Easter

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Easter Drama

This was adapted from a phenomenal idea courtesy of Kerry Shook Ministries where Kerry and Chris Shook did a great Easter service & series with a pirate ship on stage. This stunning idea (one of many from them!) can be purchased by clicking here.. Or get the series! This can be done as a sketch, and can have props like a drawn pirate ship / images of pirate ships etc as you go through. You can also use video media to add to it. This revolves around the Easter story with Jesus as Master & Commander, and the devil as the evil pirate. You will need other props such as pirate outfits / disciple outfits and play swords etc. How well you do the props and scenery is up to you, we intend to use lights and video for atmosphere.

The script is based around the Bible from Matthew 28.1-6, Luke 24:5-8, Matthew 28.6-10 and Matthew 28:16-20.

Scene 1

Scene 1 – Jesus (Master) at the last supper, on board HMS Disciple

Master – My fellow sailors, gather round cos I have something to say.. We’ve had many adventures on the high seas. We’ve seen incredible things happen. Many times, we’ve won battles and defeated our enemies who were trying to rob, kill and destroy. Unlike our enemies, we’ve not done things for treasure, but given because we treasure people and want to be a treasure to others. This is life in its fullness, the only way to live. This is the example you should follow, a true sailor gives his life for others.

Judas – Master, why have you not set up your base in a port. You do so much good yet we have not seen you defeat everyone. Are you the real Master? A real Master would have stamped his authority on this evil world and destroyed all that is bad. Yet you talk about washing the decks, washing feet and serving others. A true Master would take his throne and rule.

Master – Judas, you do what you have to do. Take the bread that I give to you so that I may become the bread of Life for the world, the Master who give his life to save the world not to condemn it. The 30 pieces of silver will be yours. Do what you came here to do.

Judas – I’m going to Gethsemane. See you there. (Looks around and leaves)

Peter – Master, we’ve followed you everywhere. Why do you talk about giving your life. You are the greatest commander to sail the seas, a legend and a powerful Captain. We are sailors who have journeyed with you and would follow you to the ends of the earth.

Master – Peter, there will be a final battle and you will run, scared and lost. You say you would give your life for me but it is I who will give my life so that you may live. My time as Master & Commander is nearly at an end. I have fought many battles but this end battle is so that I may show you the way. You have navigated the seas by the stars in heaven. Now I must die to show you the way – your journey will be illuminated by the Son who will be in heaven.

Philip – Master, without you we would have no navigation. You can’t jump ship now, we’ve only just begun our adventures with you. 

Master – Anyone who obeys me will be my shipmate. I tell you that you will do great feats, sail across more seas, have more adventures and defeat any pirates and enemies that come your way. In a little while you will not be on the ship with me, but then I will be back on board.

Philip – Master, are we going to dock at port? Are you going to leave us, then come back on ship? Who will be in charge while you are gone?

Master – Never forget that we are shipmates. I am with you always and you should remain my crew for always. Hard times will come and it may seem the enemy has won for a little while. But there will come a time where HMS Disciple will be a more powerful, more beautiful and more grand vessel than it ever is now. Many storms may come your way, but take heart because I have overcome every storm, just as I did on the Sea of Galilee.

Peter – Master, we are arriving in Port Gethsemane in Calvary

Master –Remember, you must sail together again. I pray that you will sail the seven seas together as one. Now put down your swords and follow me, there is something I must do..

(Walk off stage)

Scene 2 – The Evil Pirate and his crew

(Evil Pirate is extremely evil and menacing. Pharisee is a snivelling little rat! Another Pharisee ‘Thug’ stands by as well)

Evil Pirate – That Master has always sailed around like he owns the seas. But he’s weak and his crew are weak. He says he wants to save people, but he’s no liberator, he’s nothing. Here’s the plan.. We get one of his shipmates to sabotage his boat and to grass him up. In fact, I’ve already paid one of his crew off – Judas for 30 pieces of silver.. He’ll sabotage that Master’s boat and we’ll wipe the smile off his face..

Pharisee – A truly great plan. The people seem to worship this master, but it is you oh master who should be worshipped. If we destroy this meddling commander, you will win and the battle will be yours. Let us kill him at Calvary, let us mock him, shame him and then wipe him from the map of history. Then the seas will belong to you.

Evil Pirate – I will destroy him and every good thing that he has done. I will take the treasures of this world and make them mine. Everyone will bow to me, the most fearsome pirate this world has ever seen. Anything that is good will be crushed. Everything that is evil will grow and grow until the seven seas will be under my control, under my dominion.. 

(Judas arrives on scene)

Judas – I have come for my 30 pieces of silver, as we agreed.

Evil Pirate – (stands back, satisfied. Motions to Pharisee).

Pharisee – (hands 30 pieces of silver to Judas)

Judas – (looks at silver with gleam in his eyes and counts it, greedily).

Evil Pirate – (hears noise in background). He is coming. The Master has fallen into our trap. (Motions to Pharisees). Get out your swords but don’t kill him. Let me do that later. I’ll take one of the bows of his boat, take nails and hammer them through his hands and feet. I’ll put a crown of thorns into his head so the blood drips down and his shame will be complete. I will destroy him.

(The Master appears on stage, flanked by Peter & Philip. As he walks on stage, just ahead of the disciples)

Judas – (Moves over to him). ‘Master’.

Master – (Steps forward). Judas, so you have betrayed me.

(Peter and Philip rush forward, but they are forced back by Pharisees armed with swords. They look around, then run off stage the same way they came on).

Evil Pirate – (steps forward out of the shadows). At last, the great Master & Commander is humbled and we see him for who he is: a nobody; nothing. Now, you are mine and I will tear you apart, limb from limb. See even your friends have deserted you. Now, your end has come. This is the final battle and the victory will be mine. Mine!

(Turns to Pharisees and commands them). Bring him!

(They exit the opposite side to disciples)

Bible Readings

Matthew 28.1-6: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

Luke 24:5-8: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

Matthew 28.6-10: Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:16-20: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”