In His Place
Sin entered the world through one man, and death came because of sin. And in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned… So then, just as one trespass led to condemnation for all people, so also one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all people. - Romans 5:12,18
Act 1
Scene 1:
[All lights are off, complete stillness, sound of wind begins to pick up slowly and then a voice is heard…]
Narrator:
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
[Bright lights come on when the narrator says, “and there was light” and the music begins immediately]
Psalm 8, Phil Wickham
Kids CAM Choir
Dancers (7)
Pre-K - Water and Land ( Running back and forth with blue and brown flags)
Kindergarten - 1st grade - Dressed in green carrying baskets of fruit, Land Animals
Primary - Sun, Moon, Stars , Sea creatures, birds
[Musical transition to slower, more reflective - just guitar]
[By the end of the song, everyone separates, crosses stage and comes up the aisle - leaving Jesus center stage, kneeling in the dirt, preparing to form man]
Jesus: [with arm stretched up toward Heaven, communicating with the Father]
Let us make man in Our image.
Scene 2: Creation of Man
[This scene is to be read slowly, with an emphasis on the poetry and Jesus pantomiming the act with his back to the audience. The person playing Adam will have to be covered with dark brown cloth to signify dirt and Jesus will discreetly remove the fabric to reveal man]
Narrator:
Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
[Adam comes to life and embraces Jesus]
Adam:
[looking around, amazed]
Wow!
Jesus:
This is the garden. I made it for you. In six days I created. I spoke and it was good - very good. And then, my son. I made you. Not with my words, but with my hands and my breath. In my image, and you are good.
[They walk slowly.]
Adam:
Everything is beautiful…everything is good
[looks around noticing how different he is from the rest of creation]
Jesus:
It is not good for the man to be alone. Adam, I understand. I will give you someone to walk with you.
[Jesus places his hand on Adam’s shoulder as Adam goes to sleep again with Jesus’ back to the audience so that Eve can emerge without being seen]
Narrator:
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib…And the man exclaimed,
Adam: ‘At last! This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!
[Eve emerges. Adam and Eve rejoice.]
Narrator:
And it was good….
Scene 3: The Fall
[Jesus exits while Adam and Eve make their way through the Garden]
Satan: [ Read as Adam and Eve are walking together but dark shadow figure is swooping around them, Eve fixates on the serpent in a tree but the shadow figure is whispering into her ear]
Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?
Eve:
Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said,
Narrator:
You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.
Satan:
You won’t die! God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like Him, knowing both good and evil.
Eve: [Making up her mind that she was going to partake of the fruit turns to Adam]
Adam… do you ever wonder why that tree is different?
Adam:
I try not to think about it.
Eve:
But it’s there. Every day.
Adam:
God said no.
Eve:
I know. But He didn't say why.
[Pause.]
Adam:
He’s never kept anything good from us.
Eve:
What if this is the one thing He’s holding back?
[Silence. The weight of curiosity.]
Adam:
If we eat… we can’t undo it.
Eve:
And if we don’t…will we always wonder?
[They look at the fruit. Eat it, run and hide. Long pause]
Narrator:
Where are you?
Adam:
I heard You…and I was afraid.
Jesus:
Who told you that fear belonged here?
Adam: [defensive]
Eve gave me the fruit.
Eve:
The serpent deceived me!
[Silence.]
JESUS
You didn’t trust me. You believed what the snake said more than what I said to you. You are good. You are just as you should be. I have provided all that you need to flourish. O my children, things will be different now but you will always be mine and one day, you will return back to me but for now, you must go.
[Adam and Eve leave the garden, Eve exits the stage and Adam moves into the next scene as a witness ]
Song: Rescue, Lauren Daigle (Kids CAM)
Act 2
Song: I Need Thee (Need You Now)
Scene 1: Cain and Abel (Sin becomes violence)
ENTER: CAIN & ABEL
[Each carries an offering.]
