SermonStudio

Theme

Jesus is available to all who want him.

Summary

Elisheba is an outcast and needs a physical healing. A monologue.

Playing Time
3 minutes
Setting

Your church
Props

None
Costumes
Peasant, of first century, Christian
Time

Now
Cast

ELISHEBA -- a woman who needs healing




ELISHEBA: (ENTERS) To me, there seem to be two classes of people in the world -- those who have hope and those who don't. I've been a member of both classes.

I'm called Elisheba. Let me tell you about being hopeless and why I now have hope. This is a personal story. Very personal. I haven't shared this story with many. But I'll share it with you. I think I can trust you.

For twelve years I didn't smile. That's a long time to be so grim, I know, but you'll understand when I tell you what my problem was.

It was a delicate problem. You see, I had a son born dead and because of that I had a constant flow of blood. That fact excluded me from temple worship and I was cut off from everyone. I was unclean. I couldn't even sleep with my husband. No one could touch me and I could not touch others. It was the law.

Twelve years -- alone. Twelve years of pain, misery, frustration, depression, and humiliation. My nights and days were occupied with being alone. Ceremonially unclean, that's what the law said. I was ceremonially unclean. What it meant was I was an outcast, unwanted, unloved, a burden, and alone with my hurt. My affliction was constantly with me.

I desperately wanted to be loved. I longed for love. I fantasized about love. I remembered how it used to be and I despaired how it could never be again. That's the thing that hurt most. I had no one to love me.

I lived with my husband and mother-in-law but was not allowed to be with them, and they didn't want to be with me anyway.

My husband had spent all his money on helping me find a cure for my bleeding, and my mother-in-law cursed me and blamed me for all our troubles. My husband wanted a son and all he got was poverty and a wife who was a burden.

I can still hear my mother-in-law yelling at me: "We expected an heir and we got death. Cursed! That's what you are, cursed. The evil curse you brought on this house will never be lifted. You're evil. What kind of a wife are you? You're nothing. Nothing, but evil, and I hate you! You've ruined my son and disgraced our house and I hate you. I hate you!"

I screamed too. I used to scream my prayers to God: Oh, God, where are you? I used to go to the temple every day but I haven't been for twelve years. Your laws won't let me talk to you. Those who need you most cannot even come close to you to tell you of their need. What kind of God are you? A God of the people who are well and whole. But what about the rest of us? We need you too. I need you. I need you so much. Oh, Lord God in heaven, I need you now.

There's no hope for me. No hope -- unless -- unless -- I heard a teacher, a prophet they say. His name is Jesus. I heard him teach twice, once in a discussion with some of the elders and once when he taught a large crowd. Of course I couldn't be part of the crowd, but I did get close enough to hear him. He said he loved us. I liked hearing that. I needed to hear that.

He said if we believed in him we would be saved. Saved from what? I certainly needed to be saved from my bleeding. Maybe he could heal me. Maybe. He's my only hope. I'll just go and ask him to heal me.

No. It's not possible. I would never get close enough. No one would ever let me get that close. I couldn't ask him to heal me. That would make him unclean. It's impossible.

What if I could brush up against him on the street? No, he'd still be unclean. Maybe just touching him would make me well. But, what if -- I could just touch his garment. He won't know it and I'll be healed.

I roamed the streets of Capernaum for days, being careful not to be recognized. Two long weeks I searched for him, only to find out he'd gone on a preaching tour across the Sea of Galilee.

When he returned I again took to the streets to find him. One day, after a long day of walking up one street and down another, I heard a lot of noise behind me.

It's a crowd coming down the street -- fast. My heart leapt. Could it be? I guessed the answer. It had to be him. He's the only person who could draw a crowd like that.

The crowd pushed past me. Here was my chance, but before I realized it I was pushed against the wall and I knew I had missed him. I missed him!

But, no, there he is! There. I see the back of his head. If I run fast. I don't know. I haven't run in years. But I must reach him. I must. I don't care if I touch anyone now. I must touch him! I have to. Get out of my way. Out of my way! I must get to Jesus. He's my only hope. Move! I must reach him.

He stopped. Good, he stopped. I can catch up. He's talking to some official who is kneeling at his feet. He's distracted. Good.

I'll just kneel here and just reach out and touch. Just a little more. Slowly, quietly, ever so softly. There, I did it. Just a touch. Just a touch.

Oh, Lord, I can feel it. I -- I -- I'm healed. I know it. I feel it. I'm healed. I must slip away now. Slip back into the crowd. Back home.

But, he's turning toward me. Oh no. It can't be. He's asking his friends who touched him. Oh no.

Lord, Lord, forgive me, Lord. I only wanted to -- to be healed. I am unclean and now I've defiled you, too.

I hear what you say, Lord. I do have a little faith. I had faith that you could heal me. Yes, I know. I can hold my head high now. Yes. I am a child of God. And your faithful servant, always.

Praise the Lord. That's exactly the way it happened. And on the eighth day I spent our last bit of money on two of the finest turtle doves for the offering. And what a celebration. My whole life was changed. The house of my husband is now a happy home. We all became followers of the Messiah, even my mother-in-law.