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TRUST JESUS TODAY
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First, this is more of a play than a skit, but it seems to fit here more than in screen plays as it's not intended as a movie. This is my first play so any and all criticism is welcome. Finally, this is an Easter play. The setting alternates between Jerusalem on the day of Jesus's crucifixion, and a small town during the present.
ACT I
SCENE 1
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It’s nine o’clock in the morning. A single cross stands at center. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his head.)
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
Crucify him!
VOICE 2 (O.S.)
You saved others, now save yourself!
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
If you’re the messiah then prove it. Save yourself.
VOICE 2 (O.S.)
Save yourself, king of the Jews!
JESUS
(Lifting his head.)
Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 2
At RISE: (The interior of a church sanctuary. Sunday morning. PASTOR BLACKWELL stands behind his pulpit upstage and center. On either side of the center aisle are three rows of pews, angled toward the center of the stage. MATTHEW sits in the middle pew on the right side of the church. He is obviously distracted, sneaking several glances across the aisle at EMILY BAKER. He sits next to his mom and dad, MR. and MRS. WALLACE. MRS. COLLINS and MRS. PIERCE sit in the pew behind them. EMILY BAKER sits in the middle pew on the left side of the church and, like MATTHEW, she is stealing looks across the aisle, although they are far less frequent and certainly more furtive. EMILY’S father, MR. BAKER, sits next to her. MR. and MRS. WALSH sit one row behind the BAKERS.)
PASTOR BLACKWELL
At this time, let’s all stand and greet one another with the peace of Christ.
(Everyone rises. MATTHEW and EMILY find each other in the center aisle. The rest of the CONGREGATION freezes in tableau.)
MATTHEW
Did you talk to your dad?
EMILY
Yeah, I told him this morning.
MATTHEW
What did he say?
MR. BAKER
(Stepping between MATTHEW and EMILY, and taking EMILY by the arm.)
I told Emily to stay away from you.
MATTHEW
But Mr. Baker –
MR. BAKER
I mean it Matthew. Keep away from my daughter.
(The CONGREGATION comes back to life and returns to their places.)
PASTOR BLACKWELL
Now let us present our tithes and offerings.
(Once again the congregation freezes in tableau as MRS. COLLINS and MRS. PIERCE begin to talk.)
MRS. COLLINS
Did you hear about the Baker girl?
MRS. PIERCE
I did and I think it’s shameful. The whole thing is a shame. She was such a nice girl.
MRS. COLLINS
Well I don’t know what Bob and Carol were thinking, letting her spend her time with that boy. What did they expect would happen?
MRS. PIERCE
Shameful. The whole thing is just shameful.
(MATTHEW turns around in his pew to look back at MRS. COLLINS and MRS. PIERCE. They fail to notice him. A moment later and the whole CONGREGATION returns to life.)
PASTOR BLACKWELL
Please bow your heads and join me as we go to the Lord in prayer.
(The CONGREGATION freezes in tableau as MR. and MRS. WALSH begin to talk.)
MRS. WALSH
You don’t think they’ll get married, do you?
MR. WALSH
(His voice dripping in sarcasm.)
Oh, Bob would just love that.
MRS. WALSH
I hope they don’t. I mean, I guess it’s the right thing to do, but Emily’s already ruined her future, you know. The last thing she needs to do now is get stuck with him for the rest of her life.
MR. WALSH
Don’t worry about that. Matt Wallace and doing the right thing don’t exactly go together.
(MATTHEW turns to look back at MR. and MRS. WALSH, but like before, they fail to notice him. A moment passes and then once again the CONGREGATION returns to life.)
PASTOR BLACKWELL
Let us prepare our hearts and minds to hear the word of the Lord.
(The CONGREGATION freezes in tableau again as MRS. COLLINS and MRS. PIERCE begin to talk.)
MRS. COLLINS
And you know Bob and Carol’s hearts must be breaking.
MRS. PIERCE
It’s a shame. We’ll just have to keep the whole family in our prayers.
MRS. COLLINS
Of course I don’t blame Emily Like the Bible says, “Bad company corrupts good character,” if you know what I mean.
MRS. PIERCE
Shameful. Just shameful.
MATTHEW
(Standing up and turning to face MRS. COLLINS and MRS. PIERCE as the whole CONGREGATION returns to life.)
Both of you need to shut-up! Now!
MR. WALLACE
(Standing up and putting his hand on MATTHEW’S shoulder.)
That’s enough, Matthew!
MATTHEW
No Dad! I’m not going to sit here and listen to these two old hags –
MRS. PIERCE
Why I never –
MRS. COLLINS
How dare you!
MR. WALLACE
I said that’s enough, Matt. Now apologize and sit down.