Abel:
I gave God my best, Cain.
Not because I had to —
but because I wanted to.
Cain: [frustrated]
I gave something too.
Abel:
God sees the heart.
Cain:
[bitter laugh]
Then He didn’t like mine.
[Pause. Cain looks away.]
Narrator:
The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering.
Cain:
Why him? Why not me?
Abel:
God isn’t against you.
Cain:
Then why does this feel like fire in my chest?
Narrator:
Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.
Cain:
I don’t want to be ruled.
[Cain strikes Abel. Abel falls.]
Cain: [shaking]
Abel…?
[Silence.]
Narrator:
What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
Cain: [backing away]
Am I my brother’s keeper?
[Cain exits]
TRANSITION
Adam: [stepping forward]
I ate the fruit…and my son learned how to kill.
Scene 2: The Days of Noah (Sin becomes corruption)
[Crowd enters and fills the stage]
ENTER: CROWD
[loud, chaotic]
Zara:
Everyone lies.
Everyone cheats.
If everyone does it, it must be normal.
[Sound of the wind]
ENTER: NOAH
Noah:
God says the way you’re living leads to death.
Zara: [mocking]
Where is your God? [Sound: Thunder]
[visibly nervous]You think you’re better than us?
Narrator:
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness.
[Sound of rain falling]
Noah:
God’s heart is breaking.
Zara:
Then He should stop us.
Narrator:
The Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved.
[Crowd disperses.]
Adam:
Evil wasn’t shocking anymore. It was expected.
Scene 3: The Tower of Babel (Sin becomes pride)
ENTER: BUILDERS
(moving blocks/cloth upward)
Builder 1:
Let’s build a city. A tower that reaches heaven!
Builder 2:
Come, let’s make a name for ourselves.
ADAM
We didn’t want God’s name anymore.
[Sudden confusion.]
Builder 2:
What are you saying?! I don’t understand you!
Adam:
We climbed higher…and fell farther.
Scene 4: Israel Demands a King (Sin becomes hunger for power)
Israelites (in unison)
Give us a king!
Narrator:
They rejected me as their king.
Samuel:
God is your King.
Israelite 1:
We want to be like other nations.
Israelite 2:
We want someone we can see.
Samuel:
A king will take from you.
Israelite 1 and 2:
We don’t care.
Adam:
We traded God’s voice…for human power.
Scene 5: Pharisee and Tax Collector (Sin becomes self-righteousness)
Pharisee:
(proud)
God, I thank You
that I am not like other people—
greedy, unrighteous…
or like this tax collector.
I fast.
I tithe.
I follow the rules.
Tax Collector:
(head bowed)
God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Narrator:
For all those who lift themselves up will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be lifted up.
Adam:
We learned how to sin…and still feel holy.
Scene 6: The Rich Young Ruler (Sin is refusing quietly)
[Enter rich young ruler, well-dressed, confident, eager. He kneels quickly — not out of desperation, but sincerity.]
Rich Young Ruler:
Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
[A pause. Jesus studies him — not judging, but seeing.]
Jesus:
Why do you call me good?
No one is good except God alone.
[The ruler looks slightly confused but nods.]
Jesus:
You know the commandments:
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness.
Honor your father and mother.
Rich Young Ruler: [smiling, relieved]
I’ve kept all these since my youth.
Narrator:
Jesus looked at him and loved him.
Jesus:
One thing you still lack.
[The ruler stiffens.]
Jesus:
Sell all you have,
give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then—
Come, follow me.
[Silence. The ruler’s smile fades.]
Rich Young Ruler: [quietly, almost to himself]
Everything?
[Jesus says nothing.]
[The ruler stands slowly. He looks at Jesus. Then at his hands.
Then away. He exits — not angrily. Not defiantly. Just… unwilling.]
