This worship drama was written for a Palm-Passion Sunday service, but it could be used for any time during Holy Week. It uses the events of Jesus’ last week as related in Mark’s Gospel. Additional hymns or songs can be interspersed among the readings, as well as choir numbers or other special music as appropriate.
Four voices read various parts through the drama, although each reading could be a different voice if there are enough readers available. The congregation also responds as the crowd.
Voices in Jerusalem
Worship for Palm-Passion Sunday
In the Bible, the Hebrew word, “kol: means voice. It refers to the outer voices we hear with our ears, but also to God’s voice which we hear with our hearts. This worship drama is based on the Gospel of Mark, the earliest telling we have of these events. The scripture itself will be heard, as well as “listening in” on the voices of some of the participants in those events. The shofar is an ancient musical instrument, used by the Jewish faith even to this day. We hear the voice of the shofar in today’s worship connecting us as Christians with God’s ancient but timeless work for redemption especially in Jesus who is the incarnation of God’s continuing work of atonement and reconciliation.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Transport us to Jerusalem today, O Spirit, that we may spend some time with Jesus. Help us to hear his teaching, feel his healing, and follow his example. Let us meet Jesus in our hearts that we may take Christ into our world today. Now we open our lives so that you may take us where we need to go, making Jesus Christ real for us not only in Passion but in the Compassion of God’s Love for all. Amen.
(A moment of silence to calm our heads and open our hearts.)
*The shofar sounds a tekiah, a wake-up call to our spirits, calling us into worship
Procession with Palms
The Story from Scripture Mark 11:1-10
Voice 1: I am one of Jesus’ disciples. And I have a question. Why did Jesus want a little colt? The Messiah ought to come to the throne on a mighty war horse! Didn’t he know how ridiculous he looked on the back of that donkey?
Voice 2: What a great day! I haven’t had this much fun in ages! Did you see that rabbi Jesus enter the city? He came in like a crazy little king. Pilate comes charging in on his chariot, leading his army. Jesus trotted in followed by a bunch of peasants. We all grabbed branches and waved them high, shouting and cheering. What a great day!
Voice 3: I waved a branch today, too. And I laughed. But even more, I hoped. I hoped that maybe this Jesus means to change things. I’m just like one of those peasants following him. They know how hard life is. Jesus knows, too. So hoping that just maybe he might be a new messiah I joined the crowds that shouted:
CROWD: HOSANNA! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! HOSANNA! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! HOSANNA! HOSANNA!
*The shofar sounds a shevarim, reminding us of the brokenness of life..
(A large metal bowl or platter is placed on the altar. Coins are poured into it noisily.)
Voice 4: That Jesus is nothing but trouble! He came into the city today and went straight to the Temple. He started yelling and pushed over the tables where the coins were exchanged and sacrificial doves were sold. He scared people away by saying we had made the temple into a den of robbers! He said it should be a house of prayer for all nations. All nations! Are we supposed to let just anybody in?
Voice 1: That Jesus is trouble! He goes around forgiving sins and healing and teaching that everyone can know God. No one made him a priest. Nobody gave him permission. Who gave him any authority to do these things?
Voice 2: That Jesus is real trouble! We tried to catch him saying something wrong. We asked him if it was legal to pay taxes to Rome. Instead of taking the bait, he asked whose image was on the coin. When we took one out and showed him that Caesar’s image was on it, he looked at us as if to say that it was clear where our true allegiance lay. Then all he said was to give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar, but to give to God what is God’s. He made us look like fools and sell-outs. Jesus is serious trouble!
The Story from Scripture Mark 11:15-18
(A large scroll is placed on the altar.)
Voice 3: That Jesus is amazing! I am a scribe, so I know the Law. I asked Jesus which commandment is first of all. Even the elders have debated this. But Jesus spoke right up and said: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Voice 4: That Jesus is amazing! For years I’ve felt invisible. I am poor and a widow, but I serve God as best I can. I gave my last two pennies, knowing that two cents won’t keep me in food or shelter. I gave them because God will have to keep me now. But Jesus saw me bring my offering to God. He said my gift was greater than all those others. That Jesus is amazing, he was the only one who saw me!
The Story from Scripture Mark 12:41-44
(Plates of bread and a pitcher of wine are brought forward and set on a table at the front.)
Voice 1: So much of what Jesus did, he did around the supper table. He even welcomed us women to eat with him. Women have always had to wait to eat until the men are done! But Jesus wanted us all there together, as equals. I could see that while Jesus claimed us all as friends, he was making real enemies in Jerusalem. I was afraid that no one was taking this danger seriously. So at dinner one night, I came in and anointed Jesus for his burial. Some of the men were outraged. Jesus said I would be remembered for my vision.
Voice 2: So much of what Jesus did, he did around the supper table. We were celebrating Passover together, all of us. Passover reminds us how God set us free from bondage in Egypt. Jesus said the unleavened bread was his body. The cup left for Elijah, the symbol of our hope for God to act, Jesus said that was his blood. It is to be a new covenant for everybody.
Voice 3: Jesus meant everybody. He said one of us would betray him, and he told Peter that he would deny him, and that we would all run away. And still, Jesus shared the meal, and the covenant with us all. What Jesus did at the supper table was to claim every last one of us as his family, no matter what.
The Story from Scripture Mark 14:22-25
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Communion Prayer (Unison)
Let us pray. God of Justice and Compassion,
As we remember Jesus’ life, we hope to continue in Jesus’ Way.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Feed us on the living presence of Christ, that we may love all the world just as Christ loves.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until all are welcome at this table, and all your children may feast united together. Amen.
