THE TOUCH OF
THE ROBE
A Biblical
Play in
Two Acts
By Jewell Ellen Smith
First performed at a “Good Friday Prayer Breakfast” at the
Officer’s Club at
Return
to the Jewell Ellen Smith Home Page
THEME: “Truly this was the Son of God.” “...Now when the Centurion and they that were with him, watching Jesus
(on the cross), saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this
was the Son
of God.” Matt. 27:54
Sub-Theme: “Whatever He saith unto you, do it.” “...There was a
marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the
mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus ... and his disciples. ... And when they wanted wine, his mother saith unto the
servants, “Whatever He saith unto you, do it.”
Sub-Theme: “All things are possible
to him that believeth.” “...And one in the multitude answered and said, ‘Master, I have
brought unto thee my son which hath an evil spirit. ... If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help
us. ...
Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou
canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’” Mark 9
TIME AND PLACE:
RESUMÉ OF SCENES:
Act I
Scene 1. A detail of four Roman soldiers and one NCO (Non-Commissioned
Officer) named Felix have been assigned to “clean up the place,’ immediately after the crucifixion at Golgotha, the place of the skull, They divide Jesus’ garments, casting lots
for the “robe without
seam.” The Centurion
in charge returns. He believes Jesus was the Son of God. And while the soldiers take
down the crosses, the Centurion tells
the NCO of Jesus, and His miracles. (Felix and Centurion thus serve as
narrators for remainder of
Act I.)
Scene 2. Christ asks disciples “Whom say the people that I am?” This, while the group walks (across ballroom floor) toward Coast of Caesarea Philippi.
Scene 3. The marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, at which Jesus turns the
water into wine. This, after the supply had been exhausted and Mary had told
the servants to go to Jesus. She added, “Whatever He saith unto you, do it.”
Scene is climaxed by Mary’s singing a solo. Its
theme is “Do the will of God.”
Scene 4. In an
outdoor place, Jesus and his disciples are thronged by a crowd of people. Two
blind men try to get to Jesus to be
helped. A woman with a plague pushes her way through the crowd and touches the
hem of His garment. A man brings his epileptic son to Jesus. After the son is
made whole, the father sings a solo which declares to the audience exactly what
Jesus told the father, “All things are possible
to him that believeth.” (Woman, blind men and boy join in on chorus.)
The conversation between the Centurion and NCO Felix is
interrupted by
the arrival of a messenger who comes from Pontius Pilate, The Centurion is instructed to post a guard at the tomb of the
so-called “King of the Jews” so that his followers will not steal his body away at night and say that he arose from the
grave. Soldiers
finish removing crosses as NCO speculates
on whether or not Jesus was the son of God. (It is Felix who has acquired the “robe without seam” and he takes it with him into Act II.)
ACT
II
Scene 1: At twilight on the day following
the crucifixion, two soldiers are in the garden at the tomb when Jesus’ body
was placed--standing guard. Two others, with NCO Felix, arrive to relieve them. Felix does not
stay, but does leave Jesus’ raiment, including the robe.
There is a storm
just before dawn. Two angels appear. The soldiers “become as dead men.” Angels
roll away stone. They find the robe and other raiment left by Felix and take it
into the tomb for the Christ to wear.
Scenes
2 & 3: NCO Felix returns just in time to see three Women of Galilee coming to the tomb to bring spices to anoint the
body of the Christ. He listens as the angels tell the women Christ has risen. Felix (visible to the audience but not to
others in the garden) talks to himself in stage whisper. He becomes convinced
tha Jesus is the Son of God. After the angels and Christ Figure and women
leave, Felix shakes the sleeping guards. He declares to them that Jesus is the
living Son.
The guards bring up
the possibility of reporting what has happened
to the Centurion and to the authorities. Felix replies: “You two can tell the Centurion anything you want. I am
going to tell the world about the Crucified and Resurrected One! And each time I tell His story, I will add these
words:
By a game of chance, I took His robe!
The robe of God’s Son touched me!”
Felix begins
singing Grand Finale hymn. He is joined by entire cast. Cast sings certain
sections of song and final chorus.
--The End--
(It
is customary for the entire cast to remain on stage and sing a medley of Easter
hymns while the ceremony of “The Cross of Elower Petals” is in progress.)
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE:
Opinion of Roman soldiers regarding Jesus. And their decision on his robe:
Matt. 27:54: “Now when the centurion and they that were with him,
watching Jesus, saw
the earthquake, and those things that
were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
John
19:23-24a: “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his
garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a
part; and also
his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose
it shall be. ...”
Opinion of the
disciples regarding Jesus
Matt. 16:l3-16:
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Phillippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say I the Son
of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art
John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the
prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of
the living God.”
cf. Luke
First Miracle: The Good Wine:
John 2:1-9: “...There was a marriage in Cana of
Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus was called, and his disciples to the marriage... And when
they wanted wine -- his mother saith unto
the servants, whatever He saith unto you,
do it.
