Crucifixion Of Christ

January 22, 2012 by 1 Comment

 Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15

POY! SKIT GUIDELINES:

  • In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words.
  • Most POY! skits require no practice in advance.
  • Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants.
  • Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along.
  • It is not necessary to employ costumes and objects, unless the skit recommends such.
  • It is not required to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate.
  • Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.

PARTICIPANTS:

Centurion, who also serves as Narrator
Scoffer
Voice (of Jesus) Stand to one side, read slowly and loudly.
Soldier

Prompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.

Companions (Optional): children and all adults that want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.

SCRIPT:

Centurion

I am a Roman Centurion. During the Nazarene’s trial, I heard a huge mob crying “Crucify Him!” “Crucify Him.” But there was no reason! His accusers said absurd things, and He didn’t even reply!

Soldier

Even Governor Pilate begged Him to defend Himself! It’s as though He wanted to die. Pilate washed his hands, saying he wanted no part in it, and let the accusers take Jesus.

Centurion

Yes, Pilate suddenly let the mob dictate the verdict. But how did the priests arrest Him without a riot? There was always an admiring crowd around Him.

Soldier

I overheard they paid one of his followers, Judas Iscariot, 30 silver coins to betray Him. Judas knew where He’d be last night and took a mob of thugs with him.  They sneaked up on Him in the dark, when He was praying up there in Gethsemane.

Centurion

I hear lashes and find my soldiers whipping the Nazarene cruelly. I stop them, and we lead Him out to a hill called Calvary. A band of scoffers is following, jeering at Him.

Prompter & Companions

Look! He’s bleeding all over!

Centurion

Soldier, I pity this guy toting that heavy cross up this skull-shaped hill. Especially after you lashed Him so cruelly, making His back bleed. But it’s our law. Oh, He’s staggering. No wonder, He lost so much blood! Oh, He fell!

Soldier

Hey you! You foreigner there that people call Simon. Carry that cross for the man.

Centurion

Well, here we are. We have to do it. Soldier, take these spikes and nail Him to the cross. I’ll put up Pilate’s sign stating His crime, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Here, give Him this wine mixed with bitter gall; it’ll deaden His pain.

Soldier

I tried, but after tasting it, He refused to drink it. Hey, guys, let’s sit down and watch.

Centurion

Hours drag by as Jesus writhes in agony and men mock Him, “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Two criminals had also been crucified, and insult Him with the same words.

Soldier

Oh, listen! He’s praying for us! Imagine that! For us! After all we did to Him!

Voice

Forgive them, Father. They do not know what they are doing!

Prompter & Companions

What forgiveness! What love!

Centurion

One of the dying thieves is begging Jesus, “Remember me when you enter your Kingdom.” Jesus is replying now. He said, “Today you’ll be with me in Paradise.”  In heaven, angels sang for joy because a sinner had repented.

Scoffer

(Point up and speak as though talking to Jesus on the cross) You said you’d destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! You trust in God; let your God rescue you, for you said, “I am the Son of God.” Ha!

Soldier

Hey! I won! We gambled for His cloak, and I threw the winning lot! Oh, look! Dark clouds have covered the sun! I’ve never seen it so dark during daylight! Ohhh! When lightning flashes I can see rain water carrying away the blood. I’ve never seen so much blood! Enough to cover the whole earth!

Scoffer

He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.

Voice

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Centurion

Listen! He shouted in Hebrew. What did He say?

Scoffer

I think He’s calling for Elijah. Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.

Centurion

Did you hear that? He cried, “It is finished” and yielded up His spirit. Oh, the earth is shaking violently! Thunder is crashing all around!

Prompter & Companions

Crash! Crash! Boom! Boom!

Centurion

Listen, everyone! This man truly was the SON OF GOD! Yes! I know it now. I learned later that in that moment, the huge veil in the Jewish temple that separated God from man was ripped in two from top to bottom.

DISCUSS:

What would have resulted for us, had Jesus come down from the cross as some told Him to do?

What must have moved the Roman centurion to shout that Jesus surely was the Son of God?

What was the significance of the huge veil being torn from top to bottom in the temple?

(Good answers: the split veil gave access to God in the temple’s innermost Most Holy Place. Also, being ripped from the top down suggests that God reached down from heaven to do it.)

What prophecies can you recall that Jesus’ death fulfilled?

(Good answers: The Messiah would be pierced, see lots cast for His garments, cut off from His people but not for Himself. By His stripes (whiplashes) others would be healed. He remained silent before His executioners, had no bones broken, died along with criminals, was ridiculed, had visage marred, became an innocent victim.)

 

Filed Under: Just-In-Time Church Planting Dashboard

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