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Live from Jerusalem An Easter Telecast (c) 1996 Steven L. Krumlauf 6670 Lucia Lane, #12 Fridley, MN 55432 (612) 571-3599...

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Live from Jerusalem An Easter Telecast (c) 1996 Steven L. Krumlauf 6670 Lucia Lane, #12 Fridley, MN 55432 (612) 571-3599 [email protected]

Purpose This docudrama dares to ask the most critical questions of all life: not only who was Jesus, but who is Jesus, and, most important of all, what does He mean to you now? Synopsis It's nearly spring of A.D. 30. Rome is attempting to keep a fragile peace with it's province of Judea. A dove faction in the Jewish hierarchy is attempting to prevent anything from disrupting hoped for peace talks with their Roman conquerors. They're convinced a humble carpenter's son from Galilee is a threat to that peace process and have arranged the help of one of the Nazarene's own followers to help take him off the world stage permanently. The political powderkeg in Jerusalem has attracted the attention of the world press and the electronic media. Production Notes This dramatic retelling of the arrest and trial of the Galilean through the camera lenses of ABC News could take place on a nearly bare stage with tight, close-up, overhead spot lighting on the principal actors to create stark realism and add emphasis to dialogue. Wherever possible, very familiar dialogue is used from Scripture to add authenticity to the recreation of actual events (*). To economize on the number of actors necessary on stage, liberal use is made of prerecorded crowd noise supplemented by a variety of live, male and female voices off stage. The authenticity and impact of that technique will be greatly enhanced if the mix between recorded and live voices is balanced equally and at full volume. Limiting the number of characters seen on stage from the antagonists' point of view further underscores the fact that Jesus, abandoned early by his own followers, from a human standpoint, suffered, bled and died alone. Costuming can be simple and typical Biblical garb for those in the Passion Week cast, but, Peter Jennings should appear in a business suit behind the anchor desk, while Dean Reynolds could be wearing a typical khaki-type, "bush" shirt. To note the passing of

time, Jennings should change neckties from scene-to-scene, Reynolds may change shirts for each scene. It's recommended that only Jennings and Reynolds be "miked" into the PA system. This script makes no provision for the entrances and exits of ABC News personnel. That should be at the discretion of the director. Nor does the author suggest house lighting for the musical bridges. The bridges and their titles are optional. Song title substitutions may be made too, of course. Cast Of Characters (In order of appearance) VOICE 1, male or female voice over "special report" slide PETER JENNINGS, news anchor DEAN REYNOLDS, correspondent JESUS, a carpenter's son PETER, part of the inner circle JAMES, part of the inner circle JOHN, part of the inner circle VOICES 1, male and female crowd members, from stage right JUDAS, a pawn GUARD 1, healed physically and spiritually GUARD 2, arrests the carpenter's son GUARD 3, replaces a fallen comrade CAIAPHAS, chief priest VOICE 2, from the crowd, stage left VOICE 3, from the Sanhedrin, stage right VOICES 2, from the Sanhedrin, stage right PILATE, a Roman leader in the wrong place

LONE VOICE 4, persuades Pilate

Scene One: The Arrest

(The play opens with a dark stage, a dark auditorium. BLACKOUT.) (1) VOICE 1: We interrupt this program to bring you a special report from ABC News. Here now from our ABC studios in Washington is Peter Jennings . . . (Lights up on a bare anchor desk, down stage right- Peter Jennings is seated behind the desk and looks straight ahead as though facing a camera at eye level.) (2) JENNINGS: Good evening. ABC News has just learned that recent Israeli efforts to regain a measure of autonomy at the expense of Rome may be in jeopardy. With us live from Jerusalem tonight is ABC's Mideast correspondent, Dean Reynolds . . . (Solo spot up on Dean Reynolds who is standing alone, down stage left with a microphone in hand. Reynolds also looks straight ahead as though facing a camera.) (3) JENNINGS: Dean, our sources tell us there was an incident that took place just a short while ago in the Jewish capital that could threaten to derail Jerusalem's peace ta1ks with Rome . .. (4) REYNOLDS: That's right, Peter I'm standing just outside a garden spot, just southwest of downtown Jerusalem, an old olive grove the neighbors here call 'Gethsemane.' A few minutes ago, this was the scene of a near riot as representatives of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin as it's called, attempted to capture a man they say is a bigger threat to peace than Rome itself. ABC News obtained this exclusive footage of the actual arrest. (Lights out stage right and stage left. Light up center stage where three sleepy men lay on their sides in a semi-circle, while a fourth male, Jesus, bends down in a catcher's position, hovering over the prone male in the center). (5) JESUS: Why are you still sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. (F/X: We hear the sound of an angry mob approaching in the distance and the noise

