lost opportunity

DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities© Lost Opportunities This drama is based on Peter's well chronicled denial o...

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DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities©

Lost Opportunities This drama is based on Peter's well chronicled denial of Jesus at the time of Jesus' arrest. Normally when we think of this low point in the life of "The Rock", Simon Peter, we assume that the servant girl and the guards in the courtyard of the High Priest that night were accusing Peter of being a follower of Jesus in order that they could have Peter arrested. (And very likely this was the motivation behind their questioning of Peter). But, what if the questioning of Peter was done by people who truly wished to meet and to serve Jesus. This drama looks at the denial from this very different vantage point. In this drama the servant girl and the guards who challenged Peter were secret followers of the Christ. Since one was a servant of the High Priest and the others were soldiers in the Roman army, they could ill afford to make their interest in Jesus known. This drama combines monologue on the part of Peter as he recounts the happenings in the days preceding the crucifixion, with the re-creation of the courtyard scene. Cast: Speaking parts: Simon Peter - a big man with a deep, loud voiceRuth - servant girl, late teens - early 20's Martha - servant girl, mid 20's, Maximus - a Roman centurion, tall, mid 20'sPhillip - a Roman centurion, short, mid 30'sAnnas, High Priest - middle age, very rotund3 Caiaphas, High Priest - mid to late 20's, dressed very lavishly Non-speaking parts: Jesus - 20 - 30 year old, slight build Extras - dressed as soldiers, shepherds, elders, townspeople. They congregate around the outdoor "trial" which is being conducted in the courtyard of the High Priest. Props: A "fire" can be made out of tin foil wrapped around a rotating electric rotisserie illuminated by a spotlight. A raised platform in the background from which the High Priest presides over the trial. It should appear that this is the balcony of his bedroom. Sets of the exterior of the High Priest's palace and adjacent homes Lighting: Two or more spotlights on the courtyard scene. The balcony should be highly illuminated whereas the area of the fire in the courtyard should be somewhat dark with shadows. Costumes: - Soldier's attire - Period costumes for both peasants and elders Sound: - recording of a rooster crowing - a microphone for the High Priest - one or more microphones around the fire (ensure that all mikes are well hidden) Staging: Lost Opportunities © Copyright DramaShare® 1993

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DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities©

The courtyard scene takes up almost all of stage with the High Priest's balcony at extreme upstage left and the fire at extreme downstage right. At upstage right will be the outside wall of a house adjacent to that of the High Priest. When Jesus is led away from the trial he is taken out to upstage right, (behind the adjacent house). It will appear that there is a street leading off in this direction. While set is still dark, the voices are heard. Jesus: Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter: Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus: I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me. Silence for 30 seconds, then Peter speaks in the darkness. Peter: After Jesus was arrested all the other disciples were frightened, and they fled. Well, I did too, but I followed at a distance. They took Jesus to the home of the High Priest, Annas. It was no secret that Annas and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, had long been plotting to put the Master to trial. Caiaphas had, in fact, told all the Jewish people that it would be good if one man died for the people. (Lights slowly come up on the courtyard scene and the "fire" is turned on, Jesus is led into the courtyard by Caiaphas and a mob of townspeople, soldiers, on-lookers) Caiaphas: Summon for us the High Priest, Annas. We have arrested the treasonous Nazarene and require the services of the High Priest that he be judged at once. Servant: The High Priest has gone to bed and has asked not to be disturbed. Caiaphas: You will do as I say and immediately! Servant: Very well, as you say. After all he is your father-in-law. Servant goes inside, all actors freeze, except for the two servant girls, Ruth and Martha, and the two soldiers, Maximus and Phillip, who move to a position in a semi-circle behind the fire. Peter's voice : I carefully moved closer to the courtyard of the High Priest. I had to determine that it was safe to enter. (With a blustery voice). No! I was not afraid! I, I, knew that, that I must choose the proper moment to, to rescue the Master. (Now in a more subdued voice). Many people had gathered near the home of the High Priest. As well there were two servant girls and two soldiers who had gathered around the fire which had been lit to protect from the cool night breeze. The four were talking quietly together, I tried but was unable to hear what they were saying. Ruth: Maximus! Phillip! Surely there must be something that you can do. There will be no justice for the Master.

