todojoven.org

 The Least Of My Brothers 
Characters:
Mary - Program director.
Jan - Volunteer
Jesus - See left stage below for a description
Susan - Volunteer
Andy - Volunteer

Left stage is set for a city street in winter. Jesus is sitting on a bench. He is wrapped in sheets similar to robes. His face is shadowed by the head covering so that he appears to be a homeless man. The scene should suggest that it is very cold - use something to suggest snow if possible. Jesus shivers from time to time.

Right stage is set for the inside of a church or mission. There is a table with bag lunches and foam cups of cocoa. Volunteers are filling the bags and preparing to distribute them to the hungry.

The play opens with the focus on right stage.

Mary: (fills a box with lunch bags and foam cups as she speaks) : Thank you all for volunteering. Life on the streets is never easy. But it is especially hard during the holidays. Others are enjoying warm homes, good food and family and friends. It is very sad to be cold, hungry and alone at this time.

Andy: What are we supposed to do?

Mary: You have each been assigned a section of the street. Just walk through your area looking for anyone who appears to be cold or hungry or thirsty. Smile and offer them a lunch bag and a cup of cocoa.

Susan: Be sure to say, "Jesus loves you"

Mary: Thank you, Susan. It is very important to share Jesus' love with everyone you meet.

Andy: Like this, "Merry Christmas and remember that Jesus loves you."

Mary: Yes, Andy, exactly like that. Remember to smile at everyone and treat each person with respect.

Jan: My Dad says that they are all drunks and druggies. Is that true?

Susan: You can't say that, Jan. That's unkind and untrue.

Mary: It is true that problems with drugs and alcohol are part of the problem. There are many reasons why people are on the street. We know that Jesus is the One who is the answer to all of the problems.

Jan: My Dad says it is foolish to spend Christmas day handing out food to people who could do better if they tried.

Mary: What do you think, Jan?

Jan: I really don't know.

Susan: If you think this is a waste of time, why did you come?

Jan: Jesus said we should help people. It is His birthday so here I am.

Mary: That's good enough. Now, let's all put on our jackets, take a box or bag of lunches and be on our way.

Mary and the volunteers put on their coats. Jan puts on her scarf. They pick up the lunches and cups. Jan walks toward Jesus. The others go off stage. Focus turns to left stage.

Jan (approaching Jesus): Hello, are you hungry? (holds out a lunch bag) Would you like something to eat?

Jesus: Yes. (takes the bag) Thank you.

Jan: Are you thirsty? (holds out a cup of cocoa) Would you like some hot cocoa?

Jesus: (takes the cup) Yes, thank you very much.

Jan: Well, goodbye. Oh, I almost forgot, Jesus loves you.

Jesus: Thank you for remembering. Try not to forget that.

Jan turns to leave, walks a step or two and then turns back.

Jan: Are you cold?

Jesus: Yes, a little.

Jan: (sets down the lunches and takes off her coat and scarf and drapes them around Jesus) Here you can have these. I have more.

Jesus: Thank you. I'm much warmer now.

Jan begins to leave again and then turns around.

Jan: This is not right. There should be a place where everyone is warm and has enough to eat. There should be a place where everyone is loved and welcome.

Jesus: I come from a place like that.

Jan: Why did you leave?

Jesus: My Father sent me.

Jan: Why?

Jesus: To find a place where I can live.

Jan: There's an apartment for rent just down the street. I saw the sign.

Jesus: Not that kind of a place I'm here looking for hearts which will receive Me. Hearts where I can dwell.

Jan: (falls to her knees at Jesus' feet) I know Who You are. Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Jesus: (Wraps her coat and scarf back around her and then places His hand on her head) Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethern, you did it to Me.

Jesus places a crown on her head, helps her to stand, places a ring on her finger, puts an arm around her and walks off stage with her.