... Jesus saith unto them (servants) ‘Fill the waterpots with water.’ And they filled them
to the brim. And he saith unto them, ‘Draw out now, and bear unto the governor
of the feast.’ And they bear it.
“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the wine and knew
not whence it was (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of
the feast called the bridegroom. Every man
at the beginrdng doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then
that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”
Summary of healing:
Matt. 9:35: “And
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people.”
Mark
Mark
Guard for tomb
requested of Pilate:
Matt. 27:62b-66: “...The
chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate saying, Sir, we remember
that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise
again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made
sure. ... Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch. ... So they went, and made
the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”
Soldier guards faint at sight of resurrection angels, Women come to the tomb at dawn to bring spices; they
see Jesus:
St.
Matt. 28:1-11. (cf. Mk. 16:1-14, Lk.
24:1-49; John 20:1-23)
“...As it began to dawn toward the first day of the
week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.... the angel
of the Lord... rolled back the stone…. For fear of him the keepers (soldiers) did quake and
become as dead men.... As (the women) went, Jesus met them, and they worshiped
Him.”
List of Characters, in the order of
their appearance:
NCO Felix -- A Roman soldier in
charge of the detail which is taking down the three crosses used at the
Crucifixion. Felix is the chief narrator. He has many lines. He must have
solo voice.
Four Roman Soldiers Lucius, Arcalla, Otholus, and Gaverus:
Remain on stage during all of Act I. Come and go in Act II. Minimum of lines.
At least two could be played by women.
The Centurion -- A Roman officer in charge of 100 soldiers. Has
many lines in Act I. Does not appear again until Grand Finale.
Simon
Peter -- Appears in scenes 2, 3, 4 of Act I. Few lines.
Disciple John -- Appears in scenes 2, 3, 4 of Act 1. Very few lines.
Christ Figure -- Appears
in Act I
and II. Always wears purple robe. Few lines, but his scenes are the most
important.
Ten other disciples
-- No lines. Can be female players.
Governor of the
Feast -- Good many lines. Should be fat, rough.
Boy Servant -- Appears
only at wedding feast. Not too many
lines. Woman can play role,
Bridegroom -- Few
lines. Must be male actor.
Bride -- No lines.
Chief Servant -- Average number
of
lines. Must be male actor.
Mary, the Mother of
Jesus - - Few lines. Sings solo. Appears only in Act I.
Wedding
Guests -- group of about 15 persons. No speaking parts.
A Servant -- No
lines. Helps to fill water jars, serve wine at marriage feast.
A Throng of People -- about 15 persons. (May be same as the wedding guests.)
Woman with Plague
-- minimum of lines. Appears
only in Act I, scene 4.
First Blind Person
-- few lines. Can be woman.
Second Blind Person
-- few lines. Can be
woman.
Bystander -- very few lines. Can be woman.
A Father with his son -- Few very
dramatic lines. Sings solo; persons healed join in singing.
Epileptic son -- No
lines. Can be small woman.
First
and Second Angels -- Average number of lines. Can be women. Appear only in last
scene.
Mary
Magdalene, Slaome, and The Other Mary -- Average number of lines. Last scene.
Total number of players
required: about 40.
Several can play double roles. All sing final song.
THE TOUCH OF THE
ROBE
ACT I, Scene 1
The curtain rises on the
FELIX: All right, you guys! Let’s get with
it! We’ve got to take down these crosses! The Crucifixion is over! Our
Centurion gave orders that we are to clean up this “place of the skull.” And he’ll be back here any minute!
Lucius takes
the sandals. A.rcalla takes the tunic to examine
it. Otholus and Gaverus keep
looking at the robe. None make a move toward taking down the crosses.
FELIX: Come on now! You’ve argued long enough
over these clothes. What’s the problem, anyway?
LUCIUS: Well, it’s like this: We are going
to divide the clothes that belonged to that so-called “King of the Jews” that died on the middle cross into
four stacks. Then, each of us will take a
stack. But I don’t want these sandals!
ARCALLA: I don’t want this
tunic! But I wouldn’t mind having the sandals!
I want this purple robe, but Gaverus here claims he ought to have it!
GAVERUS: I need the robe! It would feel mighty good these cold windy nights here in Jerusalem.
LUCIUS: taking the robe
Gaverus, you’ve got a robe! Let me have this one! It’s not new, but it surely
is a good one!
ARCALLA: Just a minute now! I outrank all three of you guys! If
anybody deserves the robe, it’s me!
FELIX: pulling out his dagger I can settle this!
Hold up the robe, and h I’ll cut it very
neatly, very exactly, into four pieces. And you can sac take a piece!
ALL Soldiers:
Oh, no! Don’t do that! No!
ARCALLA: It would
be a shame to cut it up!
OTHOLUS: Yeah! Just
look at it! turning robe this
way and that
It’s a nice cloak!
GAVERUS: picking up edge of robe There’s not a seam in it!
LUCIUS: Let’s cast
lots for
it! That would be fair!
