Instruction For Kings

Three wise men have paused for the night.

Their visit with the Child, and their plan to return to Herod’s castle to, as promised, update Herod on their findings regarding a newborn child. But a most unusual dream causes them to make changes to their travel plans.

Cast: 3

• 3 males, likely middle age or older
• Melchior
• Belthasar
• Caspar
  • NOTE:  if available, additional actors as servants working in the shadows

Bible Reference: Matthew 2:1-12
Set:

• Bare, if available, a campfire at center stage
• rich rugs, pots and cups, bedding

Sound: wireless mics
Song: none
Lighting:   low level spot on centerstage
SFX: sounds of animals in the background
Props: scroll
Costumes: likely rich traditional robes
Special Instructions:
Time: 5

Sample of script:

(Caspar, urgently shaking his companions awake.)

Caspar:
Melchior . . . Balthasar . . . Wake up! (urgent) Wake up . . quickly!

(Balthasar sits up, looks around. Melchior slowly sits up.)

Caspar:
I have had a very troubling dream!

Melchior:
A dream warning us not to return to Herod with news of the child?

Caspar:
How did you know of my dream, Melchior?

Melchior:
Because it wasn’t a dream . . it was God who came to you while we were asleep. . . . I had the same message . . . No doubt you, Balthasar, received the same.

Balthasar (sheepishly):
Well, yes, Melchior, I, . . that is, . . . I didn’t know if I should tell you but . . .

Melchior:
My hesitant friend Balthasar . . . You must learn to freely share of the messages received when they are so obviously from God.

Caspar:
My dream . . my message . . . it was from God? How can you know that, Melchior?

Melchior:
A dream, Caspar, a simple dream, is individual. And for only one recipient.
(Slowly and painfully gets to his feet, stretches, massages his shoulders.)
A man of my years is no match for the rigors of the long dusty road. It is time we were on our way home.

Balthasar:
Surely you aren’t suggesting we ignore King Herod’s request that we report back to him?

Melchior:
Mine is no suggestion. God is instructing; therefore, I am following His orders.

Balthasar:
King Herod is not one in whom to cultivate an enemy.

Melchior:
I would rather be an enemy of all the world’s kings than to ignore the instructions of the God who created us all.

Caspar:
The dream . . . God’s message seemed to indicate that there was some urgency. Will Herod pursue the child when he realizes we have ignored his request?

Melchior:
There is no doubt he will, and swiftly.

Balthasar:
Surely there is no reason for Herod to harm a helpless newborn child.

Caspar:
Any father and husband who would murder his own wife and sons just to ensure they wouldn’t pose a threat to his position as king is not a man but a fiend.

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