Resurrection Monologues - Thomas
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! Celebrate his resurrection with our four resurrection monologues, the fourth of which is from the perspective of Thomas.
On Good Friday we published ‘The Golgotha Monologues’ four monologues written from the perspectives of people who would have been there on the very first Good Friday. But we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, after Jesus’ death comes his resurrection, and so, today we are publishing ‘The Resurrection Monologues’!
The fourth is from the perspective of Thomas.
It had been a week since Passover. We were still staying behind locked doors. There were all kinds of rumours and we couldn’t be sure what would happen next. And the others had me worried.
We’d all been through a lot. Two weeks previous it seemed like Jesus was going to overturn Roman rule, it was like he’d been taken off the leash – telling the authorities exactly what we thought of them.
Then - Judas! I can’t believe he set Jesus up like that -
It happened so fast, one minute we were celebrating Passover – God’s great deliverance of his people - and then within a few short hours our world fell apart. I thought I was ready to die for him, but we ran - and we left him to face the soldiers alone.
It was a mockery of a trial. They couldn’t wait to get rid of him.
Seeing Jesus flogged and nailed to that cross; hearing his cries, seeing his mother break down - we we’re devastated. I admit I couldn’t hang around, I went off by myself, to get my head straight.
And then the others started going crazy. First the women and then the guys. Even Peter, I hadn’t expected him to lose it. They said the tomb was empty - that they’d seen the Rabbi – but that was impossible, we all saw him die.
Part of me was tempted to believe it, but I told them – unless I saw with my own two eyes, I couldn’t accept it; it was too fantastic.
I’d seen him – I saw his body – lifeless and beaten. So, unless I saw the same nail marks, unless I put my hand into his side, where they’d pierced him, I couldn’t believe it.
They continued to try and convince me, but I wouldn’t have it. I was such as fool.
He came.
He stood there – in our locked room - and he looked straight at me. I was dumbfounded.
And then he had me place my hands on his scars – they were real – just where I saw them pierce him, just where the nails went in – but his flesh was now warm and very much alive.
What do you think I did?
I exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” It was true – he wasn’t our Rabbi – he’d shown himself to be our God.
And he stayed. We spoke with him, peppering him with questions, and he ate with us, he fished with us. Those were the best days.
I’m not sure he wanted to go – but in the end he did; he went back to his Father.
So that leaves us to tell our story – to tell his story. And even though you didn’t get to see him, you can believe it – we are his first-hand witnesses:
Jesus of Nazareth, teacher, healer - the man who was sentenced to death and who died – he is the Son of God and his Father has raised him to life.
And because he lives, we can start a new forgiven life. Even fools like me. Believe me – it’s true.
Resurrection Monologues - Mary (Mother of Jesus)
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! Celebrate his resurrection with our four resurrection monologues, the third of which is from the perspective of Mary the mother of Jesus.
On Good Friday we published ‘The Golgotha Monologues’ four monologues written from the perspectives of people who would have been there on the very first Good Friday. But we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, after Jesus’ death comes his resurrection, and so, today we are publishing ‘The Resurrection Monologues’!
The third is from the perspective of Mary the mother of Jesus.
O Lord, my Saviour, my spirit rejoices in you, for you....
-
Oh, Jesus. This isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Oh, my son, my child, my beloved child - now my Saviour. My whole being worships you, and yet… in my heart I still treasure those times when it was just you and me. Holding you close, hearing your first words, shepherding you as you took your first steps, watching over you, binding your first scrapes - you were sooo adventurous; it was always a challenge keeping you out of your father's workshop.
And now you watch over me.
Son, my heart still aches when I recall your body arched in pain, bleeding. Your cries still haunt me. It's hard to shake the image of your lifeless body wrapped in cloth and lying - in a tomb.
Forgive me, dear son; I almost lost my mind with grief. I was blinded with my tears, and in my fear I didn't understand. All I could feel was the sword piecing my very soul, just as old Simeon promised.
And then, when I saw you again, whole, restored.... Oh how I loved to see that smile again, to feel your arms around me once more, to hear your laughter, to draw in your warmth as we shared a simple meal, just like we used to.
But you were taken again so soon. I know you had to go, but oh, how I missed you – to lose you again. (Deep breath)
But I'll tell your story - so many want to hear my story. The boys promise to write it down, but I'll still tell. It thrills me every time I tell it, for how can written words capture you, your love, your presence.
Son, you spoke of a gift. Well, as you probably know, it arrived right on time. You said that if we waited here in Jerusalem, we would be bathed in YOUR Holy Spirit.
