"What Think Ye Of Christ?"
Cast - Part 1
Man Narrator
Woman Narrator
Mary
Joseph
Gabriel
Angels
Shepherds
Wise Men
Herod
Part 1
(Part 1 of the play begins with the Christmas Nativity (which could be played by children or youth). Part 2 begins with John the Baptist and goes through to the resurrection of Christ, posing the question, "What think ye of Christ?" Narration has been written as parts for a man and woman, but can be read as desired.)
(Play begins with Mary and Angel on stage.)
Man Narrator: (reading in Luke 1:26)
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said…”
Gabriel:
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Woman Narrator:
“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her…”
Gabriel:
“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Mary:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)
Song: Mary, Did You Know?
(Mary and Gabriel walk offstage during the song. As the song ends, and Narrator starts reading, Mary and Joseph walk onstage, into the Nativity area.)
Man Narrator: (reading in Luke 2:1)
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
Woman Narrator:
“And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
(Mary picks up a baby doll and holds it.)
Song: Away In A Manger
Man Narrator:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them…”
(Shepherds and angels appear at side front.)
Angel:
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Woman Narrator:
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying…”
Angels:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
(Angels go to manger area.)
Man Narrator:
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another…”
Shepherd:
“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
(Shepherds go to manger area.)
Woman Narrator:
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
Song: Silent Night (sung by angels and shepherds)
Man Narrator:
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."
Woman Narrator:
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Song: Go Tell It On The Mountain (sung by Shepherds) or What Child Is This?
(Shepherds go offstage.)
Song: We Three Kings (sung by Wise Men or played as Wise Men enter)
Man Narrator: (reading in Matthew 2:1)
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying…”
(Wise men come near stage and meet Herod.)
Wise man:
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Herod:
“Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”
(Herod exits. Wise Men go onstage, kneeling down to Jesus and presenting their gifts.)
Woman Narrator: (reading in Matthew 2:9)
“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."
Song: O Holy Night
Man Narrator:
That is the Christmas story. Tonight we ask you the question, "What do you think of Jesus?" Mary believed the angel and said, "...be it unto me according to thy word” and pondered all those things in her heart. The shepherds believed and "returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen" While the wise men traveled a great distance to find and worship the Christ Child, King Herod was troubled and planned to kill the promised Messiah.
Part 2
(The nativity cast leaves the stage and narration continues. The speakers between the segments of narration step up to center stage in full costume and tell their stories with great feeling as they look back on their thoughts of Christ.)
Woman Narrator:
In Luke 2:40 we read, "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Let's go forward about thirty years and see what John the Baptist thought of Jesus.
John The Baptist - "Repent" (Scriptures used Matthew 3:2, 11 and John 1:20-29)
"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire...
I am not the Christ. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;...
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Man Narrator: (reading from Matthew 16:13-17)
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
Woman Narrator:
The woman at the well thirsted for the living water and said to Jesus, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
She left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:25-29)
Man Narrator:
When Jesus walked among men He asked the Pharisees, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" and they replied, "The son of David." (Matthew 22:41) Just a short time later, the high priest asked the scribes and elders who had gathered with false accusations against Him, "What think ye?" and they answered and said, "He is guilty of death."
Woman Narrator:
Jesus was more than a prophet. Yes, He is the promised son of David, that will rule and reign forever. Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, the only begotten Son of God. As you think on this question in your heart, let us hear how these witnesses of the first Easter so long ago might answer the question, "What think ye of Christ?"
Man Narrator: (Announcing next speaker...)
Pilate - Condemned.
Pilate - "Condemned" (Scriptures used, Matthew 27:12-23, Mark 15:1-26, Luke 23:3-25, John 18:28-19:19) (Spoken as a man looking back, haunted by the memory, wringing his hands from time to time. Bold type to be spoken with emphasis. Answers from crowd can be spoken in remembrance by Pilate or by voices offstage.)
Condemned. It is a sad state of man to be condemned. It was for envy they had delivered Him. The chief priests and scribes bound Him, under the cover of night, Jesus, the King of the Jews. He was like no other man. He stood in silence.
"Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?"
I marveled, that He answered not a word to their raging accusations.
"I find no fault in this man"
At the feast of the passover it was my custom to release one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. I knew that for envy the chief priests had delivered Him and I sought to release Him.
"Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?"
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people, that I should rather release Barabbas, a murderer and a thief, unto them.
"What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?"
"Let Him be crucified." (Spoken by Pilate in remembrance or voices offstage.)
"Why, what evil hath he done?"
And they cried out the more exceedingly, "Crucify Him." "Crucify Him." (Spoken by Pilate in remembrance or voices offstage.)
"Take ye him, and crucify Him: for I find no fault in Him."
The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God." (By Pilate in remembrance or offstage.)
