I N T E R R E G N U M
A Drama in Three Acts
Regarding A Murder in Palestine
1st Century A.D.
Author
T. W. Loessin
© Copyright 2019.
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| Judas Hangs Himself; 15th c. woodcut |
- Judas Hanged Himself?
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.
Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests then picked up the coins and bought a field … the potter’s field used as a burial place for foreigners. That is the one called the Field of Blood to this day.
-- Matthew 27:1-8
- Judas Died from a Fall?
(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
-- The Acts of the Apostles 1:15-19
- Or, could there be a more unsettling - yet, more likely - story about Judas?
I N T E R R E G N U M
SYNOPSIS
ACT I: Petra
Scene: The Upper Room
They had followed the rabbi Jesus of Nazareth for three years, hoping he was the long-promised Messiah King who would save the Jewish people from their Roman oppressors. Now, the twelve men gathered with him for the celebration of Passover in an Upper Room discover Jesus has brought them to Jerusalem intent on a suicide mission. The scene opens at the moment he also reveals that it will, in fact, be one of them who acts as betrayer and turns him over to the Roman officials.
One man flees the scene in order to do what he believes must be done.
Jesus leads others into an adjacent Garden where he will pray "Thy will be done."
But three remain behind and begin laying the groundwork for a conspiracy of grand proportions that will alter the course of human history for the next 2,000 years – doing what they believed must be done.
ACT II: Acts of the Apostles
Scene: Golgotha
To “save face,” the three men huddled beneath the shadows of three crosses concoct the amazing story of the Resurrection. Only, an unexpected problem arises -- a disciple who refuses to go along with the conspiracy.
Tensions escalate and the scene climaxes in horrific bloodshed.
ACT III: Gospel
Scene: Akeldama
The curtain rises on a dark setting of twisted limbs and tangled briar. It is the notorious pauper’s field, “The Field of Blood.” One giant limb stretching across the stage is silhouetted against a full moon and from it there hangs a rope.
The three lead actors in this drama now finalize their plans for turning tragedy into Good News.
EPILOGUE: Ecclesia
Scene: Present-day, contemporary-designed church altar where a First Communion / Confirmation service is being performed (in pantomime) by a priest.
The cross that was part of the crucifixion silhouette in Act II has become the cross above an altar in a present-day Catholic Church. A priest is giving first communion to a group of teens dressed in their pristine Confirmation white clothing
In fact the whole stage is a noticeable bright white, contrasting starkly the settings of all the prior scenes.
Sitting in a choir nave set above the altar scene are the three lead actors dressed in black robes. Their discussion brings the play to a thought provoking – not to mention – surprising conclusion.
________
I N T E R R E G N U M
As the curtain slowly begins to open on our play, the audience hears the gradually rising, soft whispers of,
“Is it I? Is it I, Lord? Is it I?” repeated over and over, over and over until the curtain has fully risen. [Mat. 26:22]
Once revealed, the audience immediately recognizes the silhouette being depicted behind a filter screen that stretches the length of the stage as that of a life-size re-creation of da Vinci’s “Last Supper.”
Suddenly one dark figure rises in haste, knocking
over his chair as he stumbles. The
center figure, Christ, turns in his seat to see him go and says pleasantly to him: “Go on then, old friend! Do what you must do.” [John 13:27]
As the man then flees voices are heard to mumble - "But-" "Wait!"
Christ rises, "No, no. He has a commitment. Let him be."
Eight others rise and gather round Christ. They each come up, hug and kiss their Lord, refilling and grabbing goblets, last bites of bread, and as this circle begins departing Christ is heard to say, "Come, it is time." (group exiting stage left).
Three others, who have been shaking their heads off and on, have remained behind. The filter screen now rises, brighter stage lighting rises, and we see them clearly for the first time –
Peter, James, and John.
Peter had been seated on Christ’s right hand; James on the left hand of Christ; John beside James.
Peter rises – in a significant move – looking down at it for some time as if thinking if he should – then takes the seat that had been Christ’s. He turns to face the other two.
Peter: “Well friends, what is it you believe now?” Waiting on their reply to his question he, as if for emphasis, looks directly out at the audience and repeats the question: "I ask you again, what is it you believe now?"
John (shaking his head): “I can’t believe it.”
James (beginning slowly, then turning to look across Peter at his brother John): “Well brother, that’s the point, evidently. There is nothing left to believe. It’s over. Our fearless Rabbi just said so.”
There is a pause while James takes a sip of wine and John, sulking, stuffs a piece of bread in his mouth.
Peter: “Did I not tell you both? Did I not tell you this is where he was heading. I knew the moment he said , ‘Let’s go to Jerusalem for the Passover.’ Bad idea! Bad Idea, I said to myself. But he just kept nodding with that satisfied smile on his face, as if to say, ‘Exactly, Peter, exactly.’ I knew he was going to do this, throw it all away, give it all up.”
