With Palms or With Praise

Palm Sunday: The King is Coming

A thought-provoking drama challenging how we react to Palm Sunday.

Summary:

Palm Sunday—the King is coming. Will we truly worship Him, or simply wave palm branches in another empty ritual? This monologue begins with the actor dressed in Biblical costume, welcoming the Messiah with excitement and hope. But as Jesus enters on a donkey instead of a golden chariot, doubts creep in. The actor then removes the Biblical costume, revealing modern clothing, and directly challenges the congregation: How are we responding to Palm Sunday today?

Run-Time: 10

Cast: 1

Costume: In the first section it could be a traditional costume, and for second section the costume is removed to show regular clothing

Bible Reference: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19

Sample Script:

(The actor enters, excited, looking offstage as though watching a group approach.)

Actor (excited):
He is on His way!
I heard He has passed the outer gates already.
He will be here in a few short minutes! Come with me—let’s find a good spot to watch as He passes by.

(Pauses, looks into the audience, as if greeting someone personally.)

Good morning, I am (stage name). It is so good that you came! Did you hear the good news? Jesus is coming into town!
I hear He is riding on a young colt! Let’s get ready—come with me!

(Peering into the distance, scanning the crowd.)

Can you see Him?
Look—here He comes! Hail, Son of David!
He is coming down the hill from the Mount of Olives!
See His disciples walking behind Him. Oh, what I would give to be one of them!
Let’s find a good vantage point to see what happens.
Come, quickly!

(Excited, shouting with joy.)

Here He is! Finally, someone to free us from the Roman butchers!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
The Prophet of Nazareth!

(Pauses, eyes shining with hope.)

Oh, what a great day this is for Israel!
The Romans will be crushed—we will be free once more!

(Raises voice in worship.)

Hosanna! Jesus is the King!

(Pauses, suddenly frowning as doubt creeps in.)

Look over there—see them straining to catch a glimpse of Him.

(Expression changes—confusion, doubt.)

But… look at Jesus.
He is riding on a common donkey?

(Shakes head, disillusioned.)

I am beginning to wonder at His style of kingship.
Would the long-awaited Messiah ride a donkey?

(Thinks, recalling history.)

Oh, I know… throughout the centuries, heroes and kings have entered Jerusalem on donkeys.
Just 200 years ago, Simon Maccabees rode a donkey down this very street to the delight of a crowd equally exuberant.

(Annoyed, as if responding to someone challenging him.)

Yes, yes—I am aware of history! I do not need to be reminded!
But that was then—this is now!
People don’t want history.
We want release from Roman oppression!
He must be the kind of king who will fight for us!

(Growing frustration.)

Yes, I know He is not just a king—He is the King of Kings!
He is the prophesied Messiah, the Mighty One spoken of by the prophets.
I know all of that!

(Looks up suddenly, as if seeing Jesus right in front of him. Waves, bows slightly in reverence.)

We will follow You and serve You, King Jesus.
Be King in our lives!

(Pauses, thinking deeply.)

But… our Messiah must also be the arrows in our bows, the swords in our hands—
If we are to overturn the Romans.
Our window of opportunity is small and brief.
We must seize it now—or it will be lost forever.

(Pauses. A long moment of reflection.)

(The actor then removes their Biblical costume, now dressed in modern clothing. Looks directly at the congregation.)

How do we react to Palm Sunday today?
Do we truly worship Him…
Or are we just going through another symbolic palm-waving experience?

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