020. The Lord Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead

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The Lord Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
About 5 minutes, from John 11

Participants (No need to memorize lines; the aim is to relive sacred events, not to perform)
Â Â Martha
Â Â Mary
Â Â Voice (of Jesus)
Â Â Thomas
Â Â PrompterÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shout a brief line, and Echoes repeat it.
Â Â EchoesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Children and all adults who want to take part. Echoes need no script.

Mary	Martha, why hasn’t Jesus come?
Prompter & Echoes	It’s an emergency!
Martha	I don’t know, Mary. We sent word to him days ago that our brother Lazarus was seriously ill.
Prompter & Echoes	Why hasn’t Jesus come to Bethany?
Thomas	Meanwhile, we disciples of Jesus also wonder why he delays. Martha and her sister Mary had sent him word several days ago, that their brother Lazarus was dying. They are close friends, but Jesus has done nothing about it. Hear what he tells us.
Voice	I love Lazarus and his sisters very much. This sickness is not to end in death; it will glorify God.
Prompter & Echoes	Jesus waits two days longer!
Voice	I am going to Judea, to Bethany, to awaken Lazarus out of his sleep.
Thomas	Lord, if he has fallen asleep, then he will recover.
Voice	Lazarus is dead.
Prompter & Echoes	Oh no!
Thomas	Rabbi, Jewish leaders tried to stone you the last time you went to Judea. Are you going there again?
Voice	I must go.
Thomas	Â Â (Groan) Then let us go, too, and die with him!
Prompter & Echoes	We will die with him!
Voice	Come with me.
Thomas	It’s a long, sad journey to Bethany. The closer we get, the more dread I feel.
Mary	Martha, I’m surprised that so many Jews have come to console us after our brother Lazarus’ death.
Martha	Oh, Mary, look! Jesus is coming! I’m going out to meet him.
Prompter & Echoes	See Martha run!
Martha	Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Voice	Martha, your brother will rise again.
Martha	I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.
Voice	He who believes in me will live even if he dies. I am the resurrection and the life.
Prompter & Echoes	Resurrection and life!
Martha	Oh! Jesus sees Mary and the Jews weeping, and he is deeply troubled.
Voice	Where have you laid Lazarus?
Martha	In a tomb, Lord; it’s a small cave. Come.
Thomas	Look. Now Jesus is weeping!
Prompter & Echoes	Weeping!
Voice	Remove the stone.
Martha	But Lord, by now there’ll be a stench; he’s been dead for four days.
Voice	I told you, Martha, that if you believe, you will see the glory of God. (Shout loudly) Lazarus, come forth!
Martha	My brother comes forth bound hand and foot with wrappings!
Voice	Unbind him.
Thomas	Look! He’s come back to life!
Prompter & Echoes	He’s alive!

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