gradually gets louder, and we can begin to pick out individual voices shouting loud threats, i.e., "We know you're in there!", "We have you surrounded!", "There's no escape!", "You must come peacefully!", "Surrender now!", "Come out now!" etc., repeatedly. As Jesus looks toward his right . . .) (6) JESUS: Get up! (Jesus stands up straight as his three sleepy companions slowly and reluctantly join him on their feet.) Let's go! My betrayer is here! (F/X: We hear the sound of the angry mob reach a crescendo and then subside as Jesus, encircled now by his three companions, looks off stage right and calls out · ·) (7) JESUS: Who is it you want?! (8) CHORUS OF VOICES FROM STAGE RIGHT: Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth! (9) JESUS: I am he. (F/X: We hear dull thuds as the sound of men falling down.) (10) JESUS: Who is it you want?! (11) CHORUS OF VOICES FROM STAGE RIGHT: Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth! (12) JESUS: I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then, (Jesus gestures toward the trio of followers), let these men go! (From out of the shadows, Judas appears and approaches Jesus . . . (13) JUDAS: Rabbi! (Judas embraces Jesus, who offers no resistance, and he receives a kiss on both cheeks.) (14) JESUS: Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Judas offers no response, but, with head bowed in shame, backs away slowly, walking

backwards, toward up stage right.) (15) JESUS: (Tenderly) Friend, do what you came for. (Judas turns on his heels now and runs out of the light and off stage right) Two men dressed as temple guards come from out of the shadows, step between Jesus' followers and seize him by both arms, pulling Jesus away from the other three men. Just then, Peter angrily pulls a dagger out of his tunic and slashes at one of Jesus captors. The guard screams and grabs his ear, falling to the ground in pain and thrashes around, groaning and moaning in agony.) (16) JESUS: (Angrily) Peter! Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? All who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put more than twelve legions of angels at my disposal?! (Guard 1 continues to rock back and forth in pain on the ground while holding his bloody ear to the side of his face. Jesus gestures to Guard 2 that he wishes to attend to Guard 1 and Guard 2 releases his grip on Jesus' arm. Jesus walks over to the writhing Guard 1, bends over the fallen soldier and looks up at Peter) (17) JESUS: No more of this! (Jesus reaches for the fallen man's hand which has been holding his severed ear, pulls the hand away, places his own hand on the side of the guard's head for a moment then drops his hand, revealing a perfectly whole ear. The guard is astonished, but doesn't know how to thank the man he came to arrest. He looks up into the face of his captive with reverence and awe.) (A third guard suddenly appears from out of the shadows, angrily pushes the worshiping Guard 1 aside and roughly grabs Jesus by the arms. Guard 2 joins Guard 3 and both start to drag Jesus off stage left. Jesus holds his hands up to motion the guards to stop as he wants to address the unseen "crowd" following the trio ahead. Jesus looks back to address the imaginary mob . . .) (18) JESUS: Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? (The temple guards take another step forward, trying to pull Jesus along toward stage left. Jesus resists and manages to halt his arrestors again . . .) (19) JESUS:

