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The Case of the Open Tomb

An Easter Sunrise ServiceAn Easter Sunrise Serviceled byled by

The RockThe Rock

The ROCK is a Youth MinistryThe ROCK is a Youth MinistryOf Ascension Lutheran ChurchOf Ascension Lutheran Church

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The ROCK Players present…The Case of the Open Tomb

Based on the Easter Accounts from the four Gospels

©2010 David Skarshaug (www.alcames.org). Conditions for use: (1) If you use all or parts of this script in any form, please consider sending a suggested $5 donation check made out to “The ROCK” to the following address: Ascension Lutheran Church, 615 Kellogg, Ames, IA 50010. Reference the script title in the memo on the check. (2) Do not sell any part of this script, even if you rewrite it. (3) You may reproduce this script for internal use, but all copies must contain this copyright statement.

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Perry:Perry: TobyTobyMary Maggie: Mary Maggie: AlleeAlleeJudge Wopner:Judge Wopner: MichaelMichaelBailiff:Bailiff: Johannes Johannes Prosecution:Prosecution: RyanRyanMary MOJA:Mary MOJA: LaurenLaurenSalome:Salome: SandraSandra Joanna: Joanna: AnneeAnnee Peter:Peter: ZacharyZacharyJohn:John: MattMattStan Laurel:Stan Laurel: SamSamOliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: ChandlerChandlerCleopas:Cleopas: OliverOliverAnno:Anno: NateNateReader:Reader: EmilyEmily

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Setting: Setting: Perry, a chocolate Perry, a chocolate bunny factory worker, sits in his bunny factory worker, sits in his living room after a hard day’s living room after a hard day’s work, glued to a Perry Mason & work, glued to a Perry Mason & People’s Court Marathon running People’s Court Marathon running on Court TV. His wife enters to tell on Court TV. His wife enters to tell him to go to bed so he doesn’t him to go to bed so he doesn’t over sleep the Easter Sunrise over sleep the Easter Sunrise Service. He will fall asleep and Service. He will fall asleep and imagine the ultimate courtroom imagine the ultimate courtroom drama based upon the drama based upon the Resurrection Stories of the Bible.Resurrection Stories of the Bible.

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Reader:Reader: Suddenly, their eyes Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they were opened, and they recognized him. And at that recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! – moment he disappeared! – Luke 24:31Luke 24:31

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(Click to play Perry Mason (Click to play Perry Mason Theme for up to about 1:06 Theme for up to about 1:06 minute.)minute.)

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Perry, are you Perry, are you still in there watching TV? still in there watching TV? Come to bed!Come to bed!

Perry:Perry: But Maggie, after a But Maggie, after a hard day at the factory, I just hard day at the factory, I just need a little time to relax. need a little time to relax. They’ve been running us They’ve been running us ragged in the buildup to ragged in the buildup to Easter!Easter!

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Well that’s what Well that’s what you get for working at the you get for working at the ACME Chocolate Bunny Factory ACME Chocolate Bunny Factory this time of year.this time of year.

Perry:Perry: You know, cupcake, it’s You know, cupcake, it’s funny. We’ll be working 80-funny. We’ll be working 80-hour weeks, and then POW, hour weeks, and then POW, come mid April…it just drops come mid April…it just drops off…I mean to like nothing for off…I mean to like nothing for about 9 months.about 9 months.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Hmm…go figure, Hmm…go figure, Sherlock. Well, anyway, come Sherlock. Well, anyway, come to bed. The Youth Group is to bed. The Youth Group is leading the Sunrise Service in leading the Sunrise Service in the morning, and I don’t want the morning, and I don’t want to be late…again. And I don’t to be late…again. And I don’t want you dozing off in the want you dozing off in the service!service!

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Perry:Perry: Muffin, that would Muffin, that would never happen. But I just can’t never happen. But I just can’t come to bed yet! Court TV is come to bed yet! Court TV is running this great Marathon of running this great Marathon of classic old Perry Mason classic old Perry Mason episodes run side by side with episodes run side by side with the best of Judge Wopner on the best of Judge Wopner on “The People’s Court”. Just let “The People’s Court”. Just let me watch a little more.me watch a little more.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Perry Mason? Perry Mason? Judge Wopner? Is that what Judge Wopner? Is that what your watching?your watching?

Perry:Perry: Hey, Perry Mason is Hey, Perry Mason is inspiring me. Why I might just inspiring me. Why I might just quit this job making chocolate quit this job making chocolate bunnies and become a high-bunnies and become a high-power defense attorney like power defense attorney like ol’ Perry Mason.ol’ Perry Mason.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: All right, All right, Ironside, you stay right there Ironside, you stay right there in that chair, but I’m hitting in that chair, but I’m hitting the sack. Good night, the sack. Good night, dreamer.dreamer.

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Perry:Perry: Good night. Good night. (To (To audience.) audience.) Dreamer? You Dreamer? You know I kind of like the thought know I kind of like the thought of that. Imagine me, Defense of that. Imagine me, Defense Attorney Perry Hackenbush, in Attorney Perry Hackenbush, in the trial of the century—who the trial of the century—who knows, maybe the trial of all knows, maybe the trial of all history? history? (Dream music as (Dream music as Perry falls asleep and Perry falls asleep and courtroom appears.)courtroom appears.)

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Bailiff:Bailiff: All rise for the All rise for the honorable Judge Wopner. honorable Judge Wopner. (Judge enters room and takes (Judge enters room and takes seat.)seat.)

Judge:Judge: Please be seated. We Please be seated. We are hearing the case of the are hearing the case of the State of Israel vs. the Gang of State of Israel vs. the Gang of 11. Prosecution, state your 11. Prosecution, state your case.case.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Your honor, the Your honor, the state will prove beyond a state will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Simon shadow of a doubt that Simon Peter and his brother Andrew; Peter and his brother Andrew; James and John, sons of James and John, sons of Zebedee; Philip and Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; Matthew the tax collector; (cont’d)(cont’d)

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Prosecution:Prosecution: (cont’d) (cont’d) James James son of Alphaeus, and son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; and Simon the Thaddaeus; and Simon the Zealot—hereby known as the Zealot—hereby known as the Gang of 11—conspired to rob Gang of 11—conspired to rob the grave of one Jesus of the grave of one Jesus of Nazareth, stealing his body, Nazareth, stealing his body, and disrupting history with and disrupting history with fanciful tales of resurrection fanciful tales of resurrection from the dead.from the dead.

