Nazarene Prophet Watch 4

Part 4 of 5

The newsroom is shaken to its core when Andrew storms in with a wild report: Lazarus, dead four days… is alive again!

Just as Elizabeth tries to change the subject, the story unfolds in real time: Jesus ben Joseph visits the tomb, calls Lazarus out, and a man once dead is seen walking, smiling—and headed for a JNN interview. Tension erupts as disbelief meets firsthand testimony, and the whole studio scrambles to make sense of the impossible.

But Jesus doesn’t just raise the dead—He also tells stories with eternal meaning. And this time, the parable of the Great Supper reminds everyone that some invitations are too important to ignore.

This fast-paced, media-style skit combines humor, awe, and deep truth—perfect for VBS, teen groups, or as part of a 5-sketch sermon series.

•  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:
For this Segment – Stilling Storm/Good Samaritan Jn 20:31, Mk 4:35-41, Lk 10:30-37

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 of script:

JNN Studio. Elizabeth, Lydia, Wolf, and Simon are at the desk.

Elizabeth: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to JNN, the Jerusalem News Network.
As you can see, we are one correspondent short tonight. JNN reporter and our co-anchor appears to be late for our newscast . . (frowns) . . we apologize and expect him along directly!
I am your anchor, Elizabeth, and here are some of the stories we are following for you tonight.
People of nearby Bethany are in mourning . . .
Simon ben Thomas is covering this story for JNN . . . Simon?

Simon: Thanks, Elizabeth.
At the tomb of well-known local figure Lazarus, who died four days ago, the wails go up as family and friends remember the life of a respected man.
Lazarus, who in the past was connected with Nazarene prophet Jesus ben Joseph, died at his home after a brief illness.
His sisters, Mary and Martha, had sent word to Jesus ben Joseph, asking him to come and heal Lazarus. However, word is that Jesus was not able—or willing—to attend to his old friend.

Elizabeth: Some friend!
And it adds credibility to the strong belief that the past . . . “miracles” . . . of the Nazarene were nothing but a hoax.
Let’s check with JNN’s Wolf ben Benjamin in the JNN Situation Room.
Wolf, what are you hearing on this story?

Wolf: Well, Elizabeth, it is no secret that the followers of Jesus, fearing for his safety, have been trying to keep Jesus from coming back to the Jerusalem area.

Elizabeth: I have no doubt that their concern is legitimate!
There is certainly bound to be a rising up of the citizens in response to the ridiculous claims that this Jesus is making!

Wolf: What do you hear on that, Simon ben Thomas?

Simon: The concern is not with the citizens hereabout but with the Romans and the temple authorities.
After all, there is said to be a reward offered for any man who delivers Jesus to the authorities.

Elizabeth: A rumour—only an unfounded rumour!
What are you hearing, Lydia?

Lydia: Spokesmen for the Roman and temple authorities have made it plain that they merely wish to take Jesus into protective custody—for his own protection.

Simon: That thought would be a tough sell to the man on the street, and certainly to the followers of Jesus!
Regardless, Lazarus was buried in his tomb and . . .

Andrew rushes on stage, out of breath.

Andrew: Sorry to interrupt . . . and sorry I am late . . .
I was visiting Bethany—a follow-up on the death of Lazarus.

Elizabeth: We completed that news story just before you came in, Andrew.
An unfortunate death, but now on with more news . . . In Samaria a group of . . .

Andrew: You don’t understand, that’s what I am trying to tell you . . . Lazarus is alive!

Elizabeth (annoyed): Andrew, what are you saying?
Lazarus is dead—we carried all the details and pictures on JNN news over the past four days . . .
Now back to other news . . .

Andrew: Lazarus’ friend, Jesus ben Joseph of Nazareth came . . . and he entered the tomb and . . .

Lydia: Nonsense!
As I reported on my weather news over the past week, this area is suffering from one of the most severe heat waves in recorded history . . .
To be blunt, the stench in the tomb from a decaying body, four days dead, would be . . . unbearable.

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.