Script & Lyrics

Script and lyrics © 2022 Rob Gardner Music, ASCAP. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

“In The Beginning”

JOHN

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God.

PETER

And the Word was...

JOHN THE BAPTIST

And the Word was...

PETER / JOHN

And the Word was God.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

...was God.

MARY MAGDALENE

In him was life.

DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

In him was life.

SICK WOMAN

In him was life.

MARY MAGDALENE / REPENTANT WOMAN / PETER / JOHN

And the life was the light of men!

Annunciation

YOUNG MARY

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin, espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

JOSEPH

The light shineth in the darkness.

YOUNG MARY

And the virgin's name was Mary.

ANGEL GABRIEL

Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

YOUNG MARY

Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
Be it unto me according to thy word.

birth

JOSEPH

And Joseph went up unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary, being great with child.

JOHN

The light shineth in the darkness.

JOSEPH

And so it was, that, while we were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

ALL PRINCIPALS

The light shineth in the darkness.

YOUNG MARY

And the darkness shall not overcome it.

JOSEPH

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room in the inn.

JOHN

And the Word was...

WOMAN OF FAITH / JOHN THE BAPTIST

And the Word was...

MARY MAGDALENE / PETER

And the Word was...

PRINCIPALS / CHOIR

And the Word was made flesh,

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH / JOHN THE BAPTIST

And the Word was made flesh,

PRINCIPALS / CHOIR

And dwelt among us,

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH / JOHN THE BAPTIST

And dwelt among us,

JOHN

And we beheld his glory,

DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

And we beheld his glory,

MARY MAGDALENE

And we beheld his glory,

PETER

And we beheld his glory,

PRINCIPALS / CHOIR

And we beheld his glory,

YOUNG MARY

And we beheld his glory,

YOUNG MARY / JOSEPH

Full of grace and truth.

The Shepherds

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

SHEPHERD FATHER

Thou Hope and Deliverer promised of old,
For whom we have waited e'er long,

SHEPHERD GRANDFATHER

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

SHEPHERD FATHER / SHEPHERD BOY

O come and redeem us from slavery's yoke,

SHEPHERD BOY

And deliver thy people...
What is it?

SHEPHERD GRANDFATHER

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon us, and the glory of the Lord shone round about us:

SHEPHERD BOY

And we were sore afraid.

ANGEL GABRIEL

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

ANGELS

Israel rejoice! Sing all creation!
Born is the Savior, with life in his wings!
Raise up your voice! Hail thy Salvation!
Open your hearts and bid welcome your King!
Sing we Gloria! Glory to the Lord!
Gloria! Glory for the light he doth bring!
O sing Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!

SHEPHERD FATHER

Let us go see the newborn King.

“The Manger of Bethlehem”

Lyrics by Josiah G. Holland

SHEPHERD BOY

There’s a song in the air,
There’s a star in the sky,
There’s a mother’s soft prayer,
And a baby’s low cry.
And the star rains its fire,
While the Beautiful sing.
For the manger of Bethlehem
Cradles a King!

YOUNG MARY

And the shepherds came with haste, to find the newborn babe.

CHOIR

There’s a tumult of joy
At the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet boy
Is the Lord of the Earth!

YOUNG MARY / JOSEPH

And the star rains its fire,
While the Beautiful sing.

YOUNG MARY / CHOIR

For the manger of Bethlehem
Cradles a King!

SHEPHERD BOY

And we look to the star
While the beautiful sing
To the manger of Bethlehem.

YOUNG MARY

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

ANGELS

We rejoice in the Light,
And we echo the song
Coming down through the night
From the heavenly throng!

YOUNG MARY / JOSEPH

And the star rains its fire
While the Beautiful sing.

SHEPHERD BOY

For the manger of Bethlehem
Cradles a King.

YOUNG MARY

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

John the Baptist: “God So Loved the World”

JOHN THE BAPTIST

In those days came John the Baptist, baptizing and preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.

And I come for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Christ might believe.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

Tell us, art thou the Christ, then?

JOHN THE BAPTIST

I am not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

PHARISEE 1

Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not him?