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Judge:Judge: Council for the defense, Council for the defense, how do you plead? Counsel! how do you plead? Counsel! Wake up.Wake up.

Perry:Perry: (Perry wakes up.)(Perry wakes up.) Oh, Oh, oh…excuse me, your honor. oh…excuse me, your honor. Not guilty, your honor.Not guilty, your honor.

Judge:Judge: (To prosecution.)(To prosecution.) Very Very well, call your first witness, well, call your first witness, counsel. counsel.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Your honor, I’d Your honor, I’d like to call Mary Magdalene, like to call Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and Silome to the Joanna, and Silome to the stand.stand.

Perry:Perry: Women! I object. Women! I object. People in 1People in 1stst Century Palestine Century Palestine wouldn’t waste their time with wouldn’t waste their time with the testimony of women. the testimony of women.

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Judge:Judge: Objection over-ruled.Objection over-ruled.

Bailiff:Bailiff: Will the four women Will the four women come forward? come forward? (Women move (Women move to stand.)to stand.) State your names. State your names.

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Mary of Mary of Magdala, also known as Mary Magdala, also known as Mary Magdalene.Magdalene.

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Mary MOJA:Mary MOJA: Mary, the Mary, the mother of James, wife of mother of James, wife of Alphaeus.Alphaeus.

Joanna:Joanna: Joanna, the wife of Joanna, the wife of Chuz, the steward of Herod Chuz, the steward of Herod Agrippa. Agrippa.

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Salome:Salome: Salome, the wife of Salome, the wife of Zebedee, mother to James and Zebedee, mother to James and John. You know, they are good John. You know, they are good Jewish boys. They’d never get Jewish boys. They’d never get in trouble. Why at one point, in trouble. Why at one point, the Lord himself considered the Lord himself considered sitting them on his left hand sitting them on his left hand and right hand…and right hand…

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John:John: (Calling out to her from (Calling out to her from table.)table.) Mother! Stop it. You’re Mother! Stop it. You’re embarrassing us again. embarrassing us again.

Salome:Salome: Very well. What’s a Very well. What’s a mother to do? She only wants mother to do? She only wants the best for her boys.the best for her boys.

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Bailiff:Bailiff: (Slaps his head with (Slaps his head with hand.)hand.) Oy, it’s going to be a Oy, it’s going to be a long day. Do you promise to long day. Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?and nothing but the truth?

Women:Women: Yes.Yes.

Prosecution:Prosecution: So tell me Mary, So tell me Mary, what were you doing in the what were you doing in the early hours of April 4?early hours of April 4?

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Both Mary’s:Both Mary’s: Well, it all Well, it all started the night before… started the night before…

Prosecution:Prosecution: I’m sorry. So I’m sorry. So many Marys. Mary many Marys. Mary Magdalene.Magdalene.

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: As we were As we were saying, we went out and saying, we went out and purchased burial spices so we purchased burial spices so we could anoint Jesus’ body. could anoint Jesus’ body.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: I see…to I see…to embalm it?embalm it?

Mary MOJA:Mary MOJA: No, to keep the No, to keep the stench down. It had been stench down. It had been three days you know.three days you know.

Prosecution:Prosecution: I see.I see.

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Salome:Salome: Very early on Very early on Sunday morning, just at Sunday morning, just at sunrise, we went to the tomb. sunrise, we went to the tomb.

Joanna:Joanna: On the way we were On the way we were asking each other, “Who will asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” the entrance to the tomb?”

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Prosecution:Prosecution: And it would And it would take many men—say, maybe, take many men—say, maybe, eleven—to roll the stone away. eleven—to roll the stone away. (To Defense.)(To Defense.) Your witness, Your witness, council. council. (Perry walks to the (Perry walks to the stand.)stand.)

Perry:Perry: So Salome, what So Salome, what happened next?happened next?

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Salome:Salome: Well, when we Well, when we arrived, at the tomb, we arrived, at the tomb, we looked up and saw that the looked up and saw that the stone had already been rolled stone had already been rolled aside. That’s good I thought. aside. That’s good I thought. Once less thing.Once less thing.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: When we When we entered the tomb, we saw a entered the tomb, we saw a young man clothed in a white young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. robe sitting on the right side.

Perry:Perry: Aha, one of Jesus’ Aha, one of Jesus’ disciples, no doubt.disciples, no doubt.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: One of the One of the disciples? Ha!! Are you disciples? Ha!! Are you kidding? The disciples were kidding? The disciples were sawing logs.sawing logs.

Perry:Perry: But you said “a young But you said “a young man” was still there. Can you man” was still there. Can you point to that young man in point to that young man in this room?this room?

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Salome:Salome: Take the beans out of Take the beans out of your ears, counsel. She said your ears, counsel. She said “clothed in white.” And we’re “clothed in white.” And we’re talkin’ “Pat Boone” white. Not talkin’ “Pat Boone” white. Not these types of men these types of men (points at (points at disciples, they look at each other, disciples, they look at each other, and sniff their arm pits).and sniff their arm pits). Now my Now my boys may be nice, but they’re boys may be nice, but they’re fishermen like their father fishermen like their father Zebedee—bless his heart—and Zebedee—bless his heart—and they never could keep a tunic they never could keep a tunic white. Not like that!white. Not like that!

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Perry:Perry: So, you would describe So, you would describe this young man’s robe as this young man’s robe as Woolite white?Woolite white?

Joanna:Joanna: More like “bleached More like “bleached from being in the presence of from being in the presence of God” White.God” White.

Perry:Perry: Not exactly the attire of Not exactly the attire of one of the eleven. So how did one of the eleven. So how did you react?you react?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: We were We were shocked, but the angel said…shocked, but the angel said…

Perry:Perry: Hold it. Did you say Hold it. Did you say “angel”?“angel”?

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Mary MOJA:Mary MOJA: You still think he You still think he was a fisherman? No, he was was a fisherman? No, he was an angel, and he says, “Don’t an angel, and he says, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!”risen from the dead!”

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: He said, “Look, He said, “Look, this is where they laid his this is where they laid his body.” And he points to an body.” And he points to an area where there are only area where there are only grave clothes lying around.grave clothes lying around.

Perry:Perry: Do any of the rest of Do any of the rest of you remember anything else you remember anything else Pat Boone, I mean, the angel, I Pat Boone, I mean, the angel, I mean the “young man”, said?mean the “young man”, said?

