THE TOUCH OF LAMB
Chief Editor/Writer: Brian Grawburg
Contributors: J. Paul LoRusso, Brian Bowman, Doug Allen, Karen Aldrich, Tanya Craft, Craig Castleberry, and Raleigh Road Baptist Church
Notes: This is a major work and has been done as an Easter pageant for the last several years with many revisions, additions, subtractions, and song changes. These songs have changed every year and many will work within this pageant. The narrator for this script is the Apostle Paul in biblical costume. All singers and actors in this work are costumed along with make-up and props. A major set is produced with lighting and sound. An orchestra accompanies on all music. Not many major works like this are available to the public for free. However, we want to continue to equip our extended church family all around the world. Most will not use this as it is. But, please feel free to tailor this to your needs. Pick only a few scenes to go along with music your choir or group already knows. Or, add soloists instead of choir to reduce the choir's load. Some of these scenes can be used year-round. We hope this will help you in your preparations for Easter. If you would like to know how to acquire this music, we have a list we can make available to you.
Scene I – Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 22)
[Song - God Provides the Lamb]
Music begins. [Measure 11] Abraham and Isaac enter from off DSR side door with the donkey and servant.
Abraham: [As he gives the reigns over to the servant.] Stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.
Abraham and Isaac begin walking towards foyer using SR aisle.
Isaac: (confused) Father?
Abraham: (anguished) Yes, My Son?
Isaac: The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?
Abraham: (Abraham stops and places his arm around Isaac.) Isaac, my son, God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.
Abraham and Isaac continue up aisle and out foyer doors.
[Measure 29] Narrator comes to DSR area.
Paul: The events surrounding the ministry of Christ paint a portrait of love without limitation and obedience without defiance. Centuries before Christ's death at Calvary, God gave us a glimpse of what would later take place on a hill outside of Jerusalem. We see a father, Abraham, leading his only son, Isaac, up a lonely desolate hill.
Abraham and Isaac enter from foyer and begin to come down SL aisle and make their way up the mountain.
Paul: Out of obedience to the Lord, this most precious life, Isaac, the sole heir to Abraham's kingdom, is to be sacrificed this day on an altar of wood. Through unfathomable heartache, Abraham climbs the mountain, with Isaac close behind, neither understanding what has brought them to this place and time, but both choosing to trust. With faith born from a closeness to God few men would ever experience, Abraham obeys the Lord and Isaac obeys his father.
[While they are on the mountain they should be building the altar. [Music text>>>By “…for the work…” [Abraham should begin to bind Isaac] [Music text>>>During “…he lays his cherished…”] Abraham should place Isaac on the altar. [Solo begins at repeat of measure 29]
Choir: GOD PROVIDES THE LAMB
As the choir continues, Abraham can lay on his son, pray to the Father (without words), walk around the table.
Abraham: Over the choir, as they sing [ Music>>>“Death now ushers…” the first time. (Desperately, with hands in the air, looking up) Lord! Not my will, but Yours be done.
As the choir sings “Death now ushers…” the second time, Abraham slowly brings the knife up over his head. And will begin to bring the knife down as the music swells.
Angel: (As the music swells – Voice is with microphone from back amplified) Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy! For God has provided a lamb.
Angel indicates toward another angel just SR of the scene who is holding a lamb. Time permitting, Abraham gets the lamb and then holds the lamb first towards the audience and then (as music swells the third time) towards SR. Lights up on DSR area to reveal Joseph holding the baby Jesus towards Abraham. Lights off of Abraham scene as Joseph holds the baby up towards the audience. Joseph then turns towards Mary and they coddle the baby together.
Paul: (As music softens) Just as God provided a lamb to take the place of Isaac, God provided another lamb to take our place. Jesus Christ is that Lamb. A Lamb who touched the lives of those around Him...wherever He went...wherever He spoke...lives were touched by the Lamb. And the same Lamb that was born in a manger...was missed by most people in...the marketplace.
Overture Scene
-Jesus Growing Up-
[God So Loved the World – Orchestra only]
(Music begins.) As the orchestra plays, the narration takes place while lights appear over Jesus at different ages in his life. This will begin with the baby Jesus, then progress to Jesus at two with the Wise Men, then to Jesus at eight years old, then him at age 12, and finally a brief appearance as a man.
