Gone, But Not Forgotten
Drama
Women In The Wings
20 Biblical Monologues
Making It Preach
Great mysteries of God, like the ascension of Jesus, make the most sense when viewed through childlike lenses. That is the perspective of the woman in this monologue and may well be the perspective of many new or marginal believers. Grief that Jesus left, true joy that he returned, a need to hold onto the promise that he will come again, and a sense of excitement at receiving his special gift of the Holy Spirit: Does our intellectualized faith have room for such passionate and single-minded emotion? Jesus warned his disciples who were filled with visions of greatness, Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). This woman exhorts us, "Don't forget him!" But, do we?
Making It Play
This speaker is not necessarily developmentally disabled, but she does look at the world and Jesus with innocence and instinct more than logic and common sense. She could be any age. She would still be in an apron and probably continues to limp a bit due to her fall. You may want to do part of the monologue seated for that reason, unconsciously rubbing the ankle now and then. But, a bum ankle does not dampen her childlike enthusiasm when she speaks of a continuing relationship with Jesus, the cook, and even the congregation. The listeners should feel such warmth and sincerity from her that when she asks that they not forget her, they are ready to smile and say, "We won't!"
A Tagalong Follower Of Jesus Tries To Understand Why Jesus Ascended
I ran up the hill as fast as I could, my heart was pounding and the sun was hot, but all I could think of was him. I left the pots warming and ran, with the cook yelling after me. I didn't care, even though I knew it would mean a beating when I got back. I had to see him. Word had been filtering through the community that Jesus was alive, that he'd been appearing to certain followers: some of the women, Peter, and others. But, I needed to see him. I had gone and pleaded for my job back after he was crucified. I was scared and had no one; I wasn't anybody important, just a follower in the crowd. So, I stayed here, afraid, yet waiting for any word at all as to what the disciples might do next. Then, just this morning, the brother of one of the disciples made a delivery to my master's kitchen and he told me I might see him if I hurried.
There, up ahead, I could see a crowd around him, listening to something he was telling them, just like before, and then the next thing I knew I was on the ground and my ankle was throbbing. I had tripped over the limb of a fallen tree and had to be careful to pull myself out without getting scratched from head to foot. When I was back on my feet, limping, I remembered what I was looking for and turned back to the crowd. But, it was the strangest thing. They were all completely still and looking up. So, I looked in the same place, and I couldn't move, either! (points up) 'Cause, there was Jesus, floating up and away, until a cloud covered him, and that was it. He was gone. I didn't know what to think, and I don't think anybody else did, either, 'cause we all just stood there, looking up, then looking around, then up again. And, I suddenly felt alone, all over again. When I looked back at the group, they were talking with two men I'd never seen before, and they began to cheer. I didn't get it. So, I hobbled over and asked a woman named Joanna what was going on. She said that God just took Jesus to heaven, but the men said that someday he will come back the same way he went. She also said that Jesus told his disciples if we wait here in Jerusalem, he will send the Holy Spirit on us.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It is the power from God," she told me, "that Jesus has been promising. It will turn the disciples into witnesses so they can spread his message, and it will be a comfort for all of us and keep us connected with Jesus."
"Can I have some, too?" I blurted out. "I don't want to lose him, even for a while."
She gave me that kind smile that a lot of people do because I say what I think too fast and have trouble making sense. "We won't lose him anymore," she told me. "Now that he is alive, he will always be with us."
"So, he's coming back from up there?" She shook her head and said someday, but until then, we won't be able to see him. He will be with us, though. I still didn't get it. And, she got caught up with the others who were praising God and hugging each other. I stepped back. I couldn't understand why everybody was so happy. Jesus said that he would be raised again, but I didn't think it meant he'd be raised all the way up there! How can he still be with us if we can't see him and hear what he has to say? And, how long before he comes back?
I just miss him so much, kind of like I do my mama. She died when I was nine years old, and I don't even remember my papa. He was killed by Romans for resisting some order. I lived with relatives in Cana, then in Jamnia, then Bethany, and finally I went out and got this position, 'cause I didn't have a dowry for marriage. But, I heard Jesus when I was visiting back up in Galilee, and he said that all who did the will of God were his brother and sister and mother. I felt my heart get warm because I finally felt like I had family, even if I never got up the courage to talk to him. I followed him, though, everywhere I could. And, he knew me, and he would smile at me whenever he saw me out in the crowd. I always try to do what I think God wants, and until I worked for the Romans, I observed all the laws of Moses. So, I was his sister or mother or brother -- well, maybe not his brother! Now, I'm by myself again. I'm pretty used to it, but it sure felt good to think I was important to somebody, important enough to call me sister, even if it was only for a couple of years.
