A Play about the Baptism of Jesus
 

Here's a very old play about the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, a feast we celebrate in January each year.  One of these characters doesn't appear in the Gospels.  Do you know which one?

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
adapted from the York Cycle of Mystery Plays
Play 21 – (1376-1569) performed by the Barbers

CHARACTERS in the PLAY:


JESUS


JOHN the BAPTIST


ANGEL

 

  John the Baptist
Almighty God, true Lord,
I preach to men day by day
And tell them, Lord, of thy coming
(Who all hast wrought),
But men are so dull that my preaching
Serves for nought.
They asked if I a prophet were,
And I said nay:
I said I was a voice that cried
Here in the desert.
 
  Angel
John, take heed of what I say:
I bring thee tidings wondrous good:
My Lord Jesus shall come this day
From Galilee unto this flood
You Jordan call,
Baptism to take.
Therefore, John be glad,
And thank him heartily, both loud and long.
 
  John the Baptist
I thank him ever, but sorry I am
The deed he asks I cannot fulfill.
 
  Angel
John, thou ought with heart and will
To do his bidding, bidden as you are.
 
  John the Baptist
I will be subject night and day,
As well I should,
To serve my Lord Jesus
In deed and word.
But well I know, baptism is given
To wash and cleanse man of sin.
And well I know that sin is none
In him, neither without nor within.
What needs him, then,
For to be baptized like sinful man?
 
  Jesus
John, thou shalt know by kindly wit
The causes why I have ordained it so,
And one is this:
Mankind may not unbaptised go
To endless bliss.
And since myself have taken man’s flesh,
Men shall me their mirror make
And have my doings in their mind;
I will therefore
Myself be baptized for their sake,
Full openly.
My will is this, that from this day
The virtue of my baptism dwell
In baptism-water, ever and aye,
Through my grace thereto take always
The holy ghost.
 
  John the Baptist
Almighty Lord, great is this grace!
 
  Jesus
Come, baptize me John, in this place.
 
  John the Baptist
Lord, save thy grace that I forbid
That it so be,
For, Lord, methinketh it were more need
Thou baptized me.
What rich man goes from door to door
To beg from him that has right nought?
Lord, thou art rich and I am full poor,
Thou may bless all, since thou all wrought.
 
  Jesus
Thou sayest full well, John, certainly,
But now let righteousness be not only
Fulfilled in word but also in deed,
Through baptism clear.
Come, baptize me in my manhood
Openly here.
First shall I take, since I shall preach,
For so behooves mankind fulfill
All righteousness.