And now I see.
I almost weep with joy when I hear young John and the rest of your friends – your disciples - speaking in your name. I recognise your voice, you see, I recognise your heart, in their words.
It's -
it's just like you're still here.
Thank you for not leaving your old mum alone.
I'll see you soon, my Jesus.
Resurrection Monologues - Mary Magdalene
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! Celebrate his resurrection with our four resurrection monologues, the second of which is from the perspective of Mary Magdalene.
On Good Friday we published ‘The Golgotha Monologues’ four monologues written from the perspectives of people who would have been there on the very first Good Friday. But we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, after Jesus’ death comes his resurrection, and so, today we are publishing ‘The Resurrection Monologues’!
The second is from the perspective of Mary Magdalene
‘Why are you crying?’
What a simple question – but oh, how complex the answer.
We had spent so much time with him – we thought we understood. We thought we knew where this was all going. How wrong could we be.
After the devastation of Friday, after the silence of the sabbath, early on the first day - me, Joanna, Mary, Salome and the others had gone to the tomb with the spices. We’d prepared them not really knowing how we were going to move the stone. And there it was – the gapping entrance, revealing the empty tomb.
You can imagine our confusion. We were in tears, and still crying when Peter and the others arrived. They were no better. And then it was just me – sitting there trying to piece it all together.
Then the angels were there, seated quite calmly, where Jesus had been laid, and they asked me -
‘Why are you crying?’
I tried to explain and then in a moment he was there. He was different, and at first I didn’t recognise him. He asked me the same infuriating question.
‘Why are you crying?’
And then, as I was still blubbing, trying to tell him – he spoke my name.
And everything changed.
He told me to go tell the others – but it wasn’t til he showed himself to them too, that they really believed. I can’t blame them. Something this wonderful, this miraculous… It’s hard to get your head around.
And he explained it to us - what he’d been telling us over the previous years, it all fell into place.
“The resurrection and the life.”
So, believe me when I tell you – I was there.
Jesus, our Jesus, is alive. He is our Lord and God and you can know him for yourself.
Resurrection Monologues - Simon Peter
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave! Celebrate his resurrection with our four resurrection monologues, the first of which is from the perspective of Simon Peter.
On Good Friday we published ‘The Golgotha Monologues’ four monologues written from the perspectives of people who would have been there on the very first Good Friday. But we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, after Jesus’ death comes his resurrection, and so, today we are publishing ‘The Resurrection Monologues’!
The first is from the perspective of Simon Peter
Three times! Three!
I know I’ve been a hot head at times – an act-first, straight-in-the-water, think-later kind of bloke, but I have my good points too.
I’m strong – I can seem physically imposing I guess and I’m a little older than the others – maybe not as educated as some, but I’ve got a good memory and I’m not shy to tell people the truth, whether they want to hear it or not.
I’ve got a voice – I can hold a crowd and they listen. I’ve always been one who can make myself heard.
I’m not afraid to ask the obvious questions and say things plain – sometimes things need to be said out loud and not just assumed.
I’m not afraid to break taboos. There can be too much talk about tradition and the way things have always been done. Sometimes things must change.
And I thought I could add ‘reliable’ to that list – ‘loyal’ – a ‘rock’.
When Jesus called me Rock, when he said that in front of the others, when he said he had a job for me, building his church - well I was humbled, but I could see it. I saw myself as a leader – someone others could rely upon.
How wrong I was.
Three - times!?!
Three times I was asked – and three times I answered that I never knew the guy. I lied just to save my own hide. And I ran – trying to out-run my betrayal.
And later, when he came back – he didn’t just gloss over it, he asked me three times, there by the lake with the others watching - my Lord asked me and I told him. And I meant it.
He asked me three times – ‘Do you love me?’
And I can tell you what I told him – I love him. As my brother, as my friend, as my Lord.
He knows how much I love him.
And with those three questions it was just as if with each ‘Do you love me?’ and with each repeated answer – ‘I love you’ - he undid my shame.
And three time he said to me: ‘Take care of my sheep.’
Three times. That means something.
So, I’m telling you – not on my own authority; I’m telling you as one who witnesses his death and his resurrection and as a forgiven man, as a man commissioned to speak - I’m telling you confidently:
God raised Jesus to life, and we are witnesses to that fact – God has made this Jesus who was crucified and died, both Lord and Christ. And every one of you can be forgiven and can receive the gift of his Holy Spirit.
Take that from a man who’s been forgiven.