For now, we are supposed to just wait, she told me, for the Holy Spirit, some power Jesus said we will receive. He did say once that if we believe in him, he would put a light yoke on us, not like those big old wooden ones they put on the oxen. Boy, a light one would make my work easier. I usually work twelve or thirteen hours every day, even the sabbath. I don't know, maybe if I pretend I'm working for Jesus, it won't be so bad, especially if I can sort of be like him. I am not very useful. I'm not real smart. But, I am pretty good at being nice to people others forget about, since I'm one of those people. And, if he is really still with us, maybe I could even talk to him, so long as I'm careful others don't see me and think I'm crazy 'cause they don't see him! Maybe I wouldn't feel so shy now that I can't see him.
But, wait! Would that be like praying? Would God get jealous? I don't want that to happen! But, isn't Jesus the Son of God, like the disciples were saying he is? If that's the case, then maybe it wouldn't matter to God whether I spoke to Jesus or to God, 'cause I'd still talk to God, too, and God has got to be awfully busy listening to everybody, anyway. I suppose if you talk to God, and I talk to Jesus, they would give each other the message, right? Oh! And, you know what? If God gives me a message that I think you should hear, I could tell you, and maybe you could tell me if you get a message I should hear! Maybe that Holy Spirit we're all waiting for would help us to know which messages we should keep and which ones we should pass on! This could be fun! You know, if you do the will of God ... you do? ... well, if you do, like Jesus said, then you are his brother or sister or mother, too. Don't you get it? That would make us related!
My ankle hurts! That won't be the only part of me that hurts when I get back to the kitchen and the cook gets her hands on me! I tried to tell her once what Jesus said about forgiving your brother or sister 77 times, but she didn't think that was a good idea. Oh well, maybe I will get through to her, yet. And, even though she hits me when I do something wrong, I pray for her because nobody really likes her, and I know what it's like to be by yourself. I wish she had seen Jesus. I suppose I'm the only one who can explain to her what he's like, even though I really don't want to go back to the kitchen. Maybe when that Holy Spirit comes, the disciples will have something for me to do.
Well ... I'd better get back. I don't really want to leave now that I realize we're family! Oh, well, maybe I'll see you when the Holy Spirit comes. I don't know what that will be like, but if Jesus leaves by flying up through the clouds, I bet he'll send this Holy Spirit in style! Make sure you come out, then, and maybe you can get some of that Holy Spirit, too! And remember, Jesus isn't really gone, 'cause if you know him here (points to heart), that is how close he'll be. Don't forget him, or me, either!
Great mysteries of God, like the ascension of Jesus, make the most sense when viewed through childlike lenses. That is the perspective of the woman in this monologue and may well be the perspective of many new or marginal believers. Grief that Jesus left, true joy that he returned, a need to hold onto the promise that he will come again, and a sense of excitement at receiving his special gift of the Holy Spirit: Does our intellectualized faith have room for such passionate and single-minded emotion? Jesus warned his disciples who were filled with visions of greatness, Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). This woman exhorts us, "Don't forget him!" But, do we?
Making It Play
This speaker is not necessarily developmentally disabled, but she does look at the world and Jesus with innocence and instinct more than logic and common sense. She could be any age. She would still be in an apron and probably continues to limp a bit due to her fall. You may want to do part of the monologue seated for that reason, unconsciously rubbing the ankle now and then. But, a bum ankle does not dampen her childlike enthusiasm when she speaks of a continuing relationship with Jesus, the cook, and even the congregation. The listeners should feel such warmth and sincerity from her that when she asks that they not forget her, they are ready to smile and say, "We won't!"
A Tagalong Follower Of Jesus Tries To Understand Why Jesus Ascended
I ran up the hill as fast as I could, my heart was pounding and the sun was hot, but all I could think of was him. I left the pots warming and ran, with the cook yelling after me. I didn't care, even though I knew it would mean a beating when I got back. I had to see him. Word had been filtering through the community that Jesus was alive, that he'd been appearing to certain followers: some of the women, Peter, and others. But, I needed to see him. I had gone and pleaded for my job back after he was crucified. I was scared and had no one; I wasn't anybody important, just a follower in the crowd. So, I stayed here, afraid, yet waiting for any word at all as to what the disciples might do next. Then, just this morning, the brother of one of the disciples made a delivery to my master's kitchen and he told me I might see him if I hurried.
