What If Jesus Never Came
by Bob Denison
The play begins with a father who does not believe in Jesus. His daughter accepts Jesus at a friend’s church. God then transports the father to Bethlehem at the time of the census, then to what is going on in the devil's kingdom of darkness, to show what the world would be like if Jesus never came. The father finally believes when he “sees” Jesus in the simple faith of his daughter.
This play has tested very well with audiences and is very easy to perform by adults or teens, with a minimim of rehearsals. It can be done as a Christmas play or not.
Note: There are two solos and three other soundtracks needed for the play. The cost for a
music pack containing all the soundtracks on cd plus a demo cd for how to sync the
music to the play is $25 plus shipping. The music pack can be ordered at
rldenison@hotmail.com .
Cast: Father (many lines)
Mother (medium lines)
Julie, the young daughter (few lines)
devil (few lines) [dressed in black, no skin showing-black pantyhose over head]
Simon (no lines)
John (no lines)
Woman with Seven Demons (no lines)
Bethlehem Lady (few lines)
Bethlehem Friend (few lines)
Mary, mother of Jesus (no lines)
Joseph (no lines)
Jesus (few lines) [dressed in white satin robe]
Voice (reads lines offstage)
Spirit (few lines, but must be said to music) [black slacks, white shirt]
Bride (few lines, but must be said to music) [dressed in plain white dress]
1 or 2 soloists to sing 2 solos [use sound track cd's]
keyboard player (must be able to play special sounds) [or use music cd]
Interpretive dancer(s) [optional]
Settings and props:
LIVING ROOM- center stage and one side of stage- recliner chair, magazines, lit with white
light, small spot to side for soloists
BETHLEHEM STREET- other side of stage- no props, lit with blue light (and white light for
Scenes 6 and 7))
KINGDOM OF DARKNESS- same side as BETHLEHEM- small bench, lit with red light
STAR- center back of stage at top- brilliant as possible
(optional) moving spot
Suggested staging:
STAR
entrance for STREET actors when not performing entrance for LIVING ROOM
and KINGDOM ------------------partitions-------------------
"stable" BETHLEHEM STREET
KINGDOM OF DARKNESS LIVING ROOM "window"
Soloist(s)
audience
If performing as a Christmas play:
1. Change Julie's song from "Jesus Loves Me" to "Away In a Manger".
2. Add small, unlit, modestly decorated tree with several presents under it to Living Room.
3. In Scene 1, replace: FATHER: Bah! I've been around this religious stuff. I know what they
believe, and believe me, it's pure fantasy! There was this
guy on TV wanting you to send him money and he would
give you a healing cloth to put under your pillow
(sarcastically).
with: FATHER: Bah! I've been around this religious stuff. I know what they
believe, and believe me, it's pure fantasy! There was this
ad on TV for a Jesus baby for only $19.95 (sarcastically).
Start of Play
Scene 1:LIVING ROOM
(House lights off. All stage lights off.)
VOICE: What would it be like if Jesus were never born? Never died on a cross? Never
rose again? Never conquered sin, death, or hell? (pause) One father is about
to find out.
(White light on. FATHER looking out imaginary window. MOTHER looking at FATHER.)
FATHER: When is Julie coming home? It’s getting late.
MOTHER: (straightening stack of magazines next to chair) Any time now. She enjoys the
kids at this church, and her little friend next door doesn’t mind taking her.
FATHER: (turning with scowl on face) Well, I don’t like her going to that church. I wonder
what those people are up to.
MOTHER: Frankly, if it gives her some meaning in her life, I’m in favor of it. God knows
you sure don’t have any purpose or joy in your life. And maybe our neighbors
are just trying to be nice!
FATHER: Bah! I've been around this religious stuff. I know what they believe, and believe
me, it's pure fantasy! There was this guy on TV wanting you to send him money
and he would give you a healing cloth to put under your pillow (sarcastically).
(JULIE comes bouncing into the room all excited.)
JULIE: (running up to FATHER) Daddy! Daddy!
FATHER: (kneeling down to her, trying to act stern) Well, it's about time, young lady! I
was beginning to worry!
