An Epiphany For Cousin John
Drama
Thespian Theology
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Cycle A
Object:
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Did you ever wonder what it was like growing up as a kid with Jesus in the neighborhood? After all, God-with-us did live and work and play in a family, in a neighborhood, with friends and relatives.
Including, perhaps, his cousin John.
So, it's at least possible that, when Jesus came to John to be baptized, the two men had shared family experiences. If that were so, John could have known Jesus intimately: played with him, laughed and cried with him. And it's not beyond the realm of possibility that John entertained some questions about this most ordinary -- yet extraordinary -- cousin of his.
I love baseball: I've played it and coached it and watched it all my life. And, for my sins, God has made me that most pitiable of all men: An eternally hopeful fan of the Boston Red Sox. I pray that you will pardon and excuse my offbeat and not-too-irreverent (I hope) use of baseball as the family experience shared between Jesus and his cousin John. Let your mind roam into the fantasy, and enjoy this play!
And speaking of fantasies: Maybe someday, in this world where all things are possible, the Red Sox will win it all.
Cast
Narrator
John
Jesus
Dove (optional)
Voice of God (offstage)
Props
John -- photo album
Narrator -- flip chart/magic marker
__________
(Narrator is at lectern, stage left)
Narrator: Did you ever wonder about John the Baptizer and Jesus? I mean, these guys were cousins, right? The Bible doesn't have much to say about the childhood of Jesus, so we don't know if John and Jesus spent any time together when they were kids. But assuming they did: What do you think it would have been like to have the Son of God for your cousin?
(John enters stage right, carrying a photo album; he comes to center stage and sits down)
Narrator: Well, what do you know? Here comes John now! Whatchya got there, John?
John: Oh, I was just looking through the family photo album, and thinking about my cousin Jesus. The family's very proud of him ... they say he's the Son of God, you know!
Narrator: Yes, we know. What do you think, John?
John: Oh, I know who he is: He is God ... and I am not!
(Narrator comes to center stage and sits down with John)
Narrator: Let me look at this album, John. So, what was it like, growing up as a cousin of Jesus?
John: We had a great childhood! We played ball together: Jesus was the shortstop on our Little League team, the Lions of Judah. Here's our team picture the year we won it all. Jesus was a fantastic fielder -- but at the plate, he wasn't all that great: He never struck out looking, but he was a sucker for a high fast ball.
Narrator: Really?
John: Yeah. Wouldn't you think that the Son of God would be able to bat 1.000?
Narrator: I suppose he could have ... but maybe he chose not to, ya know?
John: Well, I dunno ... if he chose not to, it cost us a few ball games, I'll tell you that!
Narrator: It sounds like you're having some doubts here, John.
John: Not doubts, just questions. As I said, I know who Jesus is: All my life, I've heard the story from Mom and Aunt Mary about how I jumped in Mom's womb when Aunt Mary came to visit.
Narrator: So, what kind of questions do you have, John?
John: Well ... I guess I'm just wondering about the ordinariness of Jesus: He was just another kid in our neighborhood. A good kid, a kid you could always depend on ... but still, he was just a kid! When he fell down and scraped his knee, he bawled, and it bled -- just like any other little kid. (Points to album) See the bruise on his shoulder in that picture? That was a high fast ball, and Jesus didn't get out of the way in time!
Narrator: So Jesus didn't walk on water when he was a kid, huh?
John: Walk on water? Hey, he almost drowned when he was little: I was the one who had to fish him out! But later on, he was a good swimmer -- and he was the best at cannonballs! But do you see what I'm sayin' here? If Jesus really is God in the flesh ... why is he so ordinary?
Narrator: Maybe he's ordinary to you, John, because you grew up with him ... but he's not ordinary to the rest of us!
John: Why? What do you know about him that I don't know?
Narrator: Do you have a couple of hours? It'll take me that long to tell it all ... and it still won't be complete!
John: Naaah, I've got to get back to business.
Narrator: Business?
