The Gift
Drama
Lectionary Scenes
56 Vignettes For Cycle C
Theme
What are our motives as Christians? They are shown in how we give.
Summary
A readers' theater presentation. The readers stand or sit on stools in front of the congregation. The story of Peter's confrontation with Ananias and Sapphira and how the Holy Spirit kept the young church pure.
Playing Time
12 minutes
Setting
A neutral area
Props
Scripts in black folders
Costumes
Black
Time
The formation of the church in Jerusalem
Cast
FIRST READER -- female
SECOND READER -- male, bass
THIRD READER -- female
FOURTH -- male, tenor
(READERS ENTER FROM SIDE OR RISE FROM AUDIENCE. THEY CROSS TO PLATFORM AND SIT ON STOOLS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS. THEY BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD)
FIRST: Elohim.
SECOND: God.
THIRD: Adonai.
SECOND: Master, Lord.
FOURTH: Praise.
THIRD: Honor.
FOURTH: Glory.
SECOND: (RAISING HIS HANDS IN PRAISE)
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name on the face of all the earth.
I see your splendor displayed above the heavens.
I consider your heavens: the heavens that you created with your own fingers.
And I think of the moon and stars: their beauty which you created and blessed.
Then I think of man. What is man that you even consider him?
And the Son of Man: Why do you bless him?
You have honored Him with glory and crown Him with majesty.
THIRD: You have given Him dominion over all of your creations and have made all things subject to Him.
FOURTH: Praise to you, Lord, God, Father. He has glorified you.
SECOND:
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name on the face of all the earth.
(Psalm 8)
(HANDS DOWN)
FIRST: The tall man finished his praise, lowered his hands and met the gaze of the crowd.
FOURTH: The light was fading and a cool west wind was blowing in from across the valley of the Kidron, bearing with it the scent of olives and the promise of a restful evening.
THIRD: The small group gathered closer together to hear the parting words of the man and to look into his eyes.
FOURTH: No one would call him beautiful. He was rugged, a fisherman accustomed to hard work. But there was something that radiated from him -- an inner beauty -- a love, that's what it was, love. He had an unselfish love for everyone.
THIRD: And patience -- a patience that calmed the learned scholars and men of law who questioned and argued with him from time to time.
FOURTH: His name was Simon, son of John, but the Messiah, his teacher, had called him Peter, the rock.
THIRD: And so he seemed. Like a rock he stood all day, straight and tall, never seeming to tire, telling all who would listen about the Messiah.
FOURTH: And there were many who would listen these days. The times were difficult, prices were high, and there were constant rumors of political unrest. There had been some storms lately that were particularly devastating to the crops, and there were soldiers almost everywhere, maintaining the uneasy peace that stretched, almost to the breaking point, all the way from Imperial Rome.
THIRD: Yes, times were difficult and many crowded the wide stone temple porch called Solomon's Hall every day. The smooth stones, so warm in the early morning sun, were refreshingly cool. The vibrant warm colors of the day had dimmed to the hazy purples and blues of evening.
FOURTH: Only a few people remained now, and they waited to receive the blessing of the holy man and to hear his parting words:
SECOND: (RISING) Remember, friends, don't return to your evil ways. You were that way because you didn't know any better. Now you do. Be holy in everything you do. Just as the Lord is Holy. By his sacrifice He made you holy. He invited you to be His child (1 Peter 1:14-15).
It is written. "You shall be holy, for I, The Lord God, am Holy" (Leviticus 11:44-45).
And remember that the heavenly Father, to whom we pray, has no favorites when he judges. He will judge you with a perfect justice for everything you do; so act with respect and with true reverence from now on, until you shall be with Him (1 Peter 1:17). (HE SITS)
FIRST: A young man who had been sitting at Peter's feet arose to speak.
THIRD: It was Matthias, newly elected to the group of apostles.
FOURTH: The meeting tonight will be held at the house of Nicodemus, our good friend. It will begin at the usual time, after sundown.
FIRST: And the people departed, leaving Peter and Matthias to walk slowly to the meeting place alone.
THIRD: In sharp contrast to the poorly clad apostles, two others, better dressed and from a better section of the city, are also preparing for the meeting.