Reader: The Lord tells us by the mouth of the prophet, Isaiah, The kind of fasting that I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"

Based on these scriptures: Isaiah 58:6-9 and Matthew 25:34-40

If It Quacks Like A Chicken   No furnishings or equipment is required. It works best if you have a door where the boy or girl can come in and go out during the play. If no door is available, try mime to suggest one or use a screen or cardboard shield. The group should "over act" for comedy. Each time the Actor 1 turns to leave, the group makes faces, sticking out tongues, wiggling fingers in ears, and waving their hands. Cast: Actor 1 Actor 2 (spokesman for the group) 2 or more people to be the rest of the group Scene 1   Group gets in a huddle and whispers like they are making plans. They nod "yes", congratulate each other and spread out, acting like chickens. (flap wings, make head bob, etc.) Actor 1 walks in through door and looks at them. Actor1: What are you doing? Actor 2 - Can't you see, we're chickens Actor 1: Oh, so you have feathers? (they look at their arms, legs, etc, & then shake heads "no") Actor 1: and you lay eggs? (they look behind themselves and each other and then shake heads "no") Actor 1: I didn't think so, just acting like a chicken does not make you one. (As Actor 1 walks out, they make faces at him/her) Scene 2   Group huddles, comes out acting like Ninjas Actor 1: What is it this time? Actor 2: Can't you see, we're Ninja, Karate people Actor 1: You guys are wierd! Ok, you think you are martial arts experts, anyone want to break a board with your head? (look at each other and shake heads "no") Actor 1: How about belts, do any of you have a martial arts belt? (look at their waists and then shake heads "no") Actor 1: You can't become a Ninja, Karate expert just by walking around like one. Get real! (make faces as he walks out) Scene 3   Group huddles, comes out acting like Ballerinas Actor 1: Let me guess, you are walking on the eggs you laid when you were chickens Actor 2: We are ballerinas Actor 1: I don't hear any music, do you? (they cup their ears, listen and shake their heads) Actor 1: And what about those clothes, I don't see any tutus (they look down, at each other and then shake heads "no") Actor 1: get it straight this time! You can't be a chicken or a ninja or a ballerina just because you try to act like one. You need to practice for years to become a martial arts expert or a ballerina. And chickens are, well, they are just born chickens Scene 4   Group huddles, lines up across the front, drops to knees and "acts religions" (say "Amen", "Hallelujah", pass an offering plate, pretend to pray, etc.) Actor 1: What is it this time? Actor 2: Amen, hallelujah, praise God, Sister (or Brother). we're religious people Actor 1: You mean you are Christians? Actor 2: Yeah, well, whatever. I don't know about that stuff. I just know we've got religion. Actor 1: Do you think this is going to get you to heaven? (they look at each other, shrug, look at her and shake their heads "yes") Actor 2: Sure hope so! Actor 1: Do you have Jesus living in your hearts? (they look at her confused and shrug) Actor 1: Have you been born again? (they look at her confused and shrug, again) Actor 2: Look, we're praying aren't we, give me a break! Actor 1: Whether or not I give you a break does not matter. What matters is this. Jesus said, "Not everyone who calls me Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but only he who does my Father's will." (all look really confused) Actor 2: Huh? Actor 1 or someone else: (explain that salvation comes through Jesus, not through our works)

Super Hero Setting

Right stage		Choir practice. You should have at least one microphone in this area. If the children will be singing solos, be sure the mike is easy for the soloists to use. The director may need to speak into the mike also.
Left stage		Room for three children to talk and move around. The area they are in is the hallway outside the room the choir is practicing in. Unless the audience is very small, you will need a microphone in this area also.

Characters

Choir director		Older child or adult
Jim		Child wearing a Superman Cape
Sue		Child wearing a Bat Girl Costume
Tom		Child who is hiding from choir practice. If the choir is wearing robes, this child might also wear one.
Annie		Child taking part in the choir practice.
Children's Choir		Involve as many children as possible. They can wear street clothing or simple robes.
Kathy		One of the children in the choir. Kathy leads in the opening prayer.