John: “But why? Why? What about the new kingdom he spoke of? Our people? He promised a new kingdom for ….” Exasperated he stuffs another piece of bread in his mouth.
They all three pause, pondering.
James: “Oh, don’t worry brother. It’s far from over. They’ll come looking for all of us now – all of us who called him ‘Rabbi’ - they will hunt us down now. If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” [Luke 22:36]
Peter: “Which is why I suggest we all find a big rock to crawl under.”
John: “But I thought you were the Rock, ol’ friend?” (he says, lifting his goblet to James in gest)
Peter: “Very funny.”
James: “Oh no. Not funny, Peter.” (James indicates to John to lower his chalice and turns to Peter) “He did rename you the Rock, did he not? Do you intend to deny your calling now? To deny his words Petra?” [Peter, the Rock, ref. Matthew 16:18]
Peter: “I will never deny I knew him.” Peter says with exaggerated force. “And I will not deny his words.”
John:
“Hmm…(pops another bite in his mouth and chewing, says) I seem to
remember he said very clearly this evening that you would deny him in the days
to come.” [Matthew 26:34]
Peter: “Never.” He pounds the table. “I will not let it end like this, I won’t.”
James: “Then be the Rock, Peter. After all,” (James leans back in his chair in a cocky manner) “You clearly found it to be a right gesture … to take his seat this evening once he had departed….”
Both James and John lift chins and give Peter a look that indicates they clearly recognized his act.
Peter jumps up suddenly, startling the other two, knocking over the chair he had assumed.
The other two look up at him as Peter, hand to his head, glares down at the fallen chair.
Peter (speaking slowly): “Has it all fallen? As simple as that? Our plans? His promises? The victory that was to be ours? Has it really all fallen apart?
(He pauses)
Perhaps it is time to start picking things up.” (He bends and uprights the chair)
John: “Huh?”
James: “What?”
Peter: “Perhaps you are right, James. (He puts a hand on seated James, standing behind him) James, my partner…and you will be my partner in this, I believe you’re on to something. [numerous ref. to Peter and James as the partnered leaders of the first church in Jerusalem, particularly in Acts 12:17; 15; 21:18]
(James lets out a small laugh, not sure what Peter is meaning)
Perhaps you are right. Perhaps it is time I was the Rock, James – my partner James.
(he moves over to put a hand on John) And your brother John here, my …
well he is John the….”
John: “Oh thanks a lot big guy. No title for me yet?”
Peter: “One will come to me I’m sure (he gazes upward) So maybe … it is time … I assumed my role.”
He bends toward the table where he has returned Christ’s chair, and finds that Christ has left his chalice behind. He lifts it up, twirls it around in his hand as if examining it closely, and speaks to the two with slow, deliberate force.
“I – will – not – let – this – end – like – this.”
He raises the cup up, and, as well, his voice: “It is not finished. Do you hear me? It is not finished!”
They do not turn or even move around to look up at him. Clearly they are startled however and look at each other with the corners of their eyes.
Peter twirls the cup in his hand, looking down again, “No. It is…not finished.”
There is a long pause as the other two men sit for a moment with raised eyebrows at Peter’s remarks.
John (adjusting his tense shoulders, clearing his throat and breaking the silence): “And what is it you intend to do, man? There is nothing we can do. His mind is made up. He’s going to let those bastards arrest him. (He becomes emotional) Oh-h-h-h dear Father, I can’t believe he’s going to leave me…” (he starts to cry)
Peter sets the cup down forcefully, which causes John to regain his composure. Then raises his arm to his chin in a pensive manner, moves to a window frame hanging on the stage, paired with others on the parallel side as seen in da Vinci’s painting, and he peers through it.
Peter: “It seems all the others have moved into the Garden.”
The other two rise and move to the window joining Peter, each puts a hand on Peter’s shoulder.
James: “Then perhaps we should join them.”
Peter pivots around and motions toward the table: “Did either of you find that incident with Judas a bit bizarre this evening?”
James (turning back around as well): “I thought it pretty clear, Peter. Judas is angrier than the lot of us. You know his history. He wanted this Insurrection against our Roman oppressors more than all of us.”
John: “Well, ( he turns around now as well from the window) “insurrection is, after all … the business … of a Zealot. And business … I’m afraid Peter … is what Judas has gone to take care of.”
Peter pivots again between them to look out the window.
James and John look toward each other behind his back as if uncertain for the delay.
Peter: “Yes, I imagine you are correct. That’s our Judas….Judas is the doer.”