JOHN THE BAPTIST

I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.

CHOIR

God so loved the world.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

CHOIR

God so loved the world that he gave his Son!

JOHN THE BAPTIST

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Lord, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

JESUS

Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

And, lo, the heavens were opened unto us, and we saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.

CHOIR

God so loved the world!
God so loved the world!

JOHN THE BAPTIST

And lo a voice from heaven:

VOICE OF GOD THE FATHER

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Calling of the Apostles: “Come Unto Him”

Lyrics by Theodore E. Curtis & Rob Gardner

PETER

I wander through the still of night,
When solitude is ev’rywhere,
Alone, beneath the starry light,
And yet I know that God is there.
I kneel upon the grass and pray;
An answer comes without a voice,
It takes my burden all away
And bids my aching heart to sing:
Rejoice!
Rejoice.

ANDREW

One which had heard John the Baptist speak, and followed him, was Andrew, the brother of Peter.

PETER

Let's pack this up and move on from disaster.

ANDREW

Now Jesus had entered into a ship, which belonged to Peter, and had taught the people out of the ship.

PETER

I'll fetch James and John and the work will go faster.

JESUS

Peter...

PETER

Master.

JESUS

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.

ANDREW

When disappointment closes in,

PETER

We have toiled all night, and yet taken nothing.

ANDREW

With stinging loss on every shore,

PETER

Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net.

ANDREW

He bids me turn and look again,

PETER

And when we cast our net, we enclosed a great multitude of fishes.

ANDREW

And lo, my cup it runneth o'er.

PETER

...and the net brake.

JAMES

And they beckoned unto their partners, James and John, that they should come and help them.

JOHN

And we came, and the fishes filled the ship, so that it began to sink.

PETER

Depart from me;
For Lord, I am unworthy.

JESUS

Fear not; Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

JOHN

And he ordained twelve Apostles in all, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.

PETER

And when I hide my face in shame,
When low I fall and cannot fight,
He comes, and lifts me up again,
And turns my face back toward the light.
Come unto him all ye who seek,
Ye wandering souls on darkest rim,
With hearts laid low and spirits meek,
Come unto him...

The Storm: “Come Unto Him pt. 2”

Lyrics by Theodore E. Curtis & Rob Gardner

ANDREW

Now it came to pass that Jesus constrained Peter and others of his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side.

PETER

But there arose a great storm of wind. And the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves.

JAMES

It is a spirit!

JESUS

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

PETER

Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water!

JESUS

Come.

PETER

Yet when the shadows gather round,
And wind and waves against me be,
My feet grow heavy, sinking down,
Till I cry out:
Lord, save me!

JOHN

When darkness clouds the starry night,
When hope is swallowed in the sea,
He comes, a sure and constant light!
He comes, he comes to rescue me!

JESUS

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

MULTITUDE

It matters not what may befall,
What threatening hand hangs over me;
He is my rampart through it all,
My refuge from mine enemy.
Come unto him all ye depressed,
Ye erring souls whose eyes are dim,
Ye weary ones who long for rest.
Come unto him! Come unto him!

A Man Born Blind

BLIND MAN

Now as Jesus and his apostles passed through the multitude, they saw a man which was blind from his birth.

JAMES

Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

JESUS

Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
(to the Blind Man)
I am the light of the world.
Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.

The Pool of Bethesda

INFIRM WOMAN’S KIN

And there is at Jerusalem a pool, which is called Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of blind, halt, lame and withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

INFIRM WOMAN

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease she had.

LAME MAN

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty-eight years. And Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case.

JESUS

Wilt thou be made whole?

LAME MAN

Sir, I have no man to help me go into the water,
But while I am coming, another steps down there before...

JESUS

Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

INFIRM WOMAN’S KIN

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked!

PHARISEE 1

It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

LAME MAN

He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

CAIAPHAS

Who is it which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

LAME MAN

I know not, but I had no man to put me into the pool. No man would help me. But he came and lifted me up.

The Good Samaritan

A CERTAIN LAWYER

Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

JESUS

Thou art thyself a lawyer, what is written in the law?

LAWYER

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

JESUS

Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

LAWYER

And who is my neighbor?