FIRST: (RISING AND CROSSING LEFT) Ananias, we must hurry if we are to be on time.
FOURTH: (RISING AND CROSSING TO FIRST READER) There is plenty of time, Sapphira. I don't want to be early.
FIRST: Well, I don't want to be late.
FOURTH: Tonight is different.
FIRST: Different, why?
FOURTH: Well, for one thing, I sold the land.
FIRST: The land. Why didn't you tell me?
FOURTH: Because I knew you'd tell Hannah and then everyone in Jerusalem would know it.
FIRST: You didn't want anyone to know.
FOURTH: No, I think the impact will be greater if we wait to tell them. I'll present the gift at the meeting tonight.
FIRST: I'll be so proud of you.
FOURTH: Do you know how much I got for it? Five hundred pieces of gold.
FIRST: That much? That's a great deal of money.
FOURTH: A great deal more than we expected, too. Old Ezras, the merchant from Damascus, bought it. He wanted it so much he paid me what I asked. No one but that old fool from Damascus would have paid me what I asked. He didn't even haggle.
FIRST: The Lord has really blessed us.
FOURTH: We were lucky.
FIRST: (PAUSES) Yes, we were.
FOURTH: With these 500 pieces of gold we can give more to the community than Joseph did.
FIRST: The people really acclaimed what he did.
FOURTH: If I could only have thought of it first. Maybe I would've been one of the favorites.
FIRST: You will be. With this gift they have to recognize you as a leader.
FOURTH: I should have more of a voice in the administration of the community.
FIRST: You are one of the richest men among the believers, if not the richest.
FOURTH: And the shrewdest. No one else could've gotten that much out of old Ezras.
FIRST: Five hundred gold pieces. I can't believe it.
FOURTH: But we mustn't tell anyone. We'll tell them we got only 385. It'll still be more than Joseph's gift. And we'll have enough kept back in case we need it.
FIRST: But, Ananias, the others are sharing everything.
FOURTH: Yes, that's fine for them. But what if one of us gets sick or something? We need something put back. We have to plan for the future, you know. No one else is going to look out for us. Now, remember, tell them we got 385. You must swear it.
FIRST: I'll remember.
FOURTH: An agreement between two men is sacred. Old Ezras will never tell.
FIRST: The meeting has probably started. Surely we can go now, Ananias. I can hardly wait.
FOURTH: You must wait. I'm going alone!
FIRST: Alone?
FOURTH: Yes, I must do this alone.
FIRST: But, the land -- we decided --
FOURTH: I will go alone. Don't worry. I'll probably be late. There'll be a lot of rejoicing tonight. (FIRST AND FOURTH READERS CROSS TO STOOLS AND SIT)
THIRD: (PAUSE) The meeting had started before Peter and Matthias arrived. The early arrivals couldn't wait to praise God and tell of the many miracles they had witnessed.
FIRST: Joyous songs and praises resounded through the house of Nicodemus.
THIRD: Then, a slim, dark man drew away from the crowd and spoke:
FOURTH: (RISING) I'm healed. Praise the Lord. I can walk. Peter, the fisherman, healed me. Two days ago, at the temple ... No, forgive me ... I'm new at this ... The power of the Messiah healed me. Yes, praise the Lord. The Messiah used his servant, Peter, to heal me. I'm old, and I've been lame since I was born ... carried every day to the temple to beg ... Two days ago I saw these two men, Peter and John, and I asked them for some money.
But Peter lifted me up and said, "I don't have any silver or gold, but I'll give you something better," and I was instantly healed. Praise Jesus, the son of the Most High God. Praise the Messiah, the Chosen One (Acts 3:1-10).
SECOND: (RISING) Praise His glorious name.
FOURTH: It's Peter!
FIRST: The apostles, Peter and Matthias, had just arrived and they stood inside the doorway, watching the joyous celebration.
THIRD: When the little man saw them he ran and embraced them.
FOURTH: Praise God, I was just telling them how the Lord healed me.
SECOND: And as a reward the priests gave me free lodging for the night. (HE LAUGHS) It's really an honor to heal in the name of the Messiah, and it's even a pleasure to be kept in jail overnight for Him. Praise the Lord for that.