James: “Yes, Peter. Another title. He is that, the doer.” (Still with a quizzical look as not sure what Peter is getting at) “And he is now doing what he feels he must do. As our Lord pointed out.”
John: “Uhm…I’m sorry…we got the Do-er, the Rock, the Partner,...and what is my role again?”
Peter pivots back around again, looks over at James and the two begin to laugh.
Peter and James laugh together as they pat John on the back in an endearing manner. John is not pleased at this laugh at his expense: “Ugh,” (exasperated) see here Peter, (looks at James) James! dear brother…”
Peter (still laughing). “Shush boy! Let us … indeed … do something, gentleman. Let us move on …”
He motions with his hands for them to move forward. James and John look at him unsure of his meaning.
John: “Where to?”
Peter: “To the Garden, you idiot. To the Garden … remember?”
James smirks and shakes his head at the interchange between the two. He grabs a cloak and begins moving off the stage. After James exits however, John continues to look at Peter. Peter sees that tears are running down John’s cheek and reaches to wipe them away, “John, John…I do have a title for you. I hesitated to reveal it. John, the one he loved. You know that, we all knew, he said it many times.” [References to John being the disciple Jesus loved and who, with Peter, will enter the tomb later, and additionally, did not understand why Jesus had to rise from the dead, see John 20:2; 8-9]
But John simply shakes his head: “It’s not that Peter.”
“Then what?” says Peter, shrugging.
Peter steps into him, face to face, takes both his hands in his own: “What don’t you believe, my son?”
“I don’t believe this! You! You really are … apparently … taking charge…all of a sudden….Peter.”
He slows down at the tail end of his statement as if uncertain he should have mentioned it.
“Well believe it! Don’t stop believing John. For is it not written,
“Another will take his place of leadership.” [Peter actually says this in Acts 1:20]
He puts his arm around John and begins walking him off the stage.
“Young man, you came in to this believing. So did I. Why must it end here? We all loved him once - ”
(He pauses and looks out over the audience as if he just might even realize they are there)
“we’ve all loved him…and we – can – move – on - from here … still believing … still loving…
(looking over at John at his side, and then back out at the audience, head tilted, inquiringly)
Do you understand? No matter what is revealed tonight, we can still go on believing.”
John: “But after tonight, Peter…how --? ”
Peter (nodding, and ushering John to stage left): “Tonight changes nothing. If he wants to end it ... like this, then fine. But, as for me - and I hope you and John and the others - we don't have to let it end like this.. And we won't.”
The curtain falls.
(Excerpt) ACT II: The Acts of the Apostles
Scene: Golgotha
Act Two begins with a loud burst of thunder that should call the audience to rapt attention and silence. It is followed by a whispered voice, similar as heard before Act I, but this time only one voice, strained and in obvious agony, “It is finished.”
There is a pause, and then again - “It is finished.” [John 19:30]
Peter: "You again?"
Centurian: "Here to see the show, of course, like everyone else."
Peter: "Bastard!"
Centurian: "Tell me something Jew, how long do you believe your next Interregnum will be?"
Peter: "Excuse me?"
Centurian: "Well, if, as you suggest, this pitiful creature hanging there was your King, an heir to King David's throne no less. King David - who preceded this fool by what? Two centuries, at least? Now that he's left and so disappointed you - will you be expecting a new king anytime soon? In another two centuries or so? What say you? How long will be this Interregnum, Jew?"
"Piss off Roman scum. What do you know of David, of our history, of who this decent and honorable man was that you've cruelly executed here? You never knew him, saw the things he did, heard the things he taught us, know nothing - you knew him not!"
"Ah, but you knew him, didn't you Peter, despite your protestations merely a day ago. Am I not right? I saw you. I heard you. What was it that woman yelled out - He was one of them! And you denied any association. Tsk, tsk, Peter." The centurian places a hand on Peter's shoulder, only to have it shrugged off. "What will you and your lot do now? Hmm? What will you and the others do now that it's over?"
"Over?"
"I should say so," he gestures upward toward the cross, "I should think definitely so."
"And you'd be wrong to think so...."
(Excerpt ended)
(Excerpt) ACT III: Gospel
Scene: Akeldama
The curtain rises on a dark setting of twisted limbs and tangled briar. It is the notorious pauper’s field, “The Field of Blood.” One giant limb stretches across the stage
silhouetted against a full moon, and from it, there hangs a rope.
Peter enters first (stage left) whispering several times, “Hurry now boys, hurry.”
James and John enter, dragging the body of
Judas. They drop him immediately, a far
distance from the center stage noose and, trying to catch their breaths,
deposit themselves on top of the lifeless bundle.
John: “Peter, tell me again, just who voted you leader of this less-than-admirable little enterprise?”
