I wrote this skit for Easter 2024 to be performed at my church.
(roughly 12 mins)
II=pause; take a breath
(enter stage left)
Narrator: I feel the heavy wood scrape against the fresh wounds on my back and grimace. I watch as blood drips into the dust on the ground beneath my feet. As I’ve been told I am only dust and to dust I shall return.
My grandfather told me about a crazy man that claims he saw the One who would be the Messiah. I don’t know if I believe that. II
In King David’s writings, he often depicted the Messiah as a King who is mighty in battle and able to save. II
(indignant) Well, no king is saving us now. In fact, the Roman occupation has only become stronger and more brutal. Hence, the horrendous public execution that I’m now facing. II
Since no King has shown up to save me, I thought I would take matters into my own hands. I would rule my own life! II
(this section can be a bit comical) Man, was I wrong.
Did we manage to steal the bags of gold? Yes, yes we did.
Had we gotten away with it? No, not in the slightest.
We may have been able to bask in the riches for a day or two, but I don’t think being tortured to death was our idea of success.
Yeah, I’m going to say we failed…miserably. II
(pensive and remorseful) What did it amount to? What kind of life do I have now? None. I have lost all control. I’m doomed for death and I have sinned against God.
Next to me is my partner in crime, and next to him I see another poor soul carrying his own wooden beam.
He is nothing special; beaten badly and his back is like ribbons of flesh, like all people who are beaten before being crucified.
(curious) Yet, it feels as if people are drawn toward him, even to harm him. II
The soldiers made a crown for him out of thorns, but they certainly aren’t treating him as a king.
Our faces have barely been touched, but this man's face is almost unrecognizable.
Yes, we have bruises from the soldiers lording it over us criminals.
However, this man is torn to pieces.
He is barely even human anymore.
Yet, I too find myself drawn toward him for some reason. II
He is visibly distressed to the point of convulsions.
He barely manages to hold the wood crucifix and suddenly collapses to the ground.
A man kneels next to Him with concern on his face. A soldier rushes over to the spectacle.
Soldier 1: (bellows loudly) “What’s going on here?”
Narrator: The man kneeling stands up and addresses the soldier.
Simon of Cyrene: (boldly pleading) “He’s barely able to carry this! It’s too heavy.”
Soldier 1: (angrily) “What concern is that to me? If you’re so concerned, you help him carry it.”
Narrator: I watch the man’s eyes turn to saucers.
Simon of Cyrene: (shocked) “No!…I didn’t mean…”
Narrator: Before he can finish, the soldier grabs him by the back of the garment and throws him to the ground.
Soldier 1: “Do it!”
Narrator: The man struggles to get underneath the bloodied wood and lift the criminal to his feet. I pause my own ordeal to watch what seems to be pampering from the soldiers.
(seething) My mind boils with resentful thoughts.
Suddenly, I’m roughly pushed from behind by another soldier.
Soldier 2: (in gruff voice) “Move along, Worm.”
Narrator: I scowl at the man who no longer bears much load.
What has He done to warrant such treatment?
I wish someone would carry mine. II
I observe that he has a large crowd behind him. It is a noisy mix of chief priests, Roman soldiers, Pharisees and Scribes, all who insult him and taunt him.
Pharisee 1: “I thought you were the King? If You’re really the King, then save yourself.”
Mocker 1: “He saved others, yet he cannot save himself.”
Narrator: Instantly, I know who this man is.
I have heard of him and the things that he believes about himself.
Apparently, his name is Jesus Christ and he claims to be God.
Well, God certainly couldn’t be arrested and condemned to be crucified.
A woman is following as closely as the soldiers will allow and every once in a while she quickly wipes his brow.
A man boldly steps out of the crowd and spits on him.
Two men swiftly jump the man who spit and attack him.
The soldiers are forced to turn their attention and attend to the unruly crowd.
The fight is broken up and they are told to stay on separate sides.
The crowd disperses with a restless resolve. II
(sarcastic) My spirit is stirred up like the clouds of dust surrounding me and I angrily join in the jeering.
(yelling) “Jesus! Why don’t you save Yourself? You’re a king, right? Tell your “subjects” to stop this at once.” I hear my partner agree.
(jeering) Thief 2: “Yes, please do tell us where Your glorious kingdom is now? We don’t see a king, only a criminal.”