ARCALLA: Yeah! And winner take all! Sandals,
underclothes, tunic, the purple robe! Everything that belonged to that poor man
they called “King of the Jews”!
FELIX: Well, now, that does sound like a
good idea, Arcalla! We’ll cast lots!
ARCALLA: What do you mean, we?
FELIX: You guys
don’t mind me being in on it too, do you?
ARCALLA: grumbling tone I guess not. If you insist on it.
FELIX: with
much enthusiasm Who’s got the dice?
ARCALLA: Here’s
mine.
FELIX: You roll ‘em first.
Soldiers
squat down in semi-circle to roll dice, in turn. There’s much excitement and
suspense. Felix is last and wins!
FELIX: I win! I win! Winner takes all! Remember?
Grumbling
soldiers gather clothes together. Arcalla rolls sandals & tunic up in a
bundle and ties it. Hands bundle and robe to Felix.
ARCALLA: Here you are, you
lucky old so and so.
Felix
tries on robe. Strides back and forth, much pleased with the robe, and with himself.
FELIX: Ah! It fits perfectly! Just like it was made for me.
Well, now that this is all
settled, let’s tear these crosses down. Removes
robe and puts it aside. Before our Centurion gets back!
GAVERUS: Is the
Centurion going to run an inspection?
FELIX: I don’t know
if he will run an inspection, as such, or not. He just told me that he had been
called to come to the hail of Pontius Pilate and that he would be back out
here at Golgotha before sundown!
Soldiers
take down cross on left. Start taking it apart. They work without enthusiasm.
The Centurion arrives, walking slowly. He is evidently in a downcast mood.
FELIX: salutes and addresses The Centurion Sir,
is anything wrong? You look
almost ill! Can I send and get you
a bit of wine or something? One of the
soldiers here could run and--
CENTURION: No, no, thank you. I’ll be all
right. sits down on rude bench It’s
just that this crucifixion was the worst one I
ever had to carry out. I can’t get over
it--especially seeing the middle one die.
FELIX: Well, Sir, it’s all finished now. Think about it this
way: these thieves and revolutionaries and murderers here in Jerusalem bring it
on themselves. They deserve to die!
CENTURION:
The one who died on the middle cross was no criminal! He was. Jesus of Nazareth.
He didn’t deserve to die.
FELIX: I know one
thing about that
man that hung on the middle cross: He had two very, very rich friends! And
those two men--whoever they were--came here just about an Ixur ago and took down the body. ... And I wish you could have
seen the fine linen
they wrapped it in. I know it was linen from Egypt! And burial spices! I never saw the like! Those two men
had to be rich to afford all that imported spice and that fine Egyptian cloth!
CENTURION: One of
them was Joseph of Aramathea, a rich ruler of the
Jews. I was still in Pilate’s chambers when he came to
Pilate and asked permission to place the body in his own new tomb.
FELIX: Who was the
other rich man? I’d like to get acquainted with him!
CENTURION: It was probably a ruler and
teacher of Israel named Nicodemus. I happen
to know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Aramathea both believed on this Jesus of
Nazareth.
FELIX: Believed on
him? What do you mean , Sir?
CENTURION:
They believed this Jesus was the Son of God!
FELIX: The Son
of God? Sir, I don’t see--
CENTURION: All of his close followers
beieved him to be the Son of God! I know a couple of his disciples. One of them is a big
fisherman named Simon Peter. And he told me a lot about what people said of
this Jesus. Once he told me that there was no doubt about Jesus being the Son of God.
Spotlight picks up Scene 2.
Scene 2
The Christ Figure and
12 disciples are walking near the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. This scene--very brief--simply moves across ballroom floor. The group
talk as they walk, pausing briefly in center stage for the key lines.
SIMON
PETER: We should reach the coasts of Caesarea Philippi within an hour.
DISCIPLE JOHN: I wish we were there
now. This long journey has made me weary.
Master, are you weary?
CHRIST FIGURE: Not so weary. As we
go on our way, there’s something I should like to ask all of you.
Group pauses
JOHN:
Just ask us. Master, we will tell you anything.
PETER: If we know
the answer, we surely will tell
you. Truthfully.
CHRIST FIGURE: Whom do men
say I the Son of man am?
JOHN:
Some say that you are John the Baptist come back to life!
PETER:
Others think you must be Elijah.
Or one of the other old prophets.
JOHN: Many, many people say that one of the
old prophets is risen again. They often mention Jeremiah.
PETER: Yes, if you were to ask the ordinary person whom he thinks
you are, he would call the name of one of the three--John the Baptist, Elijah,
or Jeremiah.
CHRIST FIGURE: But whom say you that I
am?
SIMON PETER: “Thou art
the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
CHRIST
FIGURE: Simon Peter, Flesh and Blood have not revealed this to you, but My
Father which is in heaven.
Spotlight goes back to Felix and
Centurion. C. F. and disciples move into position for marriage feast.
FELIX: So his disciples thought
he was the Son of God? I find that-- It’s-- Why, Sir, it’s impossible
for me to believe that!
