"He's Alive!"
            By Charlotte L Pound & S J Buxton

Synopsis: A Jewish family has been personally touched by Jesus, when He miraculously healed their lame child. They are convinced He is the Messiah. When they hear of His arrest and trial, they travel to Pilate's Hall to testify on His behalf. Much to their dismay they are not allowed inside and finally witness His death. Bethany, the child who Jesus healed, has never lost faith and stubbornly refuses to accept anything other than He is alive.

Time- One Hour
Cast- 15 main speaking parts
           Crowd (20 people)

Preview:

Rueben:   "Oh Anna, .. Father,. I bring the most terrible news!.. Jesus
has been arrested!"   (all speak at once in confusion)

Anna:   "Arrested, but what do you mean, Rueben? Who has arrested Him and why?"

Rueben:  "It was while I did business in the city last night that I learned of all this. (gets up begins pacing) The chief priests have arrested Jesus on some charges of blasphemy, and of claiming to be the Messiah. I spoke with men in the city. They said that one of His disciples betrayed Jesus to the authorities."

Leah:  "One of His disciples? How can that be? They were loyal followers and friends who walked with Him for years. They loved Him, did they not?"

Rueben:  "Loved Him? I heard that when the soldiers came to get Him, all His loyal friends vanished. None of them went with Him. Late in the night as I sat for refreshment near the Palace, one of His disciples stood there warming his hands and when a serving maid asked if he was not a follower of Jesus, he denied it, denied it vehemently I tell you, to the point of cursing in a fit of anger."

Grandfather: "Where have they taken Jesus? What will happen?"

Rueben:  "Well after taking Him to be questioned by the High Priest, Caiphas decided that the governor should rule this matter. And today He is in Pilate's Hall, for the trial."
Leah:  "Pilate's Hall?" (with a gasp)

Anna:  "What are all these charges, Rueben?"

Rueben:  "The men at the gate say that the High Priest accuse Him of blasphemy.. I myself recall how they questioned Him when He did a miracle of healing."

Leah:  "I cannot believe that this has happened to Him. We were just speaking of all His mighty miracles and healings. touching and changing all of our lives. How can they deny His power?"

Grandfather: (Remembering) "Lazarus! He was dead and in the grave several days! Then Jesus called Him forth. alive! It would be hard to convince his sisters, that it was a trick. Could the authorities think that it was done by any other power, save that of God?"

Rueben:  "They are saying that His power is from Beelzebub!"

Grandfather: (Very vehemently, gets up pounds walking stick in ground,etc.) "How dare they, the lying devils, how dare they say such things, when we know... we know!"

Anna: "Please Father, calm yourself,... you're scaring Bethany."

Bethany:(starts to cry) "What does arrest mean, Mother? What are they going to do to my friend Jesus?"    (Anna comforting the child)

Anna:  "Some evil men have lied about Jesus Bethany and are going to try to prove that He is a bad man. Our family knows Jesus to be sent from God, but the evil men do not believe,they have brought charges against Him."

Leah:  "He is innocent of any evil. I cannot believe otherwise."

Rueben:  "And I have listened to Him teach, I am fully convinced that He is our Messiah. For generations we have been taught to watch for Him."

                               END of PREVIEW