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Joanna:Joanna: He scolded us. He He scolded us. He said “Why are you looking said “Why are you looking among the dead for someone among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! is risen from the dead!

Perry:Perry: (Addresses the (Addresses the congregation.)congregation.) Did you hear Did you hear that. Risen from the dead! that. Risen from the dead! (To prosecutor.)(To prosecutor.) No further No further questions, your honor.questions, your honor.

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Judge:Judge: Prosecution, any Prosecution, any further questions for the further questions for the witnesses?witnesses?

Prosecution:Prosecution: Yes, your honor. Yes, your honor. Joanna, the Pat Boone look-Joanna, the Pat Boone look-alike said “Risen from the alike said “Risen from the dead?”dead?”

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Joanna:Joanna: That’s right. Then That’s right. Then he said “Remember what he he said “Remember what he told you back in Galilee…”told you back in Galilee…”

Prosecution:Prosecution: Aha! Aha! ((Raises his Raises his hand, then looks puzzled.)hand, then looks puzzled.) Hold it. He who?Hold it. He who?

Joanna:Joanna: The Lord, Jesus…The Lord, Jesus…

Prosecution:Prosecution: The dead man?The dead man?

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Salome:Salome: I’m telling you, the I’m telling you, the Angel said he wasn’t dead. Angel said he wasn’t dead. Then the angel preached the Then the angel preached the first Easter sermon. He first Easter sermon. He reminded us Jesus had told us reminded us Jesus had told us that the Son of Man must be that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again and that he would rise again on the third day.on the third day.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: You mean your You mean your friend Jesus made all those friend Jesus made all those fantastic predictions, and you fantastic predictions, and you forgot? What, do you people forgot? What, do you people have attention deficit have attention deficit disorder?disorder?

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Joanna:Joanna: You know, it sounds You know, it sounds crazy now, but we had sort of crazy now, but we had sort of created Jesus in our image. created Jesus in our image. Remember, we were all Remember, we were all expecting Jesus to march into expecting Jesus to march into Jerusalem, throw out the Jerusalem, throw out the Romans, and establish an Romans, and establish an earthly kingdom with his earthly kingdom with his closest friends serving in his closest friends serving in his cabinet and various ministries. cabinet and various ministries.

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Salome:Salome: (Big smile.)(Big smile.) With my With my boys, James on his left hand, boys, James on his left hand, and John on his right. and John on his right. (Everyone looks at her. She (Everyone looks at her. She shrugs.)shrugs.) Hey, what can I say, Hey, what can I say, once a Jewish mother, always a once a Jewish mother, always a Jewish mother.Jewish mother.

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Joanna:Joanna: And Judas probably And Judas probably had his eyes on the secretary had his eyes on the secretary of Treasury, Peter the Press of Treasury, Peter the Press Secretary, and Andrew the Secretary, and Andrew the Minister of Fisheries.Minister of Fisheries.

Prosecution:Prosecution: But it didn’t But it didn’t work out so well, now did it? work out so well, now did it?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Wrong! Really, Wrong! Really, it worked out even better! it worked out even better! Jesus now reigns for all Jesus now reigns for all eternity! eternity!

Prosecution:Prosecution: So what else did So what else did the angel say?the angel say?

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Salome:Salome: Then he says, “Now Then he says, “Now go and tell his disciples, go and tell his disciples, INCLUDING PETER,INCLUDING PETER, that Jesus that Jesus is going ahead of you to is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he just as he told you before he died.” died.”

Prosecution:Prosecution: Aha, so Peter--Aha, so Peter--the one they call “Rocky”--was the one they call “Rocky”--was the ringleader of the disciples.the ringleader of the disciples.

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Salome:Salome: Peter? No, why just Peter? No, why just three days earlier he denied three days earlier he denied even knowing Jesus.even knowing Jesus.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: But it was SO But it was SO like the Lord to do that! To like the Lord to do that! To have the angel single out have the angel single out Peter—to call him by name—Peter—to call him by name—and let him know that he was and let him know that he was still one of the gang in spite of still one of the gang in spite of his denying the Lord. He did his denying the Lord. He did that to me too!that to me too!

Prosecution:Prosecution: Explain, please.Explain, please.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Well, later on, Well, later on, after I’d returned to the grave, after I’d returned to the grave, I had an encounter with Jesus.I had an encounter with Jesus.

Prosecution:Prosecution: The dead man, The dead man, again?again?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: No—the risen No—the risen Lord Jesus. Only I didn’t know Lord Jesus. Only I didn’t know it was him.it was him.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: (Sarcastically.)(Sarcastically.) Well, I suppose that’s Well, I suppose that’s understandable. After all, two understandable. After all, two days without sleep, a severe days without sleep, a severe beating, a crucifixion, and beating, a crucifixion, and three days dead in a grave, he three days dead in a grave, he probably wasn’t easy to probably wasn’t easy to recognize. recognize.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: No, that’s just it. No, that’s just it. He was very easy to recognize, He was very easy to recognize, only I was unable to see him only I was unable to see him for who he was. for who he was.

Prosecution:Prosecution: Ah, you’re Ah, you’re starting to lose me. starting to lose me. (To (To defense. )defense. ) Your witness, Your witness, counsel. counsel. (Perry walks to (Perry walks to stand.)stand.)

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Perry:Perry: So, let’s get this So, let’s get this straight. You actually saw the straight. You actually saw the dead man after he had risen dead man after he had risen from the dead?from the dead?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Well, like I said, Well, like I said, after we’d gotten Peter and after we’d gotten Peter and John to check out the empty John to check out the empty grave, they left, and I was grave, they left, and I was there alone. So I looked in there alone. So I looked in again, and this time there again, and this time there were two angels were two angels

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Perry:Perry: Another Pat Boone?Another Pat Boone?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: No, more like No, more like Frankie Avalon in “Grease.”Frankie Avalon in “Grease.”

Perry:Perry: Of course, what was I Of course, what was I thinking?thinking?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: And the angels And the angels said “Dear woman, why are said “Dear woman, why are you crying?” you crying?”

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Perry:Perry: And you said what?And you said what?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: I said “Because I said “Because they have taken away my they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him.” they have put him.”

