Eve of Discovery Maundy Thursday approval script

This script, Eve of Discovery – Maundy Thursday, portrays Peter and John following Jesus’ instructions to find a man carrying a jar of water, who will lead them to a place where they can prepare the Passover meal. As they search, Peter and John reflect on their faith, fears, and the growing tension surrounding Jesus' presence in Jerusalem.

Upon finding the man, Timothy, and his master, Joseph bar Joseph, they confirm that a safe upper room has been prepared for the Teacher and His disciples. The scene ends with preparations underway, and Peter hoping to secure a favored seat next to Jesus at the meal.

Theme: The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Maundy Thursday

Cast: 15 male actors, 1 female actor plus a narrator. Actors can be any age.

Sound: Wireless microphones would be very useful if available.

Lighting: Spots and/or followspot would be useful, if available.

Costumes: Period costumes.

Run time: 80 minutes.

SET:
The set is the Upper Room, the area used to celebrate the Passover, with the table at upstage center, far enough back to 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. An earthenware jar is in the upstage left corner of the room, from which Jesus will get the water to wash the feet of the disciples. At upstage center is a low table, where all would recline on carpets or cushions (or alternately, a standard table and chairs can be used).

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 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, this can be presented as a two-act drama, with the second act beginning just before Jesus enters the sanctuary.

PROPS:
Dinner elements: Grape juice, bowls of salt water, parsley or celery, three matzos (wrapped in a large napkin), bitter herbs (horseradish), haroses (a 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.

Sample Script - Download Sample 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 . . . .

(Followspot up as Peter and John enter from the rear of the sanctuary. The narrator’s voice blends seamlessly into Peter’s.)

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? That is 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 enters from the 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 behind.)

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

(Joseph enters from upstage center.)

Joseph:
That would be me whom you are seeking.

Peter:
It is the fellow with the water jar whom 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, I am Joseph bar Joseph, and this is 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. 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 favored spot alongside the Master.

Download Sample Script

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