Lost Opportunities © Copyright DramaShare® 1993

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DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities© Phillip : How many times must I warn you not to talk so? We are in grave danger if it becomes known that we are followers of the Way! Now control your tongue woman before you have us all arrested! Martha : Phillip is right Ruth. It will do no good for ourselves or the Master if we are arrested. Maximus : But we can't simply sit here and allow this mob to falsely accuse the Master. Come Phillip, we both have our swords. Let us go now and by force take the Master! Phillip: I will have no more of this senseless talk from either of you. Now Maximus, Ruth. You must control your emotions. Don't you think that I suffer as much as you do with the treatment which Jesus is receiving. But the fact is that two men will have no opportunity against the mob. Ruth (sarcastically) : Then brave Phillip, what is your plan? Do you intend to allow them to crucify the Master? Have you forgotten our oath that we will follow the Master? Phillip: How many times must I warn you? Keep your voices down! And as to a plan, well, yes, I, that is to say, I am formulating a plan. Maximus : And what would that plan be? Phillip: (searching his mind, trying to come up with a plan which would satisfy and pacify the others) Give me time to think! (Paces around the fire, thinking). You must realize that Jesus has a very large number of supporters. Remember last Sabbath when Jesus came into town, riding on that ridiculous little donkey. A multitude of townspeople were with him. Now surely you don't expect that all of those supporters would just desert him? Martha : But those were common townspeople, untrained and unarmed. Do you suppose that they could just walk right into this courtyard and that the High Priest would hand Jesus over to them. Phillip: (thinking quickly) Well, no, no, I don't suggest for a minute that they would do anything so foolish! I expect, that is to say, I am sure that out there in the shadows even as we speak the disciples of the Christ are congregating. Yes, and we will see someone, an advance scout you might say, come in to this very courtyard to wait for the perfect moment to rescue Jesus. When the scout comes I want you two women to create a diversion back behind the High Priest's palace. Then in the confusion Maximus and I will take Jesus away to a hidden cave just at the other side of this road. He will be safe there. Ruth: If this scout of yours does show up how will we know if he is a disciple of Jesus, the Christ? Phillip: When he comes I want you to ask him if he knows Jesus of Nazareth. Maximus: But what if this "scout" of yours is actually a friend of the Sanhedrin? We will then all be in trouble! Martha: Hush! We will say that we would know more of this Jesus. Ruth (with deep feeling): Certainly I can do that. Oh how I long with all my heart to know more of the Saviour. Lost Opportunities © Copyright DramaShare® 1993

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DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities©

Martha: Now let's get out of here before we are found out. Maximus: No, let's wait right here to be of assistance to the followers of the Way when they arrive. (Looks out into the shadows) Look! Someone is coming. And he is dressed in the style of a Nazarene. Ruth: Oh Phillip! You were right! Indeed it will be a disciple of the Christ. Finally there is someone who can teach us all about the Master! Peter's voice, as he moves cautiously around in the shadows: Carefully I moved in closer to the fire to get a closer look. It did not take long to realize that this mock trial would provide the Master no fairness. Peter joins the four at the fire. Ruth moves to a position beside Peter Ruth whispers to Peter: You have spent time with Jesus, the Nazarene. Peter, frightened, replies with anger: What are you saying woman? I don't know what you are talking about! Annas comes out on his balcony in his night attire, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, says: Would you please explain what urgency would wake me from my sleep in the middle of the night. Answer for yourself, Caiaphas, and quickly. Caiaphas, standing beside Jesus in the courtyard: Honored Annas, the elders have arrested the revolutionary, Jesus of Nazareth. As you are well aware he has caused much disunity among our people. But he has now gone too far. The Nazarene makes claims to be the Son of the very God. It is the universal wish of all of these good townspeople that Jesus be put on trial and put to death. Annas: One minute, I will consult with my deputies. (Annas moves back into his room out of sight, all players freeze). Maximus moves close to Peter at the fire, Maximus says: You also are one of the followers of the Way. Peter: Man I am not!| I want no more of your speculations and charges! Martha joins Phillip who has gone to extreme down stage right away from the fire, Martha pleads with Phillip: Surely Phillip, this man is a disciple of Jesus. You must go to him and convince him that we are able and anxious to help free the Master. You must! Phillip moves back to the fire beside Peter, Phillip whispers to Peter: We know that you are a follower of the Way. We wish to help you that we may learn more of the Saviour. Peter, in great fear, feeling that he is being tricked: Man I don't know what you are talking about! Now leave me alone! Rooster crows, Peter rushes offstage right. Lost Opportunities © Copyright DramaShare® 1993

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DramaShare® Production – Lost Opportunities©

Annas: The hour is late and I want my rest. It shall be as you say, Caiaphas. Soldiers, come, take him away to Pilate. All lights off. In the darkness Peter's voice: And when I heard the rooster crow I rushed outside and I cried bitterly. I had denied my Master as He had predicted. Suddenly there was with me the four who had been around the fire with me. I expected them to summon the crowd and have me arrested, in fact, I longed that this might happen. Somehow I felt that if I were arrested and put to death that this would atone for my awful rejection of my Master. (Short silence). But the four explained to me how they were questioning me only in hope of following and assisting Jesus. And I realized how my denial of Jesus was a lost opportunity. A lost opportunity to share the Saviour with those desperately in need of His touch. A lost opportunity. Rooster crows. Peter A lost opportunity. Rooster crows. Peter: Before you judge me, what of yourselves. You, alongside your co-workers everyday. Have you had the courage, or have you taken the time to share the Saviour? A lost opportunity! Rooster crows. Peter : Or you, in school. Most of your classmates come from homes where the name of Jesus is spoken only in profanity. Did you share the Saviour? A lost opportunity! Rooster crows. Peter: Or how about you Mom, and you Dad. Have you taken the opportunity, right there in your home to share the Saviour with your own children. To share Him, not just in words, but in action, and in deed. A lost opportunity! Rooster crows. Peter: A lost opportunity! Lights off

Lost Opportunities © Copyright DramaShare® 1993

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