Prosecution:Prosecution: Aha! They—the Aha! They—the disciples! Are you, in fact, disciples! Are you, in fact, admitting the disciples stole admitting the disciples stole the body?the body?

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Perry:Perry: I object, your honor. I object, your honor. That comment by the That comment by the prosecution is out of order.prosecution is out of order.

Judge:Judge: The jury should The jury should disregard the prosecution’s disregard the prosecution’s comment.comment.

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Perry:Perry: Mary Magdalene, Mary Magdalene, please tell us who you meant please tell us who you meant by “they” in the phrase “they by “they” in the phrase “they have taken him.”have taken him.”

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Not the Not the disciples. His enemies. Those disciples. His enemies. Those who crucified him. I was so who crucified him. I was so distraught that they distraught that they apparently couldn’t even leave apparently couldn’t even leave him alone in death. him alone in death.

Perry:Perry: So you are quite sure So you are quite sure the disciples hadn’t moved the the disciples hadn’t moved the body?body?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Like we said, Like we said, they slept in that first Easter they slept in that first Easter morning. morning.

Perry:Perry: Not into sunrise Not into sunrise services, huh?services, huh?

Salome:Salome: No, only if the fish No, only if the fish were biting. You got it.were biting. You got it.

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Perry:Perry: (To Prosecutor.)(To Prosecutor.) Counsel, your witness. Counsel, your witness. (Prosecutor steps up.)(Prosecutor steps up.)

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: So, what So, what happened after you spoke with happened after you spoke with the angel in the tomb?the angel in the tomb?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Well, I turned to Well, I turned to leave and saw someone leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, standing there. It was Jesus, but I didn’t recognize him. I but I didn’t recognize him. I thought it was a gardener. And thought it was a gardener. And he said “Dear woman, why are he said “Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you you crying? Who are you looking for?” looking for?”

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: And you said…And you said…what?what?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: I said, “Sir, if I said, “Sir, if you have taken him away, tell you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” and I will go and get him.”

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Yeah, you and Yeah, you and how many of the gang of 11? how many of the gang of 11? (Turns to jury & winks.)(Turns to jury & winks.)

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: And this is when And this is when he called me by name and he called me by name and opened my eyes so I could opened my eyes so I could see! He said “Mary.”see! He said “Mary.”

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: And you said And you said what?what?

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Rabboni! Rabboni! Teacher!Teacher!

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: And then—let And then—let me guess—you hugged him, me guess—you hugged him, married him, and ran off to married him, and ran off to France to raise a family and France to raise a family and live happily ever after.live happily ever after.

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: NO. I was NO. I was startled. Yes, I wanted to hug startled. Yes, I wanted to hug him, but he said “Don’t cling him, but he said “Don’t cling to me…”to me…”

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Salome:Salome: Typical man.Typical man.

Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: (To Salome)(To Salome) You’re not helping! He said You’re not helping! He said “Don’t cling to me, for I “Don’t cling to me, for I haven’t yet ascended to the haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my Father. But go find my brothers and tell them that I brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your Father, to my God and your God.”and your God.”

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Brothers, my Brothers, my father and your father, my God father and your father, my God and your God? And what do and your God? And what do you suppose he meant by you suppose he meant by that? that?

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: You see, Jesus You see, Jesus always said “Who are my always said “Who are my brothers and sisters? Those brothers and sisters? Those who care for me and keep my who care for me and keep my commands!” Don’t you see? commands!” Don’t you see? The son of the living God The son of the living God called his followers brothers. called his followers brothers. And he called the holy God of And he called the holy God of heaven his father and our heaven his father and our father! His God and our God!father! His God and our God!

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(Play, “We are Family” for 10 (Play, “We are Family” for 10 seconds.)seconds.)

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Hmm, this may Hmm, this may date me, but I think I hear “We date me, but I think I hear “We are Family” by the Sister are Family” by the Sister Sledge playing. Sledge playing.

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Mary Maggie:Mary Maggie: Exactly! Exactly! Imagine: Jesus our brother. Imagine: Jesus our brother. And Yahweh, our Father! I And Yahweh, our Father! I don’t have to remind you that don’t have to remind you that this is not the way we Jewish this is not the way we Jewish people were accustomed to people were accustomed to talking about Yahweh. talking about Yahweh. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

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Mary Maggie: Mary Maggie: (Cont’d)(Cont’d) But But there was something about there was something about Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus’ death and resurrection that formed this new that formed this new testament relationship testament relationship between God and his people! between God and his people! It was every bit as miraculous It was every bit as miraculous as…as…as…as…

Salome:Salome: A man rising from A man rising from the dead.the dead.

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: I, but, I.I, but, I.

Judge:Judge: Speechless, counselor? Speechless, counselor? So, Defense, do you wish to So, Defense, do you wish to cross-examine the witnesses?cross-examine the witnesses?

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Perry:Perry: Are you kidding? What Are you kidding? What more could I say? I mean, no more could I say? I mean, no thank you your honor. thank you your honor.

Judge:Judge: The courtroom will now The courtroom will now take a short recess for a word take a short recess for a word from our sponsor.from our sponsor.

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Reader:Reader:Reading from the account Reading from the account of the eyewitness, the Apostle of the eyewitness, the Apostle Matthew, the tax collector. Matthew, the tax collector. Chapter 28:11-15. As the women Chapter 28:11-15. As the women were on their way, some of the were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.large bribe. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

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Reader:Reader: (Cont’d) (Cont’d) They told the They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell among the Jews, and they still tell it today.it today.

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Judge:Judge: The court will now The court will now resume. Prosecution, please resume. Prosecution, please call your next witness.call your next witness.

Prosecution:Prosecution: You honor, I’d You honor, I’d like to call the Guards present like to call the Guards present at the tomb on the morning of at the tomb on the morning of April 4.April 4.

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Bailiff:Bailiff: Guards come forward. Guards come forward. (Guards enter.)(Guards enter.) State your State your name.name.

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) Stanley LaurelStanley Laurel

Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) Oliver Oliver HardyHardy

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Bailiff:Bailiff: Do you promise to tell Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?nothing but the truth?

Stan & Oliver:Stan & Oliver: (Crossing their (Crossing their fingers above and lowering fingers above and lowering behind their back, they speak behind their back, they speak SLOWLY.)SLOWLY.) We certainly do. We certainly do. (Winks at audience.)(Winks at audience.)

