lenten season you have gathered faithfully to help me relive my story. "Hey Joseph!" you called it. Thanks for a great time and experience together.
Now your focus is not on me, but on Jesus of Nazareth. He is my Savior and yours. They said of me that I and my experiences paralleled many experiences of Jesus, too. I am humbled by the comparison. But he must increase. I must decrease.
´
As I was innocently accused of a crime I didn't commit with Potiphar's wife, so Jesus was accused of blasphemy, consorting with sinners, and a lot of trumped up charges. I lived. Jesus died.
´
I resisted temptation and evil. So did Jesus, God's Son who defeated the devil in the wilderness.
´
I harbored no revenge in my heart against my bandit brothers. Jesus went way beyond that -- he loved and forgave even his tormentors.
´
I was a key player in bringing back shalom and reconciliation to my family. Jesus' entire life, death, and resurrection brought reconciliation to the whole world.
´
I provided bread in a time of famine. Jesus not only provides bread for a hungry world -- Jesus is the Bread of Life. So tonight welcome and worship.
Mary Of Magdala's Monologue
Good evening, I am Mary from Magdala. Four other women from the Bible -- Martha from Bethany, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Lydia, and Priscilla, and I will serve as your hostesses and worship leaders in the celebration of Holy Communion. Before you is the Upper Room and soon Jesus and his twelve disciples will gather there and we will celebrate the holy meal together.
They called me Mary Magdalene since I came from that region in Palestine -- Magdala. It's on the southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee.
I first met Jesus when I really needed help. Seven evil spirits seemed to dominate my life. Jesus touched me and cast the demons out. I remember shouting, "Now I'm free! Thanks be to God."
I followed Jesus in his early Galilean ministry with Joanna, Susanna, and others. I contributed financially to Jesus' venture. It was hard but I followed him to Jerusalem. I was present at the horrible crucifixion. Later I saw the empty tomb and was thrilled to see him alive again! Harlot I am not, as some labeled me. A credible witness of the Savior, I believe I am.
It was in this very Upper Room (motions to the Upper Room scene) prepared for the Passover Feast where the Master repeated the Great Commandment. You remember it. "Love one another even as I have loved you." Jesus then demonstrated that love by washing his disciples' feet and then instituting the Lord's Supper.
As you Christians reflect on how Joseph in the Old Testament was the bread provider in a time of famine, so now meditate on Christ as the Bread of Life in this famine of sin and brokenness. You celebrate in faith -- Jesus' true presence in the bread and wine in this his Holy Sacrament.
But first let us prepare our hearts by beginning worship. Turn to King David's great Psalm of contrition and confession -- Psalm 51, verses 1-13.
Martha Of Bethany's Monologue
Hello.
My name is Martha. I'm the sister of another Mary. She's not here tonight. My brother was Lazarus. Remember us? We lived in Bethany and many times Jesus visited us.
I was in charge of our household and served Jesus when he would drop by for a visit. I'd make him a lunch. Once, I was busy in the kitchen and grew very impatient with my sister Mary, for her doting on Jesus' little homilies. But afterward, Jesus spoke to me and I realized I was too involved with lesser things.
Yet they say I was a true follower of Jesus. When my brother Lazarus died and my sister was practically paralyzed with grief, I got up and went out to meet Jesus as he came down the road to Bethany.
I served Jesus and his disciples many times for dinner and for other needs they had. Later on, Jesus, this very same Jesus whom I served food and drink, would announce to me and to the multitudes that he was the Bread of Life.
Jesus loved all three of us so deeply. He even healed people like Simon the leper right in my home.
Your tradition says I was a follower all right, even though at times I concentrated too much on secondary things. But I did my best, and I believe God our Creator was honored.
I was around when Jesus began to call his women and men, too, to follow him. He gathered twelve special people as his disciples and they joined him at that last Passover Supper.
Mary, The Mother Of Jesus' Monologue
My name is Mary. I am the mother of Jesus. You know me. You know me so well. I'm thankful and grateful and so humbled that God used me as a simple handmaiden to bring salvation to the world.