MATTHEW
I’m not apologizing to them, and I’m not apologizing to the Walshes, or Mr. Baker, or anyone else in this church that’s got a problem with me.
(Pulls away from his father and exits. Blackout.)
SCENE 3
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It is late morning. A single cross still stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his head.)
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
Save yourself messiah. Step down off your cross, and while you’re at it, save us as well.
VOICE 2 (O.S.)
This man is innocent, and still you mock him! Have you no fear of God? You and I are guilty of our crimes, and we are being punished for them as we deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.
(Pause.)
Jesus, remember me.
JESUS
(Looking to his left.)
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 4
At RISE: (The WALLACE’S dining room. It’s Saturday evening and time for dinner. MR. WALLACE and MRS. WALLACE sit at opposite ends of their dining room table. MATT and his good friend SEAN EWING are seated between them. The table is set for dinner.)
SEAN
Thanks again for dinner, Mrs. Wallace. Everything was delicious.
MRS. WALLACE
You’re welcome Sean. You know you’re always welcome here
(Awkward pause.)
MR. WALLACE
(Never looking up from his plate.)
So, are you going to church tomorrow?
MATTHEW
(Also staring down at his plate.)
Wasn’t planning on it.
MRS. WALLACE
Will, not now –
MR. WALLACE
How long has it been? Six? Seven weeks?
MATTHEW
I don’t know. You’re the only one counting, Dad.
(Another awkward pause.)
SEAN
Well, I gotta say it. Personally, I’m proud of Matthew.
MR. WALLACE
(Looking up from his plate for the first time to stare hard at SEAN.)
What was that?
SEAN
It’s just that our little Matty’s finally growing up and thinking for himself. I mean, to be perfectly honest, I’m a little surprised that you and Mrs. Wallace still believe in all that stuff.
MR. WALLACE
What stuff is that, Sean?
SEAN
Listen, I’m not trying to offend you guys, but you and Mrs. Wallace are educated people. I’m just saying you should know better.
(Sigh of resignation as Mr. and Mrs. Wallace stare back in disbelief.)
Listen, from our very start, mankind has been inventing God. It’s recognized as a basic psychological need. I mean, lets face it, the universe is a big, scary place and it helps to pretend that someone is in charge of the whole thing. Doesn’t matter if you call him Zeus, or Brahma, or Yahweh.
MRS. WALLACE
(Turning to MATTHEW.)
And you agree with all this?
MATTHEW
Yeah. I mean it makes sense, doesn’t it?
SEAN
A million years ago some caveman sees snow for the first time, or lightning, or a supernova, and he needs to explain those things away, so he makes up God. But now we have science. There are no more miracles, just facts. Unless you want to totally ignore, I don’t know, fossils, telescopes, physics?
MR. WALLACE
Let me tell you something Sean, just because you can measure something with science doesn’t make it any less of a miracle.
MATTHEW
That’s not really what he’s talking about, Dad. Listen, it’s like, when’s the last time you’ve seen somebody walk on water? When have you ever seen the Red Sea split in two? Those miracles don’t happen anymore, and if they don’t happen now, what makes you think they happened back then? The bottom line is there’s no proof that God exists.
MRS. WALLACE
Let me ask you two then, do you believe that black holes exist?
SEAN
We don’t need to believe they exist, Mrs. Wallace; we know they exist.
MRS. WALLACE
Oh really? Well, how do you know? We can’t see them, so how do you know they exist?
MATTHEW
We know they exist because we can see their effects. The gravity of a black hole affects everything around it.
MRS. WALLACE
Oh, so that’s all it takes? You have to see the effects? Funny, because I can’t see God either, but I feel His effects everyday.
MATTHEW
That’s nice for you mom, but I haven’t seen any effects of God in my life. All I have is a lot of questions without any answers. So where does that leave me? Does God exist for you, but not for me?
MRS. WALLACE
No Matt, even if I didn’t see God working in my life I would still believe in him, because that’s what faith is. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
MR. WALLACE
But that’s not good enough for you two, is it? That’s because faith is a miracle, all by itself, and there are no miracles anymore, right? I said isn’t that right, Matthew?
MATTHEW
(Standing up.)
Let’s go Sean.
(SEAN stands up and exits left.)
MRS. WALLACE
(Standing up.)
Where are you going Matt?
(MATTHEW starts to exit left.)
MATTHEW
Out.
MR. WALLACE
(Standing up.)
Matthew –
MATTHEW
(Stops and turns back to his parents.)
If I wanted to get preached at Dad, I’d still be going to church.
(Exits left.)
MR. WALLACE
(Softly.)
Be careful.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 5
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It is still late morning. A single cross stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his head.)
VOICE 3 (O.S.)