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Now, isn’t it Now, isn’t it true, you were assigned to true, you were assigned to guard the tomb of Jesus of guard the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth on the evening and Nazareth on the evening and morning in question?morning in question?

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) That’s That’s true, your honor. true, your honor.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: And what did And what did you see that evening?you see that evening?

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Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: ((SLOWLYSLOWLY reading a memorized reading a memorized statement on the palm of his statement on the palm of his hand.)hand.) Jesus’ disciples came… Jesus’ disciples came…during the night during the night (pause as he (pause as he forget and looks at hand)forget and looks at hand) while we were sleeping, andwhile we were sleeping, and……(pause as he forget and looks (pause as he forget and looks at hand)at hand) they stole his body. they stole his body.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Anything more?Anything more?

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: Certainly not. Certainly not.

Prosecution:Prosecution: (To Defense.)(To Defense.) Your witness.Your witness.

Perry:Perry: So, you were sleeping So, you were sleeping on the job, were you?on the job, were you?

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Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: (Pleading.)(Pleading.) Well, Well, it had been a long day, you it had been a long day, you know. We lost an hour with know. We lost an hour with daylight savings time.daylight savings time.

Perry:Perry: And you admit this And you admit this even though you know that even though you know that sleeping on the job is a capital sleeping on the job is a capital offense—punishable by death?offense—punishable by death?

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Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) Really? Really? I didn’t know that. I didn’t know that.

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: Hey, the priests Hey, the priests and elders never told us that. and elders never told us that. Is that true?Is that true?

Perry:Perry: Well, perhaps NOW Well, perhaps NOW you’d like to revise your story.you’d like to revise your story.

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Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: Well, now that Well, now that you put it that way, we you put it that way, we certainly do. certainly do.

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: You see there You see there was this big earthquake. was this big earthquake.

Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: And the ground And the ground shook…shook…

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Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: There were There were locusts…plagues…famine…the locusts…plagues…famine…the dog ate it… dog ate it… (Oliver looks at (Oliver looks at Stan and frowns)Stan and frowns)

Perry:Perry: Remember you’re Remember you’re under oath.under oath.

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Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: Well, anyway, Well, anyway, the next thing you know the the next thing you know the stone is displaced.stone is displaced.

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: And there’s this And there’s this guy in a white rob sitting on guy in a white rob sitting on top of the stone.top of the stone.

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Perry:Perry: It was a busy day for It was a busy day for Angels, wasn’t it? Angels, wasn’t it?

Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: His face shone His face shone like lightning, and his clothing like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.was as white as snow.

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Perry:Perry: Like Pat Boone?Like Pat Boone?

Stan Laurel:Stan Laurel: No, more like Mr. No, more like Mr. Clean.Clean.

Perry:Perry: Anything more?Anything more?

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Oliver Hardy:Oliver Hardy: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) Yes, do Yes, do you offer a witness protection you offer a witness protection program?program?

Perry:Perry: (To judge.)(To judge.) No more No more questions, your honor.questions, your honor.

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Judge:Judge: Gentlemen—and I use Gentlemen—and I use that term loosely—you may that term loosely—you may take your seats. Prosecution, take your seats. Prosecution, any other witnesses you’d any other witnesses you’d care to call?care to call?

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Prosecution:Prosecution: The prosecution The prosecution rests, your honor.rests, your honor.

Judge:Judge: Defense, call your first Defense, call your first witness.witness.

Perry:Perry: Your honor, I’d like to Your honor, I’d like to call Simon Peter to the stand. call Simon Peter to the stand. (Peter walks to stand.)(Peter walks to stand.)

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Bailiff:Bailiff: State your name and State your name and occupation.occupation.

Peter:Peter: Simon Peter, fisher of Simon Peter, fisher of men.men.

Bailiff:Bailiff: Do you promise to tell Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?nothing but the truth?

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Peter:Peter: Truth? Jesus is the way, Truth? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father but by comes to the father but by him.him.

(Whistles and applause from (Whistles and applause from the gallery. “Yeah, you tell the gallery. “Yeah, you tell ‘em Rocky!”)‘em Rocky!”)

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Judge:Judge: (Rapping gavel.)(Rapping gavel.) Order. Order. Order. Just answer the Order. Just answer the question simply, Simon.question simply, Simon.

Peter:Peter: Yes, your honor.Yes, your honor.

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Perry:Perry: Tell me what happened Tell me what happened on the morning of April 4, on the morning of April 4, Peter.Peter.

Peter:Peter: Well, your honor, it was Well, your honor, it was like this. Me and my friends—like this. Me and my friends—

Perry:Perry: The so-called gang of The so-called gang of 11?11?

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Peter:Peter: Oh, there were many Oh, there were many more of us, but yeah, primarily more of us, but yeah, primarily the eleven. Well, we were the eleven. Well, we were rather down after the death of rather down after the death of Jesus, when several of our Jesus, when several of our women friends arrived, and women friends arrived, and they looked like they’d seen a they looked like they’d seen a ghost. ghost.

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Perry:Perry: But they hadn’t seen a But they hadn’t seen a ghost, had they?ghost, had they?

Peter:Peter: No, just a resurrected No, just a resurrected man and a couple angels. man and a couple angels.

Perry: Perry: Oh, that’s all.Oh, that’s all.

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Peter:Peter: Yeah, now I know what Yeah, now I know what you’re thinking, but before you’re thinking, but before you outfit me with one of you outfit me with one of those nice white jackets that those nice white jackets that ties in the back, I got to tell ties in the back, I got to tell you that the story sounded you that the story sounded like nonsense to us men too. like nonsense to us men too. We didn’t believe it. We didn’t believe it.

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Perry:Perry: So you told the women So you told the women to go to the medicine cabinet, to go to the medicine cabinet, take a couple Tylenols and call take a couple Tylenols and call you in the morning?you in the morning?

Peter:Peter: You don’t know me very You don’t know me very well, do you? No, I jumped up well, do you? No, I jumped up and ran to the tomb to look.and ran to the tomb to look.

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Perry:Perry: And you saw, what?And you saw, what?

Peter:Peter: I looked in the tomb I looked in the tomb and saw the grave cloths and saw the grave cloths laying there, like the body had laying there, like the body had just disappeared. just disappeared.

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Perry:Perry: (To Prosecutor.)(To Prosecutor.) Just Just Disappeared!Disappeared! Your witness, Your witness, counsel.counsel.