(The bread on the front table is broken, and the wine poured out.
Communion is shared with all who wish to take part.)
*The shofar sounds the teruah, a groaning and yearning for God’s restoration of the world.
(A black cloth is draped on the altar. )
The Story from Scripture Mark 14:32-38
Voice 4: I was one of those Jesus invited to pray with him. But there was a gentle breeze that night, and we had eaten so much. I knew he was troubled. I wanted to be there for him. I watched him as he prayed. He cried. I fell asleep. Why couldn’t I stay wake with him?
Voice 1: I am Judas, and I know what you think of me. Don’t ask me why I did what I did. I’m not sure that I even know. What seemed so clear in the day became confused in the night. I led the thugs and guards to the garden where they could capture Jesus. I stayed at a distance and watched for a long time. I think I hoped they would hear us come as Jesus was praying and be able to escape. But they all fell asleep, all except Jesus and he was wrapped up in prayer. Finally the guards compelled me to act. I knew it was all coming apart. Jesus didn’t flinch. I kissed him for all he had meant to me. I kissed him to beg forgiveness. I kissed him, the guards grabbed him, and every one of his disciples deserted him.
CROWD: WE ARE THE GUARDS WHO HAVE COME TO SEIZE JESUS. WE BROUGHT
SWORDS AND CLUBS, EVEN THOUGH HE TAUGHT PEACE. GRAB HIM NOW!
Voice 2: I have heard blasphemy and torn my robe. I am the high priest who questioned Jesus. We knew he was trouble from the moment he showed up in Jerusalem. He just got bolder and bolder. When I asked him if he was the Messiah, he said he was! Rome is nervous enough at festival time, at least we can quiet this rabble-rouser.
Voice 3: I can’t believe what I did! I can’t believe the words that came pouring out of mouth! They grabbed him and questioned him and condemned him right there. They spit on him and taunted him as I watched from the courtyard. I am Peter, the Rock, the one who would never be shaken and I DENIED I EVER KNEW HIM! Not once but three times…
The Story from Scripture Mark 14:66-72
(The sound of a rooster crowing twice is heard.)
Hymn Go to Dark Gethsemane vs. 1-3
(A large, noisy chain is brought in and placed on or in front of the altar.)
The Story in Scripture Mark 15:6-20
Voice 4: I am Pilate, Roman Governor of Jerusalem and Palestine. I hate the festivals when hordes of peasants come pouring into the city. You just know someone will bring up this “messiah” myth and start talking rebellion. This Jesus was a sorry example. How anyone would think he could be a king is beyond me. He didn’t even seem to be a militant or a rebel. Too much noise and too much trouble. That is what got Jesus killed. Rome does not tolerate insurrection of any kind. Jesus became the example of Rome’s complete power over these peasants.
CROWD: EARLIER THIS WEEK WE WAVED OUR PALM BRANCHES AND SHOUTED, HOSANNA! NOW WE CALL, CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY!
Voice 1: We made ourselves a king today! I’m one of Pilate’s soldiers and he gave us the “King of Jews” to crucify. So we found an old purple blanket and made it his robe. We made a crown of thorns and had a royal coronation. We pledged our loyalty and never laughed so hard. Then we got to work.
(A purple cloth is placed around the cross on the altar.
A crown of thorns may also be placed there.)
Hymn To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord
(After the hymn, a drum begins beating slowly. It increases in intensity
throughout this section, culminating at the end of the scripture reading.)
Voice 2: I have never felt a cross before. I’m the Simon they forced to carry the cross-beam Jesus dropped. He was so weak. It cut my hands and left splinters under my skin. I was afraid that when we got to Skull Hill they would nail me right up there with him. I ran away as soon as they let me go, the pounding ringing in my ears.
CROWD: JESUS, YOU SAID YOU WOULD DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND REBUILD IT IN THREE DAYS! MESSIAH! KING OF ISRAEL! SEE HOW YOU HAVE BEEN LIFTED UP!
Voice 3: I don’t know how Jesus had breath left enough to cry out like that. All his followers ran away like sheep. Not one came to stand with him. As a Roman soldier, I’ve seen men cry on the cross before. But he cried that even God had forgotten him. It’s enough to make you believe in something greater than yourself.
The Story in Scripture Mark 15:21-24
(Silence – Christ has died.)
Prayer of Confession (In Unison)
Too often we leave you on the cross, O Jesus. We have heard you teach and felt your healing touch. But somehow we prefer you hanging silent. Open our hearts to reach out wherever people suffer that we may minister to you. You faced the forces of violence with peace and love and conquered them by compassion. Open our hearts to feel the love of God who desires peace above blood. Forgive us our ability to be by-standers when Christ needs us to act in love. Too often we leave you on the cross, O Jesus. Forgive us still. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn of Response When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
(A white linen cloth is draped on the altar.)
The Story in Scripture Mark 15:42-47
Voice 4: I am Mary, the one you probably do not know. I watched it all happen. I saw the others run away. I saw Jesus crucified. I watched him cry out and breathe his last. I saw Joseph take his body. I know where the tomb is that they have laid his body. The Sabbath is starting, so we can’t touch the body now. But I will watch the tomb until Sabbath is over and then I will finish the burial rituals. Jesus deserves that last act of compassion. Will you watch with me until Sabbath is over?
*The shofar sounds the tekiah gedolah calling us
to repentance and signaling the end of our worship.
Sounding the Shofar
Tekiah: a long, unbroken blast
Shevarim: three shorter blasts
Teruah: ten short, staccato blasts
Tekiah gedolah: a single blast, held as long as possible
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