Readers' Theatre: The Baptism of Jesus

Here’s a readers’ theatre setting of Luke 3:15-18, 21-23.

 

Readers’ Theatre: The Baptism of Jesus

(Luke 3:15-18, 21-23)

 

One:     Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon,

            and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.

            John answered their questions by saying:

 

Two:     I baptize you with water;

            but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—  

            so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave

            and untie the straps of his sandals.

            He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

            He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat

            with his winnowing fork.

            Then he will clean up the threshing area,

            gathering the wheat into his barn

            but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.

 

One:     John used many such warnings

            as he announced the Good News to the people.

            One day when the crowds were being baptized,

            Jesus himself was baptized.

            As he was praying, the heavens opened,

            and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove.

            And a voice from heaven said,

 

Two:     You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.

 

One:     And Jesus was about thirty years old

            when he began his public ministry.