THIRD: You praise the Lord for spending the night in jail?
SECOND: Yes, I do; God has a plan for everyone. And some good can come out of every situation, good or bad. But even if we do suffer for what we do in Jesus' name, the Father will reward us. Quietly trust yourself to Christ, your Lord, and if anyone asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell Him, and do it in a courteous and respectful manner (1 Peter 3:13-15).
To tell others about Christ, we have to know Him, ourselves. If we get to know him better and better he will give us more of His kindness and peace and everything we need to live a truly good life. By His mighty power He has given us all the wonderful blessings he promised. But to obtain these gifts we need more faith. We must get to know Him better and discover what it is that He wants us to do in this life (2 Peter 1:3-5).
But, that is enough lecturing. We're here tonight to praise God. We've seen more amazing changes in people's lives through the power of Jesus, the Messiah, and many people have been very generous with the blessings with which God has blessed them. We're asking now that you people, the ones that really trust Him, give to His cause. Pray about it. You should always pray before giving, so that you are giving in accordance with God's plan. If you're not sure how you stand with God, don't give to His cause! If you want to give something -- anything -- give. So right now, repent of your sins, accept the gift of eternal life that God has for you and then give your gift. I speak of giving, but we also have needs, most of which can only be met with money. If this is your plight, then this should also be a time of receiving. If you have such a need, take from the bowl in which others are giving. Your blessings will be the same. (A WOODEN BOWL IS PLACED IN FRONT OF PETER)
FIRST: The little group filed past the apostle and laid their offerings at his feet, and he blessed each one of them. (USHERS AND THE FOURTH READER GUIDE ENTIRE AUDIENCE PAST PETER TO GIVE THEIR OFFERING. PETER LAYS HIS HANDS ON EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND BLESSES EACH ONE QUIETLY DURING THIS TIME OF OFFERING. THE LAST PERSON FROM THE AUDIENCE TO GIVE HIS GIFT IS FOLLOWED BY THE FOURTH READER)
FOURTH: (STEPS FORWARD) I have great news, friends. The Lord has blessed me, and I have decided to give back to the Lord that with which he has blessed me. I have sold my land and now, before my brethren, give the entire amount of 385 gold pieces to the community for the apostles of Christ to use as the Lord directs them. My wife and I have decided to live as the rest of you do, with whatever the leaders give us. (PAUSE)
SECOND: The entire amount, Ananias? You want to give the entire amount?
(PAUSE)
FOURTH: Yes.
SECOND: Ananias, why have you done this thing? Satan has so completely influenced you that you would commit this sin against God, the Holy Spirit. Why? You have kept part of the money from the sale of your property for your own use, and in so doing you have lied to the Holy Spirit. We didn't ask you to sell that land. You decided that. Before and after the sale the decision and the money were in your hands. You could have done with them as you wished. It is not we who matter. We are just men. You have lied to God the Almighty! (PAUSE)
THIRD: There was a long silence after the fisherman spoke, in which Ananias seemed to be weighing the price of what he had done, although he stood straight and tall and seemed about to give some defense of his actions, when, without a word, he slowly crumpled and fell at the apostle's feet -- lifeless.
FIRST: (BACKS UP) There was no sound. A stillness fell on the group that had just a few minutes before been joyously celebrating. For a long time no one moved. There was no doubt that Ananias was dead, but no one offered to remove the body. There it lay, like a scab over a nasty wound, dead tissue, waiting to be removed.
THIRD: Finally the young men wrapped the lifeless form of proud Ananias and carried it outside and buried it (Acts 5:3-5). (SECOND READER SITS)
FIRST: No sound.
FOURTH: No ceremony.
THIRD: Just the slow, steady breathing of the shocked witnesses.
FOURTH: The tone of the meeting changed after that.
FIRST: People did finally talk again, but only in whispers.
THIRD: Peter himself seemed to be deep in thought.
FOURTH: Stirred from his meditation, the disciple spoke:
SECOND: You know that you were not saved from the worthless life you were born into by a payment of gold or silver. Gold and silver will not last. Silver tarnishes. Gold is worn away. You were bought with a far greater price, the blood of the Messiah -- the Christ. Like a lamb he was spotless. He had no sin. Yet he became sin for you. Don't dishonor his sacrifice by sinning. For by sinning again and again you yourselves are helping to crucify him (1 Peter 1:18).
