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WASHING FEET
Synopsis: The disciples gather in preparation for Passover. They meet at the house that Jesus has chosen as the place where they will celebrate this Feast. The house doesn't look very impressive, so the disciples begin to reminisce about another dinner they had attended at the home of a very rich man. They spend most of their time talking about the lifestyle of the rich and famous man who had thirteen servants...count 'em...one servant for each of the disciples and one for Jesus...just to wash their feet. How could this Passover dinner top that?
CHARACTERS
JOHN 13
SEATING CHART FROM LEFT TO RIGHT PETER, JAMES, BARTHOLOMEW, PHILIP,
MATTHEW, THOMAS, JAMES II,
CAST OF CHARACTERS JESUS IS WEARING A WHITE TUNIC AND AND A BLUE ROBE. THE 12 DISCIPLES ALL DRESSED IN CLOTHING THAT WAS WORN 2000 YEARS AGO. EACH DISCIPLE SHOULD BE BAREFOOT.
PROPS: 1 SMALL TABLE HOLDING A BASIN OF WATER AND A WHITE TOWEL PLACED NEAR PETER'S CHAIR, 1 LARGE TABLE, 13 CHAIRS PLACED AROUND THE TABLE, 13 CUPS, 1 PLATTER, PIECES OF LARGE PITA BREAD OR READY MADE PIZZA CRUST PLACED ON THE PLATTER. PUT THE PLATTER OF BREAD IN FRONT OF THE SEAT WHERE JESUS WILL BE SITTING.
SCRIPT The scene opens as all of the disciples gradually walk on stage from stage left. They are walking and talking in small groups. They gather center stage and look around. They stand around talking until and gradually take their assigned seats one by one. (See seating chart listed above.) Peter sits at one end of the table and Judas sits at the other end. During the skit the disciples look around the table and talk to each other. Thomas - (Looks around with an expression of disgust.) This can't be the right house. Peter - (Nods.) This is it, Thomas. (Peter sits in his assigned seat.) Thomas - (Frowns.) I doubt it. John - (Laughs.) You doubt everything, Thomas. Trust me. Jesus picked out this house himself. This is where Jesus wants to celebrate Passover. Thomas - Okay, if you're sure. (Looks skeptical and sits down. One by one the other disciples sit down.) Judas - (Impatiently.) It's getting late. Shouldn't we be starting soon? Jesus isn't even here yet. (Sits down in his assigned seat.) Philip - What's the rush, Judas? Do you have someplace else you have to be? (All the disciples laugh.) Bartholomew - Yeah, Judas. Do you have a date or something? Judas - (Scowls, folds his arms over his chest and slumps down in his chair.) Matthew - (Looks at Judas and says in a soothing tone of voice.) Relax, Judas. Jesus will be here soon. Andrew - I would have thought the Master would have chosen a better house than this to celebrate Passover. James - Oh, you're just spoiled, Andrew. Andrew - Me? Spoiled? Ha! What about you, James? James - Okay, I admit it. Peter - Admit what? James - I'm spoiled. Peter - (Looks at John.) What is he talking about? (Looks back at James.) Are you feeling all right? (All laugh.) Peter - (Stands up.) I don't see what's so funny, maybe he got too much sun today or something. John - (Still laughing.) No, Peter. He's talking about dinner last night. Peter - (Looks sheepish and smacks his hand up against his forehead.) Oh, I forgot! (Sits back down) Andrew - (Looks at Peter.) You forgot? How could you forget having dinner with the richest man in town? Peter - (Laughs.) It was pretty incredible wasn't it? James II - (Puts his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair.) I could get used to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. (All disciples in unison.) Me too! Simon the Zealot - (Flings
his arms wide.) What a house...it was a mansion! Six families could have lived there
comfortably with all of their relatives...and all their sheep. James II - (sits up straight and looks at Judas.) Oh lighten up, Judas. (Looks at other disciples.) Hey, what did you think of the food they served last night? Thaddeus - What a feast! I never saw so much food in one place in my whole life! Philip - How about the menu? Sea urchins in date sauce. (Frowns.) What is a sea urchin anyway? James - I don't know, but it sure tasted good. Bartholomew - How about the fricassee of roses with honey on top. How do you fricassee a rose? Philip - (Looks at Bartholomew.) I wouldn't worry about that, Bartholomew. I don't think anyone is ever going to ask you for the recipe. Matthew - (Sighs and rolls