Stages Of Messiah - Resurrection

The Resurrection (Scene 8) is a joyful and hope-filled readers theatre presentation celebrating the greatest victory in history—the empty tomb and the risen Christ. Beginning in the sorrow and uncertainty of Easter morning, the drama quickly moves from fear and confusion to wonder, faith, and triumphant celebration as the women discover that Jesus is alive.

Part of the Stages Of Messiah series, this final scene beautifully captures the emotional journey of the first witnesses to the resurrection. With simple staging, flexible casting, and powerful narration, churches can present the Easter story in a meaningful way without complicated production requirements.

Perfect for Easter Sunday services, sunrise gatherings, Passion Week events, or resurrection celebrations, this drama reminds congregations that hope was not buried in the tomb—Christ is risen indeed.

Other available scenes:

• Birth
• Dedication at the Temple
• 12-Year-Old at the Temple
• Temptation of Jesus
• Miracles of Jesus
• Upper Room
• Crucifixion
• Resurrection

Each scene can be performed as a stand-alone drama.

Bible Reference:

 Luke 24:1-53

Cast:

• 3 readers: Narrator, Reader 1, Reader 2 (male or female)
• Additional actors for Tableau (as desired)

Set:

• Minimalist setup with 3 chairs

Sound & Costumes:

• Standard

Lighting:

• Spotlights for Narrator, Readers, and Tableau
• Experiment with spot colors and placement to isolate Readers and Tableau, while keeping the overall stage dim
• Individual reading lights for Readers

Music:

• A short, relevant hymn or song recommended at the end of each scene
• Suggested hymns focus on reintroducing older songs to the congregation

Tableau:

• Silent, frozen actors creating a visual representation of the scene
• For this scene: A table with a chalice and loaf of bread
• Can be highlighted by a spotlight or projected in shadows

Duration:

• Approximately 5 minutes (plus song)

Scene 8 – Resurrection

From the 8-scene Readers Drama, "Stages of Messiah," depicting key moments in Jesus' life and ministry.

Tableau:

A man standing, two women kneeling

Scene VIII – The Resurrection

R2: Elation!

R1: Verification!

R2: Celebration!

Narrator: Early on the morning of the first day of the week, some of the women made their way to the tomb where Jesus had been laid.

R1: Imagine the feelings of complete defeat and hopelessness that must have permeated their minds!

R2: Some likely vaguely remembered references Jesus had made regarding his death and something about him rising from the dead.

R1: But who could have hope in the face of this reality?

R2: The Teacher, the one they followed, believed to be the Messiah… He was dead! And they were alone!

R1: How could he allow this to happen? Surely, the one who created all things, who formed the world and all the planets, could call on whatever was needed to prevent this...

R2: Maybe it was all...

R1: Perhaps we so badly wanted a Messiah that we...

Narrator: They asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away?”

But when they arrived at the tomb, they saw that the stone was already rolled away.

R2: Who had removed that very large and heavy stone from the opening to the Teacher’s tomb?

R1: Surely, soldiers wouldn’t desecrate a tomb! (Thinks) But then, these were the same soldiers who had mocked him on the cross, even gambled for his clothing!

R2: Cautiously, fearfully, they entered the tomb...

R1: There on the ledge were the burial cloths, the ones which had wrapped Jesus’ beaten body the night before.

R2: And there they saw a young man, dressed all in radiant white, smiling...

R1: And they were frightened! Yet defiant!

Narrator: “Where have you taken our Lord?”

R2: “How could you do such a despicable thing?”

R1: The angel spoke softly to calm the women.

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.