CENTURION:
I believe it!
FELIX: You’ve been stationed over here a long time haven’t
you, Sir?
CENTURION:
Oh, yes. I’ve been attached to Pilate’s headquarters in
FELIX: Miracles? What sort of miracles?
CENTURION: The first miracle he ever performed in public was at a
wedding. A big wedding in Cana of Galilee. There were people
there from all over, especially from
Voice trails off, as spotlight picks up Scene 3, the Marriage Feast.
Scene
3
A round banquet table is spread. Some guests are
seated. Others are walking about, talking, laughing. Three servants weave their
way in and out among
the guests, bearing large trays of fruits
and other foods. Jesus is not seated at the table. Rather, he sits on a low
bench at right stage. Some five persons are gathered round him, intent on
hearing him. Mary and two other women are on left stage, talking together. The
Governor of the
Feast is everywhere at one time, issuing orders to the servants, consulting with the bridegroom, having something of a merry time
himself.
GOVERNOR
of the FEAST: Let us have a toast to the bride and groom!
All
GUESTS: To the bride and groom!
GOVERNOR:
May Jehovah, the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of
Jacob, make his face to shine on you and bless you!
GUESTS
in unison Jehovah Bless you! All lift glasses in toast
GOVERNOR: to a boy servant who carries a huge platter
of grapes Step lively, Boy! This is a wedding feast! Not a funeral!
BOY SERVANT: very nervously
Yes, sir! Yes, sir!
GOVERNOR: Put those grapes on the table and go bring in some figs! And
more dates!
BOY SERVANT: Yes,
sir! I will, sir!
GOVERNOR:
walks over toward bridegroom and beckons him to come aside
for a minute Is the feast going all
right, Sir? Is everything satisfactory?
BRIDEGROOM: very merry Everything is perfect! Couldn’t be
better! Starts to resume his place
at the table, then turns
back to talk to Governor You might bring out some more wine! I want to propose another
toast. Perhaps two more toasts!
GOVERNOR: Very good, Sir. I’ll
see to it right away. Governor rushes over to Boy Servant, who is
just setting the grapes on the table Boy, I thought I told you to step
lively! You go back in the kitchen and tell the chief servant that I said to
bring out more wine!
BOY SERVANT: But--
But-- But, Sir, the wine’s all gone!
GOVERNOR: The wine is
all gone? Don’t you tell me that, Boy! You servants have been drinking it up!
That’s what! grabs his collar
You get some wine in here, or else! makes
motion to show how he
could slit the boy’s throat Boy rushes away. He
runs to get Chief Servant, and in their excitement they both bump into Nary,
the mother of Jesus, Both are very apologetic and bow and apologize profusely.
CHIEF SERVANT:
Madam, we’re sorry! Very sorry! We didn’t intend to bump into you!
BOY SERVANT: Oh, Madam,
we didn’t see you! Please forgive us, Madam!
MARY: That’s all right. It couldn’t be helped. You seem quite upset! Is something wrong?
C. S.: Oh, Madam, we are in terrible
trouble! The Governor of the Feast has ordered us to bring in more wine! But the wine is all
gone! I don’t know what to do! We could
send into the village for more, but that would take hours!
MARY: Why don’t you speak to
my Son? He can help you.
C. S.: Your son is a wine merchant?
MARY: Oh, no. He is not
a wine
merchant. But He will help you.
C. S.: Which guest is your son, Madam?
Mary: There! points to Christ Figure The man in the purple
robe. He wears his new robe today. It doesn’t have a seam in it! But then you’re not interested in robes! You’re anxious for wine for the wedding feast. Go to my Son!
C. S. much surprised
Oh! That’s Jesus of NazaDethl Madam, I
didn’t recognize
you! You must be the wife of Joseph, the Carpenter of Nazareth!
MARY: Yes, I am Mary of
Two servants approach
Christ Figure, bow. Persons near
C.F. move aside so that servants can talk with Him.
C. S.: Sir, can you help
us? Your mother said you could!
CHRIST FIGURE: Ah, my mother! Already, she knows that all power is given to me
in Heaven and in earth. Why do you need help?
C. S.: The
wine for the wedding feast is all used
up! There is no more! And the Governor of the Feast is furious with us
servants. He is demanding that we serve more wine!
wrings hands There is no more
wine!
CHRIST FIGURE: Do you have
some water jars?
C. S.: Oh yes! lere are plenty of
water pots! Right over here on this
shelf. Points to earthen jars on
low shelf. But they are empty
right now.
CHRIST FIGURE: Fill the water pots--to the brim.
C. S.: To Boy, in kind tone Boy,
run get
water! Fresh water! Get some help and bring
enough to fill these three pots! To C. F. and disciples standing nearby I’ve never seen such a marriage feast in
CHRIST FIGURE: to the
group, as they wait for
the water to be brought
The
Boy Servant and another
servant hurry in with jars of water. Chief
Servant takes these and
fills up the water jars. He waits for Christ Figure to give more instructions.