Paul: Just like any baby, Jesus came to us in the flesh. But the child born to Mary and Joseph, the King of Kings, was born in a stable, not in a palace. (Cross to DSR).
Shortly after he was born they took Jesus to Jerusalem to be presented in the Temple and to be circumcised. Then they returned to their home in Nazareth of Galilee.
During this time several Magi, learned men who studied the night skies looking for signs from God, began a journey that may have lasted well over a year. They followed a star that appeared in the eastern sky and knew this was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Move stage left
Scripture records little about His childhood. We have no reason to assume that He didn't act like most little boys His age. We do know that for a period of several years the family lived in Egypt. Joseph had been warned in a dream that Herod was looking for Jesus and was killing every male child under two years of age.
But, Jesus wasn't just any little boy.
Each year the family traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, probably with a large group of family and friends from Nazareth. On one trip, when He about 12 years old, what took place was so extraordinary Matthew wrote about it.
When it came time to leave the city, Jesus' parents, thinking he was with someone else in the group, began the trip home. After they had travel for an entire day they realized he was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem and spent the next three days looking for Him. They found Him in the temple courts listening to the Rabbis and asking them questions. He amazed everyone who was there by the depth of His own understanding.
And, just as He touched those in His life as He was growing up, so He would continue to touch so many more on the road ahead.
(Move down to floor and pause long enough to indicate a shift in the direction of the narration.)
(As music softens) When I was younger, and oh so zealous, I must have read the passage in Moses about Abraham and Isaac a hundred times. Me, Saul of Tarsus...who studied Torah and the Prophets night and day. A Pharisee of Pharisee's. Keeping the Law to the very letter. (He picks up a scroll and opens it as if reading from it.)
But, like too many people, I failed to see that the Lamb Yahweh provided to take the place of Isaac was but a foreshadow of the Lamb He would provide to take my place.
-Exit-
Scene II – The Marketplace (Luke 2:41-50)
[Song-The Marketplace]
[Music begins.] Throughout the following, people will be coming in and out as if at a market place. People will be carrying on conversations with each other. About 12 people will come in from the back... Some arguing, others pestering merchants. While singing, the text are words they are speaking to each other...”Nothing ever happens here.”
Paul: Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and David - they all needed a high priest to represent them before Yahweh. A high priest who could enter the Tabernacle into the most sacred place on earth - the Holy of Holies. Through the curtain that seperated a holy God from sinful man. Enter to offer a sacrifice - a lamb, unblemished and without defect.
Scene III - Jesus Is Baptized (Matt. 3:13-16)
[Song - The Kingdom of Heaven Is At Hand]
Paul: (continues) The prophet Isaiah, 800 years before the birth of Jesus, wrote, "I will send my messenger before you who will prepare your way. A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight paths for Him and all mankind will see God's salvation.'" This scripture was fulfilled in the person of John who came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
[Music begins] Choir enters excitedly around the Jordan River.
John the Baptist sings... THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND (Choir)
Person: [Speaking to John] The kingdom is upon us, what must we do?
JTB: Repent. Confess the past then look to what's coming…
Person: How can we confess the past?
JTB: Come to the river.
Person: Baptize me!
JTB: Come to where it is deep and swift and no soil from this world can withstand the current.
Jesus enters from SR aisle and begins to make His way to the stage.
JTB: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!
JTB: John notices Jesus when He reaches the ramp. Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'
Jesus makes His way through the crowd towards John.
Jesus: You will baptize me, John.
JTB: Baptize You? I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?
Jesus: Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.
John agrees to baptize Jesus. Jesus stands in front of John as the lights black out.
Paul: After Jesus was baptized by John, Jesus went into the wilderness and went without food, and possibily water, for 40 days before He was tempted by Satan.
Scene IV – Jesus Is Tempted (Matt. 4: 1-11)
[Song - Mighty Warrior]
Satan enters from USL and heads toward Jesus who is far DSR. He stops CS and addresses Jesus who appears to be writing something in the sand. Snake sound effect should be played, either a hiss or rattling every time Satan speaks.
Satan: Jesus, are you hungry? If you are indeed the Lamb of God, why not turn one of these rocks into bread?
Jesus: It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Satan: To himself. A lot of good that does when you're hungry. Pauses to think as he wanders toward SL. Perhaps something more spiritual then. Gets an idea! Hurries back toward SR. The pinnacle of the temple! If you are the Lamb of God, You could throw yourself down, for it is written: “He will give His angels charge concerning you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus: It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.