I raised my son in his childhood and I followed him in his adult life. Many times I was filled with joy and many times I was perplexed.
My Son, Jesus, confused me that time in the temple when he was twelve years old and then later at the wedding at Cana -- at times I felt anxious and worried -- more often though I felt peace and calm from my God.
But the time that hurt so much was when I had to stand at the foot of the cross and see him tortured, dying -- only 33 -- so young -- and I heard him tell John to take care of me. What a son -- what a loss -- I was so sorry -- yet I knew in my heart something was coming.
I remembered the passage in Isaiah 61, when the prophet said, "... he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim liberty to the captives ..." and then when God raised him from the dead I knew my son was the good news.
Watch now with me my sisters and brothers, how he demonstrates the Great Commandment to love one another, by washing his disciple's feet in that Upper Room.
(Jesus washes the disciples' feet; musical background)
(Judas leaves)
Oh look at him go. Judas Iscariot had made evil plans to betray Jesus to the Jews -- he now knows it is time.
After Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he began to speak:
(Pastor speaks the Words Of Institution and leads in the Lord's Prayer)
Lydia And Priscilla's Monologue
Lydia: When everyone had communed at that first Lord's Supper, they knew that they had proclaimed the Lord's death. They knew that this was the first installment of a wonderful banquet that would go on for centuries.
I'm Lydia and this is Priscilla.
Priscilla: Hello everyone. I'm so happy to be here and worship with you -- this is truly a wonderful night. I pray God's blessings upon us all.
Lydia: We celebrated the Lord's Supper in my home, too. My home in Thyatira was the first Christian meeting place years after Jesus ascended.
The Apostle Paul stayed with us for a time. I am known as the woman who sold purple-dyed goods. It was wonderful to have the first Christians meet and worship in my home. I am amazed that we who sat around the table and ate and drank would hear Jesus teach that he was the Bread of Life for us and the world.
Priscilla: I was a leader in the new church, too. I was a tentmaker and teacher with my husband Aquilla. We worked when the church was yet so small in Corinth and Ephesus and Rome, and now the Body of Christ has grown to millions. It has grown because the Holy Spirit has taught its followers love to God and love to one another.
The disciples you see up front are sitting there not because of privilege or status but because they were called to love and to witness. Their stewardship of love and life required the ultimate sacrifice -- all but one would give their life in martyrdom.
Lydia: God calls you tonight, too, to eat and drink the words and Bread of Life and then to say words and do deeds of love. Pray the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to that end.
There it sits.
Golden brown. Unsliced.
Basted with butter.
Glistening and proud.
Hot right from Mother's oven.
Yum, yum. Oh, how we lusted after Mom's freshly baked bread. Her loaves were gorgeous. You could smell the aroma waft it's way down the path.
"Time for supper!"
We sat down -- mumbled a prayer and then dove in like pigs. "Pass the bread!" We sliced it. Heaped mounds of strawberry jam and chokecherry jelly on each slice. Sometimes we smothered Mom's bread in homemade peanut butter. Dad looked on proudly as he munched his slice knowing it was made from wheat grown in his own field in the south forty.
Mother's bread. I can still feel it and taste it and smell it. Better than grocery bread by a long shot. She baked all kinds: Raisin bread, rye bread, wheat bread, oat bread, french bread, banana bread, sour bread, date bread, flat bread, and fruit bread.
You know, tonight I wish Mom was able to bake one more loaf. She wishes she could, too. But now and for tonight the memory and image will do.
Bread is basic to life. Bread is symbolic of all the food we eat. "Give us our daily bread," Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Martin Luther expands the meaning of "bread": "Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors" (Luther's Small Catechism).
In our "Hey Joseph!" Lenten series, Joseph, God's man for the hour, walks out of the Old Testament and into our sanctuary to tell us and to show us how he was used by God to save life. Joseph fed not only his loved ones -- Jacob's family -- but the Egyptians as well, and he ensured the future of the nation Israel. Joseph becomes a type -- a prototype of God's Messiah who would come.