JESUS

A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho:

And he fell among thieves: which stripped him of his raiment...and wounded him...and departed...leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way...

And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place...

He came and looked on the man...

And passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was...

And when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And he went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine...

...and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?

LAWYER

He that showed mercy on him.

JESUS

Go, and do thou likewise.

Miracles

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

LAME MAN

There's a wideness in God's mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There's a kindness in his justice,
Far more kind than we dare dream.
There's a light to bid us welcome,
And it shines with brightest beam.
There's a wideness in God's mercy...

JAIRUS

Master!
Master! My little daughter lies ill,
We know not what else to do,
My little girl, she will die, Lord.
Please!
I pray thee, come lay thy hands on her,
That she may be healed,
And she shall live...

JESUS

Where hast thou laid her?

JAIRUS

Come and see!

WOMAN OF FAITH

Please...
If I could get by...

MAN

No! Stay away!

WOMAN OF FAITH

Please...
They know not how it feels to be here on the outside,
Rejected,
Alone,
Every look a reminder that I am unclean.
They know not what it is to be cast in the shadows,
In darkness,
'Till you're a shadow yourself.
How I long to be heard, to be held, to be seen!
But no! If I am seen, then they'll cast me away,
No one look!
No one knows all the hurt,
All the shame...

But he, he knows,
He must know,
For he casteth no one aside.
Oh, he:
Man of sorrows,
Sees the sparrow when she falls!

JESUS

Who touched me?

PETER

Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

JESUS

Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

WOMAN OF FAITH

Lord, it is I who have touched thee
For I have been sick many years,
And no one and nothing could heal me.
How I tried!
So many years I have fought!
So many hopes come to naught!
What else could I do, Lord?
When I heard that thou comest, I thought,
If I touch just the hem of thy clothes,
How thy mercy is great!
And I might be made whole.
And when I touched thee, not a moment,
Then I felt that I was clean!
All my suffering, all my sorrow,
Nothing else could heal but thee.

JESUS

Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; Go in peace.

JAIRUS

Rabbi, please, my daughter...

JAIRUS MESSENGER

Lord, thy daughter is dead. Why troublest thou the Master any further?

Jesus and the Children: “He Loves Me Too”

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

YOUNG CHILD

He who sees the little sparrow,

JAIRUS

We are too late.

YOUNG CHILD

Though she's small like me and you,

JESUS

Be not afraid, only believe.

YOUNG CHILD

How he loves that little sparrow!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And I know he loves me too.

WIFE OF JAIRUS

(humming)

JESUS

Woman.

WIFE OF JAIRUS

Master.

JESUS

Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

Mother, why weepest thou?

JESUS

Give her something to eat.

YOUNG CHILD

When the sheep is lost, how the shepherd
Calls and searches all the night thru.

A FEW CHILDREN

Jesus is the kindest shepherd,

A FEW MORE

Alleluia, alleluia!
And I know he'll find me too!

ALL CHILDREN

He who clothes the beautiful flowers
Paints the clouds across the blue,
When I see those beautiful flowers
Alleluia, alleluia!
Then I know he me loves too!
Alleluia!
Sing alleluia!
Oh, how Jesus loves me too!

He who counts the stars in the heavens
Counts me his and knows me well
He who rules o'er all creation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Loves me more than any can tell!
Alleluia!
Sing alleluia!

YOUNG CHILD

Oh, how Jesus loves me too!

The Pharisees and the Blind Man

RUTH’S FRIEND

Oh! Ruth! Ruth!
Is not this the man who was begging?
Blind from birth?

RUTH

No, it cannot be.
Though he is like him.

BLIND MAN

I am he.

PHARISEE 1

That cannot be.

CAIAPHAS

How were thine eyes opened?

BLIND MAN

A man called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and...

I went and washed,
And I received sight.

PHARISEE 1

This man Jesus is a sinner, because he keepeth not the sabbath day.

BLIND MAN

Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

PHARISEE 2

Give God the praise: for we know that this man is a sinner.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

How could a man that is a sinner do such miracles?

