Guard This Tomb

A newly recruited soldier in the Roman army is given his first assignment: guarding the tomb of an itinerant preacher who claimed to be the Son of God. The soldier gets clear instructions from his centurion as to what his duties (and limitations) are.

Cast:
Centurion
Soldier, late teen or early 20s

Bible Reference:
Matthew 27:59-66

Set:
Bare

Lighting:
Standard

Sound:
Wireless mics if available

Song:
None

SFX:
None

Costumes:
Likely traditional

Props:
None

Special Instructions:
None

Time:
6 minutes

Sample of Script:

(Centurion & Soldier come on stage)

Centurion:
Here we are, Soldier, in the nondescript town of Jerusalem, in the inglorious backwoods of this country—a country which has no reason for existence. And this, as a fledgling soldier in the renowned Roman Guard, is where you will start your career. A career expected to cover twenty years, more should fate and Emperor Tiberius allow.

Soldier:
Proud to serve you, Centurion Maximus... But if I may, sir, I had expected to be sent to a location of unrest, conflict. But—(looking around)—this looks more like a sparse burial ground.

Centurion:
Son, you have a good eye but bad discernment, and it is the latter that could bring you to your death... Here and about, indeed, you will find graves holding corpses of saints and sinners. Realize in this country men may today embrace in love, but tomorrow will gleefully slit each other’s throats... My point is, son, be vigilant and trust no one! These green meadows can soon enough run red with the blood of nationalists.

Soldier:
So we guard... what, sir?

Centurion:
We guard to see that the friends of a man who claims to be God don’t steal a dead body and embarrass the friends of those who claim to know the same God intimately. And who is going to guard this foul cave?
(pause)
You are, son. You are. And perhaps in doing so, you will play a role in the history of the world. Or, more likely, your name and your efforts will be forgotten by nightfall.

Soldier:
Who was the dead man, and why so important to so many people?

Centurion:
A Jewish carpenter, sometimes itinerant preacher who some say cures diseases and even gives life to the dead. One who claims to be the Son of God while others believe him to be Satan himself.

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