C. S.: What shall we do now? Before C. F. can answer,
Chief Servant discovers the water
is now wine. Look! Look!
It’s wine! It’s wine! Red wine!
CHRIST
FIGURE: Go and give it all to the
Governor of the Feast.
Christ
Figure
sits back down. Disciples gather around Him, as before. Servants hurry to the Governor of the Feast, who
is on the opposite side of the room.
GOVERNOR of FEAST: Well! It’s about time
you got here with some wine! Let me
taste it before you serve it. Servant
quickly pours wine into Governor’s
wine glass--in such a manner that audience can see red oolthr.) Hu-mm! licks his lips Let me taste of that again! Yum-yum! licks lips even
more noticeably Pour me some more
of that!
Gulps down glassful,
hurries to call Bridegroom aside and brings him over to see
the wine.
Sir,
in my time, I’ve managed many a wedding feast! Dozens of wedding feasts! But never, never have I seen this done! Taste of this wine!
Bridegroom tastes wine. Governor keeps talking.
Always,
it‘s customary at the beginning of a feast to set forth good wine. Then, when all the men have had plenty, serve that which is not such fine quality. But you, Sir! You have kept the
good wine until now!
BRIDEGROOM: Well, I don’t know how that
happened! Is is delicious! So bring it on to the table!
Bridegroom
hurries back to the table. Two younger servants pick up jars. Governor gets
himself another glassful and staggers away.
CHIEF SERVANT: to younger servants We know how the good wine happened!
Young servants go to pour wine. Chief Servant goes back to speak to Mary.
C. S.: bowing to Mary
Madam, your 3on, Jesus of Nazareth
performed a
miracle! He turned water into wine!
MARY: I’m glad.
C. S.: You said to do whatever he said to me! He made wine! Good wine, out of
plain water! All I did was to obey
him!
MARY: I am very glad. If only all men would obey Him!
Chief Servant joins semicircle of
persons near Christ Figure. Mary steps away from feast scene. Spotlight follows her. She sings solo “God’s Love, the Wine for Thee” to
the audience (see below). Figures in scene leave quietly. At end of Mary’s solo, spotlight goes back to Felix and
Centurion.
Scene
4
FELIX: Great
Jupiter! What a miracle!
Turning plain water into wine! This Jesus must have been some sort of a
magician. Picks up robe and gets
quite excited Say, Sir, do you suppose if I wear this robe, some of his magic will rub off on me?
CENTURION: No, no,
Felix, don’t get the wrong idea! It wasn’t
magic. It was the power of God. But, seeing this robe picks up robe again makes me thing about one day--it’s been a couple of years ago now--one day while I was on
leave, I went over to the
Spotlight picks up large crowd of people gathered about Christ Figure. Some are elbowing their way closer. Several
are obviously crippled, blind, sick. One man
leads his teenage son, who keeps falling down. Two blind men grope their way to the crowd, holding on to each other and
begging someone to show them the way to Jesus. Woman with Plague is nearest audience.
WOMAN with PLAGUE: Please! Please make room! Let me get
through I Let me just get close to
Him!--Please!--If
you’ll just let rne touch the hem of his
garment! That’s all I want to do! Touch his robe! I’ve been sick for years!
I’ve spent every mite I have going to the doctors, and they can’t do a thing!
Somebody, just help me get to where I can touch the hem of his robe! That will
make me well!
Woman manages to get close enough to
touch hem of robe Christ Figure wears. Then, she rushes back to edge of crowd.
CHRIST FIGURE: to the
crowd Who touched my raiment?
DISCIPLE JOHN: Why, Master, anybody could
have brushed against your robe! With all these people
so close here, any
one of them--maybe two or three--could
have touched you.
SIMON PETER: bustling up closer
to Christ Figure Why do you ask, Master? Did
somebody tear your robe, or something?
CHRIST FIGURE: I felt power go forth from me--healing power. Someone touched me and was made well.
Woman
now healed of the plague comes back, very much afraid. She kneels at the feet of the Christ Figure.
WOMAN: Oh, Master, have mercy! Forgive me! I touched the hem of your robe! And my plague
was gone!
I could feel my tortured body healed. For
twelve long years I had been sick and I wanted so much to be well! Forgive me!
CHRIST FIGURE: Daughter, thy faith has made the whole. Go in peace.
WOMAN: My Master! And my Lord! bows again to the ground, rises, and moves into the crowd
Two blind persons are groping their way toward the throng of people. They
hold to each other, use canes, beg for guidance.
1ST BLIND PERSON: Is Jesus of Nazareth
here? We heard that Jesus of Nazareth is here!
2ND BLIND PERSON: Show us the way to the Son of David, who can make the blind to see!
1ST
BLIND PERSON: Jesus is here, isn’t
he?
BYSTANDER: Yes, Jesus of Nazareth is here.
Many have come to be healed. Just now one poor woman just
touched the hem of his robe and she was made well.
