Barefoot Followers enact Good Friday

BY PAT FARNELLI

What were the last words of Jesus Christ? A Christian acting troupe called “Barefoot Followers” will explore these seven sayings on the cross with music and drama at a Good Friday service.

The actors will perform “The Seven Last Words of Jesus” on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Community Church on Main St. in Great Bend.

Seven quotes frequently attributed to Jesus on the Cross are these:
“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
“Behold your son. Behold your mother.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
“I thirst.”
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
“It is finished.”

Doctors and scientists who researched the physiological aspects of the crucifixion concluded that the sayings had to be short because Jesus was experiencing asphyxia, and speech was both difficult and painful.

The sayings are from the four Canonical Gospels included in the New Testament.

Three appear exclusively in the Gospel and three appear exclusively in the Gospel of John. The seventh saying appears in both the Gospels of Mark and Matthew.

According to the Biblical account, Jesus was on the cross for six hours. While he may have said other words, these are what was remembered. For centuries, these sayings have been included in devotions and Good Friday services and observances.

According to director Hailey Morris of Great Bend, the “Barefoot Followers” are a ministry of the Methodist church in Great Bend, but perform elsewhere.

“We take our show out on the road,” she said. “We did an Ash Wednesday service in Noxen, and we have a mother-daughter banquet planned in South Gibson on May 9.”

She said that all of the shows the troupe performs are different.
“We explore a range of dramatic topics: supporting troops, friends with cancer, suicide, being persecuted in other countries, taking care of the uncared for, the life of Jesus. Music is part of our drama, it is all set to music.”

While the cast members occasionally perform live music, they are primarily actors, not musicians.

“We try to use songs the audience would know. For example, when we are addressing subjects like bullying or school shootings, we use Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love,” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” We often use songs by “Three Doors Down.”

Morris said the group uses drama to shed light on topics that make people uncomfortable, or are hard to talk about. As a staff leader of “Passionate Worship” at the church, she found herself drawing upon “Rachel’s Challenge” programs for inspiration.

“I fell in love with “Rachel’s Challenge” when I was still in school. Her father came and presented to us, and it resonates with kids.”

The troupe is comprised of actors from the ages of seven to 48, from Susquehanna County and the Windsor, N.Y., and Susquehanna Valley areas.

Morris said that she is involved at all levels: “I’m the director, I act in skits, and I produce. I write and so do other cast members. For the most part we do original material, with a few ideas borrowed from YouTube.”