JULIE: Daddy! Guess what? At church they asked if anyone wanted to ask Jesus into
their heart. I raised my hand. We said a prayer and Jesus came into my heart.
And we learned a song. (She begins singing Jesus Loves Me.)
(While she is saying the lines above, FATHER turns his head and looks at MOTHER with an "I told you" look, but JULIE, oblivious to its meaning, turns his head back to her as she finishes talking and begins singing.)
FATHER: (after the first few words of the song, gently) Hold it...hold it. (singing stops). I'm
glad you're happy, but I don't want you to be disappointed. I don't want you to
believe in something that might not be real. (long pause; JULIE is looking
intently at him) I just want you to think about what they've been telling you. I
don't want you to be hurt later. But what if...what if Jesus weren't real? What if
he never did live? (another pause). Think about it. (then in lighter mood).
Now get ready for bed. It's getting late. Mother will help you.
(JULIE walks over and kisses MOTHER and walks toward exit but starts skipping just before exiting, still excited.)
MOTHER: (disgustedly) Well, that was great, just great! You can kill joy better than
anyone I know. (exits)
(FATHER makes a face at departing wife. He wanders aimlessly around the room, depressed. His shoulders sag and he looks tired. He wanders over to the "window" he was looking out when the scene began and stares out.)
FATHER: (forcefully, emphasize "name") If there is a God, then where are you?
And Jesus...that's nothing more than a name! (freezes)
[White light off. Soloist spot on. SOLOIST walks into spot and sings "Jesus, What a Beautiful Name" (sung warmly, not dramatically). Spot off.]
end of Scene 1
Scene 2: BETHLEHEM STREET
(Blue light on. FATHER is still frozen. BETHLEHEM LADY slowly enters and stops, all the while examining a piece of cloth she has just purchased. After a few moments, BETHLEHEM FRIEND enters and walks up to her.)
FRIEND: Meesha! How are you? What have you bought?
LADY: Some cloth. I want to make a prayer shawl with it. (wraps it around her head)
FRIEND: Did you get it at the market? (LADY nods yes). What did you pay for it?
LADY: Half a shekel. Do you think that was too much?
FRIEND: (feeling the cloth) Maybe not. It does have a nice feel.
(As they have been talking, FATHER slowly walks over to the edge of the blue light and stops. This is as close to them as he gets. LADY and FRIEND notice him as they conclude their conversation.)
FRIEND: Look at him!
LADY: Where are you from? I've never seen anyone dressed like you.
FATHER: (dazed) Where am I? (LADY and FRIEND laugh.)
LADY: You're in Bethlehem, and if you're here for the census, then you're too late.
FATHER: What?
FRIEND: The census. And you're in trouble if you didn't get counted!
Where are you staying? (waits for answer but gets none) Who is your
family? (still no answer)
FATHER: Census? (He puts his hand to his forehead for a moment, trying to sort out his
thoughts.) Wait a minute! Jesus was supposed to have been born in
Bethlehem at the time of the census. In a stable. Could it be possible?
(excitedly but hesitantly) Was there a woman named Mary, and a man named
Joseph with her, and they had to stay in a stable?
LADY: (puzzled) Yes. Over there. (points to "stable")
(FATHER slowly walks in pointed direction, pausing every step or two. Tension builds in him. After about 6 steps:)
LADY: But they're not there anymore. They left.
(FATHER stops, then slowly turns and takes a few steps toward ladies.)
FATHER: Was Mary...(pause)...pregnant? You know...going to have a baby? And did she
give birth in the stable...and was there a star? (LADY and FRIEND look more
and more puzzled as he talks.)
FRIEND: No, she wasn't going to have a baby!
(LADY and FRIEND laugh hilariously as FATHER slowly and dejectedly walks back to LIVING ROOM and assumes same position as when scene began. Blue light off. LADY and FRIEND exit.)
end Scene 2
Scene 3: LIVING ROOM
(White light on. MOTHER enters immediately as light comes on. FATHER still frozen.)
MOTHER: I'm having trouble getting Julie to go to sleep. She is so excited about what
happened to her at church. (pause) Hey. (pause) Hey! (FATHER jumps and
turns.)