The Play

Action Right stage		As the scene opens, the choir enters and the choir director helps them organize into rows. The director hands out song sheets.
Action Left stage		Tom walks in and sits down. He opens a book and begins reading.
Choir director		Hi, everyone. I'm glad to see all of you here. This is our very last practice. Kathy, would you lead us in prayer? Let's all bow our heads and ask God to take over here.
Kathy		Dear God, thank you for helping us come here. We want other people to learn about You. Please help us to do a good job for You. We love you. Amen.
Choir director		OK, everybody. Let's get started. Please look at the papers I just handed out. This is the copy we will be using when we sing tomorrow night. I've made some notes on it. Please read them
Action Right stage		Choir pretends to be reading over the music. The choir and the director should not pay any attention to what is happening left stage.
Action Left stage		Superman (Jim) and BatGirl (Sue) run into the area where Tom is reading. They are loud and very active.
Jim		Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive! Superman rules - Bat Girl drools.
Sue		Baloney! Bat Girl is queen of the super heros. Bat Girl is faster than 3 speeding bullets.
Jim		No way! Listen, I'll even sing you the Superman Song ...
Sue		Yes way! And I don't want to hear any dumb Superman Song. Let's sing the Bat Girl song. (notices Tom) Hey, who are you?
Jim		What are you doing here?
Tom		I'm Tom. I'm just hanging out here. I was in choir practice but Annie said I wasn't singing good.
Sue		Who's Annie?
Tom		Just some girl I know. Never mind. I don't care anymore.
Jim		You can play with us. I'm Superman. He's my hero.
Sue		I'm Bat Girl. She's the best! You can be Bat Man. He's pretty good too.
Jim		Not as good as Superman. Superman can beat anything. He's got a good song. You can help sing it.
Sue		That's a dumb song for a dumb superhero. Bat Girl is the best. Let's sing her song.
Tom		Hold it! This is not going to be much fun if you two argue the whole time.
Sue		That's right, Jim. Stop fighting and sing the Bat Girl song.
Jim		No. You stop fighting and we'll sing SuperMan
Tom		I don't think this is helping.
Sue		OK, Tom, you pick. Who is the best superhero?
Tom		Jesus is my hero. I choose Jesus.
Jim		Jesus? What kind of a super hero is Jesus?
Sue		Right. I go to church. I say Jesus is good but He's no super hero.
Tom		Oh, really? I say Jesus is the ONLY REAL super hero.
Jim		Is He faster than a locomotive? Does He bend steel bars with His bare hands? And the cape? Where's His super hero cape?
Sue		Is He IN-destructable? All super heros have to be IN-destructable. And what about His song? Real super heros have super hero songs.
Tom		Jesus is stronger and faster and completely indestructable. His super cape is way past awesome and you should hear His songs. Just listen.
Action Left stage		When the choir begins to sing, all three children stay still and look in the direction of the choir.
Choir director		(taps stick on table and waits until children are quiet) Remember to smile. Verse 1 please. (waits for music to begin)
Choir		Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble Were you there when the sun refused to shine? *
Action		Choir director holds hand up to stop choir. Director and choir member silently appear to be looking over the song sheet.
Sue		Doesn't sound much like a super hero song to me. Just sounds like some dead guy's song.
Jim		Right. Dead guys are not superheros.
Tom		Just wait, there's more.
Action		Choir director signals to begin singing.
Choir		Were you there when He rose up from the grave? Were you there when He rose up from the grave? Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble Were you there when He rose up from the grave? *
Jim		He was dead and then He came alive again? Impressive. Super Man didn't ever come back from being dead.
Sue		I don't think Super Girl ever did that either.
Tom		See, I told you Jesus was the best.
Jim		Well, ok, He got up from being dead. But if Jesus is so strong, how come He ended up dead in the first place?
Tom		It's kind of a long story. God made us because He wanted us to be His friends In the beginning we all belonged to God But God said we could choose to belong to Him or not The first man God made was named Adam.
Sue		Wait! I've heard this story His wife was named Eve.
Tom		Right! Adam & Eve chose to disobey God. That choice sold people to Satan. That's why we have trouble and problems and even death in the world. Those are the things that Satan likes! People chose to follow Satan so that's the kind of world we have
Jim		Not good! I don't want to be sold to anyone and especially not the devil!
Sue		Me neither!
Tom		Like it or not, we were all sold to Satan. We'd still all belong to him except for Jesus. See, Jesus is God's secret weapon. The whole reason Jesus came to earth was to buy us back from Satan.
Sue		How did He do that?
Tom		Satan thought He could spoil God's plan by getting the people to choose to kill Jesus. But God had a secret plan.
Jim		Lots of superheros have secrets. Like Kryptonite. If superman gets around kryptonite it could kill him. That's his secret.
Tom		Well, God's secret couldn't kill Him! God's secret plan gave us life! You see, Jesus let Satan kill His earth body. Then He went into Hell where He fought against Satan and won. After that He came back to earth to let people know we are free from Satan's power. Now he's made a place for us to live in Heaven and a way for us to get to Heaven.
Sue		Get to Heaven? How?
Tom		Jesus said we just had to believe in Him. We just tell God we're sorry for the times we chose not to obey Him We ask God to forgive us. We ask Jesus to live in our hearts and help us Then we become children of God. It's that easy.
Action		Annie leaves the choir and comes to where the three children are.
Annie		Tom, I've been thinking about what I said. I was mad because you got to help with the drums and I didn't. I'm really sorry. God already forgave me but I want you to forgive me to.
Tom		That's ok. I'm not mad any more. I forgive you
Annie		Come on back over and sing with us. Bring your new friends. We're getting to the best part.
Tom		How about it? Do you two want to sing a real super hero song?
Action		Children agree and walk over to join the choir.
Choir		Low in the grave He lay Jesus, my Savior Waiting the coming day Jesus, my Lord Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumpth o'er His foes He arose a victor from the dark domain And He lives forever with His saints to reign He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose Death cannot keep his prey Jesus, My Savior He tore the bars away Jesus, My Lord Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumpth o'er His foes He arose a victor from the dark domain And He lives forever with His saints to reign He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose

STONES

You will need four stones and a large foam or cardboard rock to attach to the shoulder of one of the men. Read the play to see what sort of stones to use.

As the play opens, there should be rather large pile of boxes near the left side of the stage. The woman is hidden behind the boxes. On the right side of the stage sits Jesus with a small goup of people. They can seem to be quietly talking as the play opens. Jesus and the group with Him should ignore the action by the boxes as they are a long way away from it. Five men come onstage as if they were walking past the pile of boxes. Man #1 looks behind the boxes. Man #1 (To people behind the boxes) - Hey, what is going on here? Man, you get on home to your wife and family. You know better than this. And you, you sorry, good for nothing! We've caught you this time. Get your clothes on and get out here! Man #2 - Bring her back to the temple for stoning. Everyone needs to learn a lesson from this. Man #3 - Yes they do. Especially the ones who have been following after that new teacher, Jesus. They're getting some strange ideas. Man #4 - That gives me a good idea. Jesus is always hanging around with her kind. Feeling sorry for trash like her and talking about second chances. Let's just see where he stands on this. Man #5 - Good idea? That's a great idea! If he gives this sorry creature a second chance, he'll be breaking Moses' law. Lets see how popular he is after he does that! Men come to Jesus pushing the women ahead of them. She's sobbing and stumbling. They push her down near Jesus. She kneels on the ground with her head in her hands. Man #3 - (Speaking to Jesus) Teacher, we caught this women in the act of adultery. I mean we caught her in the very act. Man #5 - There is no doubt about it! She is guilty, guilty, guilty. Man #3 - Now, Moses' law says that she should be stoned. What do you say? Jesus looks at the ground where he begins writing in the dust with his finger. After a moment or two, the men look at each other as if they do not know what to think. The men begin to talk to each other. He continues to write throughout the time the men are talking. Man #1 - (Holds up Stone of Accusation) - Man, I am all set to use this little beauty! I wish he'd stop wasting time and let us get on with it. Man #2 - That is a beautiful stone. Where did you get it? Man #1 - I made it - I've made lots of them. You can use any old stone. It does not matter what is inside. Just cover it with white wash and give it a good coat of polish. It kind of reminds me of life. It does not matter what you have inside of you as long as the outside looks good. Man #3 - It does look good but how well does it work? Man #1 - It's called a Stone of Accusation. Just be sure to tell everything bad you can come up with about the person you throw it at and it cannot miss! I can't wait to get started on her! What a great target! I know all her sins for the past 10 years. Man #2 - (Points at Jesus) What's He writing anyway? Let's get on with this. My Stone of Bitterness is getting heavy. It's hard to carry around all this weight but when I need to lay someone out in a hurry, a chip off of my old pal bitterness is good for the knockout. Man #1 - Stone of Bitterness? Is that what you call that big rock there on your shoulder? Why there must be 100 layers of rock in that thing. Man #2 - The best way to build a Stone of Bitterness is to hold on to every hurt that ever happens to you. Sure they get heavy but the bad feelings that they bring inside you really make you a good rock thrower. Look at these layers. I've got some that go clear back before I was born. For example, if my grandfather had held onto his money like he should have, I'd be rick right now. And my mother... Don't get me started on all the ways she let me down. Man #3 - That thing is too heavy for me to carry around. If you ask me, the Stone of Criticism has always been the best one to throw. No one can easily stand up again after being hit with a few of them. Look at this baby. Sharp as they come. Man #5 - It is sharp. How do you keep it that sharp? Man #3 - Practice, practice, practice. I use the Stone of Criticism at least once a day. If I get home from work and haven't used it yet, I can always practice on my family. Man #4 - All of your stones are o.k. but if you really want to go for the knockout, use the Stone of Destruction. See how it's shaped to fit my hand. Pounding works better than throwing any day. Man #1 - Pounding? What do you mean? Man #4 - Use your head for something besides a hat rack! Think for a change. You are so dumb you probably couldn't even hold this stone, let alone pound with it. What an idiot. Your IQ is somewhere between a blond and a slug. If's stupid people like you who make it difficult for the rest of us to get anything done. Man #1 - O.K., O.K. I see how you use it. Enough already. Man #5 - Those stones are fine for everyday use but for something like this, you really need a Stone of Exclusivity. Man #2 - Exclu-what? Man #5 - Exclusivity! We've got to show how that women and all her kind are not welcome here with us. If we start letting people like her hang around with us there will be all sorts of trouble. Man #4 - Accusation, Bitterness, Criticism, Destruction, Exclusivity. We've got our A,B,C's all in order and ready to go. What is the holdup? Man #3 - Let's get on with this, Jesus. What are we waiting for? Man #1 - Jesus, what do you say? Do you want us to break Moses' Law and let her go free? Or do we keep the law and cut loose with the stones? Jesus finishes writing and then looks up at them. Narrator - No one knows what Jesus was writing. Some say it was the whole law of Moses regarding adultery. The whole law said that the man and woman should both have been brought in for stoning. Jesus stands, still looking at the men. Jesus - He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone. Jesus stoops down again and writes on the ground. One by one, the men drop their stones, hang their heads and walk away. Jesus looks around and then looks at the woman. Jesus - Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Is there no one to condemn you? Woman looks around. Woman - No one, Lord. Jesus - Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.