2ND
BLIND PERSON: Lead us to him! He can open our eyes.
BYSTANDER:
Come this way. We’ll walk around on the left side. Go slow
so that you will not run into any of the others who are lame and halt and blind. Many are waiting to be healed.
Father with epileptic son
accidentally bumps into two blind
persons. Son fails on ground, writhes
about.
FATHER: Oh, I’m very
sorry! My son is so dreadfully ill!
BYSTANDER: Let’s let this father take his afflicted son to Jesus first. And we will follow him.
Both of you stay right here. I’ll help with the boy and then come back and lead
you to the Great Physician.
Crowd parts, making way for Man and Bystander to half
carry, half lead writhing boy
to Jesus.
FATHER: Master,
I have brought my son who has an evil spirit. Many times it has tried to
destroy him by making him fall into the fire, or into the water. If you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.
CHRIST
FIGURE: If you can believe. All things are possible to him that beliveth.
FATHER:
crying out, with tears Lord, I believe. Help mine
unbelief! Christ Figure lifts boy by the hand. He
stands up, smiles. Father embraces son.
FATHER: My son! My son!
He has made you whole! It is true! His words are true! “All
things
are possible to him that believeth!”
Spotlight shifts to Christ Figure, momentarily, to
show him placing his hands on the eyes of the two blind persons.
CHRIST FIGURE: Faith has made
your eyes to see!
The Father begins singing “If Thou Canst Believe...” (see below). He is
joined by the Woman healed of the Plague, his son, the two blind persons who
now see, and the Bystander. Father does solo
part. Others do sections of song. Light
returns to Centurion and Felix.
CENTURION: to Felix I saw this Jesus of
Nazareth perform many such healing miracles. It is no wonder his followers
believed He was the Son of God. For three years, he went about...
FELIX: excuse me for interrupting you, Sir, but here comes a soldier,
who looks like a messenger. That is , he has a scroll in his
hand.
CENTURION:
I’m willing to
bet you my last denarius that he is a
messenger from
Pontius Pilate. Yes, I know him. He is from a detail assigned to the hall of
Pilate. There must be some trouble-- Probably a riot!
Centurion and Felix rise
MESSENGER: walking straight to Centurion, and saluting
Sir, here’s a sealed message. From Pontius
Pilate. I was or4ered to deliver it to you in person.
CENTURION: takes scroll, breaks seal and
reads message to himself, mumbling loudly: Of all
the foolish things! turning to messenger But don’t
let Pontius Pilate hear I said so!
MESSENGER: What is it sir?
Is it bad?
CENTURION:
No. It’s not
bad! It’s just useless! I’ve been in the Roman Army fifteen years and I never had such orders before! I am
ordered to post guards at the tomb of this crucified Jesus of Nazareth!
FELIX: Guard his
tomb?
CENTURION: That’s Pilate’s order. We have to keep a watch there in that garden where his friends buried him--every night for the next three days!
FELIX: Why, Sir?
CENTURION:
Oh, the Jewish authorities went to Pilate and told him that the twelve
disciples of Jesus might come and steal the body by night and say that he arose from the
dead.
FELIX: Now, I’ve heard
everything! Will you post guards?
CENTURION: Of course! Orders are orders. You and your detail, here,
finish taking down the crosses, then come on back to the barracks. I’ll work up
a tomb--guarding roster. You and your detail may as well be at the top of the
list. I’m not going to wait for that wine. I’m going to go on back with the
messenger.
FELIX: Yes, sir.
Centurion
leaves without messenger. Felix picks up the raiment and talks to himself as he
rejoins the four soldiers who are taking down the crosses. By this time, only
the center cross is standing.
FELIX: to himself I just wonder about that man whose tomb we
soldiers have to guard. Was he the Son of God? He turned water to wine! And did all manner of other miracles. My
Centurion believes he was divine! I almost
half--believe it myself. shakes head No, no! He couldn’t be the Son of God! ... This crucifixion and
orders to guard the tomb is all a strange
business. Looks closely at robe
Oh, well, at least I got myself a good robe
out of the whole thing. Tosses robe over
his shoulder and tucks bundle pith sandals and tunic under his
arm.
FELIX: to soldiers All right,
guys, knock down that other cross and
let’s go. It’s nearly chow time.
LUCIUS: picking up “King
of the Jews” sign What
are we going
to do with this “King of the Jews” sign?
FELIX: Nothing! We may as well throw it away. takes sign and
looks at it, reads it aloud “King of the Jews.” If it
read “Son of God,” I might keep it as a souvenir.
LUCIUS: Felix, sometimes we wonder about you!
CURTAIN on
Act I
ACT II, Scene 1.
It is night, on the
eve of the Resurrection. Soldiers Otholus and Gaverus are standing guard at the
Tomb, one on one side of the rock which seals the door, the
other on the other. Arcalla and
Lucius--accompanied by Felix--arrive to take their places. Felix still has the
clothing which the Christ had worn. The robe
is draped carelessly across one arm.
OTHOLUS: Are we ever glad to see you guys!
