The Upper Room

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Cast of 13 men. 6-8 mins. (this can take longer if you drag out the foot washing and the Lord’s supper)

Entire Script:

THE UPPER ROOM

By Warren Sager

(The disciples have gathered and there is a table prepared, low to the floor so that they can recline around it. Jesus enters with a basin and water and a towel. He begins to wash the disciples’ feet. This can go on for a while, but probably only one or two before he comes to Peter. You may want to begin the scene with him washing feet and now show him doing all of them…as though in progress.)

PETER: Lord, do You wash my feet?

JESUS: What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.

PETER: Never shall You wash my feet!

JESUS: If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.

PETER: (Pause) Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. (The others react to his comment)

JESUS: He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (Jesus moves to sit near the center of the table and the men, next to John) Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (Several of the men are taking bread and dipping it into the bowl to eat. Judas does it as well.) Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.

(They all react)

PETER: (To John) Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.

JOHN: (Leans over close to Jesus) Lord, who is it?

ALL: Surely not I, Lord?

JESUS: It is one of the twelve. He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. (They all look around at each other) The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.

JUDAS: Surely it is not I, Rabbi?

JESUS: You have said it yourself. What you do, do quickly.

(Judas leaves quickly and quietly)

JESUS: I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Take, eat; this is My body which is given for you. Take this and share it among yourselves; do this in remembrance of Me. (Pause as they eat) This cup…drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom. (Pause until they finish) Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. Little children, I am with you a little while longer. Where I am going, you cannot come. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

PETER: Lord, where are You going?

JESUS: Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.

PETER: Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.

JESUS: Will you lay down your life for Me? Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

PETER: Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!

JESUS: You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

PETER: Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away

JESUS: Truly I say to you, Peter, that this very night, the rooster will not crow until you have denied three times that you know Me.

PETER: Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!

ALL: We feel the same! Yes…Master! I agree.

JESUS: Pray that you may not enter into temptation. (Everyone is looking very upset over this) Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.

THOMAS: Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?

JESUS: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.

(They rise to leave and as they go, they begin singing a hymn. Something probably from scripture like a psalm, with a Jewish feel to the music.)

THE END

Copyright 2009 Warren Sager