Satan: Pauses, and then in magnificent style. The power of the kingdoms of this world and all their riches are mine. But I will give them to you if you will just bow down and worship me.
Jesus: Jesus turns towards Satan and rises as though He had been punched and points at Satan. (Speaking with authority) Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You will worship the Lord your God, and Him only you will serve.”
[Music begins] Satan cowardly exits USL; Jesus exits USR
Choir: MIGHTY WARRIOR
[Music Ends]
Paul: The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah who would be a great warrior. A warrior who would lead them in battle against the oppression of the Romans. Jesus did come as a warrior, but not a warrior against earthly powers. He came as a warrior to battle against spiritual powers. And to do so he had to become a lamb; a lamb that would soon be slaughtered.
After Satan had finished tempting Jesus, he left Him alone. Jesus then came out of the wilderness strengthened and led by the power of the Holy Spirit. He began to preach and teach, proclaiming the good news that the Kingdom of heaven was near. But always avoiding the spotlight as best he could.
Scene V – The Ten with Leprosy (Luke17:11-19)
[Song – Miracles Were Not Enough]
This is a progression of miracles by Jesus in the following order...Jesus appears SR and crosses stage...1) Heals a blind man 2) Heals a child held by its mother 3) Heals the crippled hand of a man 4) Heals Mary Magdalene 5) Heals the Lepers 6) Revives a girl from death.
CHOIR: MIRACLES WERE NOT ENOUGH
(Music Ends)
Cleansed Man: I know this is hard to believe, but I used to be a leper.
Crowd: (All laughing in disbelief)
Man #1: That’s impossible. Nobody EVER used to have leprosy. There is no cure. You are doomed with it for life.
CM: But, He healed me. And he never even touched me!
Man #2: And WHO was this man?
CM: The Master. He is Jesus and He simply told me and 9 others to go show ourselves to the priests! When we got up and did as He said and as we were leaving, we were cleansed!
Man #1: I...I can’t believe it! I remember you! You ran through the streets like the other lepers yelling out “unclean...impure” as a warning to all who were near you. How could this be? You are clean!
Crowd: (Crowd begins to talk to each other with excitement.)
CM: It is because of my master who is Jesus! When I saw I had been cleansed, I ran back and threw myself at His feet and thanked Him. He asked me where the others were. I was the only one who thanked Him. The only one who praised Him for the good He had done for me. Although He did not touch me with His hands to heal me, He touched my life.
Man #1: Praise be to God!! (The crowd joins in shouting the same)
Paul: Jesus touched people. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. He drove out evil spirits. Sometimes He taught in the synagogues or to small groups. Other times, because of the great multitudes of people who wanted to hear Him, He'd have to teach from the hillsides around Galilee. Crowds numbering in the thousands would sit for hours listening to Him. Jesus traveled around the region teaching and preaching as His newly called disciples followed closely. Not men of valor or stature, but common everyday men. Fishermen like Peter, Matthew a tax collector, a doctor named Luke, and religious zealots, including one whose very zealousness would later lead to his ruin. The disciples were from among the same people Jesus would try to reach.
Scene VI - The Teaching of Jesus (Matt. 5)
[Choir - At the Name of Jesus]
Jesus is seated UCS. The “congregation” is standing all around Him.
Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Music Begins.) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Peter: Lord, it is getting late. Send the people away so they can buy food.
Jesus: They do not need to go away. You give them something.
Peter: But Lord, there must be 5,000 men.
Jesus: What do you have?
Peter: Just these five loaves and two fish.
Jesus: Bring them to Me.
During this song, Jesus will feed the 5,000. Including taking the bread to the congregation. At the end of the song, there should be people each with baskets full of bread standing front stage.
Choir: AT THE NAME OF JESUS
Scene VII - The Triumphant Entry (All Gospels)
[Song – Hosanna, Holy Savior]
Paul: The news of Jesus had spread throughout the countryside and the surrounding regions. In just three short years, His ministry had changed the world. But his greatest task was just days ahead. As people were preparing for the Passover feast, and in fulfillment of the Scriptures, Jesus, the Lamb of God, made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Even though the multitudes praised Him and spread their garments and palm branches before Him, the heavy burden He was to bear for the sins of the world was very near.