I was then more afraid. Determined to let Him go, I went back into the judgment hall to ask this man Jesus, "Whence art thou?" But He gave me no answer. A tumult was about to be made and I chose to appease the people. I washed my hands before the multitude.
"I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it."
The Jews cried out, "His blood be on us, and on our children." (By Pilate in remembrance or offstage.)
The blood stained cross is a constant reminder of that dark day. Jesus was not the only one on trial that day. I was on trial before God, and I condemned His Son, thus condemning myself. All the water in the world could never wash away His blood from my hands. I am condemned.
Woman Narrator: (Announcing next speaker...)
Barabbas - He Took My Place.
Barabbas - "He Took My Place" (Bold type crowd noise spoken with emphasis by Barabbas or voices offstage.)
Murder, robbery, guilty as I was, fear gripped my heart and soul. From the inner prison cell I could hear the mob somewhere forming. It was common for the multitude to gather in Jerusalem during the Passover, but there seemed to be anger in the voices I heard. I strained my ears to hear.
"Barabbas." Did I hear my name? I listened. The cries grew louder. "Barabbas. Barabbas."
The cries stopped and I could hear my heart beating in my chest. Then, suddenly the multitude began with shouts of anger, "Crucify him. Crucify him." I knew I was guilty but I did not want to die the cruel death on the cross. Still the shouts rang in my ears, "Crucify him, crucify him."
Then I heard the marching of the Roman soldiers coming to take me away. Louder and louder, until I saw the light shining under the door. My heart melted in fear as the door opened. I was led toward the relentless mob. The soldiers took me past the judgment hall where He took my place. I was set free. He bore my sins. He died on my cross. He took my place.
Song: "He Took My Place"
Man Narrator: (Announcing next speaker...)
Simon of Cyrene - Whose Cross Did He Bear?
Simon of Cyrene - "Whose Cross Did He Bear?" (Scriptures used Isaiah 51:14, 53:3-7, Matthew 27:32)
Jerusalem is always crowded with people during the feast, but multitudes were leaving the streets of the city and gathering on the hillside. It was hard to distinguish the harsh yelling of anger from the bitter sobs of grief. Then a strange hush fell over the mob and I moved toward the hill. I had to see with my own eyes what was taking place. I went closer until I could see the Roman soldiers laughing Him to scorn as He fell under the heavy load of the cross. He had been beaten beyond measure, "His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:" I stood in awe as the Roman soldier thrust His cross upon my back. What sin could be so great as to be so "despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:"? "We hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." I slowly made my way to the top of the hill. Whose load was this I carried? I watched as they nailed Him to the cross and He opened not His mouth. His accusation was written, "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS."
As He died on the cross darkness covered the land. In the end He cried with a loud voice, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:" and He gave up the ghost. The Roman centurion saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, and said, "Truly this man was the Son of God." It truly was my load He carried, and my sins He bore.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Song: "I Should Have Been Crucified"
Woman Narrator: (Announcing next speaker...)
Mary Magdalene - An Empty Tomb.
Mary Magdalene - "An Empty Tomb" (Scriptures taken from Matthew 27:55-61, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 23:50-56, 24:1-10, John 20:11-16)
I watched from afar as He gave up His life on the cross. Mary and I followed as Joseph of Arimathaea took His body and laid it in his own new tomb. We watched as he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre. We would have to prepare the spices and ointments to bring back later according to the law of the sabbath.
When the sabbath day was past, very early in the morning, we carried spices to the tomb that we might anoint Him. On the way we wondered who would roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, but when we looked we saw that the stone was rolled away. I looked in the tomb and when I saw that it was empty I stood weeping and someone I thought was the gardner asked, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" I said, "Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." And He said to me, "Mary." And I knew that it was my Lord and my Savior. He had risen just as He said. He lives!
Song: "His Tomb Is Empty Now"
Woman Narrator:
Mary went and told the disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus later appeared to the disciples in the upper room and after being filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, they went about preaching the gospel message to all who would hear.
Man Narrator: (Scriptures used Acts 26:20-28)
Paul met Jesus on the Damascus Road and also preached the gospel in "Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." We read in the book of Acts how he pleaded with King Agrippa.
Paul: (The voice of Paul may be read by the Narrator or spoken through a microphone off stage.)
"For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Man Narrator: (continues...)
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."
Woman Narrator:
Almost persuaded. Is that where you stand? Tonight we began with the Christmas story and ended with an empty tomb. We asked the question, "What think ye of Christ?" Do you know Him only as the Babe in the manger, or as the Son of God, who died on the cruel cross to give His life for you? Do you believe that He rose again on the third day? Have you accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior? Or, are you like King Agrippa, almost persuaded?
Song: "Almost Persuaded"
