This program can be used for Easter or Christmas. It was written for adults or teens and is simple to do, no elaborate costumes (unless you just choose to have them), and can be done with one or two practices only. You see, the parts are a little long, but each person says his part and then takes his seat. The actors can learn their parts and then just need to practice once or twice to make sure they know when to come in. The main theme of the program is "How do you know this man, Jesus?" Each character is answering this question in his own words, sort of like witnesses in a courtroom. (When we did this play, most of the characters sat in the choir and just stepped onto the stage when it was their turn, then returned to their seat in the choir.). A few of the parts are listed below. In all, there are parts for 16 people. If you don't have this many people, it won't hurt to leave out some of them. There are songs suggested, but if you don't know them or don't want singing at all, you can change them or leave them out altogether. Read the excerpts below to get an idea of what I am talking about. If you have any questions, contact me at cataylor@taylormadeministry.com . .

"This Man, Jesus"

written by

Cheryl Taylor

Song - "Old Rugged Cross" played softly on piano while narrator speaks)

Narrator: Welcome to our Easter Program. We would like for you think for a few moments about this Easter holiday that we celebrate. Many just see the traditional aspects of this holiday - coloring eggs, Easter baskets, or buying new clothes for Sunday School. However, as Christians, we view Easter as a day with much more meaning than just another holiday. Springtime is supposed to be a time of new beginnings - flowers begin to bloom, birds build their nests up in the trees, new life seems to be all around us. New life is what we receive when we accept Jesus into our hearts. The true meaning of Easter is Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

(Use the following paragraph if you are using the program as a Christmas program. While the narrator is talking have someone playing Silent Night or Oh, Holy Night on the piano. Also, if desired, you could have smaller children on the side of the stage present a manger scene with Mary, Joseph, a baby doll, shepherds, angels, etc. It would be alright to let them leave the stage after the narrator’s intro, or to remain throughout the whole program.)

Narrator: Welcome to our Christmas Program. God sent His son Jesus to the world so that the world might be saved. God doesn’t always do things the way that we would do them. You see, many believed that He would send us a Savior, but they thought he would come as a great King that would rule the world. God chose to send us the Christ child, a tiny little baby that was born to a virgin many years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. (Optional: children sing Silent Night or another Christmas song at this point. After 1 or 2 verses the narrator will continue. ) Yes, this baby was born in a manger and grew up just like you and me. However he was different than we were because the Bible tells us that he had never sinned. As he got older he began teaching and preaching to the lost.

(The following two paragraphs are used with either the Easter or Christmas program.)

Narrator: Often we read about those that walked and talked with Jesus on a daily basis and we view them as characters in a fictional story; but we know that they were much more than that. They were "real" people just like us. They spent many hours with Christ, and because of their association with him, their lives were changed forever, just as ours are changed when we meet Jesus.

Let us go back to the days of Christ, approximately 2000 years ago, and hear from some people that knew this man called Jesus. Let’s see what they have to say.

Sarah - Have I ever heard of this man called Jesus? I didn't just hear of him, I met him personally. You see, I had been sick for years with a blood disorder. I had been from town to town, from doctor to doctor. I had no more money, no strength, no fight left in me. All I did all day was cry and think about dying. I couldn't go on anymore like this. I had gotten to the point that I had no hope. No hope of being relieved of this dreadful disease - No hope of ever being cured - No hope of ever living a normal life. Then one day I heard of this man Jesus. People were saying that he had cured blinded eyes, made people able to walk again - even raised some from the dead! If he could do all of those things, then surely He would have the power to help me! Then, miraculously, one day I heard that Jesus was nearby, preaching and teaching, to crowds that followed him. If I could just get to Him, I knew that he could heal me. I was so weak that it seemed I would never get close enough to him. He had finished his sermon and was walking away, with hundreds of people following behind. I had to get to him - to touch him. Slowly, I pushed my way though the crowds to try to reach him. Many pushed me back and screamed at me. I was exhausted but I knew I had to keep going. I had come this far and I was not going to turn away now. Finally, as I made it almost to the front of the crowd, I was knocked down. People were pushing and shoving, but I had to reach him. On my hands and knees, I forced my hand through the crowd and was just able to reach the hem of his garment. My hand touched many garments on the way to Jesus, but as my fingers brushed across his clothing immediately I was made whole, healed in an instant! I have never felt like that in my life. Because of this man Jesus, I have never been the same. I touched the hem of his garment. He touched my life.

