SermonStudio

This short drama, in two scenes, presents a visual contrast between the sacrificial demands of the Old Testament covenant and the free gift of life available to all through Jesus Christ. (These two scenes may be presented one after another or inserted individually in the worship service or sermon where appropriate.)

Scene I

Setting: A large altar like used for sacrifices in Biblical times

Characters:
MAN: Head of a Jewish household
NARRATOR: (Is not seen)

Costumes: Biblical dress

Props: Large altar to be used in both Scene I and Scene II, wood for sacrifice, basket of grain (i.e., milo, corn, wheat), bottle of oil

Scene: Large altar at center stage

* * *

(MAN walks from left, approaches altar. He is very serious and deliberate. Carries a basket of grain which he raises to the heavens in thanksgiving. As the Scripture passage is read by NARRATOR off stage, he arranges wood and grain upon the altar, then pours oil upon it. MAN then raises his hands and face to the heavens in silent thanksgiving)

NARRATOR: "When someone brings a grain offering to the Lord, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it, and take it to Aaron's sons the priests." ... " It is a most holy part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire."

"Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in an offering made to the Lord by fire. You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."

"If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering."

(MAN leaves stage quietly)

Scene II

Setting: Same altar, now in a modern setting

Characters:
MAN: Serious and contrite, humble, a man of God
JOHN: Young to middle-aged, very civic and church-minded, very active in the activities of the church
JANICE: John's wife

Costumes:
Man: Modern casual clothes
Couple: Modern Sunday attire

Props: Altar and wood from Scene I, checkbook, pen, offering envelope

* * *

(MAN enters from left, falls to knees before front left of the altar in deep anguish and prayer, head bowed)

(JOHN and JANICE enter from right in light conversation. They stop at the altar, do not notice man on knees. JOHN gets out his checkbook and begins to write a check. JANICE looks over his shoulder. A look of concern crosses her face)

JANICE: John, you're not going to give a tenth of your bonus to the Lord, too, are you? Isn't a tenth of your salary enough? Besides, you promised we could get a different car when your bonus came through.

JOHN: (Matter-of-factly) Janice, the Bible says a tenth -- so a tenth it is.

JANICE: (Exasperatedly) I can't believe it! You teach Sunday school. I teach Sunday school. We both sing in the choir. We visit the sick. Once a month we go to the jail. Every time there is a meeting in this place we are here. We don't even have a family life anymore.

JOHN: (Folds check, puts it in offering envelope and lays it on the altar) Janice, we're only doing what the Lord requires of us.

JANICE: (Quietly) Then maybe the Lord requires too much. I'm tired ...

MAN: (With great sorrow and humility, head bent, SLOWLY as though thinking out every thought) Oh God ... (Takes a deep breath) Great and holy God. I come before your altar with nothing. I have no grain, no wealth, no great wisdom, no social status of any merit. My hands are empty. (Looks at hands) I come to your altar only because you have asked me to come.

(COUPLE has stopped talking and begin listening intently to the MAN on his knees)

MAN: (Lifts head) I recognize you are God. I humbly accept that you shed your blood on the greatest altar of all, the cross of Calvary, so that I might walk in newness of life throughout all eternity. Because of your great love for me, You have chosen to give me your life. You have set me free from the clutches of sin and death. The price for my sinful ways has been paid.

Today, I can only offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving for all you have done for me. I lift your name above all names. The name that, throughout all eternity, every knee shall bend before and confess as Lord of lords.

(With great longing) I desire to know you better that I might do justice, that I might love kindness, and that I might walk with you in all humbleness. Before you, today, my spirit is broken. Mold me into your likeness, Almighty Father, that I may reflect your glory -- glory that can bring peace to a suffering world, glory that can set the captives free, glory that can change the heart of stone into a heart of selfless compassion and love, glory that can chart the courses of countries and nations.

(Hands raised. Joy is written over his face) I revere you, Lion of Judah. I acknowledge that you are my Lord and Savior. I come to you with nothing except my praise for your goodness to me. You are my life, my joy, my very all. (Remains with hands raised)

(COUPLE very serious and obviously shaken)

JOHN: (Softly) To think, all this time, the cross has been free ... and we've worked so hard.

JANICE: (Quietly) All this time it's been free ... God's salvation has been free.

(COUPLE embrace, take each other's hands, kneel before altar, heads bowed)

Ending: An appropriate hymn or prayer to bring the congregation into the scene.

(Characters exit)