Jesus On The Cross
Children's Resources
Spotlight On Jesus
Readers' Theater For Children's Church
Characters
Narrator
Centurion
Soldier
Jesus
Priest
Thief
Mary Magdalene
Note: requires a hammer for Soldier to pound
Questions
1.
How many of Jesus' words spoken from the cross can you remember?
2.
Why do you think the priest mocked Jesus?
3.
Who were some of Jesus' friends nearby as he died on the cross?
4.
Who offered his tomb to bury Jesus?
Narrator: After the soldiers whipped Jesus, they tied the crossbeam to his arms and forced him to carry it to the place of execution. There, he and two other prisoners were placed upon the beams of their crosses, and the soldiers were about to carry out their cruel task.
Centurion: Okay, men, drive those spikes through the prisoners' hands and feet. Then get them fastened to the uprights. Let's get the task over and done with.
Soldier: We'll have it done in less than fifteen minutes, sir. I've got the hammer and nails. Hold this prisoner's arm against the crossbeam so we can get the job done real quick. (pounds hammer two or three times) Okay, now the other arm.
Jesus: (weakly) Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing.
Centurion: What did that prisoner say?
Soldier: I think he was praying that his God would forgive us for what we're doing. (chuckles) Well, thanks, mister. I could use all the prayers I can get.
Narrator: The soldiers went about their task with great speed and efficiency, and without the least sign of regret. They had done this job many times before. In the crowd that gathered nearby were the soldiers, several temple priests, and a few of those close to Jesus, among them Jesus' mother; the disciple, John; and Mary Magdalene. One of the priests moved in close to Jesus.
Priest: (snarls) How do you like the throne we've nailed you to? Are you real comfy up there? (chuckles) You said you would destroy the temple. Well, you may be interested to know that it's still standing and showing no signs of collapsing. You had your little hour when you turned over the merchants' tables and cages, but they're back in business and bringing in record profits. You claimed to be the Son of God, well, prove it by coming down from your cross. Do that and maybe we'll consider your claim to be the Messiah. (chuckles)
Jesus: (weakly) John, my dear friend. Take care of my mother. I know I can count on you.
Thief: Jesus, you seem like a tenderhearted soul. My partner and I are ordinary thieves, rotten murderers. I've done some awful things in my lifetime. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? When you come into your kingdom, please ... please remember me.
Jesus: (weakly) Your faith has saved you. I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Soldier: Officer, may we have your permission to divide up these prisoners' clothes? We thought we might have a little fun tossing the dice.
Centurion: Of course, sergeant. The owners of these rags will have no use for them, though the robe of this Jesus looks pretty good. The one that wins that will be pretty lucky.
Narrator: The hours pass by with terrible slowness. Those who had come to mock the prisoners have grown tired of tormenting the crucified victims and have left. The prisoners have grown silent, their breathing more labored, their lips parched with thirst.
Jesus: (weakly) I'm so thirsty. (a few seconds of struggled breathing then calls out a bit louder, as in pain) My God ... my God ... why have you forsaken me?
Mary Magdalene: Courage, Lord. Oh, that I could share your pain.
Priest: (mockingly) Well, apparently the heat's getting to you, eh, Jesus? The muscle spasms, the thirst, the difficult breathing, the pain, they're too much for our dear Messiah. I should think that if you're as holy as you claim, this God of yours would make you immune to your suffering. But no doubt he has forsaken you. (chuckles)
Mary Magdalene: You're not alone, Jesus. We're here, praying that it'll soon be over.
Jesus: (a little stronger, but hesitantly) My work is finished. Father, into your hands I place my spirit. (exhales loudly)
Soldier: This fellow in the center, he just died, sir.
Centurion: (awestruck) Yes ... amazing ... truly amazing!
Mary Magdalene: John, take Jesus' mother back to the upper room. Joseph of Arimathea is going to bury Jesus in his own tomb. I'll follow and see where they lay him.
