Jesus On The Road To Emmaus
Children's Resources
Spotlight On Jesus
Readers' Theater For Children's Church
Characters
Narrator
Jesus
Cleopas
Cleopas' Friend
Questions
1.
Why were the two friends so discouraged and depressed?
2.
How did Jesus comfort them?
3.
What was Jesus doing when they recognized him?
4.
When they recognized Jesus was alive, what did they do?
Narrator: It was Easter afternoon, and two people were a picture of despair as they walked along a road leading out of Jerusalem. Their heads were bowed down in grief; their shoulders slumped in despair, and their feet dragged along in the dust as though all life had been drained from their bodies. As they made their weary way along, a third person joined them. After a long moment of silence, the stranger spoke.
Jesus: You two seem terribly discouraged. Is there any way I can help?
Cleopas: I suppose it is quite obvious that we're depressed, but if you had gone through what we experienced in the past three days, you, too, would be like us, absolutely crushed, without the least shred of hope.
Cleopas' Friend: Can you imagine what it's like to have your whole world wiped out in less than seven days? We had been followers of that great prophet from Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth. He made God so real.
Cleopas: You could feel the power of God working through him. We've actually seen him heal people who were paralyzed, people who were deaf, people possessed of demons.
Cleopas' Friend: When he preached, you could sense that he was speaking words given by God.
Cleopas: When he talked about heaven, it became as real as the house you live in.
Cleopas' Friend: He rode into Jerusalem exactly a week ago today. We were certain the time had come for God's kingdom to be established. The crowds cheered and shouted and waved palm branches and spread their garments in his path. People were ready to follow Jesus, to sacrifice for his cause, yes, even to die for him, if necessary. He was a second Judas Maccabees, the mighty conqueror come for his coronation.
Cleopas: When Jesus cleaned out the temple, single-handedly driving out those crooked money changers and merchants, the people were even more enthusiastic. Nothing could stop our leader. He was about to be made king of Israel.
Cleopas' Friend: Then Thursday night, when he was alone with just a few of his friends, he was arrested, tried by our own leaders, and handed over to the Romans for crucifixion. By Friday night, Jesus was buried and all our hopes and dreams were buried with him.
Cleopas: And we had been so certain that he was the Messiah, the one who would deliver our people from the Romans.
Cleopas' Friend: To cap it off, someone came and stole Jesus' body last night. Now there's some ridiculous, wild rumor that Jesus was seen alive by some hysterical, hallucinating women who refuse to give up their dreams.
Jesus: Oh, dear friends, don't you remember the scriptures that say the Messiah will be despised and rejected; that because of our sins the Messiah will be wounded; that the Lord made the punishment we deserve fall on him? His death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness. He willingly gave his life in the place of sinners. Clearly, the scriptures predict the suffering and death of the Messiah.
Cleopas: I didn't think of those scriptures. Then Jesus' death was actually a part of God's plan.
Jesus: And his returning alive is also a glorious part of God's plan.
Cleopas' Friend: We've arrived at our home. Come in and eat with us. Please spend the night at our home.
Narrator: Jesus enters their home and soon a simple meal is prepared. Jesus takes the bread and gives thanks.
Jesus: Loving Father, we praise you for this good food that you have provided. We thank you that you are never defeated but that your plan for life will always come true. We offer ourselves to you with gratitude and rejoicing. Amen.
Cleopas' Friend: (inspired) Such a beautiful prayer. (amazedly) And look, Cleopas, his hands ... they've been pierced with nails and his feet as well. Can it be?
Cleopas: (sighs) Lord, forgive us. We've been walking with you for two hours and didn't recognize it was you.
Cleopas' Friend: (gasps) Cleopas, he's gone! ... disappeared! But he really was here! Wasn't it wonderful? Our hearts were burning with joy as we walked along that road and he explained the words of scripture.
Cleopas: We've got to return to Jerusalem and tell the disciples that we've seen the Lord.
Cleopas' Friend: But it's six miles and it's pitch black out there. There may be robbers along the way.
Cleopas: Who cares? Only one thing matters. Jesus is alive! He really is alive! The disciples must be told. Indeed, the world must hear the good news! Jesus lives!