Prosecutor:Prosecutor: So, Peter, you So, Peter, you say “jumped up” and “ran to say “jumped up” and “ran to the tomb”. the tomb”.

Peter:Peter: Well, something like Well, something like that.that.

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Could it be you Could it be you ran to the tomb to cover up ran to the tomb to cover up the evidence of your earlier the evidence of your earlier visit to the tomb, when you visit to the tomb, when you stole the body of the stole the body of the Nazarene?Nazarene?

Peter:Peter: I wish I could say that I I wish I could say that I was the first person to the was the first person to the grave that morning, but to be grave that morning, but to be honest, I didn’t want to go honest, I didn’t want to go anywhere near the tomb. anywhere near the tomb.

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Of course Of course (looks (looks at jury and smiles),at jury and smiles), no criminal no criminal wants to return to the scene of wants to return to the scene of the crime. I’m finished with the crime. I’m finished with the witness, your honor.the witness, your honor.

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Peter:Peter: No! Here me out. Us No! Here me out. Us men—we were all afraid to go men—we were all afraid to go near it. Had it not been for near it. Had it not been for the witness of women, the the witness of women, the truth is, we’d have never even truth is, we’d have never even visited the grave of our friend. visited the grave of our friend. We were afraid that the We were afraid that the Temple leaders would crucify Temple leaders would crucify us too.us too.

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: I said, I’m done I said, I’m done with you.with you.

Judge:Judge: (To Peter.)(To Peter.) You may You may step down now. step down now. (To Perry.)(To Perry.) Defense, do you wish to call Defense, do you wish to call another witness?another witness?

Perry:Perry: John, the son of Salome John, the son of Salome and Zebedeeand Zebedee. . (John (John approaches stand.)approaches stand.)

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Bailiff:Bailiff: State your name and State your name and occupation.occupation.

John:John: John, fisher of men.John, fisher of men.

Bailiff:Bailiff: Do you promise to Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?and nothing but the truth?

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John:John: So help me God.So help me God.

Perry:Perry: So, when did you first So, when did you first go to the grave, John?go to the grave, John?

John:John: Well, it’s much the way Well, it’s much the way Peter told the story, only…Peter told the story, only…well, another disciple ran with well, another disciple ran with him too.him too.

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Perry:Perry: Another disciple?Another disciple?

John:John: Yes…the disciple Jesus Yes…the disciple Jesus loved.loved.

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Perry:Perry: So, John, you admit So, John, you admit that two men were present at that two men were present at the grave on the morning in the grave on the morning in question.question.

John:John: Yes, but the grave was Yes, but the grave was empty before we—er, they empty before we—er, they arrived. You see, the only two arrived. You see, the only two men capable of moving a men capable of moving a stone of that size would have stone of that size would have had to be angels. had to be angels.

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Perry:Perry: No further questions No further questions your honor.your honor.

Judge: Your witness, Judge: Your witness, prosecution.prosecution.

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Prosecutor: Prosecutor: So, not one, but So, not one, but two disciples were present at two disciples were present at the grave in the early morning the grave in the early morning hours?hours?

John:John: That’s correct. That’s correct.

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Aha! So let the Aha! So let the court records show that there court records show that there were two—yes two strong men were two—yes two strong men mysteriously present at the mysteriously present at the tomb in the early morning tomb in the early morning hours of the day. Perhaps hours of the day. Perhaps enough to…say…move a large enough to…say…move a large stone…and carry a corpse out stone…and carry a corpse out of a grave? No further of a grave? No further questions, your honor.questions, your honor.

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Judge: Judge: (To Defense.)(To Defense.) Any Any further questions for the further questions for the witness, counsel. witness, counsel. (Defense (Defense steps forward.)steps forward.)

Perry: Perry: But John,But John, didn’t you didn’t you say that Peter and his friend say that Peter and his friend were not capable of moving a were not capable of moving a stone and stealing the body?stone and stealing the body?

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John:John: (Laughs.)(Laughs.) Peter?!! Are Peter?!! Are you kidding? Look at him. you kidding? Look at him. (Peter smiles and flexes (Peter smiles and flexes muscles.)muscles.) He could barely He could barely carry his own bones to the carry his own bones to the grave that morning, much less grave that morning, much less move a stone or another move a stone or another man’s body.man’s body. (Peter frowns.)(Peter frowns.)

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Perry:Perry: You sound like you You sound like you have some intimate have some intimate knowledge of the situation.knowledge of the situation.

John:John: Look. After Maggie Look. After Maggie came and told us about the came and told us about the tomb being opened, Simon tomb being opened, Simon Peter and the other disciple, Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, ran the one whom Jesus loved, ran to the tomb.to the tomb.

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Perry:Perry: Who is this “one whom Who is this “one whom Jesus loved” you keep Jesus loved” you keep mentioning? mentioning? (All the disciples (All the disciples point to John and smile.)point to John and smile.)

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John:John: (Raises his hand in (Raises his hand in resignation.)resignation.) Okay. Okay. We Okay. Okay. We were both running, but—well were both running, but—well let’s just say the other disciple let’s just say the other disciple outran Peter and reached the outran Peter and reached the tomb first. tomb first.

Peter:Peter: You’re a younger man You’re a younger man than me, John! You know I than me, John! You know I could’ve out run you in my could’ve out run you in my prime!prime!

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Judge:Judge: (Raps gavel.)(Raps gavel.) Silence! Silence! Continue.Continue.

Perry:Perry: Yes, continue.Yes, continue.

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John:John: So the disciple Jesus So the disciple Jesus loved looked into the tomb loved looked into the tomb and saw the linen wrappings and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go lying there, but he didn’t go in. in.

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Perry:Perry: Of course not. Your Of course not. Your Jewish. Touching a dead body Jewish. Touching a dead body would defile you. The very would defile you. The very thought of entering the tomb thought of entering the tomb of a dead man would have to of a dead man would have to take someone of reckless take someone of reckless abandon, someone of a abandon, someone of a completely impetuous and completely impetuous and unbridled nature, someone unbridled nature, someone (Peter smiles and stands)…(Peter smiles and stands)…

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John:John: Someone named Peter. Someone named Peter. When Simon Peter arrived, he When Simon Peter arrived, he blew right by me and went blew right by me and went inside. He noticed the linen inside. He noticed the linen wrappings lying there, and the wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had covered Jesus’ cloth that had covered Jesus’ head folded up and lying apart head folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. from the other wrappings.