Song: Tag: I Need Thee
Scene 7:
Song: I am Barabbas (Guitar, Nicole Silva to sing verses, Kids Choir to sing chorus)
BARABBAS
They call me a criminal.
[Laughs.]
But I learned from my fathers.
Cain taught me violence.
Babel taught me pride.
Kings taught me power.
Narrator:
Just as sin entered the world through one man…
BARABBAS
I didn’t invent sin.
I inherited it.
[Jesus enters.]
Jesus:
But inheritance is not destiny.
[The judgment hall. Jesus and Barabbas stand facing each other, visibly different.]
Jesus is calm, wounded, silent.
Barabbas is restless, defiant, confident.
Pilate stands between them—torn.
Lights rise slowly.
Pilate: [alone, pacing]
Why is this man here?
I have judged criminals.
I have sentenced thieves, rebels, murderers.
[turns, looks at Jesus]
But this one…
I find no fault in Him.
Narrator:
For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
[Pilate turns to Barabbas]
And you…
You were not handed over for envy.
You were caught with blood on your hands.
Barrabas: [smirking]
Blood, chains, crowns—it’s all the same.
The world belongs to the strong.
I did what I had to.
I fought to survive.
I answered to no one.
And now… someone else dies in my place.
[Jesus lifts His head briefly. No words.]
Pilate: [voice breaking slightly]
Do you know what they are saying about you?
They say you claim to be the Son of God. So tell me, are you the king of the Jews?
Jesus:
You have said it.
Narrator:
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid.
Pilate: [quiet, urgent]
Where are you from?
(pause)
Speak to me.
Don’t you know I have authority?
Narrator:
Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?
Jesus:
You would have no authority at all
if it had not been given to you from above.
[Pilate steps back, shaken, Crowd noise rises—murmurs, chants]
CROWD (overlapping):
Hosanna—
Crucify Him—
King of the Jews—
Give us Barabbas—
Pilate: [raising his voice]
Enough!
(gestures between the two)
It is your custom that I release one prisoner at the Passover.
Whom do you want me to release to you?
Barabbas—
or Jesus, who is called Christ?
[A heavy pause. Barabbas watches the crowd confidently. Jesus remains still.]
CROWD (exploding)
Barabbas!
Release Barabbas!
Pilate:
Why? What evil has this man done?
CROWD (louder, frantic)
Not this man!
But Barabbas!
(Barabbas laughs once—then stops. He looks at Jesus. For the first time, unsure.]
Barabbas: [low, almost to himself]
You don’t fight.
You don’t beg.
Why?
[Jesus turns toward Barabbas.Their eyes meet.]
Narrator:
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Pilate: [quietly, defeated]
Then what shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?
CROWD (roaring)
Crucify Him!
Crucify Him!
[Pilate slowly washes his hands.]
Pilate:
I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves.
[Chains are removed from Barabbas. Chains are tightened on Jesus.]
Narrator:
Then he released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.
[Barabbas stands free. Jesus is led away. Barabbas does not move. He watches Jesus walk past.]
Barrabas: [soft, shaken]
You’re taking my place.
[pause]
Why?
[Jesus does not answer. He only looks at Barabbas—then exits.]
Setting:
The stage is divided by light.
Stage Right: Barabbas, free, surrounded by a curious crowd
Stage Left (dim): Roman soldiers preparing the cross
Upstage: A shadowed hill (Golgotha)
(ENTER: BARABBAS)
[Barabbas steps forward.The crowd rushes to him, energized, curious, relieved.]
Crowd Member 1:
What was it like in jail?!
Crowd Member 2:
How do you feel now?
Free at last!
Barabbas: [laughing loudly, arms wide]
Free? Why wouldn’t I be? You chose me.
[low, mocking]
And now Jesus—King of the Jews—
is taking my place.
Crowd Member 3:
Tell us the stories!
What did you do to end up there?
Barabbas:
I took what I wanted.
I answered no one.
I made my own way.
(pauses, shrugs)
That’s how the world works.
