THE GARDEN MONOLOGUE

An Easter Play

Written by Jacky Johnson

January 30, 2026

Narrator: Jesus finished the Passover meal with His disciples and was on His way to the garden of Gethsemane where they could be alone. It was a somber night. Jesus had washed each disciple’s feet, and they were overjoyed: but something, something was not right about the night.

As they journey to the garden, Peter begins one of their favorite songs. He sings the first verse and everyone, including Jesus, join in on the chorus.

Song: Nearer My God to Thee (Sarah F. Adams, 1805–1848 Music: Lowell Mason, 1792–1872)

1.Nearer My God to Thee, nearer to Thee

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me

Still all my song shall be, nearer my God to Thee,

Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!

2.Though like the wanderer, The sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, my rest a stone

Yet in my dreams I’d be, nearer my God to Thee

Nearer my God to thee, Nearer to Thee!

3.There let the way appear, steps unto Heaven

All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given

Angels to beckon me, nearer my God to Thee

Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee!

They arrive at the garden, (close to the stage) and Jesus beckons to everyone to wait there while He goes a little further to pray.

Jesus enters the stage. The monologue with God begins.

Jesus: Father, Father, My soul is distressed. I have begun to feel the pains of death surrounding Me. Oh, My Lord, it is heavy, it is dark, it is frightening.

My Father, I have done all that You asked. I have healed the sick, I have raised the dead, I have fed Your people with the food of Your word. Is there anything else You would have Me do?

My body is in pain, I know I am entering into the pains of death, carrying the sins of the whole world. I knew it would be hard, but… but… this is beyond what I had imagined.

Father, Father, I know You love Me and I gave My word that I would carry Your sons and daughters in my heart. Father, is it possible to… well, I am just wondering if there is… perhaps… another way Father, another way to redeem Your children? Yes, You love them; yes, Your will is that none would perish…

No, no… I am not giving up on Our plans, I am just asking You to help Me with this pain that is roaring through My body. I need help… I need comfort… I need to touch You now. I need Your power to go through this valley. Please, let Me feel the comfort of Your love. Father, help Me!

Jesus drops to His knees in tears and the choir sings:

Song: O Lamb of God (Twila Paris)

1.Your only Son no sin to hide, but You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod, and to become the Lamb of God

2.Your gift of love they crucified, they laughed and scorned Him as he died
The humble King they named a fraud, and sacrificed the Lamb of God

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood, my Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

3. I was so lost, I should have died, but You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod, and to be called a lamb of God

Oh Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God. O wash me in His precious blood, ‘till I am just a Lamb of God.

Jesus raises up from His weeping and continues the monologue.

Jesus: Father, the hour is come, strengthen Me with Your love and Your glory that I may give eternal life to Your sons and daughters. It is amazing how much You love Your children. Father, I told them but… now I wonder, did I say it strong enough? Do they realize that You are changing Heaven and Earth to bring them back to You? Father, I showed them Your love, I fed them with Your food, I gave them Your healing power. Father, did I do enough?

I know, I know… I followed Your plan. I did not divert to the left or the right, I completely followed every detail of Your plan. But was it enough, My Lord? They rejected the truth; so many built their own doctrine and rejected what I had to offer. My Lord, the pain of rejection is brutal. My heart bleeds to hear them rejecting You, My God.

I still question my offering to Your children. Will they allow darkness to rule their hearts and reject Your word? I still wonder, was it enough? I know, I know… the cross is the final nail that will seal Your love… but the pain is great, Father, the pain of their rejection and the horror of the cross is unbearable. Please, My Father, help Me!

Jesus drops to His knees again and the choir sings:

Song: His Strength is Perfect (Steven Curtis Chapman)

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
He'll carry us when we can't carry on
Raised in His power the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

Jesus rouses Himself, but is bowed on the ground, kneeling and crying.

Jesus: My God, My body is full of darkness, the pain of darkness. Every limb is hurting… My head feels as if it is bleeding… my knees are weak… my bones feel as though they have been broken, and with each passing hour, the pain gets worse.

Father, if it is Your will… I mean… Father, is there just a bit of solace while I carry these sins in My body? Touch Me with Your finger, it will soften the pain. Father, touch Me, touch Me, please!

Father, is there perhaps… another… well! Is there another way, perhaps to get this part of Your will done… to let this cup pass from Me?

No, no! Not My will, but Your will be done. I will go… I will go to the cross of shame.

Narrator: The Father did reject His Son Jesus Christ when Jesus was made to carry the sins of the World. Jesus was betrayed, beaten, and crucified. But… that was not the end of the story. Because Jesus suffered, we the children of God do not have to suffer. Because Jesus died for our sins, we do not have to die for our sins… and because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, we who believe in Christ will be raised eternally, to live forever with God.

The Cast sings:

Song: Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate

Celebrate Jesus, celebrate
Celebrate Jesus, celebrate
Celebrate Jesus, celebrate
Celebrate Jesus, celebrate
He is risen, He is risen
And He lives forevermore
He is risen, He is risen
Come on and celebrate
The resurrection of our Lord.

THE END.