(Music Begins) Many people will enter from the back of the auditorium and line up as though at a parade. Children will also enter.
Paul: The multitudes clapped and praised and shouted Hosanna during the day, but soon there would be shouting of a different kind. Over the next couple of days Jesus would teach in Jerusalem and would on several occasions be in conflict with the religious leaders. So much conflict, that the chief priest and most of the Pharisees in the Sanhedrin were plotting to kill Jesus. They just didn’t know how to do it. They siezed their opportunity when one of Jesus’ own, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priest and asked him...
(Music Finishes) – Wind Sound effect Softly
Satan: (Lurks and smiles in the background...Rattling or Hissing still a good effect in background)
Judas: (Wringing his hands, mumbling to himself) 30 silver coins...30 silver coins
Paul: They gave him 30 silver coins. From then on Judas waited for an opportunity to betray Him.
Scene VIII - The Last Supper (All Gospels)
[Song – Broken for You]
Paul: [Continuing] When Jesus sat with His closest followers for the Passover meal He knew it would be their last time together. It was here that, once more, Jesus would try to make it perfectly clear to them that He was indeed the Lamb of God and that He must die that others could live. (Music Begins as scene comes to life) The Lamb of God who touched the lives of those around Him, yet would give His life for all humanity.
Jesus and the disciples sit around the table, Jesus distributes the elements and pretends to talk with them.
Choir: Broken for You
By the end of the song, three disciples should be in the garden preparing to pray/sleep. Jesus will go DSL and mime telling his disciples to watch and pray. He then goes USL to kneel to pray.
Scene IX - The Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39-56)
[Song – O Gethsemane]
Paul: Later that evening, Jesus took several of His closest followers to a garden in Gethsemane where He often went to pray. He instructed them to watch and pray while He went a little farther to pray nearby. But it was the end of a long day and the disciples were not able to keep their eyes open. (Music Begins) Jesus, however, was in such agony that the Scriptures say He sweat drops of blood. But like Abraham so many years ago He would continue to be completely surrendered to the will of the Father.
Choir: O Gethsemane
Jesus: (Praying and portraying what is being sung by the choir with agony)
(Music Finishes)
Jesus rises and walks over to find the disciples sleeping. Slight Wind Sound efffect.
Jesus: Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. See, he who betrays me is at hand.
Arresting party comes up stage left aisle making a lot of noise, with Judas leading the pack; soldiers hang back as Judas proceeds to Jesus and greets Him with a kiss.
Jesus: This is your hour Judas.
Judas: Master! He kisses Jesus on the cheek.
Jesus: You betray your Lord with a kiss?
Judas shakes his head then looks away from Jesus; disciples begin to show uneasiness; soldiers push Judas out of the way since they no longer need him; as soldiers take Jesus into custody, Peter rushes toward one soldier, the soldiers rush toward Peter but Jesus stops them
Jesus: (to the disciples) No! (to the soldiers) No! I am the one you have come for. Am I a criminal that you have come with swords? I taught daily in the synagogue and temple courts with you and yet you did not arrest me. (back to disciples) But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Soldier: Take Him!
Soldiers escort Jesus off SL as disciples flee in all directions
Paul: After they arrested Jesus they took Him away in the middle of the night to the Sanhedrin to be tried for blasphemy and other false accusations. After the Sanhedrin finished with Him they took Him, bound and beaten, to Pontius Pilate who was governor of the region.
Scene XI - The Trial
No Song - [Possibly Tympani lightly rolling in the background.]
There should be several different groups of "crowd" at this time. Only a small crowd is around Pilate and listening to the following. The choir members on the raised areas, DSR, and in the aisles will not partake of this scene. The crowd on stage must maintain a constant murmuring under Pilate.
Pilate: [Raised Voice of Authority] People of Jerusalem. Behold this Man. You have brought Him to me as one who incites rebellion, but I can find no guilt…
Crowd: He is a blasphemer! He leads the people astray! He is guilty!
Pilate: As governor, I can only release one prisoner for you at your Passover. Whom do you want me to release, this thief and murderer Barabas? Or this man Jesus, who is called the Christ?
Crowd: No! Not this Man! Barabbas! Release Barabbas!
Pilate: But there is no guilt in THIS man. He is blameless!
Crowd: Give us Barabbas! Away with this man. Barabbas. Barabbas. Barabbas.
