Encompassing Easter

The Season of Lent .... Encompassing Easter .... John 12:12-19: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem .... Easter gives life meaning ..... Palm Sunday

Puppets: Barnabas, Fodder, and Olivia
People: Kids
Props: Cardboard box, with “Easter” written on one side; palm fronds of some kind inside—paper or otherwise
Songs: Lively Easter music, to be played at end, while kids dance

[Barnabas, Fodder, and Olivia are up front, Barnabas with the box in his lap].

Barnabas: Buenos dias, boys and girls. How is everybody today?

Olivia: Hi kids, it’s good to see you all here this morning.

Fodder: Gooood morning Methodists! Whaaat’s happpenin?

Barnabas: Look! I invented a new machine. Now you guys need to help me figure out what it does.

Olivia: You invented something, and you don’t even know what it is?

Barnabas: Well how could I? I haven’t even tried it yet.

Fodder: Olivia, don’t you know that for real men like us, inventing is just like cooking? We just toss things together, and spit a few times [do so], and then we talk one of our friends into trying it out first.

Olivia: Friends?

Barnabas: In case it blows up—or tastes terrible. So Olivia, you wanna try it?

Olivia: No thanks. Go right ahead.

Fodder: I’ll go. Let’s see. This looks like a button. I’ll try pushing it. [Push it]

Barnabas: What happened?

Olivia: Nothing.

Fodder: [Excited] No. That was weird.

Barnabas: What?

Fodder: Right when I pushed the button, I got this image in my mind of a great big barbecued salmon, all laid out for a feast and ready to eat.

Olivia: But that’s what you’ve always got on your mind.

Fodder: Oh.

Barnabas: Here, let me try. [Push] That was weird.

Fodder: What, what?

Barnabas: Right when I pushed it, I blinked. Did you blink? Maybe this is a blink inducer.

Fodder: Here, try it again. [Push] Ok. Did you kids blink?

Olivia: Of course they blinked. Everyone blinks, about every eight seconds, on average. Unless you happen to be in the middle of a Presidential debate. Then you blink a lot more, I’m told.

Barnabas: Say, I have an idea. Maybe this is some kind of oracle computer. Maybe we’re supposed to ask it questions, and it answers them, like your Sunday School teacher, only faster.

Fodder: Cool. Let’s try it. I know. How about this: OK invention, “just what is it that you do?” [Push button, wait]

Barnabas: Maybe that question was too difficult for it. How about this one: “What is the meaning of life?”

Olivia: Hey look, it says something here on this end: it says “Easter.”

Fodder: [Thoughtfully] The meaning of life is “Easter.” Hmm. Let’s try another question. I know, here’s one that I’ve been wondering—about today’s Bible story.

Barnabas: Bible story?

Olivia: You know, those things that we’re supposed to be telling up here—at least on the days that we don’t get too distracted by the odd cardboard box and our own enthusiasms!

Fodder: Today’s Bible story! Today is Palm Sunday, after all. The day that Jesus entered in triumphal fashion into Jerusalem, and the people all gathered, excited, knowing that…that…Jesus was someone special…that he had recently raised Lazarus from the dead. And that he could save them. So they pulled down palm branches and they waved them and they shouted:

All: Hosanna. Save us. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The King of Israel.

Fodder: Exactly! And so my question is this: “how could Jesus be excited and enjoy the Palm Sunday parade; how could he enjoy life, when he knew that…Good Friday was just around the corner. [Push button]

Barnabas: [Looking] It says “Easter,” again.

Olivia: Hmm, kinda repetitive, but…profound.

Barnabas: I know, how about this question: “how can anyone be happy, and live an abundant life, when there is so much pain and sorrow and suffering and misery in the world. Let’s see what the box says about that. [Push button]

Fodder: Hmm. “Easter.”

Olivia: Let me see that. [Grabbing box] Barnabas! This isn’t a computer, or an invention, or anything!! It’s just the box of palms for Palm Sunday that you got from the supply room. See? That’s why it says “Easter” right here. It’s just the Easter supplies!!! [Long pause, Barnabas and Fodder look astonished at Olivia.]

Barnabas: Oops.

Fodder: [Thoughtfully, examining box] You’re right Olivia. I guess your invention isn’t a computer after all, Barnabas.

Olivia: Well I should say not.

Fodder: [With profundity] It’s a compass. [Olivia does a double take] And it’s pointing straight at Easter. So that we don’t lose our way. Even when we are sad, or in pain, and when we’re happy. See? [Looking at box] Easter. That way. [Point to cross]. Cool invention Barnabas. I like it. Can I take it home with me? Everyone needs a compass.

Barnabas: Sure. And in the meantime, let’s grab these palms and celebrate. After all, it is Palm Sunday. [Pass around palms, stand up and dance to music].

All: Now, is this a great day or what?