What's wrong with you? You look strange.
FATHER: (confused) I was daydreaming...or something. It was the weirdest thing. I was in
Bethlehem and there were these women...and there was this stable...(slower
and slower)...and Mary and Joseph... (He stops talking. MOTHER is staring at
him. They look at each other for a long moment.)
MOTHER: Sweetheart, we need to talk. Why don't you sit down. (helps him get seated).
I'm worried about you. You've become so cynical lately.
FATHER: I am not!
MOTHER: Okay, tell me one thing you believe in.
FATHER: (after thinking a moment and not coming up with anything) This chair! I believe
in this chair.
MOTHER: That's what I'm talking about! But what if something serious, really serious,
happened to us? What would get us through it?
FATHER: (after more futile thinking) Me! I would!
MOTHER: Could you protect us from anything?
FATHER: Anything! (reclines in chair and begins relaxing).
MOTHER: (walks to front of stage and talks facing audience) When I went to church the
other day with Julie they were saying that's not true. They said we are all born
in a prison and can't get ourselves out, let alone anyone else.
FATHER: Prison? I'm not in prison. (starting to get drowsy)
MOTHER: (still facing audience) Not on the outside, but on the inside, from sin. And since
sin is in us, a part of us, then we would never be able to get free. That's why
Jesus had to come. He took our sins on him. He had to die but we were
set free. (as she has been speaking, she begins to speak more to herself, and
with more and more conviction) (directing words to FATHER once again, still
facing audience) But you have to believe Jesus did that for you...really believe
it, in your heart. (half turns to FATHER). Do you understand what I'm saying?
(She faces FATHER and sees he is asleep. She smiles, walks over, and
tenderly kisses him on the cheek.) Sweet dreams, dear one. (exits)
(White light off)
end of Scene 3
Scene 4: KINGDOM OF DARKNESS
Note: Do not rush scene. Devil is insane, but keeps it under control except for occasional outbursts. Let intensity build to climax at end of scene.
(SIMON, JOHN, and WOMAN WITH SEVEN DEMONS take their place on bench. DEVIL is in front of bench. FATHER stays asleep in chair during entire scene. Red light on.)
(DEVIL is slowly slithering around the bench. Those on bench cower in fear, watching him. After a short time of this:)
DEVIL: (like a snake) Yes-s-s, yes-s-s. Aren't we a cozy group. (laughs maniacally).
(he goes to each person in turn, stopping for a moment to look at them in the
face; they immediately look away)
(coming to SIMON) Ah, S-S-Simon Barjona. A fisherman, I believe. Such a
powerful man. S-s-stand up. Let me see your power. (SIMON remains seated)
S-s-stand up!!! (hissed out furiously) (suddenly defiant, SIMON slowly stands
very erect, shoulders back, with an arrogant and haughty look; DEVIL reacts
with mock admiration) Ooh! S-s-so proud! And such a fine leader. You
influenced many people. (SIMON looks even prouder and haughtier) (DEVIL
lets SIMON feel good about himself for a moment, then delights in telling
him:) Many are here because of you. (SIMON'S expression starts to change
to one of horror) Yes-s-s, it's true! And now, so are you! (SIMON'S
shoulders now sag and he has a completely defeated expression; DEVIL
laughs horribly and roughly pushes SIMON down to sit; he slithers around
some more and then comes to JOHN)
And John...another fisherman! A son of Zebedee. I hear you can feel very
deeply! (said mockingly) (JOHN tries to ignore him, staring at floor; DEVIL
grabs him by the hair and forces him to look at him; this gets JOHN mad; he
stands up and makes fists with his hands as though he will fight; DEVIL is not
in the least afraid) Yes-s-s, I see how you can feel things deeply. Quite the
temper, haven't we? (JOHN'S face looks even madder; he leans more toward
DEVIL) (with glee) It was very effective in keeping you upset all the time. I
could make you do anything I wanted! (with insane, intense hatred-shouted)
And you didn't even know it! You humans are so stupid! (JOHN wilts,
crumbles, and sits back down, burying his head in his hands; DEVIL takes a
moment to recover himself from previous outburst; he is staring out towards
nothing; WOMAN stiffens, knowing it is her turn next; after short pause,
DEVIL turns to her) (talking softly as he approaches her) S-s-seven?