So once and for all get rid of all hatred. Don't pretend to be good. Make an honest effort to be better. Rid yourself of all dishonesty and jealousy, gossip and grudges. You should seek more of the Lord's goodness and kindness. Once you have tasted it, you will seek more. Devour God's word, as we have it recorded by the prophets. Read it. Think about it. Grow strong in the Lord unto salvation (1 Peter 2:1-3).
THIRD: There was an uneasy stirring among the group, and silently Sapphira, the wife of the dead man, appeared in the doorway. Striding through the gathering of believers, she searched the faces of each person for the familiar face of her husband.
FOURTH: He wasn't there.
THIRD: Peter rose slowly to meet her stare as she approached.
SECOND: Sapphira, tell me, did you and Ananias sell your land for 385 pieces of gold?
FIRST: Yes, that was the price.
SECOND: How could you and your husband conspire together to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? Listen, hear those footsteps? They are the men who just buried your husband. They are coming for you.
THIRD: Wordlessly, she fell at Peter's feet.
FOURTH: The same young men removed her body and buried it beside that of her husband (1 Peter 5:7-11). For the second time that evening there was a heavy silence.
THIRD: The big fisherman seemed tired after the evening's ordeal but he raised his head, released himself from his prayers, and stretched out his arms to bless and encourage the small band of believers.
SECOND:
You who enjoy life,
You who would be happy,
Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from deceit.
Depart from evil and do what is good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
And He hears your prayers.
The Lord turns away from those who do evil.
The good man seeks the Lord and the Lord hears him and delivers him out of his troubles.
The Lord is very close to those who are crushed by grief or despair.
He saves those who are earnestly sorry for their sins.
The righteous have their problems but the Lord delivers them out of all of them.
The wicked shall be destroyed by their own evil.
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the souls of His servants.
And none who takes refuge in Him will be lost.
(Psalm 34:12-19, 21-22; Matthew 6:33)
What are our motives as Christians? They are shown in how we give.
Summary
A readers' theater presentation. The readers stand or sit on stools in front of the congregation. The story of Peter's confrontation with Ananias and Sapphira and how the Holy Spirit kept the young church pure.
Playing Time
12 minutes
Setting
A neutral area
Props
Scripts in black folders
Costumes
Black
Time
The formation of the church in Jerusalem
Cast
FIRST READER -- female
SECOND READER -- male, bass
THIRD READER -- female
FOURTH -- male, tenor
(READERS ENTER FROM SIDE OR RISE FROM AUDIENCE. THEY CROSS TO PLATFORM AND SIT ON STOOLS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS. THEY BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD)
FIRST: Elohim.
SECOND: God.
THIRD: Adonai.
SECOND: Master, Lord.
FOURTH: Praise.
THIRD: Honor.
FOURTH: Glory.
SECOND: (RAISING HIS HANDS IN PRAISE)
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name on the face of all the earth.
I see your splendor displayed above the heavens.
I consider your heavens: the heavens that you created with your own fingers.
And I think of the moon and stars: their beauty which you created and blessed.
Then I think of man. What is man that you even consider him?
And the Son of Man: Why do you bless him?
You have honored Him with glory and crown Him with majesty.
THIRD: You have given Him dominion over all of your creations and have made all things subject to Him.
FOURTH: Praise to you, Lord, God, Father. He has glorified you.
SECOND:
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name on the face of all the earth.
(Psalm 8)
(HANDS DOWN)
FIRST: The tall man finished his praise, lowered his hands and met the gaze of the crowd.
FOURTH: The light was fading and a cool west wind was blowing in from across the valley of the Kidron, bearing with it the scent of olives and the promise of a restful evening.
THIRD: The small group gathered closer together to hear the parting words of the man and to look into his eyes.
FOURTH: No one would call him beautiful. He was rugged, a fisherman accustomed to hard work. But there was something that radiated from him -- an inner beauty -- a love, that's what it was, love. He had an unselfish love for everyone.