Lazarus - Jesus... Just saying his name reminds me of the love that he showed to me and my family. My name is Lazarus and these are my sister, Mary and Martha. We lived in the city of Bethany for many years and we knew Jesus very well. He was a very dear friend.

Mary -- Yes, he used to spend many hours at our house when he was in town. We would eat dinner and then he would sit for hours teaching us about the scriptures, or just visiting. My sister used to get very aggravated with me because I would love to sit and listen to him instead of helping her in the kitchen.

Martha - Yes, I must admit, I couldn't understand why it seemed I was always doing all the work, and I let everyone know how I felt. And then one day Jesus told me that Mary was doing the right thing by desiring to learn more about the word of God. I still remember how he smiled at me as he explained this to me. Feeding the soul is definitely more important than feeding the body.

Mary - We got very upset when our brother Lazarus was so ill. You see, we sent word for Jesus to come because our brother Lazarus was dying, but it took him four days to get there. In the meantime, Lazarus died and was put in the family tomb. "If you had gotten here earlier, our brother would be alive now!" we told him. I guess we forgot that Jesus was more than a man - that he truly was the Son of God.

Martha - I'll never forget how he simply went to the tomb and said, "Lazarus Come Forth!" And then our brother came back alive.

Lazarus - He is truly a friend - but more than that, He is our Savior!

Song - "Somebody Touched Me"

Lydia - Yes, I met this man, Jesus. Let me tell you how I met him. I am a woman with a reputation - a past that I am ashamed of. I have had many husbands but all of them were not mine. I hated the way I lived, this lifestyle. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't find a way out. To put it bluntly, I was an adulteress and all the people in my town knew it. There had been rumors about me for years, but no one could ever really prove anything. Until one day in the spring, when I was caught with a married man. Under the law, stoning was the penalty for adultery. The leaders of the town led me away to the outskirts of town where I knew they were going to kill me immediately. I did break the law - but these men were not perfect. I tried not to think about how it would feel to have the stones come crashing against my skull. Finally, the men stopped and talked to a man that I had never seen before. They called him Master. Some called him Jesus. Jesus? Could this be the man I'd heard so much about. What were they asking him about me? As they told him about me being taken in the act of adultery, he didn't answer them. He looked at me with eyes like I've never seen before. He didn't look at me like most of the townspeople did - like I disgusted them, or they hated me. He looked at me with compassion. Finally, he stooped down and began to write on the ground. They kept asking him what should they do to me. He said, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Then he bent down and began to write again. One by one, the men walked away. They left. I had no one to judge or condemn me. Jesus looked lovingly into my eyes and said, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more." I told you before that I had a reputation and a past. Because of this man Jesus, my reputation is in the past.

Pilate - My name is Pontius Pilate, and yes, I remember him well. They brought him, Jesus, to me for me to decide his fate. I questioned him over and over but, you know, he never got mad - he never raised his voice to me. The people waited to see what I was going to do with him. They were upset when I told them that I could find no fault with this man. In fact, they were furious! I knew that since it was the feast of the passover that I had to release one prisoner, so I said "take him", I find no fault with him. But they insisted on me releasing Barrabus - a murderer, a vile and wicked man. "Give us Barrabus" they cried. I couldn't believe it! What should I do with Jesus? I knew he was innocent. This question went over and over in my mind. What should I do with Jesus? "Crucify him! Crucify him! Give us Barrabus!" the people screamed. I believed that the people should have a say-so in these kinds of decisions, so I gave them Barrabus and sentenced Jesus to die. Hey, this is what they wanted. The people had spoken. But I, the great Pilate, was not going to take any blame. I made sure that they knew this was their decision, not mine. I took Jesus to the courtyard and had him scourged - whipped with a cat of nine tails. Now this was just a normal punishment - this is my job - this didn't mean I thought he was guilty. Don't you see? I had to give the people what they wanted, but I let them know that I was not going to have his blood on my hands. No sir, his blood was on their hands - not mine. I had washed my hands of this man. (During the last two sentences get out bowl of water and wash and dry hands.)