(she tries to shrink back) Seven demons you had? I didn't think you had it in
you. (he laughs crudely at his sick joke; she looks terrified by now, unable to
take her eyes off him for the remainder of the sequence; DEVIL slowly
reaches over, takes her hand, and slowly raises her up and leads her out a
few steps. Although not wanting to stand up, she is powerless to resist;
he circles her a few times, looking at her up and down; he then stops in
front of her and begins a slow, sensual swaying side to side; she begins
swaying along with him, hesitantly at first, then more and more sensually,
finally abandoning herself totally to it; her expression changes from one of
fear to sensuality and seductiveness; DEVIL begins using his hands like a
conductor, still swaying; after a moment of this, he becomes more and more
exaggerated with his swaying and conducting until he falls to
the floor, laughing and rolling around uncontrollably; this breaks the spell
and WOMAN snaps out of it and runs back to the bench and sits down with
a dazed expression) (DEVIL slowly gets up, still laughing, but suddenly stops
and freezes, his head turning rapidly this way and that, like an animal sniffing
the air) S-s-someone's just arrived! I sense a new spirit! (he rushes here and
there, making noises like a crazed animal, then rushes over to KINGDOM OF
DARKNESS entrance, squealing loudly; this is the climax of his insanity; he
reaches through the entrance, grabs JULIE'S hand and pulls her in just
enough so that the audience can see her; she is dressed as she was in
Scene 1; as she comes into view, both freeze with DEVIL pulling and JULIE
resisting; then JULIE shrieks out very, very loudly:)
JULIE: Daddy!!!
(red light off; characters and bench exit)
end of Scene 4
Scene 5: LIVING ROOM
(White light on)
(FATHER jerks awake with a start. He jumps up out of the chair.)
FATHER: (somewhat loudly) Julie! (He looks around wildly, breathing heavily.
Gradually he relaxes as he realizes it was a bad dream. He slowly and
wearily walks to front of stage and faces audience.) (with much emotion) I
want to believe, but how do I know it's real? (raises arms and looks up) Show
me you exist and I'll believe! (He freezes like this for a moment, half expecting
something dramatic to happen. After a few moments of absolute silence, from
backstage, JULIE begins singing Jesus Loves Me as though singing to
herself in bed waiting to get to sleep. There should be pauses in non-pause
places of the song. It should be just loud enough for the audience to hear. As
she begins singing, a change comes over FATHER. For the first time, he is
"seeing" Jesus through the simple faith of his daughter. He slowly drops his
hands and cocks his head, listening. He turns towards the LIVING ROOM
entrance and listens for a few more moments. Then he slowly walks over to
the entrance, timing his movements so that he is next to the entrance just as
the singing stops. His face has an expression of peace and wonder. His
shoulders no longer sag. He pauses at the entrance, turns back to audience,
looks up, and says very strongly:) I believe! (exits)
(White light off)
end of Scene 5
Scene 6: The STAR
VOICE: Yes, something really did happen, that shook all that could be shaken.
(DEVIL enters. Red light on. KEYBOARD PLAYER plays his interpretation of what it must have been like when Kingdom of Darkness was shaken by the birth of Jesus. The special electronic sounds of the keyboard should be used. It should be about 2 or 3 minutes long. I envision it as slow and heavy and low sounds at first, symbolizing business as usual. Suddenly, a high, quick sound intrudes and is gone, but keeps coming back, louder and longer until it is deafening and drowns out the low sounds. [or use music cd] DEVIL moves around, freezing and cowering and looking up in fear every time high sound comes on. At climax, high sound is continuous and DEVIL is in fetal position on floor. Then sound and red light go off. DEVIL exits. )
VOICE: (strongly) And it set the captive free!