THIRD: And patience -- a patience that calmed the learned scholars and men of law who questioned and argued with him from time to time.
FOURTH: His name was Simon, son of John, but the Messiah, his teacher, had called him Peter, the rock.
THIRD: And so he seemed. Like a rock he stood all day, straight and tall, never seeming to tire, telling all who would listen about the Messiah.
FOURTH: And there were many who would listen these days. The times were difficult, prices were high, and there were constant rumors of political unrest. There had been some storms lately that were particularly devastating to the crops, and there were soldiers almost everywhere, maintaining the uneasy peace that stretched, almost to the breaking point, all the way from Imperial Rome.
THIRD: Yes, times were difficult and many crowded the wide stone temple porch called Solomon's Hall every day. The smooth stones, so warm in the early morning sun, were refreshingly cool. The vibrant warm colors of the day had dimmed to the hazy purples and blues of evening.
FOURTH: Only a few people remained now, and they waited to receive the blessing of the holy man and to hear his parting words:
SECOND: (RISING) Remember, friends, don't return to your evil ways. You were that way because you didn't know any better. Now you do. Be holy in everything you do. Just as the Lord is Holy. By his sacrifice He made you holy. He invited you to be His child (1 Peter 1:14-15).
It is written. "You shall be holy, for I, The Lord God, am Holy" (Leviticus 11:44-45).
And remember that the heavenly Father, to whom we pray, has no favorites when he judges. He will judge you with a perfect justice for everything you do; so act with respect and with true reverence from now on, until you shall be with Him (1 Peter 1:17). (HE SITS)
FIRST: A young man who had been sitting at Peter's feet arose to speak.
THIRD: It was Matthias, newly elected to the group of apostles.
FOURTH: The meeting tonight will be held at the house of Nicodemus, our good friend. It will begin at the usual time, after sundown.
FIRST: And the people departed, leaving Peter and Matthias to walk slowly to the meeting place alone.
THIRD: In sharp contrast to the poorly clad apostles, two others, better dressed and from a better section of the city, are also preparing for the meeting.
FIRST: (RISING AND CROSSING LEFT) Ananias, we must hurry if we are to be on time.
FOURTH: (RISING AND CROSSING TO FIRST READER) There is plenty of time, Sapphira. I don't want to be early.
FIRST: Well, I don't want to be late.
FOURTH: Tonight is different.
FIRST: Different, why?
FOURTH: Well, for one thing, I sold the land.
FIRST: The land. Why didn't you tell me?
FOURTH: Because I knew you'd tell Hannah and then everyone in Jerusalem would know it.
FIRST: You didn't want anyone to know.
FOURTH: No, I think the impact will be greater if we wait to tell them. I'll present the gift at the meeting tonight.
FIRST: I'll be so proud of you.
FOURTH: Do you know how much I got for it? Five hundred pieces of gold.
FIRST: That much? That's a great deal of money.
FOURTH: A great deal more than we expected, too. Old Ezras, the merchant from Damascus, bought it. He wanted it so much he paid me what I asked. No one but that old fool from Damascus would have paid me what I asked. He didn't even haggle.
FIRST: The Lord has really blessed us.
FOURTH: We were lucky.
FIRST: (PAUSES) Yes, we were.
FOURTH: With these 500 pieces of gold we can give more to the community than Joseph did.
FIRST: The people really acclaimed what he did.
FOURTH: If I could only have thought of it first. Maybe I would've been one of the favorites.
FIRST: You will be. With this gift they have to recognize you as a leader.
FOURTH: I should have more of a voice in the administration of the community.
FIRST: You are one of the richest men among the believers, if not the richest.
FOURTH: And the shrewdest. No one else could've gotten that much out of old Ezras.
FIRST: Five hundred gold pieces. I can't believe it.
FOURTH: But we mustn't tell anyone. We'll tell them we got only 385. It'll still be more than Joseph's gift. And we'll have enough kept back in case we need it.
FIRST: But, Ananias, the others are sharing everything.
FOURTH: Yes, that's fine for them. But what if one of us gets sick or something? We need something put back. We have to plan for the future, you know. No one else is going to look out for us. Now, remember, tell them we got 385. You must swear it.