[The crowd laughs, presses in, talking over one another. Noise. Movement. Life.]
(ENTER: JESUS AND ROMAN SOLDIERS — FAR ENTRANCE)
[The mood shifts.
The soldiers move with purpose.
Jesus stumbles under the weight of the cross.
The crowd noise around Barabbas continues—but now clashes with what the audience sees.]
Narrator:
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness.
[The soldiers raise the cross.]
The hammer strikes..
(ENTER: MARY)
She falls at the foot of the cross.
Mary: [weeping]
My son…
My Lord…
Barrabas:
[mid-laugh—then stops]
He turns.
For the first time, he truly looks.
(A CLOCK BEGINS TO TICK — slow, steady)
Time passes.
One by one, three-quarters of the crowd leaves Barabbas and drifts—almost pulled—toward the cross.
Their voices fade.
(BARABBAS IS LEFT WITH ONLY A FEW)
They continue asking questions.
Crowd Member 1:
Barabbas?
Are you listening?
[Barabbas does not answer.]
He stands arms crossed, mouth closed.
His confidence is gone.
His freedom suddenly feels heavy.
Narrator:
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
[Jesus hangs on the cross.]
Narrator:
Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.
[Barabbas flinches.]
He looks down at his hands.
They are clean.
Jesus’ are not.
(THE CLOCK STOPS)
Silence.
Narrator:
Then Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
Darkness.
Barabbas remains visible—alone.
Narrator:
After three days, he rose again.
[Barabbas exits slowly.The cross remains.]
Flow from Crucifixion to Living Hope
[The Cross is center stage is lit, everything else is dark.]
Narrator:
After three days, he rose again.
Song: King of Kings, Hillsong
Church is invited to come forward to sing together as “King of Kings begins to play”
[Music continues to play, Elders remain up front to anoint and pray for those who would like to stay]
Exit the sanctuary silence those who would like to remain for prayer can and music softly plays for 15’minutes.
Sin entered the world through one man, and death came because of sin. And in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned… So then, just as one trespass led to condemnation for all people, so also one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all people. - Romans 5:12,18
Act 1
Scene 1:
[All lights are off, complete stillness, sound of wind begins to pick up slowly and then a voice is heard…]
Narrator:
The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
[Bright lights come on when the narrator says, “and there was light” and the music begins immediately]
Psalm 8, Phil Wickham
Kids CAM Choir
Dancers (7)
Pre-K - Water and Land ( Running back and forth with blue and brown flags)
Kindergarten - 1st grade - Dressed in green carrying baskets of fruit, Land Animals
Primary - Sun, Moon, Stars , Sea creatures, birds
[Musical transition to slower, more reflective - just guitar]
[By the end of the song, everyone separates, crosses stage and comes up the aisle - leaving Jesus center stage, kneeling in the dirt, preparing to form man]
Jesus: [with arm stretched up toward Heaven, communicating with the Father]
Let us make man in Our image.
Scene 2: Creation of Man
[This scene is to be read slowly, with an emphasis on the poetry and Jesus pantomiming the act with his back to the audience. The person playing Adam will have to be covered with dark brown cloth to signify dirt and Jesus will discreetly remove the fabric to reveal man]
Narrator:
Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
[Adam comes to life and embraces Jesus]
Adam:
[looking around, amazed]
Wow!
Jesus:
This is the garden. I made it for you. In six days I created. I spoke and it was good - very good. And then, my son. I made you. Not with my words, but with my hands and my breath. In my image, and you are good.
[They walk slowly.]
Adam:
Everything is beautiful…everything is good
[looks around noticing how different he is from the rest of creation]
Jesus:
It is not good for the man to be alone. Adam, I understand. I will give you someone to walk with you.
[Jesus places his hand on Adam’s shoulder as Adam goes to sleep again with Jesus’ back to the audience so that Eve can emerge without being seen]
Narrator:
Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib…And the man exclaimed,
Adam: ‘At last! This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!