Centurion: (awestruck) What a magnificent way to die. Never seen anything like that before. Surely he was more than a mere mortal. He must have been one of the gods.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Centurion
Soldier
Jesus
Priest
Thief
Mary Magdalene
Note: requires a hammer for Soldier to pound
Questions
1.
How many of Jesus' words spoken from the cross can you remember?
2.
Why do you think the priest mocked Jesus?
3.
Who were some of Jesus' friends nearby as he died on the cross?
4.
Who offered his tomb to bury Jesus?
Narrator: After the soldiers whipped Jesus, they tied the crossbeam to his arms and forced him to carry it to the place of execution. There, he and two other prisoners were placed upon the beams of their crosses, and the soldiers were about to carry out their cruel task.
Centurion: Okay, men, drive those spikes through the prisoners' hands and feet. Then get them fastened to the uprights. Let's get the task over and done with.
Soldier: We'll have it done in less than fifteen minutes, sir. I've got the hammer and nails. Hold this prisoner's arm against the crossbeam so we can get the job done real quick. (pounds hammer two or three times) Okay, now the other arm.
Jesus: (weakly) Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing.
Centurion: What did that prisoner say?
Soldier: I think he was praying that his God would forgive us for what we're doing. (chuckles) Well, thanks, mister. I could use all the prayers I can get.
Narrator: The soldiers went about their task with great speed and efficiency, and without the least sign of regret. They had done this job many times before. In the crowd that gathered nearby were the soldiers, several temple priests, and a few of those close to Jesus, among them Jesus' mother; the disciple, John; and Mary Magdalene. One of the priests moved in close to Jesus.
Priest: (snarls) How do you like the throne we've nailed you to? Are you real comfy up there? (chuckles) You said you would destroy the temple. Well, you may be interested to know that it's still standing and showing no signs of collapsing. You had your little hour when you turned over the merchants' tables and cages, but they're back in business and bringing in record profits. You claimed to be the Son of God, well, prove it by coming down from your cross. Do that and maybe we'll consider your claim to be the Messiah. (chuckles)
Jesus: (weakly) John, my dear friend. Take care of my mother. I know I can count on you.
Thief: Jesus, you seem like a tenderhearted soul. My partner and I are ordinary thieves, rotten murderers. I've done some awful things in my lifetime. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? When you come into your kingdom, please ... please remember me.
Jesus: (weakly) Your faith has saved you. I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Soldier: Officer, may we have your permission to divide up these prisoners' clothes? We thought we might have a little fun tossing the dice.
Centurion: Of course, sergeant. The owners of these rags will have no use for them, though the robe of this Jesus looks pretty good. The one that wins that will be pretty lucky.
Narrator: The hours pass by with terrible slowness. Those who had come to mock the prisoners have grown tired of tormenting the crucified victims and have left. The prisoners have grown silent, their breathing more labored, their lips parched with thirst.
Jesus: (weakly) I'm so thirsty. (a few seconds of struggled breathing then calls out a bit louder, as in pain) My God ... my God ... why have you forsaken me?
Mary Magdalene: Courage, Lord. Oh, that I could share your pain.
Priest: (mockingly) Well, apparently the heat's getting to you, eh, Jesus? The muscle spasms, the thirst, the difficult breathing, the pain, they're too much for our dear Messiah. I should think that if you're as holy as you claim, this God of yours would make you immune to your suffering. But no doubt he has forsaken you. (chuckles)
Mary Magdalene: You're not alone, Jesus. We're here, praying that it'll soon be over.
Jesus: (a little stronger, but hesitantly) My work is finished. Father, into your hands I place my spirit. (exhales loudly)
Soldier: This fellow in the center, he just died, sir.
Centurion: (awestruck) Yes ... amazing ... truly amazing!
Mary Magdalene: John, take Jesus' mother back to the upper room. Joseph of Arimathea is going to bury Jesus in his own tomb. I'll follow and see where they lay him.
Centurion: (awestruck) What a magnificent way to die. Never seen anything like that before. Surely he was more than a mere mortal. He must have been one of the gods.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