Every day, I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not lay a hand on me. But, this is your hour . . . when darkness reigns. . . (20) GUARD 3: (To Jesus, very angrily) That's all, dog! You'll have your day in court. We're taking you to Annas! (Guards 2 and 3 roughly drag a stumbling Jesus off stage, upstage left.) (F/X: The crowd noise, which has been in the background the entire arrest scene, fades slowly out as Jesus and his captors leave, and is replaced by the sound of birds at early morning sunrise. The three disciples watch the "crowd" leave stage left while huddled together in fear, and then they notice Guard 1 is still on his knees. The trio helps him to his feet and then the four run off stage, in the opposite direction, upstage right. Center stage lights fade out. Bird F/X fades out with lights.) (A solo spot lights Dean Resold, who's again standing alone, down stage left with a microphone in hand. Resold continues to look straight ahead as though facing a camera.) (21) REYNOLDS: You've just seen exclusive footage of the arrest of a Galilean man the locals here call 'Jesus.' He's apparently been taken by Sanhedrin guards to the home of Annas, formerly a high priest, for a preliminary hearing of sorts, to see if there's enough evidence to try him before the present high priest in power, Caiaphas. If the Sanhedrin finds this man they call Jesus guilty of sedition, he would then likely face a Roman court. While Jesus is now in custody, his followers, a band of about a dozen fishermen and commoners, is nowhere to be found, scattered to the four winds. This is Dean Reynolds, ABC News, Jerusalem. BLACKOUT (22) VOICE 1: ABC News will bring you exclusive pre-trial coverage, "Jesus vs. the Sanhedrin," tomorrow morning at 9:00 Eastern, 8:00 Central time, over most of these same ABC stations. This has been a special report from ABC News. (House lights go up for a music solo as a bridge to Scene Two.) SOLO: "GO TO DARK GETHSEMANE"

Scene Two: The Pre-Trial

BLACKOUT (23) VOICE 1: This is a special report from ABC News. "Jesus vs the Sanhedrin." Here

now is ABC's Mideast correspondent, Dean Reynolds . . . (Solo spot up on Dean Reynolds, down stage right. The entire stage is now bare. The anchor desk has been removed. Reynolds is again standing alone, down stage right this time with a microphone in hand. Reynolds, who has changed shirts, again looks straight ahead as though facing a camera.) (24) REYNOLDS: I'm reporting to you live from the courtyard of Caiphas, the high priest. Jesus of Galilee, accused, among other things, of attempting to overthrow the Roman government, was brought here moments ago to face his accusers. ABC News has a camera inside the house and will be bringing you exclusive coverage of this pre-trial hearing. (Solo spot on Reynolds out. He continues to speak in darkness. Solo spot directly overhead up on center of center stage.) (F/X: Sound of crowd talking.) (25) REYNOLDS: (Providing a voice-over-video commentary) As our cameras pan the room, you can see teachers of Jewish law, church elders, the entire ruling council along with their high priest, are gathered here. Caiaphas called this emergency session and is expected to preside over the proceedings. (NOTE: For maximum impact and separation, the offstage voices of the Sanhedrin should come from stage right and those of his accusers and the unruly crowd from stage left.) (Just outside the circle of light at center stage, in the darkness upstage center, the forms of three men appear. If we look very closely, we can identify them as Guards 2 and 3, who flank Jesus on both sides, holding him up by the arms.) (26) REYNOLDS: (In a golf announcer's hushed tones) I've just been told Jesus has arrived, under guard, and so this session of the Sanhedrin is about to begin . . . (Suddenly, Guards 2 and 3 violently shove Jesus forward and he falls flat on his face into the pool of light.) (F/X: The crowd grows quiet, but, getting its first look at Jesus since his arrest, the crowd begins jeering, and from stage left we hear angry voices . . .) (27) CHORUS OF VOICES FROM STAGE LEFT: Traitor! Criminal! You dog! Hey, 'King Jesus,' look at you now! Hey, rebel, go back to Bethlehem! Look who's 'King of the Jews' now! (etc., repeatedly)

(28) CAIAPHAS: (Loudly from off stage right) Silence! Come to order! Silence! (The crowd quiets down to a murmur.) (29) CAIAPHAS: The prisoner will rise. (An exhausted Jesus struggles to lift his head off the floor and manages to get his upper trunk up high enough to reveal his face. But, Jesus gasps and drops down again on his face. (30) CAIAPHAS: On your feet, prisoner, and we will hear the charges. Get up! (Gasping for breath, Jesus slowly raises to his feet. He stands with his head bowed to his chest.) (F/X: The crowd noise intensifies.) (31) Voice 2: (From stage left) This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days!' (32) CAIAPHAS: Silence! . . . I'll examine the prisoner! (The crowd begins to quiet down.) (33) CAIAPHAS: (Over the crowd noise) I'll have no more outbursts like that, or I'll clear this room! (The crowd settles down to a murmur.) (34) CAIAPHAS: I will ask you, Jesus, the same question Annas asked you last night. Just what are you and your band of religious zealots up to? Would you destroy this city of David? (His voice slowly raises to a crescendo.) Would you destroy this temple. . . the law . . . given to Moses . . . by the Lord Jehovah himself?! (35) JESUS: (Calmly and nearly in a whisper) And I will give you the same answer I gave Annas. I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.