BLIND MAN

I have heard of no man, since the world began, that opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

PHARISEE 1

Thou wast altogether born in sins,

BLIND MAN

No...

PHARISEE 1

...and dost thou teach us?

BLIND MAN

No, ye hear me not...

CAIAPHAS

Get thee hence!

BLIND MAN

No, this man...he...

CAIAPHAS

Or face the judgment of the council.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

PHARISEE 1

And dost thou now believe?

SIMON THE PHARISEE

Leave this man be...

CAIAPHAS

If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: And then shall the Romans come and take away both our place and nation.

The Woman Who Loved Much: “God Is Love”

Lyrics by Frederick William Faber & Rob Gardner

SIMON THE PHARISEE

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many did believe on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

And one of the Pharisees desired of Jesus that he would eat with him. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus was come, brought an alabaster box of ointment.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

And Jesus went into my house, and sat down to meat.

RWOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Far more kind than we dare dream.
There is welcome for the sinner,
With more grace than I deserve,
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy…
For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderful and kind:
Sing my soul, and all within me,
Sing to break the clouds above,
Sing, and praise, and shout forever:
God is love! God is love.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

JESUS

Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.

SIMON THE PHARISEE

Master, say on.

JESUS

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly
forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

SIMON THE PHARISEE

I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.

JESUS

Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
(to the WOMAN)
Thy sins are forgiven.

PHARISEE 1

Why dost thou thus speak blasphemies?

JESUS

(to the WOMAN)
Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

PHARISEE 1

He hath a devil!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

No!

PHARISEE 1

This man hath a devil!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

No he...

SIMON THE PHARISEE

These are not the words of him that hath a devil.

PHARISEE 3

Who can forgive sins but God only?

PHARISEE 1

These words are blasphemy!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

No!

PHARISEE 1

This man speaketh blasphemies!!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

He saith well, for he hath saved me,
And his pardon freely gives;

PHARISEE 1

Why hear ye him?!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

I love because he loveth me,
I live because he lives.

PHARISEE 1

He hath a devil and is mad!

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

I sing praise the God of grace;
I trust his truth and know his might;
He calls me his, I call him mine
My God, my joy, my light!

Judas’ Betrayal

CAIAPHAS

We have a law! And by our law he is guilty of death, because he maketh himself the Son of God.

PHARISEE 3

He must be taken...

CAIAPHAS

Yay, but with subtlety, not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

PHARISEE 1

Then whereby shall we take him?

JUDAS

What will ye give me?
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?

Will Ye Also Go Away?

JESUS

Will ye also go away?

PETER

Lord?

JESUS

Many of my disciples have gone back, and walk no more with me. Will ye also go away?

PETER

Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

JESUS

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem for the feast; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Triumphal Entry: “Hosanna (Thy Savior Hath Come)”

Lyrics by Joseph Swain & Rob Gardner

WOMAN

Now it was the Feast of the Passover. And many people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him.

LAME MAN

And many spread their garments in the way; others took their branches, and strawed them in the way.

WOMAN

And when Jesus was come nigh, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen!

MULTITUDE

The Promise of Ages whom prophets foretold,
For whom we have waited e’er long,
Hath come to redeem us from slavery’s yoke
And deliver His people back home.
Come, Israel, come and see He who shall reign,
In whom we will ever rejoice
We hear the sound of the glorious refrain
And it echoeth back in our voice:
Hosanna! Hosanna! Thy Savior hath come,
O Israel, and blessed He’ll ever be called!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing praises to God,
For our Hope, our Deliv’rer, our All!

BLIND MAN

Master!
Master, it was I who was blind, now I see.

JESUS

Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

BLIND MAN

Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

JESUS

Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

BLIND MAN

Lord, I believe.

WOMEN

Oh why should we wander as strangers from thee,
And turn from thy bounteous hand?
Restore and defend us, oh set us free,
That, beside thee, we ever may stand!

MULTITUDE

Hosanna! Hosanna! Thy Savior hath come,
O Israel, and blessed He’ll ever be called!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing praises to God,
For our Hope, our Deliv’rer, our All!

CAIAPHAS

Master, rebuke thy disciples.