There, up ahead, I could see a crowd around him, listening to something he was telling them, just like before, and then the next thing I knew I was on the ground and my ankle was throbbing. I had tripped over the limb of a fallen tree and had to be careful to pull myself out without getting scratched from head to foot. When I was back on my feet, limping, I remembered what I was looking for and turned back to the crowd. But, it was the strangest thing. They were all completely still and looking up. So, I looked in the same place, and I couldn't move, either! (points up) 'Cause, there was Jesus, floating up and away, until a cloud covered him, and that was it. He was gone. I didn't know what to think, and I don't think anybody else did, either, 'cause we all just stood there, looking up, then looking around, then up again. And, I suddenly felt alone, all over again. When I looked back at the group, they were talking with two men I'd never seen before, and they began to cheer. I didn't get it. So, I hobbled over and asked a woman named Joanna what was going on. She said that God just took Jesus to heaven, but the men said that someday he will come back the same way he went. She also said that Jesus told his disciples if we wait here in Jerusalem, he will send the Holy Spirit on us.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It is the power from God," she told me, "that Jesus has been promising. It will turn the disciples into witnesses so they can spread his message, and it will be a comfort for all of us and keep us connected with Jesus."
"Can I have some, too?" I blurted out. "I don't want to lose him, even for a while."
She gave me that kind smile that a lot of people do because I say what I think too fast and have trouble making sense. "We won't lose him anymore," she told me. "Now that he is alive, he will always be with us."
"So, he's coming back from up there?" She shook her head and said someday, but until then, we won't be able to see him. He will be with us, though. I still didn't get it. And, she got caught up with the others who were praising God and hugging each other. I stepped back. I couldn't understand why everybody was so happy. Jesus said that he would be raised again, but I didn't think it meant he'd be raised all the way up there! How can he still be with us if we can't see him and hear what he has to say? And, how long before he comes back?
I just miss him so much, kind of like I do my mama. She died when I was nine years old, and I don't even remember my papa. He was killed by Romans for resisting some order. I lived with relatives in Cana, then in Jamnia, then Bethany, and finally I went out and got this position, 'cause I didn't have a dowry for marriage. But, I heard Jesus when I was visiting back up in Galilee, and he said that all who did the will of God were his brother and sister and mother. I felt my heart get warm because I finally felt like I had family, even if I never got up the courage to talk to him. I followed him, though, everywhere I could. And, he knew me, and he would smile at me whenever he saw me out in the crowd. I always try to do what I think God wants, and until I worked for the Romans, I observed all the laws of Moses. So, I was his sister or mother or brother -- well, maybe not his brother! Now, I'm by myself again. I'm pretty used to it, but it sure felt good to think I was important to somebody, important enough to call me sister, even if it was only for a couple of years.
For now, we are supposed to just wait, she told me, for the Holy Spirit, some power Jesus said we will receive. He did say once that if we believe in him, he would put a light yoke on us, not like those big old wooden ones they put on the oxen. Boy, a light one would make my work easier. I usually work twelve or thirteen hours every day, even the sabbath. I don't know, maybe if I pretend I'm working for Jesus, it won't be so bad, especially if I can sort of be like him. I am not very useful. I'm not real smart. But, I am pretty good at being nice to people others forget about, since I'm one of those people. And, if he is really still with us, maybe I could even talk to him, so long as I'm careful others don't see me and think I'm crazy 'cause they don't see him! Maybe I wouldn't feel so shy now that I can't see him.
But, wait! Would that be like praying? Would God get jealous? I don't want that to happen! But, isn't Jesus the Son of God, like the disciples were saying he is? If that's the case, then maybe it wouldn't matter to God whether I spoke to Jesus or to God, 'cause I'd still talk to God, too, and God has got to be awfully busy listening to everybody, anyway. I suppose if you talk to God, and I talk to Jesus, they would give each other the message, right? Oh! And, you know what? If God gives me a message that I think you should hear, I could tell you, and maybe you could tell me if you get a message I should hear! Maybe that Holy Spirit we're all waiting for would help us to know which messages we should keep and which ones we should pass on! This could be fun! You know, if you do the will of God ... you do? ... well, if you do, like Jesus said, then you are his brother or sister or mother, too. Don't you get it? That would make us related!
My ankle hurts! That won't be the only part of me that hurts when I get back to the kitchen and the cook gets her hands on me! I tried to tell her once what Jesus said about forgiving your brother or sister 77 times, but she didn't think that was a good idea. Oh well, maybe I will get through to her, yet. And, even though she hits me when I do something wrong, I pray for her because nobody really likes her, and I know what it's like to be by yourself. I wish she had seen Jesus. I suppose I'm the only one who can explain to her what he's like, even though I really don't want to go back to the kitchen. Maybe when that Holy Spirit comes, the disciples will have something for me to do.
Well ... I'd better get back. I don't really want to leave now that I realize we're family! Oh, well, maybe I'll see you when the Holy Spirit comes. I don't know what that will be like, but if Jesus leaves by flying up through the clouds, I bet he'll send this Holy Spirit in style! Make sure you come out, then, and maybe you can get some of that Holy Spirit, too! And remember, Jesus isn't really gone, 'cause if you know him here (points to heart), that is how close he'll be. Don't forget him, or me, either!