(All is dark and silent for a moment, then a fanfare sounds loudly, then Joy To the World begins playing [use music cd] and the STAR comes on at the same time. At a certain point [see music cd for all entrance points], LIVING ROOM white light comes on and FATHER, MOTHER, and JULIE come out, pointing at and exclaiming to one another about the star. At another point, BETHLEHEM white light comes on and BETHLEHEM LADY and FRIEND come out and do the same with each other and with others. Finally, SIMON, JOHN, AND WOMAN come out and do same. Then, song goes into interlude during which all on stage look at rear of auditorium and form semicircle that opens to audience. As song begins final verse majestic and slow, MARY, holding baby, and JOSEPH walk slowly down aisle while being spotted (optional) or partial house lights on (if possible). They climb to stage, go to center of semicircle, and face audience. All except MARY and JOSEPH are looking at the baby. As song ends, MARY and JOSEPH look down at the baby. After a moment, white lights off, side spot on, SOLOIST walks into spot, MARY and JOSEPH walk to edge of spot but not inside spot. They look at SOLOIST. SOLOIST sings King of Who I Am to baby. At certain point [see music cd for points], MARY and JOSEPH walk slowly to LIVING ROOM entrance and exit. At point near end of song, LIVING ROOM and BETHLEHEM white lights come on, and JESUS in white robe enters through LIVING ROOM entrance. He goes to center of semicircle. All on stage are very excited. Unhurriedly, JESUS goes to each person, holds them at arms length, looking them in the face for a moment, then hugging them warmly. He hugs all except FATHER, who has stepped back a few steps in shame that he had doubted. JESUS then looks at FATHER for moment, holds out his arms, and FATHER runs to him and is hugged. As song is ending, JESUS turns to audience, all on stage kneel and raise their arms to JESUS. As song is ending, Jesus extends His arms to audience until song ends. Jesus waits a moment as all is silent. He slowly pans His head, looking at everyone.)
Jesus: (drops arms) I am the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End.
Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. All things have been
given unto Me. I have all life, all joy, and all fulfillment for you. Yet I force no
one to come, I only invite.
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. I died for
you, that you can live with Me, for all time. Yet I force no one to come, I only
invite.
My heart yearns for you! Will you come?
(all lights and STAR off. All on stage exit.)
end of Scene 6
Scene 7: The SPIRIT and the BRIDE
(All lights off)
VOICE: Jesus did come. He died, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of God.
Only two things are left until the end of the earth as we know it: a call to all
people to believe, like the father in the play, and a call for the return of Jesus.
Revelation 22 tells us these two calls are being sent forth throughout the earth
by the Spirit of God (LIVING ROOM and BETHLEHEM white lights on; SPIRIT
enters, walks to front of stage left, freezes)... and the church, the Bride of
Christ (BRIDE enters, walks to front of stage right, freezes). (after long pause)
Will you answer the call? (VOICE reads John 3:16)
(Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring begins playing [use music cd]. SPIRIT and BRIDE say following lines at appropriate places in the song [see music cd]. If desired, INTERPRETIVE
DANCER(S) can also be used.)
SPIRIT: Come- come- come- Lord Jesus; (looking up with arms raised- hold position
until SPIRIT speaks)
Behold- He comes- quickly; (to audience)
BRIDE: Wonderful- Counselor- Mighty God- Everlasting Father- Prince of Peace; (to
audience, warmly)
SPIRIT: He- that is unjust- let him be- unjust still; He- that is righteous- let him be-
righteous still; (to audience, firmly)
BRIDE: And there shall be no night there, and we need no candle, neither light of the
sun, for the Lord God giveth us light and we shall reign for ever and ever and
ever and ever... (to audience, gradually firmer on the “...ever and ever and ...”)
SPIRIT: Let him that heareth- come; let him that thirsts- come; (to audience)
SPIRIT: And the Spirit and the Bride say- come; (to audience)
BRIDE: And the Spirit and the Bride say- come; (to audience)
SPIRIT: Come- come- & BRIDE: come- come; (first to audience, then up to Jesus)
(alternately)
SPIRIT: Amen- & BRIDE: amen; (spoken joyously to audience) (alternately)
SPIRIT/ BRIDE: Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (move center stage next to each other- raise
hands, & speak in unison up to Jesus–hold position)
(all lights off)
end of Scene 7
end of play