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The Living Last Supper
(To my friends who are receiving this: As you read through the presentation, you will doubtless see many places for various options, such as songs added in (or deleted), background music, etc. Every time we did this at my church, it was different. Once, we had the disciples sing the song, “For the Sake of the Call”, at the beginning, before any narration. We changed the words to, “We have abandoned it all”, instead of, “We will abandon it all”.
If you have plenty of room, you may wish to set up a scrim, above the choir area, or even two of them, off to the sides, where each scene being related by the disciples can be pantomimed. Another possibility is to use scenes from one of the movies of the life of Christ.
The inspiration for this presentation was the famous painting by Leonardo DaVinci of the Last Supper. The painting depicts the very instant when Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. In this script, the author imagines the inner thoughts of each disciple at precisely that moment.
A strange thing about this program is that Jesus, Himself, says nothing at all. You may wish to delete some of the opening narration and add some words for Jesus, ending, of course, with, “Truly I say to you that one of you here will betray me.”
The copy of this that I first received had no indication of the author’s name. I was informed by someone on the Church Music list that the original author was Ernest Emurian. As I mentioned in a message to the lists, I have made some changes.
I want to stress again that this is not an Easter program. Easter programs should be joyous, celebrating the resurrection instead of focusing on the crucifixion. This program is ideal for Palm Sunday or some other day(s) during Holy Week. - Eddy Wilson)
Setting:
One long table set with white cloths, pewter goblets and plates, several loaves of bread and a flask of wine. If you want to be super-authentic, arrange everything as it is arranged in the Leonardo DaVinci painting of the Last Supper.
Opening Narration (the narrator is not visible):
Families love to gather around the table at suppertime. It is then that they can laugh at each other’s jokes, tell stories of their days, talk over problems and plans for tomorrow, and generally share the warmth of real love for each other. Everyone cherishes the emotional and physical nourishment received around the family table.
(Jesus and disciples enter and begin taking their seats – pantomime talking, laughing, etc.)
Jesus and his family of twelve disciples also cherished their time together, and even more as He began to speak of having to leave them. We look this morning (evening) at Jesus and the apostles as they gather for the traditional Passover celebration. (Narrator pauses until all are seated.) As they begin the meal, Jesus knows that these will be His last few special moments with all of them, that by the next evening . . . He will be dead, and they will be scattered. While they were eating, Jesus looked around at them and said, “Truly I say to you that one of you here will betray me.”
(The whole cast freezes in the positions of the DaVinci painting.)
In that moment they were all shaken and disturbed by this shocking news. Their minds raced with confusion as they all began one by one to say, “Lord, is it I?” Listen as the disciples share with us their innermost thoughts at this instant.
(Stage lights go off. Each of the following monologues is done with very small spots of light on each individual disciple.)
(This narration is not the original opening paragraph. The original opening paragraph, at least, as I received it, was: “When it was evening He sat down with His disciples. As they were eating, He said to them, ‘Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me.’ In that moment they were all shaken and disturbed by this shocking news. Their minds raced with confusion as they all began one by one to say, ‘Lord, is it I?’ Listen as the disciples share with us their innermost thoughts at this instant.” I added the first few sentences because I thought the presentation needed an introduction before proceeding right into the story. – Eddy Wilson)
Spotlight on Matthew:
My name is Matthew. I was a tax collector at the gates of Jerusalem. I remember, when Jesus asked me to follow Him. I had mixed emotions, for, you see, while most people despised me because of my occupation, I was a very successful man. To follow Jesus meant giving up all of my wealth, my prestige, well, everything. My life would never be the same again. Yet in my heart there was a longing that I knew only Jesus could satisfy. I remember when Jesus said, “Come unto me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Right then I knew that this was for me, because instantly all the hesitation and unrest left my soul. Now I can say that He truly is my Lord and Master. (Matthew sings, (?) “I Lost it All to Find Everything.” Continues after the song) Yet now Jesus says one of us is to betray Him? (unsure of himself) Surely it isn’t me. Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on James, son of Alphaeus:
My name is James, but since that is a common name, I am called James, son of Alphaeus. I will never forget the first day I saw the Master. I was passing by on the road near where John was baptizing people, and I was curious, so I walked over for a better look. I saw Jesus ask John to baptize Him. After John had baptized Jesus, the heavens seemed to open up and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove. Then we all heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” From the very first moment Jesus called me, I have been His devoted disciple. But now, one of us is to betray Him? Surely the betrayer must be out of his mind. And yet, I keep asking myself, Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on James, son of Zebedee:
I am James, son of Zebedee, brother of John. Once day while we were mending our nets by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called us and we immediately followed Him. I was there in the home of Jairus when Jesus raised his little daughter from the sleep of death. One day up on the top of Mount Hermon, I saw with my own eyes Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. It was just last week that John and I asked Him, “Teacher, grant us to sit, one at your right and one at your left when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “You don’t know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup from which I am to drink?” We both said, “Lord, we are able!” He then reminded us that he who would be first must be the servant of all. Then this evening He demonstrated those very words by washing all of our feet just before supper. He taught us that God’s way is always a way of love. But now, He who taught us about love will be betrayed by one of those He loves. Why? . . . why would one of us do such a thing? And yet I keep thinking inside my own heart, could it me? Is it I, Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Andrew:
I am Andrew. I was the first to bring someone to the Lord when I brought my brother Peter to Jesus. Peter, do you remember the day I found the little boy with five loaves and two fishes? With only them Jesus fed more than five thousand people. You know. . . as I watched Him feed so many with so little, I was glad in my heart that I had decided to follow Him.