(Guard 3 jumps out of the shadows from behind Jesus and steps in front of Jesus to strike him violently in the face with an open hand.) (F/X: A loud slap is heard. Jesus' head snaps back and in the direction of the blow as he rocks back on his heels. Guard 3 swings to Jesus' right side, facing front, but with his head nearly face-to-face with Jesus.) (36) GUARD 3: (Angrily) Is that any way to answer the high priest?! (37) JESUS: (Calmly to Guard 3) If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But, if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me? (Jesus bows his head. Guard 3 resumes his position out of the light, with Guard 2, behind Jesus.) (38) CAIAPHAS: Are you not going to answer the charges?! What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? (Jesus' head remains bowed. He says nothing.) (39) CAIAPHAS: I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. (40) JESUS: (Looking up and to his right) If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God. (41) VOICE: (From the council, stage right) Are you then the Son of God?! (42) JESUS: It is as you say. (F/X: The sound of cloth ripping.) (43) CAIAPHAS He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Youhave heard the blasphemy. What do you think council? What's your verdict? (44) CHORUS OF VOICES 4: (From stage right) Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

(Guard 2 steps from the shadows from behind Jesus and stands with his right side to the front, facing Jesus, on Jesus' right. Jesus stands with his head bowed. Guard 2 suddenly spits on Jesus. Guard 3 steps to Jesus' left and delivers a left fist to Jesus' mid-section. Jesus doubles over in pain just as Guard 2 strikes Jesus on the back of the head causing him to stumble forward and fall flat on his face. Guards 2 and 3 stand over Jesus.) (45) GUARD 3: (Sneering) Prophesy to us, Christ! (46) GUARD 2: Yeah, who hit you, prophet?! (47) CAIAPHAS: We have heard enough. Guards, bind the prisoner. (Guards 2 and 3 pull Jesus to his feet. They stand on either side of Jesus, holding him by the arms.) (48) CAIAPHAS: Jesus, I am sending you to Pilate where You'll be tried on charges of treason and sedition. This council is adjourned! (Guards 2 and 3 roughly escort Jesus off stage right. The center overhead spot goes out. Solo spot up on Dean Reynolds at down stage right. Reynolds, with microphone in hand, again looks straight ahead as though he were speaking to a camera.) (49) REYNOLDS: So, the Sanhedrin has just bound Jesus over to the Roman governor to stand trial on treason and sedition charges. This courtyard is empty now. Everyone's gone home to . .. (Just then, Reynolds, out of the corner of his left eye, sees a shadowy figure cross the dark, empty stage behind him. Reynolds whirls around to confront the lone intruder who seems in a hurry to exit in the same direction Jesus was taken.) (50) REYNOLDS: Hey! You, sir! Got a minute? (Reynolds turns toward the "cameraman" and motions for him to follow. The solo spot follows Reynolds upstage.) (51) REYNOLDS: Sir? May I have a word with you? Just a few questions, please. (Reynolds steps in front of the fleeing figure.) (52) REYNOLDS: Your impression, sir, of the pre-trial here before Caiaphas.