Jesus Cleans His Father's House Setting: This play takes place in the outer court yard of the temple. Make several areas for selling things. Each area should have a table (cardboard box), a chair or stool and a money box with some coins inside. Sound: Tape or record with voices of children singing praises. Actors: Rabbi Inspects the sheep Abe The money changer John Sells the sheep Marcus John's son, helps with the sheep Jesus Paulus A farmer Blind Man has a rag tied over his eyes and uses a cane to feel his way Narrator Sets the scene for the play. As the scene opens, Abe and the priest are by the tables. Abe is checking the money inside the boxes as they talk. John and Marcus are off stage waiting to come into the area. Narrator When our play begins, it is just before the Passover celebration. In Jesus' time, the Passover holiday was as important to them as our Christmas holiday is to us. People from all around traveled to Jerusalem so that they could celebrate Passover at the temple. Just as we look for a perfect Christmas tree and just the right gift, they looked for a perfect Passover lamb. The lamb would be the family's Passover sacrifice to God asking that their sins would be forgiven and that He would take care of them. Today it is four days before Passover and the people are bringing their lambs to the temple so that the priests can inspect them to see if they are perfect. Only perfect young lambs could be offered as Passover sacrifices. We're in the outer courts of the temple just before the people arrive to have the temple priests inspect their lambs. Rabbi It is almost time for the people to start coming in. Are you sure John and Marcus are coming? Abe They'll be here. They'll be here. (Points to John and Marcus who walk forward). Look, here they come now. John! Marcus! We are over here. Hurry up. John Hello Abe, Greetings Rabbi. Do you remember my son, Marcus? Rabbi Yes, yes. (Waves his hand impatiently) We can talk later. We're almost late. What took you so long? John You should try moving a flock of lambs through that crowd! We got stuck behind a parade. That strange guy they call Jesus was riding on a donkey and half the town was with him. They had palm branches and kids all over the place! We lost track of three lambs in that mess! Abe On a donkey? What a joke! Some people say he is the Messiah. What kind of a Messiah rides into town on a donkey? Marcus Uncle Matthew says that Jesus thinks our leaders have everything backwards. He says that anyone who wants to be really great should spend his life serving others. Maybe Jesus is riding on a donkey to show that the Messiah comes in love to serve people and to give his life in service to others just like Uncle Matthew says. John Your Uncle Matthew is a fool! And He's following around after another fool! Rabbi Right! The Messiah will come with armies on powerful horses and he will kill all of our enemies and make us all rich. Right now, however, there is no Messiah around so we have to make ourselves rich. Quit wasting time and get down to business. Abe, what is the plan? Abe John, you and Marcus will take care of the sheep. I'll take care of the money changing. The Rabbi will inspect the lambs the people bring, fail most of them and, of course, collect his share of the profits from us. John Sit here Marcus (points to a chair and box booth). After the Rabbi flunks their lambs, tell the owners that you'll take their damaged lamb for a trade in and I'll decide how much to charge them for the perfect lamb to replace it. Marcus But we only brought a small herd of lambs. We don't have enough to trade everyone. (All the men laugh) Abe I see you have not taught the boy, John. We recycle the lambs we buy from the people. When you run out of the lambs you brought, start selling the ones you got from them. Rabbi Just be careful not to get caught! We don't want to ruin a good thing. Abe And