The Service of
Shadows-The Tenebrae service of light to darkness 2017
A dramatic reading
based on a harmony of the Gospels.
Readers:
Narrator, Jesus,
Disciples, Pharisee, Judas, Chief Priests, Peter, Pilate, Crowd
Opening:
It was the week we now call Holy Week. It was the week that Jesus, who had
turned his face toward Jerusalem, entered the city. It was the week of the
Passover feast and the city was swollen with people. The faithful followers of
God had come to worship. Jesus, also faithful to God, entered with his
disciples. We too enter with him into this fateful week as witnesses. Who will
we be? How will we see Jesus? What will we say? Why will we still follow? Or
will we walk away? “Stay with me…watch with me…will you too abandon me?”
Narrator:
1.
Sunday Jesus Enters
Jerusalem
Narrator: When they were approaching Jerusalem at Bethphage and
Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said…
Jesus: Go into the
village ahead of you there you will find a colt. Untie it and bring it. If
anyone asks why you are doing this; tell them, ‘the Lord needs it and will send
it back here immediately.’”
Narrator: The disciples did just as Jesus had asked and it came to
pass just as Jesus had said. They brought the colt to Jesus and he sat on it.
As the entered Jerusalem, many people spread their cloaks along the road. They
cut down leafy branches and were shouting Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming of our kingdom David. Hosanna in
the highest heaven! Jesus entered the city and straight way went to the Temple.
As it was late he went with his disciples to Bethany. And so ended the first
day.
Narrator: Now Jesus wandered to the city the next day and came to
the Temple. He began driving out those who were selling and those who were
buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the
seats of those who sold doves and he would not allow anyone to carry anything
into the temple.
Jesus: Have you not
heard. DO you not know. Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of
prayer for all the nations?’ But, you have made it a den of robbers.”
Narrator: Now the chief priests and the scribes heard about what
happened at the temple. They had been looking for a way to kill Jesus because
they were afraid of him. They were angry at his teachings. They were frustrated
with his followers. Jesus was a nuisance and he had to go.
Hymn
Ah Holy Jesus, How have you offended. v.1,2
#93
Narrator: A new day dawned and Jesus and his disciples again
traveled around and through the city. Along the way, Jesus was questioned about
his authority to teach and speak the things he does. He spoke in parables about
vineyards and taxes. Each time the authorities listened to Jesus speak they
wanted to arrest him. They didn’t because they were afraid of the crowds. Jesus
came to the Temple and began teaching. He sat down opposite the treasury and
watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many people came putting
money into the treasury. The rich put in large sums of money. A poor woman came
and put in two copper coins. Jesus called his disciples over to tell them…
Jesus: Truly, I tell you
this poor widow has put in more than all those other people have done. All of
those have given out their abundance; but she has given out of her poverty
using all she had to live on. Let us go now.
Disciples: Look at these large stones of the temple!
Jesus: Not one of these
will be left upon another. All will be thrown down.
Disciples: When will this be Lord?
Jesus: Beware no one
leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am He.’ Nation will
rise up against nation and kingdom and kingdom. This is but the beginning of
the birthpangs. As for yourselves, beware. They will hand you over to the
councils and you will be beaten in the synagogues. The good news must first be
proclaimed to the nations. When they bring you to trial, do not worry. Say
whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you to speak, but the Holy
Spirit…Be alert. I have told you everything.
Hymn
Go to Dark Gethsemane v. 1,2 #97
4.
Wednesday Judas Decides to Betray Jesus
Narrator: This day was the day that the fate of Jesus was set in
motion. It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened
Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus
and kill him.
Pharisee: Not during the
festival. There is a crowd here and they might riot if we act now.
Narrator: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief
priests in order to betray Jesus. Judas chose to betray the best friend he ever
had. He made the decision that Jesus was no longer the one he expected him to
be.
Judas: Jesus has failed
me. Jesus is useless. Jesus is never going to be king. Jesus will never
overthrow the government. Jesus is letting money go to waste by letting a woman
pour expensive oil all over him. Jesus is not doing his job. Jesus is betraying
his promise to the people. It is time for him to go!
Narrator: He was turning his back on the son of man and no one
could change his mind. He had no idea that his plan would lead to the cross. He
just wanted him out of the way. It was time for another to fight for the
kingdom.