Peter (standing with Andrew)
And I remember when the Lord said to me, “Peter, upon this rock I will build my church,” He is my Messiah, my king. I love Him so much! (song - ? Much Too High a Price)
Andrew:
You know, Peter, I am not in the inner circle like you, but I have been a true friend and companion to my Lord. What greater gift could life hold for a fisherman? And now one of us is to betray Him. It is unthinkable. Who could it be? How could one of us have this in his heart? But could it be me, Andrew, could it be me? Lord, is it I? Is it I?
Peter:
(Angrily) One of us here at this table will betray Him?! If I knew who that scoundrel was I would pierce his heart with my dagger. (introspective pause) Yet, would I be piercing my own heart? Oh, Lord grant that it not be so. Still, l wonder, Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Phillip:
My name is Phillip. I come from Bethsaida in Galilee. While several of my friends and I were in Bethany listening to John the Baptist, Jesus called us to become His disciples. During these years of close fellowship with Jesus my faith in God has become stronger and deeper. I remember it well: before He fed the five thousand with the five loaves and two fish, I asked Him, “Where are we to buy bread, that all of these may eat?” Little did I know that Andrew was already bringing the young lad with his lunch. When Jesus began to tell us that God was our heavenly Father, it was almost beyond my understanding. Still, as I have listened to the Master I have grown to understand His words. But it is shocking to hear that there is a betrayer in our midst. Does that traitor not know that in betraying Jesus he is betraying the Messiah, betraying His own salvation? Can one of our number be so blind? Who can it be? Can it be Phillip? Lord, is it I? Is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Thomas:
I am Thomas. I remember when Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was dead. Jesus said to us, “Let us go to Him.” We knew of the hatred of the Pharisees toward Jesus and some of us didn’t want to go back to Bethany since it was so close to Jerusalem. But I turned to them and said, “Let’s go with Jesus, even if it means to die with Him.” So we all saw Him raise Lazarus up from the tomb. What miraculous things He has done! Even now, I can see our Master calming that storm on the Sea of Galilee, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, opening deaf ears, and preaching the gospel to the poor. Now the opposition is growing and His enemies are out to destroy Him. Why? Because the God that He reveals scorns their man-made rituals and legalities. God seeks those who will worship Him with a heart of faith. But now, Jesus says that one of us, one of His chosen twelve, will betray Him. Who could it be? Could it be me, Thomas? Is it I? Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on John:
I am John. Jesus called me to follow Him while I was mending fishing nets with my father Zebedee and my brother James. What a wonderful change He made in my life! He taught me that love is the key to life and that is true, for it is His love, love for everyone, that causes people to want to follow Him. (Song - ?) After His love had touched my life, I suddenly realized that Jesus truly is the Son of God, and that anyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. How it hurts me to think that one of us will betray His precious love. And I ask, “Lord, is it I? Is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Thaddeus:
I am Thaddeus. Jesus chose the twelve of us to be the cornerstone of the new kingdom, just as the twelve tribes of Israel were the cornerstones of the old Jewish kingdom. I remember that after a night in prayer Jesus called us to Him and gave us authority over all unclean spirits. Then He commissioned us to go and preach that the kingdom of God is at hand. It was in Jerusalem that Jesus gave that great invitation,
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Now he who came to share all men’s burdens has had a terrible weight thrust upon Him. One of us will betray Him. Who is the traitor? Which one of us could it be? The one we least expect? Or will all of us eventually betray Him? Peter? Phillip? Judas? John? Or Thaddeus? Oh, my God, don’t let it be me! Is it I? Lord, is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Nathaniel:
My name is Nathaniel. Like many of the others here, I am a fisherman. I was also a disciple of John, the baptizer. But even so, it was my friend, Phillip, who came to me and said, “We have found Him of whom the law and the prophets wrote. His name is Jesus of Nazareth,” I was so surprised, I said, “Could any good thing come out of Nazareth.” It was just a little joke between us Galileans because Nazareth was such a small and insignificant place. Besides, the prophet Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. But Phillip merely said, “Come and see.” Oh, when I saw Him. . .I’ll never forget. He looked at me and said, “Behold, an Israelite in which there is no dishonesty.” “How do you know me?”, I asked Him. He said, “Before Phillip called you I saw you under the fig tree.” That was all I needed! I believed! But now, I find it so hard to believe…one of us, one of His twelve, is going to betray the chosen one of God. Lord, is it I? Is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Simon, the Zealot:
I am Simon, called the zealot. Before Jesus called me I was a hot-headed and bloodthirsty revolutionary. I wanted my people to rise up in armed rebellion against Rome and to re-establish the glorious Israel of David and Solomon. But Jesus told us of another kind of kingdom – the kingdom of the human heart, where God is the supreme ruler. Since I met Him, Jesus has shown me that the conquest of the human heart is the only true, worthwhile, and lasting conquest. Now I have unconditionally surrendered myself to Him. This surrender hasn’t imprisoned me, but for the first time in my life, I’m free. I’m not afraid of Rome any longer. Rome is mighty, but my God is almighty. But now, the Master says that there is a spiritual Roman in our midst – one who wants to attempt by force what could only be accomplished through love. But who can Jesus be referring to? The big fisherman or his brother? Perhaps Matthew, the publican. I wonder, does He suspect me, Simon, since I am the only former zealot in our midst? Lord, is it I? Is it I? (spotlight fades)
Spotlight on Judas:
Huh! All the others come from Galilee. My home is in the village of Kerioth, in Judea, so I’m known as Judas Iscariot. The others must have had confidence in me, because they elected me as their treasurer. Despite what others say behind my back about my impatience, stinginess, and ambition, even Jesus believed in me. If He hadn’t, He could have chosen someone else in my place. Some say that His words about the love of money and greed were personally directed at me. Others think that Jesus was referring to me when He said, “Did I choose you twelve and one of you is a devil?” Certainly I complained when Mary washed His feet with that expensive ointment and perfume. I still think it was a waste of money! And if I have conspired with the chief priest…and if I have thirty pieces of silver on my person, that’s my affair. (throws bag on table) I believe in Jesus! But…someone has to force the issue! Make Him assert Himself as God’s Messiah! He refused to make a move! Well I’ve made one. What would you do if you were in my place and wanted Him to do something dramatic and startling to bring in His kingdom? What would you do? Should I ignore His remarks? Or, like the others, should I self-righteously ask myself, “Is it I, Lord?” Is it I? (spotlight fades)
Narrator (after a slight pause):
We have heard their thoughts, now let’s review each of their lives after that fateful night.
(spotlight centers one by one on each disciple as the narrator reviews his life)
Spotlight on John:
John was exiled to the desert island of Patmos after escaping, without injury, from a huge pot of boiling oil. He was later released and died in Ephesus, a city in what is now called Turkey, at a very old age. His constant message and his reported last words were, “Love one another.”
Spotlight on Peter:
Peter was put to death as a part of a persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Nero. Jerome tells us that he was imprisoned in Rome, then crucified upside down, as Peter himself requested, because he said, “I am not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as our Lord.” His wife was also killed.
Spotlight on Andrew:
Andrew was crucified at Odessa, in what is now the Ukrainian Republic, on a cross shaped like the letter X with two ends buried deep in the ground. To this day, this shape is called St. Andrew’s cross.
Spotlight on James, Son of Zebedee:
James, son of Zebedee, was put to death by Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem. As James was led away to the place of martyrdom, his accuser fell down on his knees to request pardon, confessing himself to be a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. So they were both beheaded together.