The Strangest Week

We recently set up a new group of Storytellers who go into the local primary schools and act out Bible stories in assemblies. 

We used to follow the Open the Book syllabus but after a few admin changes we decided to break away, which allows us to write our own stories.

This is the first of our bespoke stories which I wrote and we performed last week. A story about Holy Week from a new perspective.

I am happy to share it and would be even more delighted if anyone wants to use it in their church, Sunday School or assembly.

The Strangest Week

I clearly remember the day it went dark at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

It was a Friday and I was preparing food for the next day, the Sabbath, that’s the day us Jews have to rest, so Fridays are always very busy especially in the kitchen.

I had just put the bread in the oven where the fire was glowing red and when I lifted me head up everything was black.

My eyes adjusted to the gloom and I rushed outside. There was my husband Simeon looking up toward Golgotha Hill, the place of the skull we knew it as, bad things happened there.

“I knew there would be trouble” he said shaking his head, “it’s been the strangest week.”

*****

I suppose it all started the previous Sunday when Jesus rode into town on a donkey. We’d heard such stories of his amazing miracles, how he fed crowds of people and healed the sick. We were told he was a marvellous teacher, so we joined the crowds to listen to his words.

We shouted Hosannah and waved palm branches. It was such a celebration. Jesus was treated like a King.

But later that week he was arrested. He stood in court, meek and mild, a shadow of the man we saw on Sunday.

Some say he was betrayed by one of his closest friends.

“Some friend!” Simeon said shaking his head, “it’s been the strangest week.”

*****

Pontius Pilate the Roman governor wanted to let Jesus go. He said he had done nothing wrong.

“As is our custom we will release one prisoner – you choose - Jesus or Barabbas?”

I was about to shout Jesus’s name but Simeon gave me a look and shook his head. Many of the Jewish leaders hated Jesus and were calling for Barabbas to be set free. He is a known thief, and a big bully in these parts. But suddenly we found ourselves joining in calling for Barabbas, although I didn’t shout very loudly.

“Why did we do that?” I asked Simeon as we walked home

“It’s been the strangest week.” He said with a shrug.

*****

Jesus was crucified that Friday, hung on a cross to die on the hill called Golgotha, the place of the skull. We didn’t go and watch, I couldn’t face it and I had so much to do, but that was the day the sky went dark at 3 o’clock.

We thought it was the end.

And when the sky went back to normal we carried on as usual trying to put the strangest week behind us.

*****

But at the start of the next week the strangest thing of all happened.

It started as a whisper from the women who visited Jesus’s tomb - “Jesus is alive!”

Then the rumour spread to the disciples, Jesus’s special friends. “He’s come back!”

Soon everyone had heard, “It’s true!” “But he was dead!” “Not anymore, he’s alive!”

Although not everyone wanted to believe it.

“It’s the greatest miracle of all.” Said Simeon shaking his head “but it has been the strangest week!”