(When reading or listening about the life of Jesus, the greatest story ever told, I keep wondering what the conversations would be like. This three-act play is meant to do just that. For its historical context, I refer to the Four Gospels of the New Testament. The characters, therefore, are real, but the conversations are merely fictional. They are just the product of my wild imagination.)
By Rey Moreno
***ACT II – MINISTRY OF MIRACLES AND PARABLES***
“There are people you touch, and people you don’t touch. Every choice is an exclusion.” – Edward Tayler.
“I had the power, so my truth was the one that counted. I believed in that truth; I believed I was right, and that had to be enough.” – David Downing, The Dark Clouds Shining (2018).
Jesus starts His ministry along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, calling forth some lowly fishermen who then become His first disciples.
Jesus: Hey guys, come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men instead.
Peter: I can’t believe you’re finally here with us, as a man even!
Jesus: We’ll you better believe Peter and don’t be a doubting man.
Peter: I feel blessed. I, an ordinary fisherman, becoming the greatest fisherman of humankind for all times!
Jesus: Don’t get ahead of yourself, Peter. Let’s go guys. We can’t waste any more time. I’ll only have three years to do it.
Peter: Shall I tell my wife where I’m going?
Jesus: Is that more important to you, Peter? Go then if that’s what you desire, for in my kingdom, many want to come in, but only few will be chosen.
Peter: If you put it that way, then I’d rather be with you than miss the boat.
Simoun: Wait a minute! Who are you to make us leave our livelihood?
Jesus: I’m the way, the truth, and the light. He who believes in me will see the kingdom of my Father.
Simoun: That’s not good enough. We want proof.
Jesus: If you come with me, you will bear witness to all my miracles and hear my parables. Don’t you want to be the few and select men who will have the blessed honour of being my apostles?
Jesus starts healing and performing several miracles. These are a few of them so you can believe…
Leper: Oh, Jesus, be of good cheer and make me clean.
Jesus: I am filled with pity of your case. Go and start living!
Paralytic: Over here, Jesus. I can’t reach you, but my faith makes me feel closer to you. Please forgive my sinfulness.
Jesus: Son, your sins are forgiven.
Law Teacher: You can’t say that. Only God can forgive sins. You’re committing blasphemy.
Jesus: So you know I have authority, I say to this man: Get up, bring your mat with you and walk home.
Paralytic: I can walk! I can walk! I can walk!
Sick woman: If only I could touch him I believe I would be healed.
Jesus: I hear you, lady. Your faith has cured you.
Ruler: Jesus, my daughter just died. Will you come to my house and put your hand on her.
Jesus: Naw, she’s just sleeping. Go home and wake her up.
Martha: Oh Jesus, your beloved friend, Lazarus, our brother is dead. Can you bring him to life, too?
Jesus: Martha, Martha, Martha. What a question? Of course I can! How many times do I have to tell you that I am the resurrection! Lazarus, I command you: Come out!
Jesus starts teaching in parables, first with His apostles, then with crowds who are willing to listen…
Jesus: I will describe the secret of the kingdom of God in parables so that people may ever be seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.
Peter: Whoa, Jesus, that’s deep. But I can’t make heads or tails of what you just said.
Jesus: How can you not understand? When will you understand any parable? Here, let me try again. The words of God are like a farmer sowing his seeds. Some will fall in the path and they will just be ignored. Others will fall on rocky places; they will grow a little bit but won’t last long because their roots are not well-founded. Some will be among thorns, such as life with full of worries, deceit of wealth and many desires; but they will be hard-pressed to grow fruits. Others will land on good soil; they hear God’s words, accept them, and produce bountiful crops like no other.
Peter: Oh, I think I got it! Here are the crowds to be our seeds.
Jesus: Hello there! Hear me if you will. The kingdom of God is like a shepherd who is herding his one hundred sheep but lost one along the way. He leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the open field and looks for the missing one. When he finds it, he celebrates with his friends and neighbours. So in the kingdom of God, all the angels will rejoice for a sinner who repents.
Crowds: That’s a good deal. Count us in!
Jesus: Not so fast; don’t count your chicks before they are hatched. Before I go, let me warn you that nobody knows when the day or hour has come. God will send His only Son when you least expect Him. So keep watch and be ready always!
***END OF ACT II***