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Perry:Perry: If you remained outside If you remained outside the tomb, how did you know the tomb, how did you know that?that?

John:John: Well, I figured, hey, Well, I figured, hey, Peter’s in there already. So I Peter’s in there already. So I entered the tomb also.entered the tomb also.

Perry:Perry: And you saw what?And you saw what?

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John:John: I knew it was strange. I knew it was strange. If someone were to steal the If someone were to steal the body, there’s no way he would body, there’s no way he would have taken time to remove the have taken time to remove the body clothing. They’d have body clothing. They’d have just taken the body and the just taken the body and the wrapping. It just didn’t make wrapping. It just didn’t make any sense, but I knew the any sense, but I knew the body was gone.body was gone.

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Perry:Perry: But surely, you didn’t But surely, you didn’t believe the dead man had believe the dead man had risen from the dead!risen from the dead!

John:John: No, not yet anyway. No, not yet anyway. We just hadn’t understood the We just hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. The must rise from the dead. The Holy Spirit hadn’t revealed it Holy Spirit hadn’t revealed it to us yet.to us yet.

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Perry:Perry: So you did what?So you did what?

John:John: Peter and I went home, Peter and I went home, and left Mary Magdalene and left Mary Magdalene there. And that’s when Maggie there. And that’s when Maggie encountered Jesus, thinking he encountered Jesus, thinking he was a gardener. Jesus, a was a gardener. Jesus, a gardener, can you imagine? gardener, can you imagine? Any other questions?Any other questions?

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Perry:Perry: Ah…well…no. No more Ah…well…no. No more questions, your honor.questions, your honor.

Judge:Judge: Prosecution? Any Prosecution? Any questions for the disciple questions for the disciple Jesus Loved?Jesus Loved?

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: No further No further questions, your honor.questions, your honor.

Judge:Judge: The courtroom will now The courtroom will now take a short recess for a word take a short recess for a word from our sponsor.from our sponsor.

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Reader:Reader: Reading from the Reading from the account of Luke 24:13-16, the account of Luke 24:13-16, the physician and traveling physician and traveling companion of the Apostle companion of the Apostle Paul.  That same day two of Paul.  That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. seven miles from Jerusalem. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

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Reader: Reader: (Cont’d) (Cont’d) As they As they walked along they were walked along they were talking about everything that talking about everything that had happened. As they talked had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. and began walking with them. But God kept them from But God kept them from recognizing him.recognizing him.

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Judge:Judge: The court will now resume. The court will now resume. So, we have established that So, we have established that several women were present at several women were present at the tomb in the early morning the tomb in the early morning hours. They saw no body, an open hours. They saw no body, an open tomb, and encountered Angels in tomb, and encountered Angels in white, and reportedly, the risen white, and reportedly, the risen man Jesus Christ. Following that, man Jesus Christ. Following that, at least two of his disciples have at least two of his disciples have testified that the tomb was empty.testified that the tomb was empty.

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Perry:Perry: Your Honor, I’d like to Your Honor, I’d like to call Cleopas and Anno to the call Cleopas and Anno to the standstand. . (The men come (The men come forward.)forward.)

Bailiff:Bailiff: State your name and State your name and relationship to the deceased.relationship to the deceased.

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Cleopas:Cleopas: Cleopas, uncle of Cleopas, uncle of Jesus, brother of Joseph, and Jesus, brother of Joseph, and father of Simeon.father of Simeon.

Anno:Anno: (Slowly.)(Slowly.) Anno Ther Anno Ther Disciple, follower of Jesus, the Disciple, follower of Jesus, the Son of the Living God.Son of the Living God.

Bailiff:Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?nothing but the truth?

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Men:Men: Yes.Yes.

Judge:Judge: Continue your Continue your questioning, counsel.questioning, counsel.

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Perry:Perry: Cleopas, is it true that Cleopas, is it true that on the day of April 4, you two on the day of April 4, you two were walking to the village of were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. Jerusalem.

Cleopas:Cleopas: That is true.That is true.

Perry:Perry: Tell me what happened Tell me what happened next.next.

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Cleopas:Cleopas: As we walked along As we walked along we were talking about we were talking about everything that had happened: everything that had happened: Jesus entry into Jerusalem, the Jesus entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, his cleansing of the temple, his betrayal by Judas, his trial, betrayal by Judas, his trial, and his crucifixion.and his crucifixion.

Perry:Perry: And the risen man, And the risen man, Jesus of Nazareth, joined you Jesus of Nazareth, joined you as you walked?as you walked?

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Anno:Anno: Exactly.Exactly.

Perry:Perry: No further questions, No further questions, your honor.your honor.

Judge:Judge: Prosecution? Prosecution? (Prosecutor approaches (Prosecutor approaches witness.)witness.)

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Anno, how did Anno, how did you know the man you were you know the man you were talking with was the dead talking with was the dead man, arisen from the grave?man, arisen from the grave?

Anno:Anno: As we talked and As we talked and discussed these things, Jesus discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and himself suddenly came and began walking with us. began walking with us.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: And you And you recognized him as Jesus from recognized him as Jesus from his “W-W-I-D “ bracelet? his “W-W-I-D “ bracelet?

Anno:Anno: No. As a matter of fact, No. As a matter of fact, God kept us from recognizing God kept us from recognizing him. him.

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Hmm, much like Hmm, much like Mary Magdalene said in her Mary Magdalene said in her experience with the man at experience with the man at the tomb?the tomb?

Anno:Anno: Exactly!Exactly!

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Prosecution:Prosecution: Your honor, I Your honor, I have no further questions. have no further questions. These men are clearly These men are clearly delirious.delirious.

Judge:Judge: Defense, any further Defense, any further questions?questions?

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Perry:Perry: Yes, your honor. So Yes, your honor. So what did Jesus say to you?what did Jesus say to you?

Anno:Anno: He asked what we were He asked what we were discussing. discussing.

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Cleopas:Cleopas: Well, naturally, Well, naturally, distress overcame us and I distress overcame us and I said to him , “You must be the said to him , “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened things that have happened there the last few days.” there the last few days.”

Perry:Perry: So did you explain it to So did you explain it to him?him?

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Cleopas:Cleopas: Yes, I told him Jesus Yes, I told him Jesus was a prophet who did was a prophet who did powerful miracles, a mighty powerful miracles, a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading all the people. But our leading priests and other religious priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they condemned to death, and they crucified him. crucified him.