Later in the wilderness, God fed the Israelites with manna. A miraculous gift from heaven.
In John 6, Jesus reveals to his listeners who he is and what his purpose is. "I am the bread of Life" he tells them. Six times in six verses Jesus refers to himself as the bread sent down from heaven. He, like manna, is from God and for the people.
But many take offense at him. They explode in anger! This cannot be! They reject Jesus' words. They reject Jesus himself. They reject nourishment, strength, health, energy, life, and power.
Jesus demonstrates not only in words but in visible tangible form to all who believe in his offering. "This bread is my body. This wine is my blood. Take and eat. Take and drink."
"For in doing so," said the Apostle Paul, "you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again."
Are you hungry? Feeling weak, empty, lonely? Unsure and unsteady?
Look, my brothers and sisters, at the loaf again.
The loaf is large. It is no temporary manna in the wilderness. It is no little, bitty bun. It is so large and so comprehensive that you and I will never ever hunger again. It is a loaf that will satisfy you forever.
"O taste and see," said the psalmist, "see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8a).
Joseph's Monologue
Note: Joseph is in costume. This monologue is memorized. The props of the "Hey Joseph!" series are gone. He may speak from the center of the congregation or to the side of the Lord's Supper backdrop scene when that is used.
Good evening. I am Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, brother to Judah, Zebulun, Gad, Issachar, Reuben, Levi, Simeon, Benjamin, my youngest beloved brother, Asher, Naphatali, and Dan.
These past forty days in your Lenten season you have gathered faithfully to help me relive my story. "Hey Joseph!" you called it. Thanks for a great time and experience together.
Now your focus is not on me, but on Jesus of Nazareth. He is my Savior and yours. They said of me that I and my experiences paralleled many experiences of Jesus, too. I am humbled by the comparison. But he must increase. I must decrease.
´
As I was innocently accused of a crime I didn't commit with Potiphar's wife, so Jesus was accused of blasphemy, consorting with sinners, and a lot of trumped up charges. I lived. Jesus died.
´
I resisted temptation and evil. So did Jesus, God's Son who defeated the devil in the wilderness.
´
I harbored no revenge in my heart against my bandit brothers. Jesus went way beyond that -- he loved and forgave even his tormentors.
´
I was a key player in bringing back shalom and reconciliation to my family. Jesus' entire life, death, and resurrection brought reconciliation to the whole world.
´
I provided bread in a time of famine. Jesus not only provides bread for a hungry world -- Jesus is the Bread of Life. So tonight welcome and worship.
Mary Of Magdala's Monologue
Good evening, I am Mary from Magdala. Four other women from the Bible -- Martha from Bethany, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Lydia, and Priscilla, and I will serve as your hostesses and worship leaders in the celebration of Holy Communion. Before you is the Upper Room and soon Jesus and his twelve disciples will gather there and we will celebrate the holy meal together.
They called me Mary Magdalene since I came from that region in Palestine -- Magdala. It's on the southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee.
I first met Jesus when I really needed help. Seven evil spirits seemed to dominate my life. Jesus touched me and cast the demons out. I remember shouting, "Now I'm free! Thanks be to God."
I followed Jesus in his early Galilean ministry with Joanna, Susanna, and others. I contributed financially to Jesus' venture. It was hard but I followed him to Jerusalem. I was present at the horrible crucifixion. Later I saw the empty tomb and was thrilled to see him alive again! Harlot I am not, as some labeled me. A credible witness of the Savior, I believe I am.
It was in this very Upper Room (motions to the Upper Room scene) prepared for the Passover Feast where the Master repeated the Great Commandment. You remember it. "Love one another even as I have loved you." Jesus then demonstrated that love by washing his disciples' feet and then instituting the Lord's Supper.
As you Christians reflect on how Joseph in the Old Testament was the bread provider in a time of famine, so now meditate on Christ as the Bread of Life in this famine of sin and brokenness. You celebrate in faith -- Jesus' true presence in the bread and wine in this his Holy Sacrament.
