You Want Me To Do What?
Drama
Women In The Wings
20 Biblical Monologues
Making It Preach
Tolerance of differences, forgiveness of others' weaknesses, reserving judgment are all noble concepts that are easy to live by in theory. But, when confronted with them in our own lives, self-protective instincts often get in the way. Philemon's wife, possibly Apphia of the superscription, and her husband are being faced with putting their newfound faith into practice on a personal level. They are being asked to do something out of sheer obedience to Christ and love for Paul that seems unwise. Yet, it was Paul who said, No, God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise ... (1 Corinthians 1:27a). Apphia, used to privilege and getting what she wants, weighs the cost of discipleship. In so doing, she challenges the congregation to discover the ways they too are being called by God to make the changes and choices necessary to be obedient followers of Christ.
Making It Play
Apphia, a relatively wealthy Greek woman in Colossae, is dressed to suggest that she is a woman of means: quality garments -- a stola with a pala draped over it, expensive-looking jewelry, and possibly some hair adornment. Agitation has her pacing as if she is presenting her case before a sympathetic jury. Her voice would be cultured, her posture confident. Emotion tries to squeak through when she speaks of Paul introducing her and her husband to Jesus, but is quickly hidden by her self-control. She should be less guarded when she finally figures out that this is about more than Onesimus. Here, the congregation becomes partner with her on the difficult journey of actually living out the faith they claim.
Philemon's Wife Explains Why Paul's Request Is No Small Matter
(shakes her head) Onesimus? Onesimus! Of all the people God has brought into our acquaintance, wouldn't you know it would be Onesimus who gains favor with our holy brother, Paul? Onesimus ... his name means "useful," even "beneficial" in our language, but let me assure you, that young man has been everything but! Okay, he does have a winning smile and pleasant enough disposition, but that slave has got laziness down to an art form! The work he does accomplish is not through his own labor, no, it is generally at the hands of one of the maids whom he has wrapped around his finger. We even caught my daughter running an errand for him! I think that is what finally set Philemon off!
My husband is actually a very generous man, and for years he would just shake his head when he found out about one more of Onesimus' antics. Neither of us could help but admire the lengths to which that young man would go in order to avoid breaking a sweat. However, with each caper he managed to pull, Onesimus became increasingly arrogant, and arrogance is something Philemon has little patience with -- especially since his conversion.
Actually, it was I who first heard of Paul of Tarsus from my cousin, Philia. She invited us to her home for a meal one evening with friends and was very excited about this outrageous upstart -- her terminology -- who would be there. He had explained to her household that the Messiah of the Jewish faith, a Jesus of Nazareth, had been crucified by the Roman authorities and had risen from the dead so that all people, Jewish or otherwise, would be forgiven their sins and brought into a relationship with the God of the Jews. Neither I nor my husband could fathom why anyone would want to be in a relationship with the God of the Jews, since they never seem to have any fun, but we thought we would humor my cousin and meet the odd fellow. Certainly, he must have some interesting stories to tell of his travels, and we could always excuse ourselves early to check on our children if he got too long-winded. Little did we know that it would be those long-winded speeches that would change our lives ... save our lives. I get choked up when I think of ... well, that's a story for another day. Back to Onesimus and our concern at hand.
You see, about six or seven months ago, Philemon was feeling ill, and he told Onesimus to bring an important message to the manager of one of our orchards. However, apparently something, presumably female, caught Onesimus' attention on the way, and the message was never delivered. Well, this resulted in a huge shipment of fruit being shipped to a destination that refused to accept it, and before it could be returned, it rotted. So, the manager sent a letter of distress to my husband, not even knowing that he was ill, which was delivered back into Onesimus' hands at our estate. But, Onesimus, not being able to read and noticing it was a beautiful day, decided to take a break and lounge by the pool. Finally, when my nine-year-old, Dorcas, ran by, he gave the message to her to give to her father. I have never heard a sound quite like what came out of my husband's mouth that day. I was on the other side of the compound and decided it might be a wise decision to stay where I was for the time being. Well, of course my husband gave Onesimus a thorough "chewing out," though he didn't have him whipped, as many people would have done. Then, he assigned Onesimus to do some real labor in one of the orchards for a couple of months. Onesimus was stunned, and indignant we later found out, so he decided to steal enough money to get him far away, and that was the last we'd heard of him ... until yesterday.
We received a letter from our dear brother, Paul, during the heat of the day and were relieved to hear that his spirit is not broken, despite his prison sentence, which seems interminable. Though the letter was primarily addressing Philemon, Paul's desire to keep us accountable to one another and to living by the way of Jesus comes through loud and clear. True to form, he made the letter an epistle, to be read aloud to the entire congregation of believers who meet in our household. It's rather difficult to ignore it that way. And, yes it's true, Paul has somehow connected up with the charming, infuriating Onesimus, and feels great affection for him -- he even says that he has been as a "father" to this impetuous slave! We love Paul truly, but how our Lord and Savior Jesus of Nazareth could pick such a gullible man to found our church is beyond me! I know Onesimus ... he has probably presented a convincing testimony of conversion to Paul and has wormed his way into the man's heart, but I am afraid that it is nothing more than a clever act -- and a convenient one at that, considering that Paul is the one man, other than Jesus himself, to whom Philemon feels indebted.
