for Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year A
Characters: (and starting positions)
Narrator (pulpit or lecturn)
John the Baptist (to side) _____________________________
Andrew, Disciple of John (to side) ___________________
Disciple of John 2 (to side)__________________
Jesus (at back) _____________________________
Simon Peter (to a wing) _____________________________
Script
NARRATOR [at pulpit or lecturn]
Remember John, the one they call the Baptiser?
When John sees Jesus, he says, as recorded in the Bible:
“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’
I myself did not know him. But I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.
I can testify that I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
The one who sent me to baptize with water said to me,
‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
So the Bible says.
And the story continues the next day when John the Baptiser is standing with two of his own disciples.
Let’s listen to what they have to say:
[John, Andrew & Disciple 2, at side, enter]
JOHN: So we are standing there: me,
[point] Andrew
and another [point] of my disciples,
when I see Jesus again.
JESUS: [approach front]
JOHN: As he walks by, I exclaim,
‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’
I will let Andrew tell the rest.
ANDREW: I am Andrew.
When we hear our teacher, John,
say that Jesus is the Lamb of God,
we follow Jesus.
[JESUS walks across front, and ANDREW and DISCIPLE 2 step up behind Jesus. JOHN walks to opposite side.]
ANDREW: Then Jesus turns and sees us following him.
JESUS: [turn around and speak to Andrew & Disciple 2]
‘What are you looking for? What do you seek?’
JOHN: [to actors] Freeze!
[exasperated tone to congregation]
Oh, these Bible translators who soften what Jesus says!
Let’s get back to the Greek. [to Jesus] Roll it…
JESUS: What do you REQUIRE?!
JOHN: [to congregation] That’s better!
ANDREW: Rabbi, Teacher, where are you staying?
JOHN: [to actors] Freeze!
[to congregation]
Again, let’s go back to the original Greek text
to find the deeper meaning in these words.
My followers are not asking for accommodation!
They want to know what kind of leader Jesus is!
DISCIPLE 2: Rabbi, Teacher, where do you STAND?
JOHN: Yes! Where do you stand, Jesus?
JESUS: ‘Come and see.’
JOHN: [to actors] Freeze again!
[to congregation] It sounds like Jesus is inviting them
to come watch a show!
But his words, when we look at the original Greek text,
are far more compelling than that!
Jesus asks the disciples NOT to watch from the sidelines,
but to know Jesus by walking with him,
by “walking the walk” as his companions.
Let’s hear Jesus’s powerful invitation.
JESUS: Accompany me and you will know.
ANDREW: We go and see where Jesus is staying.
Sorry, John, [nod toward John.]
Better said, we accompany Jesus
and come to know where he stands.
And we remain with him.
Knowing where Jesus stands, I go find my brother Simon.
SIMON: [walk up to Andrew.]
ANDREW: Simon, my brother,
‘We have found the Messiah, the Anointed one.’
Come, I will take you to him.
[Andrew leads Simon to Jesus.]
ANDREW: Then Jesus looks Simon up and down.
JESUS: [Look Simon, up and down]
ANDREW: Turns out Jesus has big plans for my brother.
JESUS: Simon, son of John.
You are to be called See-fuss (Cephas), or Peter,
which means the Rock.
[Hold places.]
JOHN: [to congregation] Ah, what an amazing time!
People are learning where Jesus stands.
And they are choosing to accompany him.
ANDREW: Let us pray:
God, grant understanding to our hearing of these words,
and courage to accompany Jesus
and live them out. Amen.