[Eve emerges. Adam and Eve rejoice.]
Narrator:
And it was good….
Scene 3: The Fall
[Jesus exits while Adam and Eve make their way through the Garden]
Satan: [ Read as Adam and Eve are walking together but dark shadow figure is swooping around them, Eve fixates on the serpent in a tree but the shadow figure is whispering into her ear]
Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?
Eve:
Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said,
Narrator:
You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.
Satan:
You won’t die! God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like Him, knowing both good and evil.
Eve: [Making up her mind that she was going to partake of the fruit turns to Adam]
Adam… do you ever wonder why that tree is different?
Adam:
I try not to think about it.
Eve:
But it’s there. Every day.
Adam:
God said no.
Eve:
I know. But He didn't say why.
[Pause.]
Adam:
He’s never kept anything good from us.
Eve:
What if this is the one thing He’s holding back?
[Silence. The weight of curiosity.]
Adam:
If we eat… we can’t undo it.
Eve:
And if we don’t…will we always wonder?
[They look at the fruit. Eat it, run and hide. Long pause]
Narrator:
Where are you?
Adam:
I heard You…and I was afraid.
Jesus:
Who told you that fear belonged here?
Adam: [defensive]
Eve gave me the fruit.
Eve:
The serpent deceived me!
[Silence.]
JESUS
You didn’t trust me. You believed what the snake said more than what I said to you. You are good. You are just as you should be. I have provided all that you need to flourish. O my children, things will be different now but you will always be mine and one day, you will return back to me but for now, you must go.
[Adam and Eve leave the garden, Eve exits the stage and Adam moves into the next scene as a witness ]
Song: Rescue, Lauren Daigle (Kids CAM)
Act 2
Song: I Need Thee (Need You Now)
Scene 1: Cain and Abel (Sin becomes violence)
ENTER: CAIN & ABEL
[Each carries an offering.]
Abel:
I gave God my best, Cain.
Not because I had to —
but because I wanted to.
Cain: [frustrated]
I gave something too.
Abel:
God sees the heart.
Cain:
[bitter laugh]
Then He didn’t like mine.
[Pause. Cain looks away.]
Narrator:
The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering.
Cain:
Why him? Why not me?
Abel:
God isn’t against you.
Cain:
Then why does this feel like fire in my chest?
Narrator:
Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.
Cain:
I don’t want to be ruled.
[Cain strikes Abel. Abel falls.]
Cain: [shaking]
Abel…?
[Silence.]
Narrator:
What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
Cain: [backing away]
Am I my brother’s keeper?
[Cain exits]
TRANSITION
Adam: [stepping forward]
I ate the fruit…and my son learned how to kill.
Scene 2: The Days of Noah (Sin becomes corruption)
[Crowd enters and fills the stage]
ENTER: CROWD
[loud, chaotic]
Zara:
Everyone lies.
Everyone cheats.
If everyone does it, it must be normal.
[Sound of the wind]
ENTER: NOAH
Noah:
God says the way you’re living leads to death.
Zara: [mocking]
Where is your God? [Sound: Thunder]
[visibly nervous]You think you’re better than us?
Narrator:
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness.
[Sound of rain falling]
Noah:
God’s heart is breaking.
Zara:
Then He should stop us.
Narrator:
The Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved.
[Crowd disperses.]
Adam:
Evil wasn’t shocking anymore. It was expected.
Scene 3: The Tower of Babel (Sin becomes pride)
ENTER: BUILDERS
(moving blocks/cloth upward)
Builder 1:
Let’s build a city. A tower that reaches heaven!
Builder 2:
Come, let’s make a name for ourselves.
ADAM
We didn’t want God’s name anymore.
[Sudden confusion.]
Builder 2:
What are you saying?! I don’t understand you!
Adam:
We climbed higher…and fell farther.
