Passion Play’s Supporting Characters by Julie Arduini

Each year our church shares the greatest story ever told with a Passion Play. It’s a Broadway-like production with as many as 100 in the cast that also features an ensemble and live animals. The actors are lay people with a desire to gift the Lord and the community with five presentations between Palm and Easter Sundays.

We’ve been part of that church for eight years and my husband and children have been involved for most of those years. That means I not only see the presentations each year, I’m often there for rehearsals. I’m quite familiar with the story and what to expect in each scene. Thing is, each rehearsal and performance moves me. I’ve yet to watch even one healing scene and remain unfazed. When Jesus lifts the dead girl and she returns to life, I sob to the point of fearing emitting noises that would distract from the show. We nearly lost our daughter at three months old, and I envision Jesus lifting her for healing that day, something I will never take for granted. It truly is the greatest story ever told.

Our son, circa 2007.

Between the play and the History channel’s The Bible, I’ve been  thinking about what writers would call the supporting characters. They are part of the story, well-developed if done right, but don’t overshadow the protagonist. When I think of Jesus and His journey to the cross, there are so many who have a story of their own.

Peter–The disciple who spoke first and thought later. He loved Jesus with fierce passion, only to deny Him when it mattered most.

Now a teen, he plays Philip, a disciple, this year.

Barabbas–A criminal set free. In our play, we reflect on the possibility that the one who first realized and perhaps appreciated Christ’s sacrifice would be Barabbas.

The thieves on the cross–One mocked Jesus. The other understood  they deserved their punishment, but Jesus did not. He asked Jesus to remember him, and Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43, NIV

Mary–I didn’t fully appreciate her place in the story until I saw Passion of the Christ. She sacrificed twice. First, choosing to be the vessel to her and our savior. Second,  watching His death. Not understanding how this violent murder equals redemption and life. A mama’s heart shattered.

John–He not only witnesses the crucifixion of his beloved friend, he promises Jesus to care for Mary.

Judas–Deceived by money and false promises, his kiss is remembered today. He died a tormented soul.

When I think I found the secondary story to focus on, another aspect of Christ’s love pops up and I’m enchanted by Jesus all over again.

Our daughter in her first year as a town’s girl, 2011.

 

 

 

 

This holiest of weeks, what supporting character captivates you? Any of the above? Herod? Pontius Pilate? Someone else? I’d love to read your thoughts.

Have a blessed Easter!

Matthew 27: Wondering What Happened on Saturday by Julie Arduini

Matthew 27 (verse from BibleGateway.com)
The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

I don’t know if it’s a writer thing or just a curious Jesus girl thing but I’d like to know about Saturday. We have details about “Good” Friday where Jesus was crucified. We know all about Resurrection Sunday.

So, what do you think Saturday was like?

Matthew 27:62-65 gives us a glimpse and if I close my eyes, I can picture the scene.

Want to close your eyes and journey with me?

Those that loved Jesus are devastated and confused. Those that hated him are giving shouts of celebration and recounts of key moments. Government officials are proud. They took down the biggest threat to their government with no fight from this so called king. Barabbas? The real criminal? I imagine he’s overwhelmed with ideas on what to do with his new freedom.

All of them, I can guess, are spending Saturday with one eye over their shoulder.

Haunted.

Scared.

Anxious.

Sick.

I bet they see shadows in the pique of daytime. With that, they stop everything and look. Wonder.

Pilate and his officials take tentative steps all day. When Pilate brings a chalice to his lips— I’m sure his hands are shaking. The guards around the tomb are exhausted, even though their shift just started. The mental strain of waiting on the promises will do that.

Barabbas starts dozens of plans to satisfy self but can’t complete one evil idea. He knows where he belongs and he can’t shake it. For all the open spaces and freedom he slinks in a corner, the tomb in view. He wraps his knees to his chest and rocks back and forth. The same position he had in prison.

The devil paces back and forth, anxiety quadrupling with every step. His defeated hands over his ears. His minions keep repeating what he already knows.

What about the third day?

He knows God’s Word. Oh, he twists it, but he knows. And I suspect he can’t enjoy his victory because he knows it is short lived.

Heaven is muted. A sense of grief and confusion weaves throughout the streets of gold. Something is in the works. But what?

***

We know because of Friday, God hid His usual palette of color and painted a bleak gray scene for the world to interact in that Saturday.

How about you? What do you imagine happened?