FIRST: I'll remember.
FOURTH: An agreement between two men is sacred. Old Ezras will never tell.
FIRST: The meeting has probably started. Surely we can go now, Ananias. I can hardly wait.
FOURTH: You must wait. I'm going alone!
FIRST: Alone?
FOURTH: Yes, I must do this alone.
FIRST: But, the land -- we decided --
FOURTH: I will go alone. Don't worry. I'll probably be late. There'll be a lot of rejoicing tonight. (FIRST AND FOURTH READERS CROSS TO STOOLS AND SIT)
THIRD: (PAUSE) The meeting had started before Peter and Matthias arrived. The early arrivals couldn't wait to praise God and tell of the many miracles they had witnessed.
FIRST: Joyous songs and praises resounded through the house of Nicodemus.
THIRD: Then, a slim, dark man drew away from the crowd and spoke:
FOURTH: (RISING) I'm healed. Praise the Lord. I can walk. Peter, the fisherman, healed me. Two days ago, at the temple ... No, forgive me ... I'm new at this ... The power of the Messiah healed me. Yes, praise the Lord. The Messiah used his servant, Peter, to heal me. I'm old, and I've been lame since I was born ... carried every day to the temple to beg ... Two days ago I saw these two men, Peter and John, and I asked them for some money.
But Peter lifted me up and said, "I don't have any silver or gold, but I'll give you something better," and I was instantly healed. Praise Jesus, the son of the Most High God. Praise the Messiah, the Chosen One (Acts 3:1-10).
SECOND: (RISING) Praise His glorious name.
FOURTH: It's Peter!
FIRST: The apostles, Peter and Matthias, had just arrived and they stood inside the doorway, watching the joyous celebration.
THIRD: When the little man saw them he ran and embraced them.
FOURTH: Praise God, I was just telling them how the Lord healed me.
SECOND: And as a reward the priests gave me free lodging for the night. (HE LAUGHS) It's really an honor to heal in the name of the Messiah, and it's even a pleasure to be kept in jail overnight for Him. Praise the Lord for that.
THIRD: You praise the Lord for spending the night in jail?
SECOND: Yes, I do; God has a plan for everyone. And some good can come out of every situation, good or bad. But even if we do suffer for what we do in Jesus' name, the Father will reward us. Quietly trust yourself to Christ, your Lord, and if anyone asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell Him, and do it in a courteous and respectful manner (1 Peter 3:13-15).
To tell others about Christ, we have to know Him, ourselves. If we get to know him better and better he will give us more of His kindness and peace and everything we need to live a truly good life. By His mighty power He has given us all the wonderful blessings he promised. But to obtain these gifts we need more faith. We must get to know Him better and discover what it is that He wants us to do in this life (2 Peter 1:3-5).
But, that is enough lecturing. We're here tonight to praise God. We've seen more amazing changes in people's lives through the power of Jesus, the Messiah, and many people have been very generous with the blessings with which God has blessed them. We're asking now that you people, the ones that really trust Him, give to His cause. Pray about it. You should always pray before giving, so that you are giving in accordance with God's plan. If you're not sure how you stand with God, don't give to His cause! If you want to give something -- anything -- give. So right now, repent of your sins, accept the gift of eternal life that God has for you and then give your gift. I speak of giving, but we also have needs, most of which can only be met with money. If this is your plight, then this should also be a time of receiving. If you have such a need, take from the bowl in which others are giving. Your blessings will be the same. (A WOODEN BOWL IS PLACED IN FRONT OF PETER)
FIRST: The little group filed past the apostle and laid their offerings at his feet, and he blessed each one of them. (USHERS AND THE FOURTH READER GUIDE ENTIRE AUDIENCE PAST PETER TO GIVE THEIR OFFERING. PETER LAYS HIS HANDS ON EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND BLESSES EACH ONE QUIETLY DURING THIS TIME OF OFFERING. THE LAST PERSON FROM THE AUDIENCE TO GIVE HIS GIFT IS FOLLOWED BY THE FOURTH READER)
FOURTH: (STEPS FORWARD) I have great news, friends. The Lord has blessed me, and I have decided to give back to the Lord that with which he has blessed me. I have sold my land and now, before my brethren, give the entire amount of 385 gold pieces to the community for the apostles of Christ to use as the Lord directs them. My wife and I have decided to live as the rest of you do, with whatever the leaders give us. (PAUSE)
SECOND: The entire amount, Ananias? You want to give the entire amount?