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Anno:Anno: We told him that we We told him that we had hoped this Jesus was the had hoped this Jesus was the Messiah who had come to Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. You know, we rescue Israel. You know, we basically told him what WE basically told him what WE expected of Jesus. Doesn’t expected of Jesus. Doesn’t everybody do that once in a everybody do that once in a while?while?

Perry:Perry: You have a point there. You have a point there.

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Cleopas:Cleopas: We told him about We told him about the women who went to his the women who went to his tomb early this morning, and tomb early this morning, and came back with the amazing came back with the amazing report that Jesus’ body was report that Jesus’ body was missing.missing.

Anno:Anno: We told him they had We told him they had seen angels who told them seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!

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Cleopas:Cleopas: And we told them And we told them that some of our men ran out that some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the body was gone, just as the women had said. But alas, no women had said. But alas, no Jesus.Jesus.

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Perry:Perry: So you are explaining So you are explaining all this to the very man you all this to the very man you were missing—the walking were missing—the walking dead man? Did he say dead man? Did he say anything else to you?anything else to you?

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Cleopas:Cleopas: Yes, he let us speak Yes, he let us speak our peace, and then like a our peace, and then like a gifted teacher he led us gifted teacher he led us through the writings of Moses through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, and all the prophets, explaining from all the explaining from all the Scriptures the things Scriptures the things concerning himself. concerning himself.

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Perry:Perry: So, when did you finally So, when did you finally figure out it was Jesus? His figure out it was Jesus? His marred hands and feet?marred hands and feet?

Cleopas:Cleopas: No, as a matter of No, as a matter of fact,for us all that stuff faded fact,for us all that stuff faded into insignificance. It was his into insignificance. It was his voice, his word.voice, his word.

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Anno:Anno: You see, as we were You see, as we were nearing Emmaus, as is the nearing Emmaus, as is the custom, we invited the custom, we invited the stranger to spend the night stranger to spend the night with us. with us.

Cleopas:Cleopas: Then, oddly, as we Then, oddly, as we sat down to eat, he took the sat down to eat, he took the position of the host, took the position of the host, took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to us.gave it to us.

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Anno:Anno: Suddenly, our eyes Suddenly, our eyes were opened, and we were opened, and we recognized him. And at that recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!moment he disappeared!

Perry:Perry: Your honor, the defense Your honor, the defense rests.rests.

Judge:Judge: (To Prosecutor.)(To Prosecutor.) Any Any closing arguments, counsel?closing arguments, counsel?

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Prosecutor:Prosecutor: Your honor, the Your honor, the state has shown that the gang state has shown that the gang of 11 and their co-of 11 and their co-conspirators, the women and conspirators, the women and the other followers, clearly the other followers, clearly went to the tomb, released went to the tomb, released their friend, and came up with their friend, and came up with lots of fanciful stories to cover lots of fanciful stories to cover their tracks.their tracks.

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Judge:Judge: Defense? Closing Defense? Closing arguments?arguments?

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Perry:Perry: Your honor, the Your honor, the testimony of the disciples: the testimony of the disciples: the eleven, the women, and the eleven, the women, and the followers is all completely followers is all completely consistent, consistent with the consistent, consistent with the life and ministry of Jesus of life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The man described Nazareth. The man described by the witnesses today as by the witnesses today as being alive, was very much the being alive, was very much the same man who was crucified same man who was crucified on Friday.on Friday.

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Judge:Judge: Explain, counsel.Explain, counsel.

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Perry:Perry: Prior to his death, on the Prior to his death, on the road to Jerusalem from Nazareth, road to Jerusalem from Nazareth, Jesus opened the eyes of a blind Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man. After his death, on a road man. After his death, on a road away from Jerusalem, he opened away from Jerusalem, he opened the eyes of Cleopas and friend. In the eyes of Cleopas and friend. In 3-years of ministry, Jesus was the 3-years of ministry, Jesus was the ultimate eye doctor, opening the ultimate eye doctor, opening the eyes of the physically and eyes of the physically and spiritually blind. spiritually blind. (Cont’)(Cont’)

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Perry:Perry: His followers traveled His followers traveled the road with him for three the road with him for three years, and yet remained blind years, and yet remained blind to the true nature of the to the true nature of the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus Kingdom of Heaven Jesus came to reveal. It was as if came to reveal. It was as if they could see him, but not they could see him, but not recognize what he was about. recognize what he was about. Perhaps some of us are a bit Perhaps some of us are a bit like that. like that. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

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Perry:Perry: As you’ve seen in the As you’ve seen in the testimony today, following his testimony today, following his death, Jesus again continued death, Jesus again continued healing the blind. We have seen healing the blind. We have seen how he opened the grave, not so how he opened the grave, not so he could get out, but so mankind he could get out, but so mankind could enter and believe. He could enter and believe. He opened the scriptures so the opened the scriptures so the disciples on the road to Emmaus disciples on the road to Emmaus so they could understand them. so they could understand them. (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

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Perry: Perry: (Cont’d)(Cont’d) He opened their He opened their minds to recognize that the minds to recognize that the Kingdom of God was not about Kingdom of God was not about politics, power, and being served, politics, power, and being served, but rather serving. And—like he but rather serving. And—like he does with people everyday—he does with people everyday—he calls each person by name, calls each person by name, opening their eyes so they opening their eyes so they recognize him—not as they had recognize him—not as they had created him, but rather as he created him, but rather as he created and continues to create created and continues to create us.us.

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(Click to play Perry Mason (Click to play Perry Mason Music as all actors disappear Music as all actors disappear except Perry, who is asleep in except Perry, who is asleep in his chair again, as his wife his chair again, as his wife comes to wake him.)comes to wake him.)

Maggie:Maggie: Wake up, dear. Wake up, dear. Open your eyes. It’s Easter Open your eyes. It’s Easter Morning.Morning.

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Perry:Perry: What was the verdict? What was the verdict?

Maggie:Maggie: As always, honey, As always, honey, that is for the jury to decide. that is for the jury to decide.

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Perry:Perry: (Stands and looks at (Stands and looks at congregation.)congregation.) Has Jesus, the Has Jesus, the Christ, opened your eyes?Christ, opened your eyes?

(“Open the Eyes of My Heart” (“Open the Eyes of My Heart” plays in background.)plays in background.)