Who do you say that I am gospel drama

Who do you say that I am? Gospel Drama

(Jesus and His disciples are walking on their way...)

[Disciples enter down the aisle with various blankets or cloths flung over their backs--could be from various countries if including a multi-cultural theme--these a symbol of the disciples, but they are dressed in today's clothes. This is an option, or they can just be in today's clothes with jackets/sweaters flung over their shoulders or tied around waist, or nothing. They are walking on their way to the "villages," talking with energy as they go, speculating about what lies ahead based on previous experiences, and what they think people will think and say. Ad lib comments can be added later to script as youth work these up in their language. Jesus is listening, then says:]

Jesus: Let's rest here a moment before we go on.

[He lays his blanket or jacket on a "rock" and sits down. As everyone follows suit and quiets down...]

Jesus: I was listening to you and I am curious to know. Who do people say that I am?

Disciple 1: I've heard people say you are John the Baptist.

Disciple 2: I've heard some say Elijah.

Disciple 3: I've heard people say you are one of the prophets.

[Could add some more modern references here in addition to this, like names of current superheroes, etc., if a more contemporary piece is desires.]

[Others quietly ad lib agreements, etc.]

Jesus: But who do YOU say that I am?

[Silent thoughtful pause.]

Peter:[coming closer] You are the Christ.

[Silently, Jesus placed His hand on Peter's shoulder, or takes him aside and whispers solumnly to him in workds no one else can hear. As he does this, the other disciples begin talking excitely among themselves, realizing the implications of what has just been said. Jesus, getting up, quiets them down, then...]

Jesus: [almost yelling] You must not tell this to anyone yet!

[Silence falls on the disciples.]

Please try to understand. The Son of Man must SUFFER greatly [pause]...and be REJECTED by the [elders, chief priests and the scribes or more contemporary reference], [pause, walking around looking at them intently] AND THEN BE KILLED, [pausing for this to sink in] and then [with spirit] he will rise after three days. Do you understand what I am saying to you?

[They are bewildered and silent. Then Peter takes Him aside and begins to "rebuke Him.}

Peter: Jesus, is you are to die, then it is our job to protect you from this! We are your disciples. How can we just let this happen?! What kind of disciples would that make us? [Others murmur in agreement.] (Can add more contemporary language as desired.)

[At this Jesus turns around and, looking at his disciples, rebukes Peter sayin...]

Jesus: Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as humans do.

[He summons the crowd--gestures to congregation--with His disciples and says to them...]

Jesus: Whoever wishes to come after me must DENY himself.

Peter: You mean, like not worrying about our own welfare?

Jesus: Yes, Peter.

Another disciple: and putting others first above ourselves?

Another: Not wanting the positions of power and prestige? Not wanting to be a superstar?

Jesus: Yes.

And you must take up YOUR cross, the sufferings which you will no doubt endure as my disciples...and you must follow me. [Disciples are occasionally looking at one another, as they are grasping the implications, some shifting in discomfort here.] THIS IS NOT ABOUT STAYING IN THE COMFORT ZONE. Just as I will be, you will be challenged, and persecuted, humiliated. People will lose faith in you as you speak the Truth. This is not the way of stardom and power. Perhaps some of you will even be asked to give YOUR lives as well.

[Silence.]

Jesus: My friends, whoever wishes to SAVE his life and be as the world thinks and desires will LOSE it. Do you understand? But whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel, will save it.

[Jesus allows this to sink in. There are quiet visual reactions here, some positive, some reluctant.]

Jesus: Come, let us continue on our journey, together.

[In the spirit of the profound revelations of this encounter, they mostly silently get up and begin to move on, some putting arms around each other's shoulders or other gestures of companionship on the journey. Some quiet murmuring as appropriate. They exit, continuing on the road.