(Reynolds puts his hand mike in the face of his interviewee.) (53) PETER: No comment. (54) REYNOLDS: Is he guilty? (55) PETER: No comment. (56) REYNOLDS: Surely you must have an opinion. Do you think he's guilty? (57) PETER: Again. No comment. Please excuse me. (Peter steps out of the spot light and again starts to head off stage right. Reynolds grabs Peter's shoulder and whirls him around, pulling him back into the solo spot. (58) REYNOLDS: Wait a minute! Didn't I see you last night in the olive garden? Weren't you one of the three men the guards let go when they arrested Jesus? (Peter pushes Reynolds' hand away and starts to walk away.) (59) PETER: I don't know what you're talking about! (Peter moves out of the spot light and takes a step backwards.) (60) REYNOLDS: But, you were with Jesus! (Peter whirls on his heel and walks rapidly away. From the darkness we hear . . .) (61) PETER: (Yelling back) I don't know the man, I tell you, I don't know him. I don't know this Jesus.' (F/X: A rooster crows in the distance.) (Reynolds turns from looking stage right, where Peter fled, toward the "camera" again.) (62) REYNOLDS: (With a slight shake of the head) Here's a man who just last night was ready to defend his leader to the death, and now that Jesus is on trial for his very own life, he denies

even knowing his name! (Pause.) This is Dean Reynolds, ABC News Jerusalem. BLACKOUT (63) VOICE 1: Tonight on Nightline, "Jesus vs Pilate," is it treason or trickery? Ted Koppel reports from the Jewish capital. That's Nightline, following your late local news, over most of these same ABC stations. (House lights go up for a music solo as a bridge to Scene Three.) SOLO: "AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?" Scene Three: The Trial

(NOTE: By now, ABC News "owns" this story. Not even CNN can keep up. Whenever there's an international, fast-breaking event of this magnitude, the major television networks dispatch their main anchors to deliver all the world news from the latest hot spot. Tonight, all eyes are on troubled Jerusalem. ABC News has sent anchorman Peter Jennings to Israel to support Dean Reynolds already on the scene. The implication is obvious. Move over Dan Rather. Step aside Tom Brokaw. This thing is big. Bigger than the three of us.) BLACKOUT (64) VOICE 1: This is World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, reporting tonight from Jerusalem . . . (Solo spot up on Peter Jennings, who is standing alone, down stage left with a microphone in hand. Jennings looks straight ahead as though facing a camera. He's dressed in a suit. It may be the same suit as he wore in Scene One, but, he should have a different necktie.) (65) JENNINGS: Good evening. Behind me, you see the Praetorium, Pilate's official residence when he is in Jerusalem. A carpenter's son from Nazareth, Jesus, was brought here a second time, after the Roman governor examined him on Jewish charges that he is allegedly subverting their nation, opposes paying taxes to Caesar and claims to be some sort of messiah. (Jennings begins to walk laterally and slowly to his right and toward center stage, but still faces the "camera." Solo spot follows.) (66) JENNINGS:

The governor's press secretary told ABC News, Pilate "found no basis for a charge against" the Nazarene. (Jennings stops walking.) (67) JENNINGS: Sources tell us, when Pilate discovered Jesus is a Galilean and under Herod's jurisdiction, he was remanded to Pilate's political rival for examination. (Jennings gestures toward upstage right toward Herod's imaginary palace and resumes a slow walk toward center stage. Solo spot follows.) (68) JENNlNGS: Herod got no answers from Jesus. Did nothing more than embarrass the charismatic leader, dressing him in a royal robe, before sending him back to Pilate. (Jennings stops at center stage. He leans his head to one side with his two forefingers pressed to his ear as though listening to a director on his ear piece). (69) JENNINGS: I'm told Pilate is about to re-examine the Galilean. Let's switch to our live shot, from our hidden camera, inside the governor's palace · · (Solo spot on Jennings goes out. Solo spot directly overhead up on center of center stage.) (F/X: Angry crowd noise in the background and from a distance can be heard throughout Jesus' private interview with Pilate.) (Dressed in a Roman tunic with his back to the audience, Pilate stands looking upstage center as Jesus is again violently pushed toward center stage. He stumbles and falls forward, landing on his stomach at Pilate's feet. The robe Herod put on Jesus is gone. He's, wearing the same simple garment he had on at the time of his arrest. But, this time, Jesus hands are bound with chains that also encircle his waist. (70) PILATE: So, we meet again, Jesus? (Pilate bends over and helps Jesus to his feet. Jesus stands center stage looking straight ahead. Pilate begins to walk slowly, completely circling the stationary prisoner. His eyes never leave Jesus.) (71) PILATE: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. What am I going to do with you? Tell me now. We're all alone. Just between you and me . . .