Pilate: I implore you. What evil has this man done?
Crowd: Release Barabbas. Barabbas. Barabbas.
Pilate: But what shall I do with this Jesus, who is called the Christ?
Crowd: Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
Pilate: But He is blameless of any charge deserving death.
Crowd: Crucify Him!!
Pilate: Then let Him be crucified. Pilate releases Barabbas then quiets the crowd. But I am innocent of this Man's blood. See to that yourselves. Crowd cheers again. (over the crowd.) I AM INNOCENT.
The guard closest to Jesus will throw Him to the ground as the scene is backlit. He will then raise a whip while the crowd is yelling in approval. When the whip comes up, the stage will freeze as Narrator begins.
Paul: Pilate found no guilt in Him, and Jesus made no response to the accusations, nonetheless, Pilate ordered Jesus be scourged. They used a whip that had sharp pieces of rock and glass in it. They put a crown of thorns on His head and a purple robe around His shoulders and mockingly said, "Hail, king of the jews!" Then they led Him away to be crucified.
As it was written by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before its fulfillment. Reading Isaiah 53:3-7, 9. He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Surely He took up our infirmity and carried our sorrow. But He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him. And by His wounds we are healed.
We all like sheep have gone astray, each has turned to his own way and the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep before her shearers are silent, so He did not open His mouth. He bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors
Scene XII – Cross Carriage & Crucifixion
[This Is My Son/No Eye Hath Seen]
[Music begins]
Choir: This Is My Son / No Eye Hath Seen
Jesus begins coming down the aisle at this time with cross.
The following scene occurs while choir sings the chorus.
Soldier: [In a low, menacing tone.] You. Pick up that cross…
Simon: I…but…
Soldier: Pick it up, I say! Your back appears strong enough. This poor wretch may die before He gets to the top of that hill. [Jesus weakly cries out, raising His hand, and Simon turns to help Him. The soldier immediately intercedes, with sudden anger.] Don’t touch Him!
Simon: But…He reached out to me…He needs assistance…
Soldier: He is beyond needing anything. We’ve been delayed long enough! Now pick up that cross! Move!
Two soldiers hoist the cross onto Simons back
Cross is raised at this point if possible.
As music ends, lights will focus attention on the three crosses.
Non-Repentant Thief: If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us.
Repentant Thief: [To the other thief.] Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? [To Jesus.] Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus: I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise.
[Sound of wind underlying]
Jesus: My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit. (Jesus Dies, then storm.)
Roman Soldier: (As the storm dies down) Surely this was the Lamb of God.
Scene XIII - The Burial
[Choir sing - Where The Nails Were]
At the beginning of the song, soldiers take Jesus off of the cross and place Him in Mary's lap.
[Choir Sings]
At this point, disciples take Jesus off of Mary’s lap and carry Him to the tomb.
Scene XIV - The Resurrection
[Choir - Arise, My Love]
Paul: Jesus, the Lamb of God, willingly laid down His life for the sins of the world. He died for you, and you…and me. When He lived on this earth He was tempted in every way that we are, felt what we feel, but did not sin. The Apostle Paul, in a letter to believers in the city of Rome, wrote that the wages of sin is death; separation from the very presence of God for all eternity; but that Jesus suffered and died in our place, for our sins. The just for the unjust that He might bring us to God.
But that's not the end of the story. When His friends came to the tomb early that Sunday morning to finish the burial, Jesus wasn't there. The Scriptures say that Jesus was victorious over sin and on the third day He rose from the grave. He is the Lamb, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is the mighty warrior, conquering death and defeating Satan. And He is our great High Priest. No longer do we need someone on earth to intercede between God and us. No longer is there a curtain between God and mankind - Jesus entered into the Holy of Holies, and sacrificed Himself. Yes, through Him we have access to the very throne of God.
[Music begins]
[Choir Sings - Arise My Love]
Scene XV - Invitation
[Come Just As You Are] [Shout to the Lord]
During this time, several characters will return to tell their stories.
INVITATION
Scene XVI - The Ascension
[Choir Sings - The Bell Are Ringing, He's Alive]
[On the back wall is draped with material and a lift has been set up so that Christ can stand on the base and is lifted up while music is sung to make the ascension more realistic as Christ rises with arms outstretched.]
The End
© 2004 by Raleigh Road Baptist Church
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