Nazarene Prophet Watch 1

What If Jesus Made the Evening News?
Part 1 of a 5-segment series

What if Jesus’ ministry played out live on ancient TV? Welcome to JNN – Jerusalem News Network, where sharp-tongued anchors, skeptical reporters, and tightly wound producers try to cover the controversial teachings of one “Jesus ben Joseph”… without upsetting King Herod or the temple elite.

In this hilarious and thought-provoking first segment, the newsroom erupts as Jesus tells stories that challenge the religious status quo — like the parables of the wise and foolish builders, and the rich man and Lazarus. But not everyone wants the truth aired during prime time.

A perfect mix of satire and Scripture, this skit is ideal for youth groups, drama teams, or services exploring how Jesus’ message still disrupts the headlines today.

This segment: Builders/Rich Man & Lazarus

•  For Segment I – Builders/Rich Man & Lazarus 1 Cor 3:11, Matt 7:21-27, Lk 16:19-31
• Segment II – Stilling Storm/Good Samaritan Jn 20:31, Mk 4:35-41, Lk 10:30-37
• Segment III – Lost Sheep/Prodigal Son Is 53:6, Lk 15:1-7, 15:11-24
• Segment IV – Great Supper/Raising Lazarus Jn 11:25, Lk 14:16-24, Jn 11:1-46
• Segment V – Second Coming Rev 22:7, Jn 14:1-6, Acts 1:1-11, 1 Thes 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-58, Matt 24:21-31, Rev 19-21

Bible Reference: 1 Cor 3:11, Matt 7:21-27, Lk 16:19-31

Cast: 6 (male or female)

• Wolf ben Benjamin, Situation Room
• Elizabeth, news anchor
• Andrew ben Eli, co-news anchor
• Simon ben Thomas, onsite reporter
• Lydia, weather reporter
• OV, offstage voice

Set: JNN (Jerusalem News Network) TV studio with desk and backdrops to indicate a studio.  On one side of the set is a sign, “SITUATION DESK” where Wolf sits.

Have a lighted sign (ON AIR) or simply a sign that is put up and taken down at appropriate time.  The set can be as elaborate or plain as you desire, example, TV cameras and lights, directors, studio workers, etc.

Costumes: either traditional or contemporary

Props: papers for reporters to refer to

Sample script:

JNN TV studio. Elizabeth and Andrew are seated at the main desk, Wolf at the Situation Desk. After a few seconds, the “ON AIR” sign lights up. Elizabeth reacts to the camera in a phoney way.

Elizabeth: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to JNN, the Jerusalem News Network. I am your anchor, Elizabeth, and here are some of the stories we are following for you tonight.
Fresh new troops have arrived from Rome as King Herod seeks to provide additional support for the Jewish people.
Now here’s your JNN co-anchor, Simon ben Eli. Simon, what do you see happening locally today?

Andrew: New troops for additional support for the Jewish people? . . (makes a face) . . Yeh, right! . . . Anyhow . . .
Elsewhere, Jewish farmers are complaining about an additional tax levied by Herod . . .

Elizabeth: In the interest of good and fair journalism, the tax—as stated by King Herod—is designed to provide replacement of the aging water system here in Jerusalem.
Later in the newscast, we will hear from our weather gal, Lydia, and Andrew, you will have the sports.
Now stay with us for these words from our new sponsor, Temple Kosher Foods.
We will be right back.
And when we return, we will be visiting with Wolf ben Thomas and Simon ben Eli at the JNN Situation Desk.

“ON AIR” sign off

OV: And roll Temple commercial . .

Elizabeth: Andrew, it would be nice if you could follow the teleprompter—after all, that’s what the network spent the big bucks for.

Andrew: So I simply read the copy. Where is the journalism in that?

Elizabeth: Yes, you simply read the copy—that’s why they call you a copy reader.

Andrew: Really? . . The copy on my business card says “co-anchor.”

Elizabeth: Don’t let the name go to your head, Andrew. . . Read your job description.

Wolf: Cool down, guys!

Elizabeth: Wolf, keep out of this!

OV: One minute to live.

Andrew: And what is with the new sponsor . . “Temple Kosher Foods”? . . What’s with that?

Elizabeth: An excellent selection of groceries and household necessities.

Andrew: What happened to Zebedee’s Fish Market? They’ve been the sponsor of the newscast for years.

Elizabeth: Old Zebedee insisted on doing his own commercials—but rather than advertise his fish, he was just sounding off on the activities of his two sons, James and John.

Andrew: James and John have made quite a name for themselves—leaders among the followers of the Messiah.

OV: 10 seconds . . .

Elizabeth (angrily): You will not ever mention that word—Messiah—on this network! Herod has forbidden . . .

Andrew: Oh, so Herod writes the words we see on the teleprompter?

“ON AIR” sign on

OV: Action!

Elizabeth (now livid): Andrew, you shall tell the people precisely what you are told to tell the people! . . Now then . .

OV: Elizabeth, you are live!

Elizabeth: I am what? . . That is . . of course we are live . . . Andrew and I were just doing some clowning around here . . (big smile to Andrew)
And you shall tell our listeners all about the great things that are happening in and around Jerusalem!

Andrew: Great things indeed! . . . Four young Jewish boys crucified on Calvary for stealing food from the Roman garrison to feed their starving families . . .

Simon comes on stage, stands next to Wolf.

Elizabeth: Sorry to interrupt, Andrew—we have to break to Wolf ben Benjamin at the JNN Situation Desk.
Wolf?

At Situation Desk

Wolf: Thank you, Elizabeth.
Simon ben Thomas, our on-location reporter, has just come into the studio.
Simon, you have been following the Nazarene carpenter, Jesus ben Joseph, as this self-proclaimed prophet makes his way through the country.
What’s happening on the Nazarene Prophet Watch today?

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.