(PAUSE)
FOURTH: Yes.
SECOND: Ananias, why have you done this thing? Satan has so completely influenced you that you would commit this sin against God, the Holy Spirit. Why? You have kept part of the money from the sale of your property for your own use, and in so doing you have lied to the Holy Spirit. We didn't ask you to sell that land. You decided that. Before and after the sale the decision and the money were in your hands. You could have done with them as you wished. It is not we who matter. We are just men. You have lied to God the Almighty! (PAUSE)
THIRD: There was a long silence after the fisherman spoke, in which Ananias seemed to be weighing the price of what he had done, although he stood straight and tall and seemed about to give some defense of his actions, when, without a word, he slowly crumpled and fell at the apostle's feet -- lifeless.
FIRST: (BACKS UP) There was no sound. A stillness fell on the group that had just a few minutes before been joyously celebrating. For a long time no one moved. There was no doubt that Ananias was dead, but no one offered to remove the body. There it lay, like a scab over a nasty wound, dead tissue, waiting to be removed.
THIRD: Finally the young men wrapped the lifeless form of proud Ananias and carried it outside and buried it (Acts 5:3-5). (SECOND READER SITS)
FIRST: No sound.
FOURTH: No ceremony.
THIRD: Just the slow, steady breathing of the shocked witnesses.
FOURTH: The tone of the meeting changed after that.
FIRST: People did finally talk again, but only in whispers.
THIRD: Peter himself seemed to be deep in thought.
FOURTH: Stirred from his meditation, the disciple spoke:
SECOND: You know that you were not saved from the worthless life you were born into by a payment of gold or silver. Gold and silver will not last. Silver tarnishes. Gold is worn away. You were bought with a far greater price, the blood of the Messiah -- the Christ. Like a lamb he was spotless. He had no sin. Yet he became sin for you. Don't dishonor his sacrifice by sinning. For by sinning again and again you yourselves are helping to crucify him (1 Peter 1:18).
So once and for all get rid of all hatred. Don't pretend to be good. Make an honest effort to be better. Rid yourself of all dishonesty and jealousy, gossip and grudges. You should seek more of the Lord's goodness and kindness. Once you have tasted it, you will seek more. Devour God's word, as we have it recorded by the prophets. Read it. Think about it. Grow strong in the Lord unto salvation (1 Peter 2:1-3).
THIRD: There was an uneasy stirring among the group, and silently Sapphira, the wife of the dead man, appeared in the doorway. Striding through the gathering of believers, she searched the faces of each person for the familiar face of her husband.
FOURTH: He wasn't there.
THIRD: Peter rose slowly to meet her stare as she approached.
SECOND: Sapphira, tell me, did you and Ananias sell your land for 385 pieces of gold?
FIRST: Yes, that was the price.
SECOND: How could you and your husband conspire together to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? Listen, hear those footsteps? They are the men who just buried your husband. They are coming for you.
THIRD: Wordlessly, she fell at Peter's feet.
FOURTH: The same young men removed her body and buried it beside that of her husband (1 Peter 5:7-11). For the second time that evening there was a heavy silence.
THIRD: The big fisherman seemed tired after the evening's ordeal but he raised his head, released himself from his prayers, and stretched out his arms to bless and encourage the small band of believers.
SECOND:
You who enjoy life,
You who would be happy,
Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from deceit.
Depart from evil and do what is good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
And He hears your prayers.
The Lord turns away from those who do evil.
The good man seeks the Lord and the Lord hears him and delivers him out of his troubles.
The Lord is very close to those who are crushed by grief or despair.
He saves those who are earnestly sorry for their sins.
The righteous have their problems but the Lord delivers them out of all of them.
The wicked shall be destroyed by their own evil.
And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the souls of His servants.
And none who takes refuge in Him will be lost.
(Psalm 34:12-19, 21-22; Matthew 6:33)