Scene 4: Israel Demands a King (Sin becomes hunger for power)
Israelites (in unison)
Give us a king!
Narrator:
They rejected me as their king.
Samuel:
God is your King.
Israelite 1:
We want to be like other nations.
Israelite 2:
We want someone we can see.
Samuel:
A king will take from you.
Israelite 1 and 2:
We don’t care.
Adam:
We traded God’s voice…for human power.
Scene 5: Pharisee and Tax Collector (Sin becomes self-righteousness)
Pharisee:
(proud)
God, I thank You
that I am not like other people—
greedy, unrighteous…
or like this tax collector.
I fast.
I tithe.
I follow the rules.
Tax Collector:
(head bowed)
God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Narrator:
For all those who lift themselves up will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be lifted up.
Adam:
We learned how to sin…and still feel holy.
Scene 6: The Rich Young Ruler (Sin is refusing quietly)
[Enter rich young ruler, well-dressed, confident, eager. He kneels quickly — not out of desperation, but sincerity.]
Rich Young Ruler:
Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
[A pause. Jesus studies him — not judging, but seeing.]
Jesus:
Why do you call me good?
No one is good except God alone.
[The ruler looks slightly confused but nods.]
Jesus:
You know the commandments:
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness.
Honor your father and mother.
Rich Young Ruler: [smiling, relieved]
I’ve kept all these since my youth.
Narrator:
Jesus looked at him and loved him.
Jesus:
One thing you still lack.
[The ruler stiffens.]
Jesus:
Sell all you have,
give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then—
Come, follow me.
[Silence. The ruler’s smile fades.]
Rich Young Ruler: [quietly, almost to himself]
Everything?
[Jesus says nothing.]
[The ruler stands slowly. He looks at Jesus. Then at his hands.
Then away. He exits — not angrily. Not defiantly. Just… unwilling.]
Song: Tag: I Need Thee
Scene 7:
Song: I am Barabbas (Guitar, Nicole Silva to sing verses, Kids Choir to sing chorus)
BARABBAS
They call me a criminal.
[Laughs.]
But I learned from my fathers.
Cain taught me violence.
Babel taught me pride.
Kings taught me power.
Narrator:
Just as sin entered the world through one man…
BARABBAS
I didn’t invent sin.
I inherited it.
[Jesus enters.]
Jesus:
But inheritance is not destiny.
[The judgment hall. Jesus and Barabbas stand facing each other, visibly different.]
Jesus is calm, wounded, silent.
Barabbas is restless, defiant, confident.
Pilate stands between them—torn.
Lights rise slowly.
Pilate: [alone, pacing]
Why is this man here?
I have judged criminals.
I have sentenced thieves, rebels, murderers.
[turns, looks at Jesus]
But this one…
I find no fault in Him.
Narrator:
For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
[Pilate turns to Barabbas]
And you…
You were not handed over for envy.
You were caught with blood on your hands.
Barrabas: [smirking]
Blood, chains, crowns—it’s all the same.
The world belongs to the strong.
I did what I had to.
I fought to survive.
I answered to no one.
And now… someone else dies in my place.
[Jesus lifts His head briefly. No words.]
Pilate: [voice breaking slightly]
Do you know what they are saying about you?
They say you claim to be the Son of God. So tell me, are you the king of the Jews?
Jesus:
You have said it.
Narrator:
When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid.
Pilate: [quiet, urgent]
Where are you from?
(pause)
Speak to me.
Don’t you know I have authority?
Narrator:
Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?
Jesus:
You would have no authority at all
if it had not been given to you from above.
[Pilate steps back, shaken, Crowd noise rises—murmurs, chants]
CROWD (overlapping):
Hosanna—
Crucify Him—
King of the Jews—
Give us Barabbas—
Pilate: [raising his voice]
Enough!
(gestures between the two)
It is your custom that I release one prisoner at the Passover.
Whom do you want me to release to you?
Barabbas—
or Jesus, who is called Christ?
[A heavy pause. Barabbas watches the crowd confidently. Jesus remains still.]
CROWD (exploding)
Barabbas!
Release Barabbas!
Pilate:
Why? What evil has this man done?
CROWD (louder, frantic)
Not this man!
But Barabbas!
(Barabbas laughs once—then stops. He looks at Jesus. For the first time, unsure.]
Barabbas: [low, almost to himself]
You don’t fight.
You don’t beg.
Why?
[Jesus turns toward Barabbas.Their eyes meet.]
Narrator:
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Pilate: [quietly, defeated]
Then what shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?
CROWD (roaring)
Crucify Him!
Crucify Him!
[Pilate slowly washes his hands.]
Pilate:
I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves.
[Chains are removed from Barabbas. Chains are tightened on Jesus.]
Narrator:
Then he released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.
[Barabbas stands free. Jesus is led away. Barabbas does not move. He watches Jesus walk past.]
Barrabas: [soft, shaken]
You’re taking my place.
[pause]
Why?
[Jesus does not answer. He only looks at Barabbas—then exits.]
Setting:
The stage is divided by light.
Stage Right: Barabbas, free, surrounded by a curious crowd
Stage Left (dim): Roman soldiers preparing the cross
Upstage: A shadowed hill (Golgotha)
(ENTER: BARABBAS)
[Barabbas steps forward.The crowd rushes to him, energized, curious, relieved.]
Crowd Member 1:
What was it like in jail?!
Crowd Member 2:
How do you feel now?
Free at last!
Barabbas: [laughing loudly, arms wide]
Free? Why wouldn’t I be? You chose me.
[low, mocking]
And now Jesus—King of the Jews—
is taking my place.
Crowd Member 3:
Tell us the stories!
What did you do to end up there?
Barabbas:
I took what I wanted.
I answered no one.
I made my own way.
(pauses, shrugs)
That’s how the world works.
[The crowd laughs, presses in, talking over one another. Noise. Movement. Life.]
(ENTER: JESUS AND ROMAN SOLDIERS — FAR ENTRANCE)
[The mood shifts.
The soldiers move with purpose.
Jesus stumbles under the weight of the cross.
The crowd noise around Barabbas continues—but now clashes with what the audience sees.]
Narrator:
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness.
[The soldiers raise the cross.]
The hammer strikes..
(ENTER: MARY)
She falls at the foot of the cross.
Mary: [weeping]
My son…
My Lord…
Barrabas:
[mid-laugh—then stops]
He turns.
For the first time, he truly looks.
(A CLOCK BEGINS TO TICK — slow, steady)
Time passes.
One by one, three-quarters of the crowd leaves Barabbas and drifts—almost pulled—toward the cross.
Their voices fade.
(BARABBAS IS LEFT WITH ONLY A FEW)
They continue asking questions.
Crowd Member 1:
Barabbas?
Are you listening?
[Barabbas does not answer.]
He stands arms crossed, mouth closed.
His confidence is gone.
His freedom suddenly feels heavy.
Narrator:
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
[Jesus hangs on the cross.]
Narrator:
Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.
[Barabbas flinches.]
He looks down at his hands.
They are clean.
Jesus’ are not.
(THE CLOCK STOPS)
Silence.
Narrator:
Then Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.
Darkness.
Barabbas remains visible—alone.
Narrator:
After three days, he rose again.
[Barabbas exits slowly.The cross remains.]
Flow from Crucifixion to Living Hope
[The Cross is center stage is lit, everything else is dark.]
Narrator:
After three days, he rose again.
Song: King of Kings, Hillsong
Church is invited to come forward to sing together as “King of Kings begins to play”
[Music continues to play, Elders remain up front to anoint and pray for those who would like to stay]
Exit the sanctuary silence those who would like to remain for prayer can and music softly plays for 15’minutes.