020A. Jesus our Triumphant King Rides a Donkey into Jerusalem

Jesus our Triumphant King Rides a Donkey into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday Celebration, about 5 minutes, from Luke 19:28-44

Participants (No need to memorize lines; the aim is to relive sacred events, not to perform)
Â Thomas
Â Peter
Â Voice (of Jesus)
Â Pharisee
Â Prompter Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shout a brief line, and Echoes repeat it.
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.

Thomas	Peter, I warned Jesus that we’d all die if we went into Jerusalem.
Peter	But here we are, Thomas, descending this Mount of Olives into the city, where the religious leaders intend to kill him.
Thomas	And us, too, probably.
Prompter & Echoes	It won’t be long now.
Peter	Jesus knows that he’s stepping into their trap. I guess that’s why he let Mary anoint him for his burial with that priceless perfume.
Thomas	The aroma of that costly nard still lingers on him. We’re getting close. I’m scared, Peter.
Peter	I am, too, Thomas. It gets more dangerous with every step we take!
Prompter & Echoes	It’s too risky!
Thomas	Jesus has stopped here on the Mount of Olives. Has he changed his mind?
Peter	He won’t turn back, Thomas. Listen to him.
Voice	Go to that village; you will find a donkey tied, and a colt that no one has ridden. Untie them and bring them here. If anyone asks why you’re untying them, tell them I need them.
Peter	We go and find them just as Jesus had told us. The donkey greets us.
Prompter & Echoes	Hee haw!
Peter	We release the donkey and colt, and the owner comes running. He shouts, â€œWhy are you untying them?â€
Thomas	The Lord needs them, sir. I don’t know why he prefers a donkey to a horse, to enter the city of Kings.
Peter	The prophet Zachariah predicted it, Thomas.
Thomas	We bring the colt to Jesus, and throw our coats on it. Jesus sits on it, and rides down the Mount of Olives.
Prompter & Echoes	Clip clop, clip clop!
Thomas	We are close to Jerusalem now. What will happen? Oh, oh! Here comes trouble. Those Pharisees are furious.
Pharisee	That deceiver’s disciples are running to greet him. Look at the misguided rabble wave palm branches and shout. Disgraceful!
Thomas	His disciples are spreading their coats on the road to make a path for the King of Kings!
Prompter & Echoes	Glory to God in the highest!
Peter	Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Prompter & Echoes	Our savior and king!
Pharisee	This is too much! I’ll tell that brazen Nazarene to stop this scandal. You there, riding on that jackass â€“ rebuke your disciples!
Voice	I tell you, if they become silent, the stones will cry out!
Prompter & Echoes	Hosanna!
Thomas	Jesus rides on, and stops to look sorrowfully down on Jerusalem.
Prompter & Echoes	He is weeping!
Voice	Jerusalem, Jerusalem! If you’d only known, you could have won peace this day!
Prompter & Echoes	God’s peace is hidden from you!
Peter	How sad!
Voice	Your enemies will barricade you on every side. They will level you to the ground and your children within you; they will not leave one stone upon another.
Thomas	Oh no! Did you hear that, Peter?
Peter	Yes. He foretold the ruin of this great city!
Voice	Jerusalem, you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.
Prompter & Echoes	Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
Peter	For months Jesus has been announcing his Kingdom, getting ever closer to Jerusalem where his journey would end. Now we have arrived.
Prompter & Echoes	His time has come!