Narrator: I adjust my burden to alleviate pain and keep walking.
Several men join in with their comments.
An angry spirit falls over the crowd and the shouting gets louder.
I chuckle a little.
Jesus turns his head and looks straight into my eyes.
The anger melts from my face as I feel a rush of chills over my body.
His gaze isn’t angry.
I see love and sadness. It feels like… he is sad…for me? I’m transfixed. II
The spell is broken when I’m whacked in the back of the head by a soldier.
Soldier 3:(angrily shouts) “Keep going!”
Narrator: (befuddled) My thoughts are all twisted and confused.
That was not how I expected him to react.
Why didn’t he get angry?
I’m no better than him.
Shouldn’t he be angry?
He barely makes it up the hill and collapses onto His stomach.
One of the soldiers kicks him onto His back.
He gasps and cries out.
I’m pushed to the ground.
I attempt to wrestle the soldier as he tries to place me on my own cross, but all my fighting is in vain.
I can barely see them maneuver Jesus.
The soldiers are never nice, but it seems that they are being extra rough with this man.
And he’s not fighting against them.
One soldier drags him over the wood to position him better.
He is not even struggling.
(confused) Most prisoners would at least try to make a break for it.
Then I hear him cry out in a loud voice drowned with tears.
Jesus: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Soldier 2: “I don’t need forgiveness!”
Narrator: The soldiers laugh and one spits on him. II
(pensive) Why would Jesus say that?
Only God can forgive sins.
Does he think he is God? II
(in pain) My arms are stretched farther apart than they are able.
Then a shot of pain races down my arm as it dislocates.
I scream.
I hear the other criminals scream in agony.
Nails are driven into my wrists and the pain is unbearable.
Everything goes black. II
When I come to, I’m pinned upright onto the cross by my feet and hands.
A soldier nails an inscription above my head with my name and my crime.
I see a soldier nailing the inscription above Jesus’ head which says, “This is the king of the Jews.”
I don’t understand.
This man is just as doomed as us.
What makes him any kind of king?
As the soldier descends the ladder, he spits on Jesus.
He laughs with another soldier who mutters insults and they walk to the side to wait for our inevitable death.
My back drags against the wood as I struggle to lift my body and I feel dozens of slivers dig into it. A scream of agony escapes my lungs.
The nails scrape against my wrist bones and the pain is excruciating.
The pain reminds me that death is on its way for me. II
I look at the sky and see birds fly overhead.
I imagine flying with them and it distracts from the pain.
(wistfully) Oh what a life it would be to fly free close to heaven! II
I hang my head in despair.
(repentant) God, I have sinned against You.
Could You find it in Your heart to forgive this wretched man?
Could I ever dwell above with You?
The sky is silent. II
I’m brought back to earth when I hear more people mocking Jesus.
Pharisee 2: “He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Narrator: (questioning) Wait!
Does He really believe Himself to be the Son of God?
(realization) If He truly is the Son of God and He was forgiving others earlier…then…He is the King of Kings.
He is Who we have waited for-the Messiah.
Tears slide down my cheeks.
Time stands still as the hours pass. I notice a bird swoop down to peck at my partner.
Thief 2: (let out a frustrated scream)
Narrator: The soldiers look up and laugh at him.
Then my partner looks at Jesus and shouts.
Thief 2: (mocking) “Are You not the “Christ”? Save Yourself and us!” (screams in frustration)
Narrator: I shout back at him before Jesus can answer.
“Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?”
(deep breath) “And we indeed are suffering justly, II
for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds,
but this Man
…has done
…nothing wrong.” II
My partner is silent.
(quiver in voice) “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
He does His best to look at me, though I can see it pains Him.
His eyes strike me again, but this time I feel love and rejoicing.
Jesus: “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Narrator: I smile weakly and He returns it the best He can.
I lift my head to the heavens and let tears fall down my face.
(rejoicing) It’s true!
He is God.
(amazed) What kind of God would allow Himself to be arrested and beaten?
(in awe) What kind of sacrifice is this? II
I may not understand how He will bring me into His kingdom while He is bound to this cross,
(determined) but I believe.
I believe that God can do all things.
There is no need to strive to save myself.
I have found my King.
(exit stage left)
Comments