A Palm Sunday Drama

The drama below is a production of the temple scene as it may have been during the Triumphal Entry. It may be used at the beginning of the Palm Sunday service. This service involves the children and gives them a greater sense of the meaning of Palm Sunday. The drama requires two money changers, the crowd (congregation), a lame person, a chief priest, a blind person, rabbi, Pharisee, children's nanny, narrator, Jesus, and temple children.

Characters Money Changer 1 Money Changer 2 Rabbi Narrator Crowd Chief Priest Pharisee Jesus Lame Person Blind Person Children's Nanny Temple Children Script and Stage Notes Money Changer 1: Get your Gentile money exchanged here! Good prices for your pagan currency! (Repeatedly) The two Money Changers are in position as the scene opens. The Rabbi is also in position and is "davening" (reading the prayer). Money Changer 2: One shekel in exchange for 50 Roman denarii! Let me help with your temple gift! (Repeatedly) The Money Changers begin hawking their wares, addressing the congregation. Narrator: The crowds went ahead of him, and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Crowd: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel! (Note: The congregation will serve as the crowd.) Narrator: When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The Chief Priest and the Pharisee enter and take position near the Rabbi. The Rabbi begins offering doves for sale. Jesus appears at the back of the sanctuary. Crowd: This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest! Rabbi: See, this is getting us nowhere. Pharisee: Look how the whole world has gone after him! Jesus comes down the aisle speaking Jesus: If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. Money Changers go into action again. Money Changer 1: Get your Gentile money exchanged here! Good prices for your pagan currency! (Repeatedly) Money Changer 2: One shekel in exchange for 50 Roman denarii! Let me help you with your temple gift! (Repeatedly) Narrator: Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. Jesus overturns the money changers' table and confiscates the doves. Jesus: It is written, "My house will be a house of prayer"; but you have made it "a den of robbers." Said toward the Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi. They withdraw toward stage right. Narrator: Then the blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. Blind Person and Lame Person get up from their place in the crowd and start toward Jesus. They help each other. Jesus meets them. Narrator: The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way. Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi shun them and mutter together. Jesus: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Narrator: Yet they could not find any way to do it, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. Blind Person: I can see! Wow, I can see! Jesus heals the Blind Person. (Action involves touching and supporting as actor sees fit.) Lame Person: I can walk! I'm healed! Jesus heals the Lame Person. They fall on their knees before Jesus in gratitude. Children: Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna! Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna! Children enter from all aisles waving palm branches, gather around Jesus, (repeatedly) lay the palms around him, and sit around his feet. Jesus interacts with the Children—holds one in his arms, etc. Narrator: When the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and heard the children shouting in the temple area, they were indignant. The Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi approach Jesus. Rabbi: Do you hear what these children are saying? The Children cringe, back away, or cling to Jesus. Pharisee: Listen to them! How awful! Chief Priest: Do you hear what they call you? That is blasphemy! Jesus: And have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?" Father, glorify your name! The Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi turn away in anger. Narrator: Then a voice came from heaven—"I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Children look up. Jesus: This voice is for your benefit, not mine. I tell you the truth, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you can say to this mountain, "Go, throw your- self into the sea," and it will be done. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow men; and where, I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now is the time, for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Jesus points at the Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi. They turn and sneer. Children gather upstage—toward choir pews (or area from which they can sing). Money Changer #1 starts to move toward Jesus. #2 watches him. #1 turns to #2 to pull him along. Money Changer #2 goes part way, then throws #1 hand off and stomps over to the Chief Priest, Pharisee and Rabbi. #2 points to Jesus. They shake their heads and mutter among themselves. Money Changer #1 sits at Jesus' right side. Narrator: The crowd spoke up, Crowd: We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up"? Who is this "Son of Man"? Jesus: You are going to have the light a little while longer before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Walk while you have the light, that you may become sons of light. Jesus reaches down and extends hand to Money Changer #1, who then stands as Jesus turns to the crowd. The Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi get more angry. As Jesus is speaking, he turns to the Crowd and begins to exit down the center aisle. Money Changer #1 follows him. Narrator: Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. The Chief Priest, Pharisee, and Rabbi come center stage. Rabbi: See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him! Pharisee: If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him. Pharisee and Rabbi begin to exit. Chief Priest: It is better that one die for the people than that the whole nation perish. Pharisee and Rabbi stop to listen, then continue to exit. Chief Priest exits. Children sing "The King of Glory Comes." They move into final position to sing and proceed with their song. General Notes "¢ Plan to use costumes—especially robes, prayer shawls, head pieces and yahmulkahs or kipots. (Kipots can be obtained by contacting a local synagogue.) "¢ The presence of the children's nanny is both authentic (Gentile women were used to bring children to the outer courts of the temple) and practical for the presentation (the very small children need an older teenager or adult to guide them). "¢ For money, consider using gold foil-wrapped chocolate candy, which can be distributed to the children after the worship service. "¢ The lines for the congregation (crowd) can be printed in the bulletin or projected on an overhead. Have the narrator give cues to the crowd. "¢ During church school in the preceding weeks, inform the children of the plan, the story, and their role in the drama. Practicing their processional with the nanny and the person who takes the part of Jesus will only heighten their anticipation and understanding. They should know the "Hosanna" lines and the Israeli song "The King of Glory Comes" (Psalter Hymnal 370), preferably performed with rhythm instruments and descant. Perhaps the adults could sing some of the stanzas with the children. "¢ The action should not be rushed. Give time for the movement to occur and for people to absorb the symbolism. "¢ The scene takes about 10–12 minutes. It can serve as the opening of the worship service on Palm Sunday. "¢ Scripture references in the following order are found in the script: Matthew 21:9; John 12:13; Matthew 21:10–11; Luke 19:38; Mark 11:10; John 12:19; Luke 19:42; 19:45; Mark 11:16; Luke 19:46; Matthew 21:14; Mark 11:18; John 12:23; Luke 19:48; Mark 11:18; Matthew 21:15–16; John 12:28; 12:30; Matthew 21:21; John 12:24–26; 12:31–32; 12:34–37; 12:19; 11:48; 11:50.