It Is Finished

Conscience can, and often does, condemn us for choices we make. The carpenter who fashioned the three crosses on Golgotha tries to justify his actions after seeing who was being crucified. Throughout the monologue is a child's questions and fears. This part could stand alone as well.  A monolog within a monolog, although appropriate for Good Friday, could be used at any time of year.

Cast:  2

• A man, likely in 20's or older
• YP (Young Person), a young boy, could be girl

Bible Reference: Luke 22:54

Set: bare

Lighting: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

SFX: none

Costumes:

• Carpenter’s costume would likely be traditional while YP (Young Person) could be dressed in contemporary clothing

Props:

• a few very large nails, a carpenter’s belt and a large hammer

Special Instructions:

• the two actors will perform at different stage locations, never contacting, nor looking at, each other If possible, when actors exit stage, use different exits

Time: 7

Sample of script:

Carpenter comes on stage, looks at mimed cross upstage, arms folded, self-satisfied, speaks

Carpenter: It is finished! My work completed. I delivered as was contracted, three stout cross beams, each one strong enough to hold the weight of a full grown dying man.

YP comes on stage

YP: What is happening Daddy?

Carpenter: I’m always pleased to see a job completed. Pleased with the feeling of accomplishment. And with the financial rewards as well, no reason to deny that.

YP: Who are all the people Daddy?

Carpenter: I am a carpenter, . . . a fine carpenter, like my father . .and his father before him. A carpenter, an honorable profession. I have made the things that the people of Jerusalem take for granted.
Things on which they sit, or lie, or eat, . . . . . . sometimes those on which they die.

YP: Why is everyone so angry Daddy?

Carpenter: Once delivered I no longer think of these articles, or of the people who pay me handsomely for supplying them. Should I worry about the thoughts or character of the one seated on the chair I have made? Should I lay awake wondering if the meals served on my tables tonight were healthy and nourishing? The very thought is preposterous.

YP: What has he done to make them so angry Daddy?

Carpenter: Well, I do admit to some discomfort when first the Roman guard gave me this task, but honestly, more than I chaffed at this work, I chaffed at having to perform services for the Romans. Overbearing fools! And at any rate, the crimes committed by those who will die on these works of art were done in full knowledge that retribution would be swiftly and painfully accomplished. Further, Roman gold buys food as well as any other gold!

YP: I am very frightened Daddy.

Carpenter, worried look, looks upstage over his shoulder

Carpenter: Yet when I saw my handiwork on the hillside of Golgotha, great chills shook my body.

Carpenter moves downstage as though begging audience to understand

Carpenter: What have I done? What have I done?

Carpenter more confident

Carpenter: Look, it is surely nothing to be ashamed of. I did my job, nothing more, nothing less. I did as I was expected, and I did it well.

less self-assured

Carpenter: Why is it so different this time? (points up stage left) See the three men up there? See that one? On the right side. The wild man! Second in command in a terrorist group, responsible for death and destruction throughout Judea.
He deserves all that is coming to him, no doubt in my mind of that. (points upstage right)  And that one, the man silently weeping, on the left. (mocking)  I hear that he was welcomed into, (acid), heaven, by that one, (points upstage center), the one in the middle. (mocking)
Seems he, the one at the center, name of Jesus of Nazareth I am told, is a self proclaimed, (emphasize, speak slowly), son of God! Well, let me tell you, sons of God are not crucified, and if heaven is to be home for murderers and thieves then why would hard-working, law-abiding folk such as I long for heaven? Preposterous is what! They, each one of them, deserve their fate, of that there is no doubt!

YP: What did he do to make them want to kill him Daddy?

Carpenter: I tell you, they deserved their fate! Whether they call themselves sons of scoundrels or sons of God, they had to deserve their punishments because . . . because if not . . . . . It was the leader of the wild man’s group, Barabbas, who was, at the insistence of the people, released so that Jesus of Nazareth would be put to death. (becoming worried and agitated) This Jesus of Nazareth seems such a quiet, harmless man. . . . (shakes head as though to rid feelings)
Nonetheless, who am I to judge whether the crimes of these men were sufficient to merit death on the cross? That weighty matter is Pilate’s domain. My role is simply to find a strong tree out of which to fashion the beams, which will bear the broken bodies high that all might see the shame of sin.

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