GAVERUS:
Yeah! We’re tired of standing here guarding
this
tomb! If you ask me, the whole thing is
ridiculous!
FELIX:
Has anything happened?
OTHOLUS: Nothing! Absolutely
nothing! We’ve just been standing here! For four
hours!
GAVERUS: Felix, I
see you’re
still carrying around that bundle of clothes and that good robe you won yesterday. What
are
you doing that for?
FELIX: No particular reason. I just haven’t
been back to the barracks yet. But right now I’m going to leave all these clothes
here--with Lucius and Arcalla. I have sort of a special errand--into the city!
Places clothes on a
clump
of rocks not far from the tomb.
LUCIUS: Special
errand! Yeah, real special! You’re going into the city to call on your new girl friend, I bet!
turning to Arcalla Isn’t that what you say, Arcafla?
ARCALLA: Yeah! Old Felix is going
to see his new
girl friend!
FELIX: Could be! Could be! But, you two
better not count on it! I’ll be back out here to check on you--long before daylight! Guarding this tomb is a
crazy assignment. But it’s got to be
guarded right! Understand?
LUCIUS:
Sure,
Felix! You can count on us. We’re not going to go to sleep, if that’s what you’re worrying about!
FELIX: I’m not worried.
See you later.
Felix leaves with Otholus and Gaverus. Lucius and Arcalla take up their
post. There is a short interval
of quiet music. Then, loud music, thunder-effect sounds, followed by bright,
bright lights! Two angels appear. Lucius and Arcafla are so frightened that they slump to the ground, becoming “as dead men.”
1ST ANGEL: looking
down at soldiers Poor Roman
Soldiers! Little do they know! All the guards from all the armies of the world
could not keep this tomb sealed!
First angel easily rolls away stone.
2ND ANGEL: Few men of this earth
can comprehend God’s plans! Or, His ways. picks
up clothing lying on rocks
The soldier who left these clothes here did not know he left
them! He couldn’t know the Son of God
would need them again. But the Father in Heaven knew.
Second Angel
enters tomb, carrying the clothes. Spotlight shifts to group of women
approaching tomb, with spices.
Scene
2
Mary Magdalene,
Salome, and
the Other Mary come to the garden,
carrying burial spices with which to anoint the body of Christ. One carries a candle, for it is yet dark. They pause as their
conversation begins.
MARY MAGDALENE: Let us wait here
until daybreak. Just as soon as dawn comes,
we can easily fine the tomb. It’s the new tomb of Joseph of Aramathea.
SALOME: I do hope we have brought enough burial spices.
OTHER MARY: in frantic tone Oh, I just thought of something!
SALOME: What?
OTHER MARY: Who will roll away the stone from the door of the
sepulchre?
MARY
MAGDALENE: I
hadn’t thought of that either. Perhaps
all three of us together can push it back.
OTHER MARY:
I
doubt it. Stones used at tombs are
enormous. But we
can try.
SALOME: Let’s walk a bit farther, because
it’s getting lighter. In a few minutes we won’t need this candle.
Light shifts back
to Angels at the tomb.
1ST ANGEL: I see followers of
Jesus coming!
2ND ANGEL: Yes, women who
bring burial spices. They’ll be frightened when
they see us!
1ST ANGEL: Let’s speak softly
to them. And, just explain that they don’t need burial spices here! It may be hard for them to
understand that
their Lord is risen.
As women
reach tomb area, they are terrified when they see the Angels. They huddle
together.
ALL WOMEN: in gasping, incredulous tone Angels! Look! Angels from
Heaven! And the
stone! It is already roiled away!
MARY MAGDALENE: I am so frightened!
OTHER MARY: What shall we do?
SALOME:
I don’t know what to do! Let’s wait and see if
they leave.
Spotlight picks up Felix, who has just returned to the garden. Felix stays in background, partially hidden by shrubbery. Audience can see him.
FELIX: Great Jupiter! Angels! Something’s
going on here! Where’d these angels come from? What are
they doing here? And those women! Where are my two fine guards? Just look at
them! They look like dead men! They must have been so
frightened they fainted! I don’t feel so
brave myself!
Spotlight goes back to women, as First
Angel approaches them. Women are still huddled together.
1ST
ANGEL: Fear not! I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here;
for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Angel directs women to
look into door of tomb. Felix creeps closer. The women cautiously look into door of tomb. Then, they are incredulous.
MARY MAGDALENE: He is
risen!
SALOME:
Yes! He is not in the tomb!
OTHER MARY: Now, I remember he said
he would rise again! Back in
2ND ANGEL: Go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth
before you into
1ST
ANGEL: Lo, we have told you. Go quickly. Tell his disciples that He is risen.
Women turn to leave.
Angels fade into background. Spotlight picks
up Felix. While Felix talks to himself, he follows the women. Immediately after he
speaks the women encounter the Christ Figure in another part of the garden.
