Characters: Jesus, soldiers, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene, other women, male disciples

Props: Sheet

Narrator: When Jesus was only 33 years old, he was tortured to death by the religious and political leaders who were opposed to him. They had him nailed to a cross so that he would bleed to death. After his soul had passed on, the soldiers took his body down from the cross so that it would not be hanging there on Sunday, which was a holy day. [they do so]

There was a man named Joseph of Arimathea who was a secret follower of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea: I have an unused tomb in my garden. It is a cave where Jesus’ body could be laid. Please take it there.

Narrator: The soldiers thus carried Jesus’s body to that cave. Then they rolled a big stone against the opening so that no one could go in or out. [they do so]

The next day was Saturday. According to Jewish laws, no one should do any work on Saturday. They should spend all day remembering God.

The day after that was Sunday. Some of the women who were Jesus’ chelas prepared fragrant herbs for traditional rituals for a dead body. They went to the tomb. [Angel comes and rolls away the stone. Jesus quietly goes out, leaving the sheet behind.]

Mary Magdalene: How shall we enter the tomb? The soldiers sealed it with a huge stone.

Another woman: Look! The stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open!

[they see the angel and are frightened]

Angel: Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has been raised from death. Come, see the place where his body was laid.

Mary Magdalene: His body is not here! There is only the sheet that it was wrapped in.

Angel: Go quickly and tell the other disciples that Jesus has risen from death. He will go ahead of you to Galilee.

Narrator: So the women left the empty tomb and ran to tell the men who were Jesus’ disciples. But suddenly Jesus himself met them on the road.

Jesus: Greetings!

Narrator: The women touched his feet and joyfully worshipped him. [they do so]

Jesus [holding up his hand in blessing]: Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.

Women to the men disciples: We have seen Jesus! He is alive again! He says to meet him in Galilee, where you, too, will see him.

Narrator: The disciples went to Galilee, and there Jesus met them.

[they meet him with amazement and worship him]

Jesus: Go around the world to all people, teaching them what I have taught you. And remember, I am always with you.