remember, they cannot pay you with the money they brought. Some of their money even has pictures of idols and false gods on it! When they go to pay you, tell them they have to come to me to exchange whatever kind of money they brought for pure money that can be used in the temple. Rabbi That's right, Marcus, don't cheat poor old Abe out of his share! Old Abe charges more every year for his temple money. Abe Don't tease me, Rabbi, you get your share out of all of us. Marcus This seems like a bad thing to do. What about poor people? Maybe they can't afford to buy another lamb. John If they want to take part in the celebration they'll find the money somewhere. If they can't take part this year, they'll just have to work harder and bring more money along next year. Rabbi That's right, John. People who really want to serve God will come up with the money to celebrate the holiday with a perfect lamb just like God said. We're just working to remind people that they need to put God first in their lives. They need to plan to have enough money when they come to the temple. If poor people would work harder and plan better they would not be so poor. Abe That's right. And we'd be richer too if they brought more money with them. (The men all laugh) Rabbi Now get to work and no more questions, Marcus. It is time you learned about the real world. This is how God's work gets done in the temple and if you want to be part of God's team you'll have to learn to cooperate. (Each man sits at his own booth) (Paulus enters and goes to the Rabbi) Paulus I've brought my best lamb to be inspected. This year I made sure that even his teeth were perfect. Rabbi (Begins to inspect the sheep) Ear mites! This lamb has ear mites. There's no way a Passover lamb can have ear mites. Paulus Where? I don't see anything. Rabbi Of course not, ear mites are too small for you to see. I'm specially trained and I have gifts from God such as very good eyes so that I can see ear mites that you don't notice. This lamb definitely has ear mites. You'll just have to take it over there to Marcus to see about trading it in on a perfect lamb. Marcus here comes another bad lamb. See what you can do for Paulus. We don't want him to miss out on the Passover because of ear mites. Jesus begins to enter the area. Marcus Look! Father! There's Jesus. Is Uncle Matthew with Him? Rabbi What is He doing here? Doesn't He know how much trouble He's in around here? Everyone has had just about enough of His talk. He's ruining business. (Jesus walks through the area turning over the tables and the chairs. At the end of the line, He stops and faces the people who are standing there looking surprised) Jesus It is written, ``My house shall be called a house of prayer.'' But you have made it a den of thieves. Blind man (approaches Jesus using a cane to feel his way around) Master, Master, I've heard that you heal people. Please fix my eyes so that I can see. (Begin tape of children praising Jesus. Jesus takes the rag off of the blind man's eyes. The man looks around, smiles and then throws down his cane.) Rabbi This is just too much! How dare you make this mess in the temple? Don't you know that the leaders are already angry enough to kill you? And what is that awful noise? John It sounds like the children who were following Jesus in the parade. Rabbi Do you hear what they are saying? Abe They're saying ``Hosanna to the Son of David.'' Those children are saying that He is the Messiah. Rabbi Jesus, this has gone far enough. Those children are calling you the Son of David. That's blasphemy! Do you hear what they are saying? Jesus Yes. Have you never read in the Scriptures where it says. ``Out of the mouths of babies and nursing infants You have perfected praise?'' Jesus walks away with Marcus and the no-longer-blind man following after Him. The other men shake their heads and walk off in the other direction. Fade out the tape.