MULTITUDE

Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!

JESUS

I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

MULTITUDE

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.
Hosanna! Hosanna! They Savior hath come,
O Israel, and blessed He’ll ever be called!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing praises to God,
For our Hope, our Deliv’rer, our All!
Hosanna! Hosanna! They Savior hath come!
Our Hope, our Salvation, our All!

The Last Supper: “God Is Love (reprise)”

Lyrics by Frederick William Faber & Rob Gardner

ANDREW

Now when the hour of the feast was come, the disciples of Jesus went, and made ready the passover.

PETER

And Jesus sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

JOHN

Why is this night different
From all other nights?

APOSTLES / JESUS

Because we once were slaves,

JUDAS

And now we are free.

JESUS

I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

PETER

And he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

JESUS

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

CHOIR

God is Love: and he enfoldeth
All the world in one embrace;
With unfailing grasp he holdeth
Every child of every race.
And when human hearts are breaking
Under sorrow's iron rod,
Then they find that selfsame aching
Deep within the heart of God.

JESUS

I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
(to JUDAS)
That thou doest, do quickly.

JOHN

And as we were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it:

JESUS

Take, eat; This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

JOHN

And he took the cup, and gave thanks:

JESUS

Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; But I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

CHOIR

(in Aramaic)
God so loved the world...

JESUS

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Arise, let us go hence.

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Gethsemane

JESUS

Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

Peter, James, John...

JESUS

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me?
(praying)
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

CHOIR

(in Aramaic)
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

JUDAS

Whomsoever I kiss,
That same is he;
Take him, and lead him away
Lead him away safely.

PETER

(startling awake)
Lord?

JESUS

Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

JUDAS

Hail, master.

JESUS

Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

JOHN

Peter! No!

JESUS

Put up thy sword:
(to the MOB)
If ye seek me, let these go their way!
(to PETER)
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

MARY THE MOTHER

Why is this night different?
Are we this night set free?
Are we now slaves no longer?

JOHN

Mary, come!
They have taken our Lord away,
And I follow behind!
They have taken thy son!

Pilate and the Mob: “Is This Not Enough?”

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

PILATE

Ye have brought this Man unto me, as one
that perverteth the people:
And behold, I have examined Him before you,
And I have found no fault in Him,
No, nothing for which death is worthy!
I will therefore chastise him and
release him.
Take him to be scourged.
Now, this is enough!

CHOIR

(in Aramaic)
Behold the Man,
The Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world!

PILATE

Enough!
Enough!
Behold, is this not enough?
Behold the man, the punishment he’s
borne:
The cruel whip, the mocking scorn…

CAIAPHAS

Away with him!

PILATE

His crimes have seen enough!

PHARISEE 1

Away with him!

PILATE

Why? What evil hath he done?

CAIAPHAS

If thou lettest this man go,
Thou art no friend,
But Caesar’s foe!

PHARISEE 1

Thou art but Caesar’s foe!

PILATE

(to JESUS)
Art thou the King of the Jews?

JESUS

Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

PILATE

Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

JESUS

My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered here.

CHOIR

(in Aramaic)
Away with him!

PILATE

Art thou a king then?

JESUS

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.

PILATE

What is truth?

CHOIR

Away with him!

MARY THE MOTHER

Enough!
Is this not enough?
Oh Lord, my God, have mercy on my son!
Has not thy will in this been done?

CHOIR

Away with him!

PILATE

(to JESUS)
Speak now:
Hast thou not had enough?

MARY THE MOTHER

Has not the bitter cup been emptied?

PILATE

Art thou a king then?
Tell me…

MARY THE MOTHER

Is this not enough?

PILATE

Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee?

CROWD

Away with him!

PILATE

And by that same power can release thee?
And speakest thou not unto me?!

CHOIR

The Lamb of God!

PILATE

What shall I do then with this Jesus?

CAIAPHAS

Let him be crucified!

PILATE

This Jesus ye call Christ?

PHARISEE 1

Let him be crucified!

PILATE

What evil hath He done?

CAIAPHAS

He made himself the Son of God!

PILATE

Behold your King!