John: Yeah, you know: baptizing. That is my business, after all. (Gets up and starts to exit stage left) Okay, you sinners: Prepare ye the way of the Lord! (Jesus enters stage left) Repent and be ...
Jesus: Hi, cuz! (Pantomimes scooping up a ground ball and throwing to first base) How's it goin'?
John: Lord Almighty! What are you doing here?
Jesus: I've come to be baptized by you, John.
John: But Lord: You are God, and I'm not! I should be the one being baptized by you, don't you think?
Jesus: Let's just do it, John, okay? It's right that we do this now, to fulfill all righteousness.
John: (Turns to Narrator) Ya see what I mean? He wants me to baptize him ... as if he needs to have any sins washed away! I mean, maybe he did strike out with the bases loaded in that game against the Cana Cubs ... but that wasn't like a sin or anything! Why does he need me to baptize him, fer-Pete's-sake?
Narrator: John, I can think of at least four reasons why. (Gets flip chart and records the four points)
One -- Jesus is confessing sin on behalf of the nation of Israel;
Two -- He is showing his support for your ministry, John;
Three -- He is beginning his own public ministry today; and
Four -- He is identifying with the sinners who repent, and showing us the way.
Jesus: That's nice theology. But why not just do it because I asked you to, John?
John: Okay, Lord, if you say so! (Leads Jesus downstage center; they pantomime baptism) I really don't know what to say here, Lord.
Jesus: Don't talk, John: Listen!
(Optional: A small child, dressed in white as a bird, runs across the stage, flapping wings)
Voice of God: (Offstage) This is my Son, whom I love; in him I am well pleased.
John: Well, I guess that answers my questions about your ordinariness, Lord!
Jesus: Bless you, John. Keep on doing what you were called by God to do, my brother. Now I'm off to do the same. (Starts to exit stage right)
John: Lord?
Jesus: (Turns and looks back at John) Yes?
John: Keep your eye on the ball and don't swing at the high hard ones!
Jesus: (Scoops up a grounder and throws) Gotchya!
(Jesus, John, and Narrator exit)
Did you ever wonder what it was like growing up as a kid with Jesus in the neighborhood? After all, God-with-us did live and work and play in a family, in a neighborhood, with friends and relatives.
Including, perhaps, his cousin John.
So, it's at least possible that, when Jesus came to John to be baptized, the two men had shared family experiences. If that were so, John could have known Jesus intimately: played with him, laughed and cried with him. And it's not beyond the realm of possibility that John entertained some questions about this most ordinary -- yet extraordinary -- cousin of his.
I love baseball: I've played it and coached it and watched it all my life. And, for my sins, God has made me that most pitiable of all men: An eternally hopeful fan of the Boston Red Sox. I pray that you will pardon and excuse my offbeat and not-too-irreverent (I hope) use of baseball as the family experience shared between Jesus and his cousin John. Let your mind roam into the fantasy, and enjoy this play!
And speaking of fantasies: Maybe someday, in this world where all things are possible, the Red Sox will win it all.
Cast
Narrator
John
Jesus
Dove (optional)
Voice of God (offstage)
Props
John -- photo album
Narrator -- flip chart/magic marker
__________
(Narrator is at lectern, stage left)
Narrator: Did you ever wonder about John the Baptizer and Jesus? I mean, these guys were cousins, right? The Bible doesn't have much to say about the childhood of Jesus, so we don't know if John and Jesus spent any time together when they were kids. But assuming they did: What do you think it would have been like to have the Son of God for your cousin?
(John enters stage right, carrying a photo album; he comes to center stage and sits down)
Narrator: Well, what do you know? Here comes John now! Whatchya got there, John?
John: Oh, I was just looking through the family photo album, and thinking about my cousin Jesus. The family's very proud of him ... they say he's the Son of God, you know!
Narrator: Yes, we know. What do you think, John?
John: Oh, I know who he is: He is God ... and I am not!
(Narrator comes to center stage and sits down with John)
Narrator: Let me look at this album, John. So, what was it like, growing up as a cousin of Jesus?