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Jesus
Cleopas
Cleopas' Friend
Questions
1.
Why were the two friends so discouraged and depressed?
2.
How did Jesus comfort them?
3.
What was Jesus doing when they recognized him?
4.
When they recognized Jesus was alive, what did they do?
Narrator: It was Easter afternoon, and two people were a picture of despair as they walked along a road leading out of Jerusalem. Their heads were bowed down in grief; their shoulders slumped in despair, and their feet dragged along in the dust as though all life had been drained from their bodies. As they made their weary way along, a third person joined them. After a long moment of silence, the stranger spoke.
Jesus: You two seem terribly discouraged. Is there any way I can help?
Cleopas: I suppose it is quite obvious that we're depressed, but if you had gone through what we experienced in the past three days, you, too, would be like us, absolutely crushed, without the least shred of hope.
Cleopas' Friend: Can you imagine what it's like to have your whole world wiped out in less than seven days? We had been followers of that great prophet from Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth. He made God so real.
Cleopas: You could feel the power of God working through him. We've actually seen him heal people who were paralyzed, people who were deaf, people possessed of demons.
Cleopas' Friend: When he preached, you could sense that he was speaking words given by God.
Cleopas: When he talked about heaven, it became as real as the house you live in.
Cleopas' Friend: He rode into Jerusalem exactly a week ago today. We were certain the time had come for God's kingdom to be established. The crowds cheered and shouted and waved palm branches and spread their garments in his path. People were ready to follow Jesus, to sacrifice for his cause, yes, even to die for him, if necessary. He was a second Judas Maccabees, the mighty conqueror come for his coronation.
Cleopas: When Jesus cleaned out the temple, single-handedly driving out those crooked money changers and merchants, the people were even more enthusiastic. Nothing could stop our leader. He was about to be made king of Israel.
Cleopas' Friend: Then Thursday night, when he was alone with just a few of his friends, he was arrested, tried by our own leaders, and handed over to the Romans for crucifixion. By Friday night, Jesus was buried and all our hopes and dreams were buried with him.
Cleopas: And we had been so certain that he was the Messiah, the one who would deliver our people from the Romans.
Cleopas' Friend: To cap it off, someone came and stole Jesus' body last night. Now there's some ridiculous, wild rumor that Jesus was seen alive by some hysterical, hallucinating women who refuse to give up their dreams.
Jesus: Oh, dear friends, don't you remember the scriptures that say the Messiah will be despised and rejected; that because of our sins the Messiah will be wounded; that the Lord made the punishment we deserve fall on him? His death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness. He willingly gave his life in the place of sinners. Clearly, the scriptures predict the suffering and death of the Messiah.
Cleopas: I didn't think of those scriptures. Then Jesus' death was actually a part of God's plan.
Jesus: And his returning alive is also a glorious part of God's plan.
Cleopas' Friend: We've arrived at our home. Come in and eat with us. Please spend the night at our home.
Narrator: Jesus enters their home and soon a simple meal is prepared. Jesus takes the bread and gives thanks.
Jesus: Loving Father, we praise you for this good food that you have provided. We thank you that you are never defeated but that your plan for life will always come true. We offer ourselves to you with gratitude and rejoicing. Amen.
Cleopas' Friend: (inspired) Such a beautiful prayer. (amazedly) And look, Cleopas, his hands ... they've been pierced with nails and his feet as well. Can it be?
Cleopas: (sighs) Lord, forgive us. We've been walking with you for two hours and didn't recognize it was you.
Cleopas' Friend: (gasps) Cleopas, he's gone! ... disappeared! But he really was here! Wasn't it wonderful? Our hearts were burning with joy as we walked along that road and he explained the words of scripture.
Cleopas: We've got to return to Jerusalem and tell the disciples that we've seen the Lord.
Cleopas' Friend: But it's six miles and it's pitch black out there. There may be robbers along the way.
Cleopas: Who cares? Only one thing matters. Jesus is alive! He really is alive! The disciples must be told. Indeed, the world must hear the good news! Jesus lives!
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