PHARISEE 2

We have no king but Caesar!

PILATE

Shall I crucify your King?!

CHOIR

(in Aramaic)
Emrah d’el a ha (The Lamb of God);
Ha emrah d’el a ha (Behold the Lamb of God)
Emrah d’shaqal kh’titha d’alama (The Lamb who bears the sins of the world)

PILATE

Enough!
Enough.
See ye to it.

Crucifixion

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

MARY THE MOTHER

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called Golgotha: Where they crucified him, between two thieves.

JOHN

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

MARY THE MOTHER

O Lord,
When is it enough?
My breaking heart,
Though pierced and torn within,
I’ll keep my vigil here with him.
Behold,
The handmaid of the Lord.
Be it unto me...
Until it is enough.

JESUS

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

MARY MAGDALENE

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. And Jesus therefore saw his mother, and John standing by, whom he loved:

JESUS

(to Mary)
Woman, behold thy son!
(to John)
Behold thy mother!

MARY MAGDALENE

And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

JESUS

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? It is finished: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

Resurrection: Gloria (My Savior Lives)

Lyrics by Rob Gardner

MARY MAGDALENE

Come and see!
They have taken our Lord away!
Where he is, I know not,
For the sepulcher's empty!

JOHN

And we came, and we went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

PETER

And we went away again unto our own home.

RESURRECTION ANGEL

Woman, why weepest thou?

MARY MAGDALENE

Because they have taken my Lord away,
Where he is, I know not,
I know not where they have laid him.

JESUS

Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?

MARY MAGDALENE

Tell me, sir,
If it be thou who hast borne him hence,
Tell me where thou hast laid him,
And I’ll take him...
...and I’ll take him away!

JESUS

Mary.

MARY MAGDALENE

Master.

JESUS

Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

MARY MAGDALENE

Sing, oh my heart,
Sing thy rejoicing!
Morning has dawned and will stretch
forth her wing.
No more the night
Holds thee his captive,
Jesus is risen, my Savior and King!
I’ll sing Gloria!
Glory to the Lord!
Gloria! Glory for the life he doth give!
Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!
Gloria! For my Savior lives!

Why dost thou weep?
What is thy longing?
Why art thou cast down and turned from
the light?
Lift up your eyes,
Look for the morning,
Wait, for the darkness is only the night!

MARY MAGDALENE / ANGELS

And sing Gloria!
Glory to the Lord!
Gloria! Glory for the life he doth give!
Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!

MARY MAGDALENE

Gloria! For my Savior lives!

JESUS

(to the DISCIPLES)
Peace be unto you.

CHOIR

Israel rejoice!
Sing all creation!
Jesus is risen with life in his wings!
Raise up your voice,
Sing our salvation!
Now more than conquerors through Him, our King,
Sing we Gloria!
Glory to the Lord!

MARY MAGDALENE

Gloria! Glory to the Lord!

CHOIR

Gloria! Glory for the life he doth give!

MARY MAGDALENE

Oh, sing Gloria!

CHOIR

Gloria! Gloria!

MARY MAGDALENE

Gloria! For my Savior lives!
Gloria! Gloria! Gloria!
Gloria! For my Savior lives!

Finale: “Come Unto Him (reprise)”

Lyrics by Frederick William Faber, Theodore E. Curtis & Rob Gardner

PETER

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Far more kind than we could dream.

WOMAN WHO LOVED MUCH

There’s a light to bid us welcome
And it shines with brightest beam,

MARY MAGDALENE

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy…

JAIRUS / WIFE / DAUGHTER

For the love of God is broader
Than the measures of man’s mind,

WOMAN OF FAITH

And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderful and kind:

ALL PRINCIPALS

Sin and death and hell shall never
O’er us final triumph gain;

MARY THE MOTHER

God is Love, so Love for ever
O’er the universe must reign.

PETER

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

ALL

It matters not what may befall,
What threatening hand hangs over me;
He is my Savior through it all,
My refuge from mine enemy.
Come unto him all ye depressed,
Ye erring souls whose eyes are dim,
Ye weary ones who long for rest.
Come unto him! Come unto him!