John: We had a great childhood! We played ball together: Jesus was the shortstop on our Little League team, the Lions of Judah. Here's our team picture the year we won it all. Jesus was a fantastic fielder -- but at the plate, he wasn't all that great: He never struck out looking, but he was a sucker for a high fast ball.
Narrator: Really?
John: Yeah. Wouldn't you think that the Son of God would be able to bat 1.000?
Narrator: I suppose he could have ... but maybe he chose not to, ya know?
John: Well, I dunno ... if he chose not to, it cost us a few ball games, I'll tell you that!
Narrator: It sounds like you're having some doubts here, John.
John: Not doubts, just questions. As I said, I know who Jesus is: All my life, I've heard the story from Mom and Aunt Mary about how I jumped in Mom's womb when Aunt Mary came to visit.
Narrator: So, what kind of questions do you have, John?
John: Well ... I guess I'm just wondering about the ordinariness of Jesus: He was just another kid in our neighborhood. A good kid, a kid you could always depend on ... but still, he was just a kid! When he fell down and scraped his knee, he bawled, and it bled -- just like any other little kid. (Points to album) See the bruise on his shoulder in that picture? That was a high fast ball, and Jesus didn't get out of the way in time!
Narrator: So Jesus didn't walk on water when he was a kid, huh?
John: Walk on water? Hey, he almost drowned when he was little: I was the one who had to fish him out! But later on, he was a good swimmer -- and he was the best at cannonballs! But do you see what I'm sayin' here? If Jesus really is God in the flesh ... why is he so ordinary?
Narrator: Maybe he's ordinary to you, John, because you grew up with him ... but he's not ordinary to the rest of us!
John: Why? What do you know about him that I don't know?
Narrator: Do you have a couple of hours? It'll take me that long to tell it all ... and it still won't be complete!
John: Naaah, I've got to get back to business.
Narrator: Business?
John: Yeah, you know: baptizing. That is my business, after all. (Gets up and starts to exit stage left) Okay, you sinners: Prepare ye the way of the Lord! (Jesus enters stage left) Repent and be ...
Jesus: Hi, cuz! (Pantomimes scooping up a ground ball and throwing to first base) How's it goin'?
John: Lord Almighty! What are you doing here?
Jesus: I've come to be baptized by you, John.
John: But Lord: You are God, and I'm not! I should be the one being baptized by you, don't you think?
Jesus: Let's just do it, John, okay? It's right that we do this now, to fulfill all righteousness.
John: (Turns to Narrator) Ya see what I mean? He wants me to baptize him ... as if he needs to have any sins washed away! I mean, maybe he did strike out with the bases loaded in that game against the Cana Cubs ... but that wasn't like a sin or anything! Why does he need me to baptize him, fer-Pete's-sake?
Narrator: John, I can think of at least four reasons why. (Gets flip chart and records the four points)
One -- Jesus is confessing sin on behalf of the nation of Israel;
Two -- He is showing his support for your ministry, John;
Three -- He is beginning his own public ministry today; and
Four -- He is identifying with the sinners who repent, and showing us the way.
Jesus: That's nice theology. But why not just do it because I asked you to, John?
John: Okay, Lord, if you say so! (Leads Jesus downstage center; they pantomime baptism) I really don't know what to say here, Lord.
Jesus: Don't talk, John: Listen!
(Optional: A small child, dressed in white as a bird, runs across the stage, flapping wings)
Voice of God: (Offstage) This is my Son, whom I love; in him I am well pleased.
John: Well, I guess that answers my questions about your ordinariness, Lord!
Jesus: Bless you, John. Keep on doing what you were called by God to do, my brother. Now I'm off to do the same. (Starts to exit stage right)
John: Lord?
Jesus: (Turns and looks back at John) Yes?
John: Keep your eye on the ball and don't swing at the high hard ones!
Jesus: (Scoops up a grounder and throws) Gotchya!
(Jesus, John, and Narrator exit)