Chief Priest: Judas you
are such a fine man to come to us today. You will be greatly rewarded for your
efforts. We are quite pleased you have made the right decision to bring Jesus
to us and turn him over to the rules of the Law.
Narrator: From that moment forwarded Judas began to look for a way
to betray Jesus.
5.
Thursday
Jesus has
his Last Meal with the Disciples
Narrator: This was the first day of Unleavened Bread; the day when
the Passover lamb was slaughtered.
Disciples: Where do you
want us to go to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Narrator:
Jesus gave them instructions to follow as they entered the city. The disciples
set out and found everything the way Jesus had told them; and they prepared the
Passover meal. In the evening they all gathered. Jesus got up from the table,
took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. He poured water into
a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel
around his waist. He came to Simon
Peter, who said to him,
Peter: “Lord, are you
going to wash my feet?”
Jesus: “You do not realize now what I am doing,
but later you will understand.”
Peter: No! You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus: “Unless
I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Peter: Lord, then, not
just my feet but my hands and my head as well!
Jesus: Those
who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.
And you are clean, though not every one of you.
Narrator: Jesus knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was
clean. When the disciples heard Jesus say one of them would betray him. Jesus
said it would be the one who he gives bread to after he has dipped it. They
began to be distressed.
Disciples: Surely it isn’t I?
Judas: Surely, not I,
Rabbi?
Jesus: You have said so.
Anthem Adult
Choir Face the Cross Scott & Ruth Elaine Schram
Narrator: After the
meal was finished they went out to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus prayed
while the others were not far off.
Jesus: My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.
Stay here and watch with me.
Narrator: Three times
when he came back he found his disciples asleep.
Jesus: Are you still sleeping? Look the hour is and the son of
man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my
betrayer.
Judas: The one I kiss
is the man; arrest him.
Narrator: A crowd had
come carrying swords and clubs. With Judas were the chief priests, the scribes,
and the elders of the temple. The men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and
arrested him. The disciples deserted him and fled.
~~
While Jesus
was being questioned, and accused of blasphemy at the home of the High Priest,
Peter was in the courtyard not far off. Three times he was recognized. First by
a servant woman and then by two of the bystanders. “Surely you are one of them,”
they said. Each time Peter denied he was with Jesus. And on the third time he
began to curse and he swore an oath. At that moment, the cock crowed for the
second time and Peter remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the cock crows
twice you will deny me three times.” And, he broke down and wept.
Narrator: On Friday Jesus was brought before Pilate,
the governor, by the entire council. The council accused Jesus in front of the
governor saying,
Chief Priests: This
fellow has been leading our people to ruin by telling them not to pay their
taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is our Messiah-their king.
Pilate: are you the
King, the Messiah?
Jesus: It is as you say.
Pilate: This is not a
crime.
Chief Priests: He is
causing riots against the government everywhere he goes.
Narrator: It
was the custom of the governor at this time of the Festival to release a
prisoner of the choice of the crowd.
Pilate: I ask
you people who would you want released, Jesus or Barabbas?
Crowd: Barabbas
Pilate: What
should I do with Jesus?
Crowd: Crucify him!
Pilate: Why,
what crime has he commited.
Crowd: Crucify him! Crucify him!
Narrator: The
soldiers took Jesus and mocked him. They dressed him in a purple robe. They
spat on him. They gave him a scepter and yelled at him and spat on him. They
struck him and whipped him. They placed a crown of thorns on his head. Then
they led him out to the place of the skull; also known as Golgotha. Jesus
stumbled and fell along the path as he carried his cross.
They nailed Jesus to the cross and lifted him up.
Alongside him were two prisoners, one on his right and one on his left. Darkness
covered the land. The curtain of the temple tore in two from top to bottom. The
earth shook and the rocks split. Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama,
sabachthani?” which means, My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Jesus cried
out again in a loud voice, “It is finished.” and he breathed his last.
Return to Light
Return to light
L: The true light
that enlightens everyone came into the world through Christ
P: Though the
world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
L: In him was life,
and his life was the light of all.
P: The light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
*Closing Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling v. 1,2,4 #376
*All: Truly he was the Son of God
Leave quietly…
The sanctuary is
stripped bare
No comments:
Post a Comment