Oh, I'd like to believe that Onesimus has found faith in the forgiving grace of God made available to all people --awhich, I know, includes criminals and slaves -- but following the way of Jesus is costly and takes passion. It takes a willingness to work hard and risk your neck for your belief and for others. That doesn't quite match the description that pops into my mind when I hear the name Onesimus. Paul is asking Philemon, voluntarily, to set Onesimus free so that he may assist Paul in his ministry. Of all people! Philemon would be far more appropriate to take up such an honorable assignment, or any number of others here in Colossae, even other slaves! Philemon, who by law could severely punish or even execute Onesimus if he were that sort, is being asked to find it in his heart to forgive the boy and welcome him, as if he were welcoming Paul. You know, the neighbors already think we're walking the fence by letting people of the lower classes come to our home to worship -- if we set a slave free, especially a criminal, when he has not even so much as purchased his freedom ... that would be the last of the invitations to the theatre and some of the best feasts in town!
But, then again, Jesus of Nazareth was also considered to be a criminal. I feel as if we will be hanging on that tree with him if we trust someone so untrustworthy, if we forgive one who has betrayed us! You are asking us to do what, Paul? Play the fool before our entire household, our fellow citizens, our congregation of believers? (pauses) Yes, that's exactly what you're asking us to do. It's not really about whether or not Onesimus is sincere and deserves forgiveness, is it? Which of us deserves forgiveness, really? This isn't even about Onesimus! It's about us, and whether or not we will let the Holy Spirit change us ... here ... inside. This all reminds me of that passage of scripture proclaimed by the Jewish prophet, Jeremiah. God told him to go and observe a potter at work. The potter was shaping a vessel, but then destroyed it and reworked it into another vessel as he saw fit. Perhaps, we are being reworked by our Creator from the inside by way of the one person we might most resist.
Oh, don't look so innocent. You may not be asked to set a slave free ... that would be perfectly acceptable in your day and age. But don't be mistaken; God is still working on your hearts, shaping and molding you to fit into your place in the kingdom of God. What does that mean for your life? How are you being asked to change from the inside out? What are you being asked to risk? We're not so very different, you and I. We are all forgiven and loved by a God who does not ask how much we owe, nor how trustworthy we've proven to be in the past. And, that same God lays before us a blank page upon which the next chapter has yet to be written. Do you have your pen ready? Be careful what you write. It just may come back to haunt you ... or save you.
Tolerance of differences, forgiveness of others' weaknesses, reserving judgment are all noble concepts that are easy to live by in theory. But, when confronted with them in our own lives, self-protective instincts often get in the way. Philemon's wife, possibly Apphia of the superscription, and her husband are being faced with putting their newfound faith into practice on a personal level. They are being asked to do something out of sheer obedience to Christ and love for Paul that seems unwise. Yet, it was Paul who said, No, God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise ... (1 Corinthians 1:27a). Apphia, used to privilege and getting what she wants, weighs the cost of discipleship. In so doing, she challenges the congregation to discover the ways they too are being called by God to make the changes and choices necessary to be obedient followers of Christ.
Making It Play
Apphia, a relatively wealthy Greek woman in Colossae, is dressed to suggest that she is a woman of means: quality garments -- a stola with a pala draped over it, expensive-looking jewelry, and possibly some hair adornment. Agitation has her pacing as if she is presenting her case before a sympathetic jury. Her voice would be cultured, her posture confident. Emotion tries to squeak through when she speaks of Paul introducing her and her husband to Jesus, but is quickly hidden by her self-control. She should be less guarded when she finally figures out that this is about more than Onesimus. Here, the congregation becomes partner with her on the difficult journey of actually living out the faith they claim.
Philemon's Wife Explains Why Paul's Request Is No Small Matter
(shakes her head) Onesimus? Onesimus! Of all the people God has brought into our acquaintance, wouldn't you know it would be Onesimus who gains favor with our holy brother, Paul? Onesimus ... his name means "useful," even "beneficial" in our language, but let me assure you, that young man has been everything but! Okay, he does have a winning smile and pleasant enough disposition, but that slave has got laziness down to an art form! The work he does accomplish is not through his own labor, no, it is generally at the hands of one of the maids whom he has wrapped around his finger. We even caught my daughter running an errand for him! I think that is what finally set Philemon off!
My husband is actually a very generous man, and for years he would just shake his head when he found out about one more of Onesimus' antics. Neither of us could help but admire the lengths to which that young man would go in order to avoid breaking a sweat. However, with each caper he managed to pull, Onesimus became increasingly arrogant, and arrogance is something Philemon has little patience with -- especially since his conversion.
