The Transfiguration – A Dramatic Presentation of Scripture
Below is a dramatic presentation of The Message paraphrase of Mark 9:1a-10. You can download a PDF of the script by clicking here.
JESUS stands in front of the CONGREGATION on a BLANK STAGE.
Jesus: Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force.
JOHN stands up from his SEAT in the CONGREGATION.
John: Six days later…
JAMES stands from his SEAT in the CONGREGATION finishing JOHN’s sentence.
James: three of them did see it.
PETER stands from his SEAT in the CONGREGATION.
Peter: Jesus took Peter…
PETER, JAMES, and JOHN walk onto the STAGE beside JESUS, as they finish the sentence in turn.
James: James…
John: and John…
Peter, James, and John: (together) and led them up a high mountain.
JESUS stretched out his ARMS. LIGHTING changes to focus on JESUS (if there is controllable lighting).
Jesus: His appearance changed from the inside out…
Peter, James, and John: right before their eyes.
Peter: His clothes shimmered,
James: glistening white,
John: whiter than any bleach could make them.
ELIJAH stands from his SEAT in the CONGREGATION.
Elijah: Elijah…
MOSES stands from his SEAT in the CONGREGATION
Moses: along with Moses…
ELIJAH and MOSES move on STAGE on the other side of JESUS
Elijah: came into view,
Moses: in deep conversation with Jesus.
As MOSES’ line is being spoken, PETER steps toward JESUS with his FINGER in the air.
Jesus: Peter interrupted…
Peter: Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials–one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.
Jesus: He blurted this out without thinking…
James: stunned as they all were…
John: by what they were seeing.
Elijah: Just then…
Moses: a light-radiant cloud…
All: (together) enveloped them!
Peter: and from deep in the cloud
James, John: (together) a voice
The LIGHTS are made as BRIGHT as they can be on the FULL STAGE as GOD speaks.
The VOICE OF GOD comes from the BACK OF THE CONGREGATION.
ELIJAH and MOSES leave the STAGE as GOD speaks.
God: (off stage) This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.
The LIGHTS return to the INITIAL SETTING, evenly lighting the entire stage.
Peter: The next minute the disciples were looking around…
James: rubbing their eyes…
John: seeing nothing but Jesus…
Jesus: only Jesus.
JESUS, PETER, JAMES, and JOHN slowly take steps toward the CONGREGATION.
Peter: Coming down the mountain….
James: Jesus swore them to secrecy.
Jesus: Don’t tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you’re free to talk.
JESUS, PETER, JAMES, and JOHN stop moving.
Peter, James, and John: (together) They puzzled over that…
John: wondering what on earth…
Jesus: rising from the dead…
John: meant.
LIGHTS go out leaving the STAGE in DARKNESS.
All Scripture quotations in this publication are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Lectionary Connection: This Scripture is utilized during Year B for Transfiguration Sunday and/or the Second Sunday in Lent.
Header image by Flickr user Asher Isbrucker. Used under Creative Commons License. Edited from Original.