Song - "I Find No Fault In Him"

Peter - My name is Simon Peter and I have known this man for a long time. I was one of the first to become his disciple. I have followed him all over the country watching him work many miracles - everything from changing water into wine to walking on water, from raising the lame to walk to raising the dead from the grave. I was there! I didn't just hear about Him, I knew him personally! Probably better than any other man on the earth. I guess you could say I was his right hand man - I was always there when he needed me. Except once. (lowers head - very sad) That one time...Oh, how I wish I could go back in time and change that terrible night. You see, when they captured Jesus I was accused of being a follower and I was terrified. I said, "No. I don't know him." I couldn't believe I was denying Him - this wonderful man who had always been there for me. Not only once, but three times I refused to come to his defense! He had told me that this would happen but I didn't believe him. As soon as I heard the cock crow my heart broke in two. Yes, I denied my Lord and Savior, but He didn't give up on me. He forgave me for my betrayal. As he hung on the cross, I saw no anger - just love. Pure love. As he looked at me from the cross I knew he was saying, This blood is for you..

Joram - My name is Joram and I remember this man Jesus quite well. I am a soldier in the army and I have a reputation for being a fighter - a man of courage and some have even said I must have an evil streak to love my job. You see, I am the one who make the prisoners walk a straight line. Yes, just me and my cat of nine tales. Pilate had just washed his hands of the whole situation about his man Jesus and they brought him to me. I got right up in his face and cursed him loudly, trying to provoke him, but he said nothing. He was strange, alright. I grabbed him by the throat and felt my fingers tighten around his neck. Still, he spoke not a word. The younger soldiers were watching so I was very embarrassed that I couldn't bring out the fight in him! I pushed him around a little more and finally tied both of his hands to the whipping pole. I positioned his hands up over his head and ripped the robe from his body. His bare back was right where I wanted it. His skin was so smooth - without spot or blemish. Now I would show him who was in charge. As I brought the whip back with my right arm I had the oddest feeling inside. Something told me this was no ordinary man, and as the whip tore into his flesh for the first time, I knew this man was different. His body flinched with extreme pain, but strangely, he never uttered a word. I wasn't use to this. I like to hear my prisoners yell - it lets me know I am doing a good job. The next time I let the whip go just a little bit harder. His skin tore open like a sheet being slit with a sharp razor. The blood was streaming down his back, all the way to the ground. By the time I finished with him, he was no longer standing, but hanging by his bound hands to the pole. Thirty nine times that whip, the broken pieces of bone and glass tied to the cords, slashed his perfect skin. By this time his back looked like raw meat. I untied him, picked him up and turned him around to face me. Now he would probably give me the fight I wanted - He should have spit in my face. But He didn't. He looked at me like no one had ever looked at me before. I usually see hate, but not from this man they called Jesus. He looked at me as if to say "I forgive you." His blood... I left this man with deep bloody stripes on his back, and he left me with a changed heart.

Simon - I had heard of this man, Jesus, and all of his miracles, but I had never seen him until that dreadful day. I had come into the city with my family to offer a sacrifice when I heard the commotion around the judgment hall. People were screaming, and a crowd was forming in the street. I pushed my way to the street to see what was going on. Thats when I saw him, this man, Jesus. He had a crown of thorns on his head, the blood streaming down his bruised face. A purple robe had been placed around his body, but when he walked moved you could see the blood and the stripes on his back. It was horrible. He was stumbling, trying to keep the heavy cross on his shoulders. I felt really sorry for him. Before I knew it a soldier grabbed my arm and pulled me into the street. "You" he screamed, "carry this cross for him." I was afraid to protest, and besides, he needed help. Gently, I lifted the heavy cross from him- trying not to cause him anymore pain. A few drops of blood fell upon my feet. He looked at me as if to say, This blood is for you. "Thank you," he whispered, while I bore the cross for this man, Jesus. As I carried the cross up Calvary's hill, I thought I was doing something for him - but when I saw him hanging there, I knew he had done something for me.

Song - "Via Dolorosa" - During this song Jesus enters carrying cross. He kneels on stage until the end of the song, at which time the curtain closes. At this time the cross is set up on stage and the spotlight is aimed at Jesus on the cross. Blood is also placed on hands, feet, and side.

End of Excerpt - This Man, Jesus

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