FELIX: to himself This is incredible! The tomb is empty! Angels saying this Jesus has risen from the dead! I’ll follow these women till they leave this garden! Then I’ll see
if I can’t revive the guards.
Felix sees Christ
Figure. He is almost speechless!
FELIX: That’s him! That’s that Jesus! His clothes! He’s got on his
own clothes! I left those clothes right over there on those rocks! Yes, they’re gone! He’s wearing them!
He is alive! Felix gasps again. Now I know he is the Son of God!
Three women fall at
feet of the Christ Figure.
WOMEN: Master!
Master! You are risen from the grave!
CHRIST FIGURE: to women “Go to my brethren, and say unto
them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and
to my
God, and your God.”
Women rise and as they leave the spotlight shifts to Felix
Scene 3
FELIX: He is the Son of God! He is! He is!
Rushes to grab up sleeping
guards, shakes them good, as he keeps talking in very excited tones Wake up!
Wake up! He is the Son of God!
ARCALLA: rubbing his eyes What happened?
FELIX: I’m trying
to tell you what happened! God’s Son lives!
LUCIUS: rousing up, shaking himself Felix? What did you say, Felix?
FELIX: I’m trying to explain to you guys that while you were asleep angels came down from
heaven and opened this tomb! And that the crucified man who was in there dead
is not dead now! He lives! He is the SON OF GOD!
LUCIUS: Felix, I don’t know what you’re
talking about, but please don’t report us
to our Centurion!
ARCALLA: No, please don’t report us! Honest to goodness, Felix, we didn’t go to sleep. Something
just happened to us! Please don’t tell the Centurion. Oh, my word, here comes
our Centurion now!
Centurion approaches.
LUCIUS: Felix, quick, think of something to tell him! All
this will have to be reported to the authorities!
But don’t tell that we went to sleep on guard duty!
FELIX: You two can tell the Centurion anything you want. I am going to tell the world that
the Crucified and Resurrected One is the Son of God! And each time I tell His story, I will add these words: “By a game
of chance, I wore His robe! The robe of
God’s Son touched me!”
Felix begins singing Grand Finale song
(see below). Entire cast comes on stage and joins in singing.
THE END
Cast remains on
stage to serve as choir during ceremony of “The Cross of Flower Petals.” Medley
of Easter hymns is used.
Words for “The
Touch of the Robe, theme song for play of same name.
Sung by Felix and
the entire cast, as the Grand Finale.
It takes the form
of a dialogue between Felix and the members of the cast, as he recalls and
tries to understand what manner of man the Christ was, why and how He died, and
His Rsurrection.
Felix sings a
prologue, as it were. Then comes the dialogue. Then, an epilogue-summary.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“The Touch of the
Robe”
Felix:
By a mere game of chance I wore his robe!
The robe of God’s Son touched me!
This will I tell again and again:
The robe of God’s Son touched me!
The touch of the
robe was the touch of God!
This is true! Would you not agree? (Felix is addressing the cast.)
Cast:
The touch of the robe was the touch of God!
Felix:
As we took down the cross where He had died,
Never knowing who He might be,
We soldiers rolled the dice in the dust,
Just to gain a garment there free.
“A
cloak without seam! Oh, I must have that!”
Each man wanted the robe to wear.
But wearing that robe has chang-ed my life.
The Crucified one seems now dear.
Cast:
The touch of the robe will change any life,
Make The Crucified one seem dear.
Felix:
I marvel at Jesus and how he died.
What manner of man then was he?
Cast:
A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,
Bruised for our iniquity.
We saw him wounded for our transgressions,
As prophets foretold He would be.
Felix:
Did He not make many miracles great?
Even turning water into wine!
Did He not heal all manner of illness,
Showing Himself to be divine!
Cast:
Jesus did make many miracles great,
Even turning water to wine!
Yes, He did heal all manner of illness,
Showing Himself God’s Son divine!
Felix:
Then why did He choose to die between thieves,
To suffer, to hang on the cross?
Cast:
He came as the Lamb to be sacrificed,
To Him, this death was not a loss.
To redeem the world which God so loved,
Christ was willing to bear the cross.
Felix:
When He had died, friends laid Him in the tomb;
A wonderful thing did happen.
Two soldiers of
God closed their eyes in deep sleep.
As angels came down to move the great stone,
Daughters of Judah came to weep.
Sweet spices they
brought to anoint the dead,
But they found their Lord had risen!
”See this place where He lay,” the angels said.
”He is not here. He is risen!”
Then I saw the
Christ walk through the garden.
I know indeed He is risen!
Cast:
Jesus, our Lord, conquered death and the grave!
The Crucified One is risne!
Felix:
I, a Roman soldier who saw these things,
Think now of Him whose robe I wore.
Christ the Lord is God’s Son!
God’s Son shall live forevermore!
By wearing His
robe, I found Christ, my God.
’Twas by chance His robe touched me.
The touch of the robe is the touch of God!
Will you then let His robe touch thee?
All:
The touch of the robe is the touch of God!
Let His Robe touch thee!
--Jewell Ellen
Smith