Peter glances down at his two partners who have
plopped themselves down on the rump of dead Judas.
Peter: “Why I believe it was the big guy, right James?” (turning for confirmation from James) “it was our Lord and Saviour, the one who called me ‘The Rock!’”
John: "Savior? Hmm..."
Peter pulls a white handkerchief from his waist and, covering his hand to protect getting dirty, he bends down and begins digging between the two gentlemen sitting upon Judas’ clothing.
“Perhaps,” he says while working to find his prize, groaning, “removing,” he shoves John off the butt of Judas, “all this silver from the man…ah-hah!” he lifts the prize in the air, “would help alleviate some of that weight.”
He ties the bag to his own waistband. “Now, I’ll mind this important matter, you gentlemen continue with your task.”
The two others stare at each other in disbelief.
John (gets up, dusts off, and sits again next to James on the butt of Judas): “Go figure! We do all the work! He’ll mind the coinage!”
James (scratching and shaking his head looks straight out across the audience): “Yes… I heard…. (he looks up at the heavens and sighs heavily) Why do I sense a bad omen of things to come?” ....
(Excerpt ended)
Scene: Present-day, contemporary-designed church altar where a First Communion / Confirmation service is being performed (in pantomime) by a priest.
The cross that was part of the crucifixion silhouette in Act II has become the cross upon an altar in a present-day Catholic Church. This altar, stage right beneath where the cross hangs, is where we see a priest giving first communion to a group of teens dressed in their Confirmation white.
In fact the whole stage is a noticeable bright white, contrasting starkly the settings of all three prior scenes. White pews progress from the altar scene on stage right and are lined across the stage until they fade off into stage left.
Center stage, sitting in what appears to be an elevated choir balcony hovering over this scene, stairs descending from this balcony on either side, are our three main characters, dressed in clearly contrasting black suits in this scene of otherwise startling white.
They are casual in their manner, clearly comfortable where they sit. Peter sits behind the two brothers, in a pew of his own, leaning back with his feet propped up on the pew. His hands behind his head, he is gazing up at the ceiling, clearly satisfied.
John is looking down flipping through a hymnal.
James, irritated by the feet of Peter, leans forward in his pew, arms resting on the pew in front of him now holding up the newspaper that he is reading, chewing gum.
James (indicating the article he is reading in the newspaper to his buddies):
“Can you believe this? Evidently there’s another one of our (and here he drops the newspaper momentarily and uses both hands to make the gesture of quotation marks) "apostolic descendants" running around claiming he’s actually talked to the big guy directly.” He lifts the newspaper up again and points to the news story.
Peter (continuing to stare up at the ceiling, remaining unaffected, releasing a sigh of contentment):
“Who is he?”
James: “Some wannabe named Roberts. He’s just finished telling his flock he needs eighty million dollars!"
Peter (tilts his head, letting out a manly burp): “Well…have to say the guys got balls.”
James (giving an admonishing look back at Peter): “Ugh…only you Peter would find such bold behavior admirable.”
There is a pause as Peter shrugs while holing up his hand as if to admire a manicure.
"James, you have no way of knowing whether the guy makes good use of 80 million to help his flock..."
John has stopped looking through the hymnal he holds and now leans forward to watch the scene on the altar. He nods his head toward James and asks:
John: “Does he provide a number to call?”
James: “A what?”
John: “The number…you know…to the big guy. Been awhile since we’ve heard from him and if this Roberts fella has I'm a bit jealous.”
James: “Humph…try two thousand years of no call, no show.” (Peter chuckles) “No John, he didn’t leave a number. But we don't need one, remember? Evidently Peter has the only direct line.”
They both turn back to look upon the reclined Peter.
Suddenly John shoves Peter’s feet off the back of his pew and rips the newspaper out of James' hands and throws it to the ground.
John (nodding toward the altar scene): “Guys…guys…look down there. So, do you think….I mean…was it all worth it?”
Peter, rolling his eyes, clearly irritated by the interruption to his daydreaming toward the ceiling, leans forward in between them now.
Peter: “Oh John, so you’ve become our philosopher once again. Just like the old days when you used to write down those amazing revelations (he messes John’s hair). It suits you….
Now then, what is it you ask?
Was
that which has been done in his name, worth it?
Well, my philosopher … I think so -
(he waves his hands upward and in an expansive gesture to show wonder at the church in which they now sit and begins leaning back again)
What
is the measure of a man’s worth, after all?”
James: “Ah yes, Peter,” (taking out his chewing gum and, turning 'round, tosses it at Peter) “and pray
tell, what is the worth of a man’s blood, after all?”
Peter: “Oh James, always the naysayer. So we spilled a little blood. (he leans forward again, indicating the altar scene) Just look at that scene, look how happy the children are -- ”
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