(Pilate stops pacing briefly.) (72) PILATE: (Slowly) Are you the king of the Jews? (73) JESUS: Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me? (Pilate resumes pacing, circling Jesus, who continues looking straight ahead.) (74) PILATE: (Slightly irritated) Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. (Curiously) What is it you have done? (Pilate stops behind Jesus' left shoulder to listen for the answer.) (75) JESUS: My kingdom is not of this world. If it were my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place. (Pilate reverses his direction and walks to Jesus' right shoulder.) (76) PILATE: So, you are a king! (77) JESUS: You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. (Pilate reverses his direction again and walks to Jesus' left shoulder while Jesus repeats his last line quietly but emphatically.) (78) JESUS: (Slowly) Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. (79) PILATE: Truth? Truth? What is truth? I'll show you truth! (Pilate turns on his heels and walks briskly to upstage center out of the light and loudly addresses an unseen crowd outside, while Jesus bows his head in prayer.) (80) PILATE: (Loudly) I find no basis for a charge against this man Jesus! It is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the

Jews?! (81) VOICES FROM OFF STAGE CENTER: No! No! No! Not him! Give us Barabbas! (82) PILATE: Why? What crime has this man committed? (83) VOICES 1 FROM OFF STAGE CENTER: Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us! (Pilate quickly returns to Jesus' right side. Jesus' head remains bowed.) (84) PILATE: (Beginning to panic.) Where do you come from? (Jesus doesn't move or say anything. Pilate moves hurriedly to Jesus' left side.) (85) PILATE: Do you refuse to speak to me? (Pilate paces behind his prisoner and returns to Jesus' right side.) (86) PILATE: Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you? (Jesus looks up and directly at Pilate. Their eyes meet.) (88) PILATE: (In disgust and frustration) Oh . . . (Pilate stomps back to upstage center out of the light to again address the unseen crowd outside. Jesus bows his head again.) (89) PILATE: (Loudly) What shall I do with the one you call the king of the Jews?! (90) VOICES 1 FROM OFF STAGE CENTER: Crucify him! Crucify him! (91) PILATE: (Loudly) I found in him no grounds for the death penalty! (92) VOICES 1 FROM OFF STAGE CENTER:

Crucify him! Crucify him! (93) PILATE: (Loudly) I will have him flogged and release him to you! (94) LONE VOICE 4 (From off stage center): Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar! If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar! (95) VOICES 1 FROM OFF STAGE CENTER: Take him away! Take him away! (96) PILATE: (Loudly) Shall I crucify your king! (97) CAIAPHAS: (From off stage center) We have no king but Caesar! (F/X: The sound of water being drained and squeezed out of a rag over a basin.) (98) PILATE: (Loudly to the crowd) Do you see this?! This is your responsibility! I am washing my hands . . . I am innocent of this man's blood! (99) VOICES 1 FROM OFF STAGE CENTER: Let his blood be on us and on our children! (Pilate rushes back to Jesus' side and places one arm around his shoulders as if to escort him personally to his executioners. Pilate looks into the face of Jesus.) (100) PILATE: (In a near whisper) It's time. (Both men freeze in that position as the center stage light goes out.) (F/X: Crowd noise fades out with light fade.) (Solo light up on Peter Jennings at down stage right. Holding a microphone, Jennings looks straight ahead as if speaking to an unseen camera.) (101) JENNINGS: The execution of the itinerant preacher from Galilee is scheduled for 9:00 o'clock local time tomorrow morning. One final footnote to this report. Israeli authorities have identified the body of the man they say led them to Jesus. Judas, formerly of

Kerioth, was reportedly a one-time treasurer of sorts for Jesus' band of followers. Authorities say, Judas hung himself. No note was found. A trusted friend, a Roman ruler. Apparently, neither man knew what to do with the one called the king of the Jews. (Pause) This is Peter Jennings, ABC News, reporting live from Jerusalem. Good night. BLACKOUT (102) VOICE 1: Later tonight on ABC's Primetime Live with Sam Donaldson: "Jesus of Nazareth: Liar, Lunatic or Lord? You be the judge. Tonight at 9:00 Eastern, 8:00 Central time, over most of these same ABC stations. CURTAIN

(*) All Scripture quotations from the New International Version, Copyright (c) 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation.