Live From The City Gates

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was certainly a high point in Jesus' ministry on earth, but like many of life's high points, it is swiftly followed by a dark time, merging into the high point in Christianity, the resurrection. This historic happening is written in the present time, what would have happened, and how reported in modern day media.

And the townspeople, the military, the politicians and the media are on hand for the show. Wolf Blizterstien of JNN (Jerusalem News Network) is out to get the scoop on what is coming down.

Includes (optional) opportunity to invite congregation for Sunrise Service
Well written by former DramaShare member Preston Fuller

Cast:   12+ (except for Jesus & Peter, might be m or f)

• (WB) of JNN
• Jesus
• Zealot 1
• Zealot 2
• Drug abuser
• Seeker of Healing
• Prof. Dr, Susan Smart (DrS) (Expert political analyzer)
• Peter
• Mysterious Woman
• Roman Soldier I (RS1) (Commander)
• Roman Soldier 2 (RS2)
• Roman Soldier 3 (RS3)
• PLUS crowd, (no spoken lines

Bible Reference:    Luke 19:28-44

Set:  likely bare but could be dressed up

Lighting:   standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

SFX: none

Costumes:  could be traditional or contemporary
Soldiers should be dressed in military garb

Props:     palm branches, cell phones, notepad, camera, swords

Special Instructions:   none

Time:  14

Sample of script:

(Lights up on Wolf Bliztersien, microphone in hand, reporting live.)

WB:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am Wolf Bliztersien of JNN.
We are live at the city gates of Jerusalem, where I am told that this man, Jesus, will shortly be entering.
You can see the crowds gathering… Here he comes now!

(The crowd surges forward. Zealots chant, pumping their fists in the air:)

ZEALOTS:
"Go King Jesus!"

(A drug abuser, a seeker of healing, and a mysterious woman hold up cell phones, cheering.)

CROWD:
"Hosanna!"

(Peter politely tries to keep people away from Jesus.)

(Drug Abuser excitedly takes a selfie with Jesus.)

DRUG ABUSER:
Totally posting this on Facebook!

(Jesus and Peter exit the stage.)

WB:
Well, that was quite the entrance!
We are now going to hear people's reactions and try to answer the question:
"Just who is Jesus?"

(WB turns to the Zealots, who chant again, repeating twice.)

ZEALOT 1:
Take down Rome!

ZEALOT 2:
Restore the power to Israel!

WB (to Zealot 1):
And who are you?

ZEALOT 1:
We are Zealots, here to fight with Jesus against the Roman oppressors!

WB:
So, you are saying Jesus is a Revolutionary Leader?

ZEALOT 2:
Yes, he is! The way to peace is through the sword of God!

WB (confused):
You do know that the Romans have the largest army in history?
Do you really think you have the military power to overthrow them?

ZEALOT 1:
By ourselves? No.
But Jesus will bring an army of angels who will rain down fire from heaven upon the Roman soldiers!

WB (even more confused):
Okay then… Good luck with that.

(Zealots chant twice more.)

---

(WB approaches the Drug Addict.)

WB:
Who do you say Jesus is?

DRUG ADDICT:
Man, he is trippy, man…
He’s like a magician, man.
He like, totally made water into wine, man! (laughs nervously)
And another time, man, he like made a ton of food from just a few fishes and loaves, man!

WB:
That is amazing, indeed.

DRUG ADDICT:
Dude, I’ll tell you what’s cool—
Even if you overdo it, he can totally raise you from the dead, man!

WB:
Raise from the dead?
Remarkable man, this Jesus.

DRUG ADDICT:
He is a totally righteous dude!

(WB moves to the Woman Seeking Healing.)

WB:
Why are you following Jesus?

WOMAN:
I am here to ask Him to heal my husband.

WB:
Jesus heals?

WOMAN:
Yes!
There was a blind man, and He gave him sight.
There were a bunch of lepers, and He cured them.
I know He can heal my husband.

WB:
He sounds like a doctor.
Which health insurance plans does He accept?

WOMAN:
Doesn’t matter what you have—Medicare, no insurance—
He doesn’t even ask for payment!

WB:
Wow… Well, thank you for your time.
Hard to believe there’s a doctor that doesn’t even ask for a co-pay!

---

(WB pauses, listening through an earpiece.)

WB:
I am being told that we have an expert political analyst from the Temple—
an expert in Religious Law.
She will shed some light on who Jesus is.

(WB moves to Dr. Susan Smart.)

WB:
Professor Dr. Susan Smart, thank you for joining us.
What do you make of this Jesus and His campaign?

DR. SMART:
He’s just some backwoods wanna-be preacher,
seeking his 15 minutes of fame.

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script—and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.