Actually, it was I who first heard of Paul of Tarsus from my cousin, Philia. She invited us to her home for a meal one evening with friends and was very excited about this outrageous upstart -- her terminology -- who would be there. He had explained to her household that the Messiah of the Jewish faith, a Jesus of Nazareth, had been crucified by the Roman authorities and had risen from the dead so that all people, Jewish or otherwise, would be forgiven their sins and brought into a relationship with the God of the Jews. Neither I nor my husband could fathom why anyone would want to be in a relationship with the God of the Jews, since they never seem to have any fun, but we thought we would humor my cousin and meet the odd fellow. Certainly, he must have some interesting stories to tell of his travels, and we could always excuse ourselves early to check on our children if he got too long-winded. Little did we know that it would be those long-winded speeches that would change our lives ... save our lives. I get choked up when I think of ... well, that's a story for another day. Back to Onesimus and our concern at hand.
You see, about six or seven months ago, Philemon was feeling ill, and he told Onesimus to bring an important message to the manager of one of our orchards. However, apparently something, presumably female, caught Onesimus' attention on the way, and the message was never delivered. Well, this resulted in a huge shipment of fruit being shipped to a destination that refused to accept it, and before it could be returned, it rotted. So, the manager sent a letter of distress to my husband, not even knowing that he was ill, which was delivered back into Onesimus' hands at our estate. But, Onesimus, not being able to read and noticing it was a beautiful day, decided to take a break and lounge by the pool. Finally, when my nine-year-old, Dorcas, ran by, he gave the message to her to give to her father. I have never heard a sound quite like what came out of my husband's mouth that day. I was on the other side of the compound and decided it might be a wise decision to stay where I was for the time being. Well, of course my husband gave Onesimus a thorough "chewing out," though he didn't have him whipped, as many people would have done. Then, he assigned Onesimus to do some real labor in one of the orchards for a couple of months. Onesimus was stunned, and indignant we later found out, so he decided to steal enough money to get him far away, and that was the last we'd heard of him ... until yesterday.
We received a letter from our dear brother, Paul, during the heat of the day and were relieved to hear that his spirit is not broken, despite his prison sentence, which seems interminable. Though the letter was primarily addressing Philemon, Paul's desire to keep us accountable to one another and to living by the way of Jesus comes through loud and clear. True to form, he made the letter an epistle, to be read aloud to the entire congregation of believers who meet in our household. It's rather difficult to ignore it that way. And, yes it's true, Paul has somehow connected up with the charming, infuriating Onesimus, and feels great affection for him -- he even says that he has been as a "father" to this impetuous slave! We love Paul truly, but how our Lord and Savior Jesus of Nazareth could pick such a gullible man to found our church is beyond me! I know Onesimus ... he has probably presented a convincing testimony of conversion to Paul and has wormed his way into the man's heart, but I am afraid that it is nothing more than a clever act -- and a convenient one at that, considering that Paul is the one man, other than Jesus himself, to whom Philemon feels indebted.
Oh, I'd like to believe that Onesimus has found faith in the forgiving grace of God made available to all people --awhich, I know, includes criminals and slaves -- but following the way of Jesus is costly and takes passion. It takes a willingness to work hard and risk your neck for your belief and for others. That doesn't quite match the description that pops into my mind when I hear the name Onesimus. Paul is asking Philemon, voluntarily, to set Onesimus free so that he may assist Paul in his ministry. Of all people! Philemon would be far more appropriate to take up such an honorable assignment, or any number of others here in Colossae, even other slaves! Philemon, who by law could severely punish or even execute Onesimus if he were that sort, is being asked to find it in his heart to forgive the boy and welcome him, as if he were welcoming Paul. You know, the neighbors already think we're walking the fence by letting people of the lower classes come to our home to worship -- if we set a slave free, especially a criminal, when he has not even so much as purchased his freedom ... that would be the last of the invitations to the theatre and some of the best feasts in town!
But, then again, Jesus of Nazareth was also considered to be a criminal. I feel as if we will be hanging on that tree with him if we trust someone so untrustworthy, if we forgive one who has betrayed us! You are asking us to do what, Paul? Play the fool before our entire household, our fellow citizens, our congregation of believers? (pauses) Yes, that's exactly what you're asking us to do. It's not really about whether or not Onesimus is sincere and deserves forgiveness, is it? Which of us deserves forgiveness, really? This isn't even about Onesimus! It's about us, and whether or not we will let the Holy Spirit change us ... here ... inside. This all reminds me of that passage of scripture proclaimed by the Jewish prophet, Jeremiah. God told him to go and observe a potter at work. The potter was shaping a vessel, but then destroyed it and reworked it into another vessel as he saw fit. Perhaps, we are being reworked by our Creator from the inside by way of the one person we might most resist.
Oh, don't look so innocent. You may not be asked to set a slave free ... that would be perfectly acceptable in your day and age. But don't be mistaken; God is still working on your hearts, shaping and molding you to fit into your place in the kingdom of God. What does that mean for your life? How are you being asked to change from the inside out? What are you being asked to risk? We're not so very different, you and I. We are all forgiven and loved by a God who does not ask how much we owe, nor how trustworthy we've proven to be in the past. And, that same God lays before us a blank page upon which the next chapter has yet to be written. Do you have your pen ready? Be careful what you write. It just may come back to haunt you ... or save you.