his eyes.) It wasn't just the food. It was the plates too. They were solid gold! John - So were the cups! Andrew - That guy sure is rich! Simon the Zealot - He must be rolling in dough. How many servants do you think he had? John - At least fifty...maybe more. Andrew - Yeah, wasn't it cool when the foot washers showed up? James II - I never saw anything like it. Thirteen servants came over to our table and washed our feet. I couldn't believe it! John - Jesus just smiled at him and said, "Thank you." But you guys acted like a bunch of idiots. (Laughs.) Thaddeus - (Laughs and looks at James.) You should have seen the look on your face, James. You nearly fell over when the foot washer took off your sandal. James II - (Looks at Thaddeus.) Well it's not like I'm royalty or anything. It's not everyday that some guy dressed like a prince washes your feet with water scented with honeysuckle. Philip - I could get used to that kind of life! It sure would be nice to have my own personal servant. Matthew - You got that right! John - (Looks at Judas and laughs) Hey Judas, maybe I'll wash your feet after dinner. Judas - (Scowls.) Don't count on it. No one is washing my feet today! (Jesus walks onstage.) John - Hey look, here's Jesus! (All the disciples stand up and greet Jesus in a group. Some hug him, others pat him on the back, some shake his hand.) Jesus - (Jesus walks over,
sits down and smiles.) Hurry! Have a seat everybody...it's almost sundown.
(He gestures to the table and all the disciples return to their original seats.
Judas sits next to Jesus.) Matthew - And I told you Jesus would be here in time. I was right, wasn't I? (The disciples sit in their assigned seats.) Jesus - Settle down everyone. It's time to begin the feast. (Judas scowls.) Jesus - (Gestures to the food on the table and looks at each of the disciples.) I have looked forward to sharing this Passover feast with all of you, my friends. (The disciples smile back at him.) Jesus - Let us begin by giving thanks. (Jesus and the disciples bow their heads as Jesus prays.) Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. (In unison the disciples repeat the prayer.) Jesus - (Picks up the bread,
breaks it and hands it to the disciples who each take a piece and pass it on to the next
person.) Take this bread and eat, for this is my body which is given for you. Thomas - What does this mean? I'm confused. Peter - I don't know. This Passover feast is different from all the others. I have never heard these words spoken before. Philip - What did Jesus mean when he said the bread was his body? Andrew - I don't understand what's going on. John - (Puts down his cup.)
You look unhappy, Lord. Is something wrong? (Jesus Puts down his cup, stands up and removes the blue robe. He walks over to Peter's chair, picks up the basin and towel and kneels before Peter. ) John - (While Jesus picks up the basin, John speaks) What is Jesus talking about? Who would betray him. Peter - (Looks at
James.) Betray him for what? Peter - (Peter is startled) What are you doing, Lord? Jesus - (Looks at each of the disciples.) I am going to kneel before each of you and wash your feet...(Points at Peter) starting with you, Peter. (Jesus smiles) (All the disciples protest in unison.) Peter - No, Lord! (Peter jerks his foot out of the basin.) That is a job for a servant...not you. No, you will ever wash my feet! Jesus - (Looks around at each disciple.) If I don't wash your feet you will never belong to me. Peter - Then wash my hands and my head, Lord...not just my feet! (Sticks both feet in the basin with a splash...one foot at at time...make the movements exaggerated.) Jesus - A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you are clean. (Jesus reaches up and pats Peter on the arm.) (Peter smiles at Jesus and Jesus smiles back.) Jesus - But that isn't true of everyone here. (Judas shoves back his chair and runs off stage. ) Philip - Where is Judas going? Andrew - What was that all about? Thomas - This is turning out to be a very strange Passover. Andrew- You can say that again. (Looks at Philip.) What's wrong with Judas? John - (Looks at Andrew and sadly shakes his head.) It looks like Judas was right after all. (John sighs.) No one will be washing his feet today. (The scene closes as Jesus
slowly washes and dries Peter's feet.)
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