Eve of Discovery - Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Upper Room Last Supper celebration.

Beginning with discussions among the disciples, talking of their fears and their perception of what is going on. A key segment is a discussion between Judas and his sister. The focus is on the time spent in the Upper Room, with the Last Supper celebration, and the washing of the disciples feet.

Cast:

• Jesus and 12 disciples (all male)
• Rebecca, sister of Judas
• Narrator (m or f)
• Joseph ben Joseph, owner of Upper Room
• Timothy, Joseph ben Joseph's slave

Bible Reference:  Luke 22

Set:

• The Upper Room, the area used to celebrate the Passover, with the table at upstage center, far enough back that it can be kept quite dark early in the drama. It is a long, rectangular room, built upon the roof of the house, therefore the back set could have windows painted showing hillside scenes.

Lighting:    Spot(s) to allow hiding US acting areas control

Sound:   wireless mics if available

Songs: 

• Praise to the Lord. Link.  Joachmin Neander
• Here Oh My Lord   Link  Horatius Bonar 1883

SFX:  

Costumes:    likely traditional

Props:

• Dinner elements: Grape juice, bowls of salt water, parsley or celery, three matzos (wrapped in large napkin), bitter herbs (horseradish), haroses (mixture of apples, cinnamon, and nuts). Wash basin, earthenware jar, table, (with or without chairs), towel
  • Note: information on traditional food served was supplied by William A. Palmer, Jr. and Karen Dickson, and is used with permission.
• At upstage center is a low table, at which all would recline on carpets or cushions, (or alternately a standard table and chairs can be used).

Special Instructions:  The initial action happens in the sanctuary aisles and at floor level in front of the stage, later the scene switches to the table area at upstage. The key is keeping the table area in darkness in the early stages of the drama, obscuring the movement as individual actors take their seats at the table following their opening lines. If it is not possible to keep the table area in darkness, you can alternatively make this a two act drama, with the second act beginning just before Jesus enters the sanctuary.

Time:   80

Samples of script:

In the dark the narrator speaks

Narrator: On the first day of the Passover ceremonies, when bread made with yeast was purged from every Jewish home, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where shall we plan to eat the Passover?” And Jesus replied, “Go into the city and there you shall find . . . .

Spot up as Peter & John enter from the rear of sanctuary, narrator’s voice blends into Peter's voice, smooth, seamless

Peter:  ". . . . a man carrying a jar of water.” How, in the whole city of Jerusalem, a city swollen with people arriving for the Passover, are we to find one particular man? Impossible! A needle in a haystack.

John: Think Simon Peter. A man. Carrying water?

Peter: Yes. A man carrying water. What is so unusual about . . . wait, what man would be walking about carrying water? Women’s work!

John: Women’s work, or perhaps a slave.

Peter: Impressive deduction, John my friend! Obvious why the Teacher called you from your life as a fisherman, through you He had bigger fish to fry. Now then if only we can control that temper, Boanerges, Son of Thunder, Child of the Storm!

John: Perhaps, in the same way as you dear Simon Peter, I too am a work in progress.

Peter: A work in progress molded by the Master Potter.

John: I am afraid for the Teacher, Peter.

Peter: As we all are, John, my friend. Yet it seems as though nothing will keep him away from celebrating the Passover here in Jerusalem, it’s as though some unseen magnet draws Him.

John: I pray God will protect our safety here in Jerusalem, Peter. Everywhere we go the Romans and temple guards watch our every move.

Peter: If it wasn’t that the Master is so popular with the people I am sure the high priests might try to arrest him.

John: Why do they hate the Master as they do? Is it because the Master stands for all that is good?

Peter: There are many good people about, John. No, it’s not his goodness that distresses Caiaphas and his group. It is the Master’s outspoken declaration to be the Son of God.

John: Peter, you know full well that the Master is the Son of God.

Peter: Yes, I know, but I worry for him, John! Sometimes I think if he would just, only for a little while, hold back, lay low, that perhaps . . .

John: Simon Peter! You, the Rock! How can you say such a . . .

Timothy comes on stage from side door

Peter: Wait, over there, see him, carrying a water jar . . .

John: Follow him, see where he goes.

Peter: Call out to him in case we lose him.

John: No, the Master clearly told us to follow him to the house he enters. Come.

Timothy goes up on stage, Peter and John follow

John: You, sir, our Teacher says for you to show us the guest room where he can eat the Passover with his disciples.

Joseph comes down from upstage center

Joseph: That would be me whom you are seeking.

Peter: It is the fellow with the water jar who we seek.

Joseph: No, I think it would be I.

Peter: And who might you be?

Joseph: I might indeed be anyone, but in fact am Joseph bar Joseph, and this my good slave Timothy. And you would be the Teacher’s disciples.

Peter: Teacher? What teacher? Us disciples? I tell you we are . . .

Joseph: You would be Cephas, the Teacher spoke of you. And you sir, James, is it?

John: No sir, his brother, John.

Peter: What is this, John, how do we know this man? He may well be . .

Joseph: I am a believer, same as you, Peter, and I spoke with the Teacher, agreeing to provide a safe upper room here where you may eat the Passover. You will indeed see to that, won’t you Timothy?

Timothy: What an incredible pleasure to have the Teacher here with us!

Peter: The slave is then, I take it a . . . .

Timothy: . . . a believer, oh yes, indeed, I and my whole family.

Joseph: Come along, don’t stand there, we all have work to do, preparing the upper room for the Passover feast.

Timothy: We have stocked the room with both food and drink, I will take this jar of water up now so that all may wash after the long trek.

Peter: Fine then, let us go. Perhaps if I am the first one to recline at the table I can select a favoured spot alongside the Master.

John: That is not funny, will I always be reminded of my error in jusdgement. . .

Peter: Temper, temper! (chuckles) Come along then . . . the others will be arriving shortly and we have preparations to take care of.

All go upstage to darkened area, freeze in shadows, Simon & Matthew come in from the rear of the sanctuary

Matthew: A lovely neighbourhood.

Simon: Matthew, Levi, spoken like a true tax collector!

Matthew: Truly dear Simon, will you ever forget what I was and see what the Master has made in me?

another segment:

Jesus stands, turns, walks OS into table scene as lights slowly up, Jesus walks US right position, behind disciples in their place at the table. Jesus pauses a moment, hands on their shoulders, mimes speaking to each

Narrator: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end, each one special in his eyes.

Jesus to center position behind the table, speaks first in own tongue, disciples respond

Jesus: Baw-ruch a-taw a-do-nai elo-hay-nu me-lech haw-o-lawm a-sher baw-char baw-nu mee-kawl awm v’ro-m’maw-nu mee-kawl law-shon v’ki-d’shaw-nu b’mitz-vo-sawv.
Blessed art Thou, O Eternal Lord, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Disciples: Blessed art Thou, O Eternal Lord, King of the Universe, who has preserved us alive, sustained us, and brought us to enjoy this season.

All drink the cup. Jesus, taking place of the Father, washes his hands in bowl of water

Narrator: And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin for to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

Jesus to CS left position, invites each disciple in turn to come have their feet washed. Disciple faces CS so there is a good view of both Jesus and the disciple. After each actor has had feet washed return to table position. Narrator speaks of each person as their feet are washed

Jesus: Come first, that I may wash your feet, Simon Peter.

Peter: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?

Jesus: What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter.

Peter: Never shall You wash my feet!

Jesus: If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.

Peter: Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.