But first let us prepare our hearts by beginning worship. Turn to King David's great Psalm of contrition and confession -- Psalm 51, verses 1-13.
Martha Of Bethany's Monologue
Hello.
My name is Martha. I'm the sister of another Mary. She's not here tonight. My brother was Lazarus. Remember us? We lived in Bethany and many times Jesus visited us.
I was in charge of our household and served Jesus when he would drop by for a visit. I'd make him a lunch. Once, I was busy in the kitchen and grew very impatient with my sister Mary, for her doting on Jesus' little homilies. But afterward, Jesus spoke to me and I realized I was too involved with lesser things.
Yet they say I was a true follower of Jesus. When my brother Lazarus died and my sister was practically paralyzed with grief, I got up and went out to meet Jesus as he came down the road to Bethany.
I served Jesus and his disciples many times for dinner and for other needs they had. Later on, Jesus, this very same Jesus whom I served food and drink, would announce to me and to the multitudes that he was the Bread of Life.
Jesus loved all three of us so deeply. He even healed people like Simon the leper right in my home.
Your tradition says I was a follower all right, even though at times I concentrated too much on secondary things. But I did my best, and I believe God our Creator was honored.
I was around when Jesus began to call his women and men, too, to follow him. He gathered twelve special people as his disciples and they joined him at that last Passover Supper.
Mary, The Mother Of Jesus' Monologue
My name is Mary. I am the mother of Jesus. You know me. You know me so well. I'm thankful and grateful and so humbled that God used me as a simple handmaiden to bring salvation to the world.
I raised my son in his childhood and I followed him in his adult life. Many times I was filled with joy and many times I was perplexed.
My Son, Jesus, confused me that time in the temple when he was twelve years old and then later at the wedding at Cana -- at times I felt anxious and worried -- more often though I felt peace and calm from my God.
But the time that hurt so much was when I had to stand at the foot of the cross and see him tortured, dying -- only 33 -- so young -- and I heard him tell John to take care of me. What a son -- what a loss -- I was so sorry -- yet I knew in my heart something was coming.
I remembered the passage in Isaiah 61, when the prophet said, "... he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim liberty to the captives ..." and then when God raised him from the dead I knew my son was the good news.
Watch now with me my sisters and brothers, how he demonstrates the Great Commandment to love one another, by washing his disciple's feet in that Upper Room.
(Jesus washes the disciples' feet; musical background)
(Judas leaves)
Oh look at him go. Judas Iscariot had made evil plans to betray Jesus to the Jews -- he now knows it is time.
After Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he began to speak:
(Pastor speaks the Words Of Institution and leads in the Lord's Prayer)
Lydia And Priscilla's Monologue
Lydia: When everyone had communed at that first Lord's Supper, they knew that they had proclaimed the Lord's death. They knew that this was the first installment of a wonderful banquet that would go on for centuries.
I'm Lydia and this is Priscilla.
Priscilla: Hello everyone. I'm so happy to be here and worship with you -- this is truly a wonderful night. I pray God's blessings upon us all.
Lydia: We celebrated the Lord's Supper in my home, too. My home in Thyatira was the first Christian meeting place years after Jesus ascended.
The Apostle Paul stayed with us for a time. I am known as the woman who sold purple-dyed goods. It was wonderful to have the first Christians meet and worship in my home. I am amazed that we who sat around the table and ate and drank would hear Jesus teach that he was the Bread of Life for us and the world.
Priscilla: I was a leader in the new church, too. I was a tentmaker and teacher with my husband Aquilla. We worked when the church was yet so small in Corinth and Ephesus and Rome, and now the Body of Christ has grown to millions. It has grown because the Holy Spirit has taught its followers love to God and love to one another.
The disciples you see up front are sitting there not because of privilege or status but because they were called to love and to witness. Their stewardship of love and life required the ultimate sacrifice -- all but one would give their life in martyrdom.
Lydia: God calls you tonight, too, to eat and drink the words and Bread of Life and then to say words and do deeds of love. Pray the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to that end.