(Grieving.)
Jesus.
JESUS
(Looking down and to his left.)
Dear woman, here is your son now.
(Turning his eyes down and to his right.)
John.
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
Yes, Lord.
JESUS
(Still looking down and to his right.)
Here is your mother.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 6
At RISE: (The interior of a hospital room, shortly after 11:00 p.m. In a single bed, at center stage, lies EMILY BAKER. She is pale and weak. DR. REYNOLDS stands next to the bed obviously concerned as he and EMILY speak quietly. An empty chair is also pulled up close to the side of the bed. MATTHEW enters slowly from right. He sees EMILY and freezes in place still several paces away from the bedside. DR. REYNOLDS notices MATTHEW standing just inside the doorway, and crosses to him.)
DR. REYNOLDS
(Good-naturedly as he crosses to greet Matthew.)
You must be Matt. I’ve heard a lot about you from Emily. Have you had a chance to see your daughter yet?
MATTHEW
(Hesitant, glancing from Dr. Reynolds to Emily.)
No, I . . . they brought me right in here.
DR. REYNOLDS.
(His voice dropping and his tone becoming serious.)
It’s because Emily asked to see you. Your daughter’s fine, but Emily lost a lot of blood during the birth. That bleeding still hasn’t stopped on its own. We’re getting her ready for surgery now, but she wanted to see you first. Do you understand what I’m telling you, Matt?
MATTHEW
I mean, she’ll be fine, right? This sort of thing is just a common –
DR. REYNOLDS
No, it’s not. It’s not common. Hopefully she’ll be fine. She’s a fighter, but right now things are very serious.
(Pause.)
We’ll be coming to take her up to surgery in a couple of minutes.
(Exit right.)
MATTHEW
(Crossing to the bed and sitting down in the chair.)
How are you feeling?
EMILY
(Sounding weak and tired.)
Matt, our daughter is so beautiful. I’ve never seen a baby so beautiful. I guess everyone says that, but I really think she is. I named her Hope, after my grandmother. I know we didn’t talk about it, but I thought –
MATTHEW
No, I like it. It’s perfect.
EMILY
But I didn’t give her a middle name yet. I was thinking . . . I just thought that you could pick it out, okay?
MATTHEW
Listen Emily –
EMILY
Matt, if something happens to me–
MATTHEW
Nothing’s going to happen. You’re going to be fine.
EMILY
No, listen. If I’m not . . . I want my Mom and Dad to take care of Hope. It’s nothing against you, Matt; it’s just . . . They could give her so much, you know? I talked to them about it and they said they would.
MATTHEW
Whatever you want –
EMILY
But Matt, you’re still her father. You understand that too, right? She’s going to need you. Don’t let her lose both of us, okay?
(Looking up at MATTHEW.)
Promise me, Matt.
MATTHEW
I promise.
NURSE
(Enters right carrying a baby.)
Emily.
(Crosses to the bed and hands the baby to EMILY. Exits right.)
EMILY
(Still looking up at Matthew.)
Matt, would you like to meet your daughter?
(Turning her eyes back to the baby.)
And can you say “hi” to your daddy? Can you say “hi” little one?
MATTHEW
(Reaching over to hold the baby’s hand.)
She’s beautiful, Emily.
EMILY
(Pause. Still looking down at the baby. She starts to sing almost as a lullaby.)
(NURSE enters right. EMILY hands the baby to MATTHEW. MATTHEW turns all his attention to the baby as the NURSE busies herself around EMILY’S bed, preparing her to leave for the operating room.)
(ORDERLIES enter to assist with EMILY. ORDERLIES and NURSE exit right with EMILY. Lights dim. Spot stays on Matthew)
DR. REYNOLDS
(Enters right. He’s tired and stops just inside the door.)
Matt . . .
(MATTHEW looks up and meets the eyes of DR. REYNOLDS. Neither speaks. DR. REYNOLDS lowers his eyes and exits right.)
EMILY
(Enters right. MATTHEW does not respond to her entrance. Instead he continues to look down at his newborn daughter. Emily is walking now and wearing a simple white dress.)
(EMILY crosses to MATTHEW and the baby. She kisses both MATTHEW and the baby. Neither MATTHEW nor the baby respond.)
(JESUS enters left. He is no longer wearing the crown of thorns. He appears peaceful. He holds both his hands open at his sides.)
(EMILY turns all her attention to JESUS standing at the far left. She is filled with joy and peace as she slowly begins walking to JESUS. From this moment on, she no longer looks back to MATTHEW or the baby.)
(EMILY reaches JESUS. She takes hold of his hand as he leads her off stage left.)
NURSE
(Enters right.)
I can take her, if you want.
MATTHEW
(Looks up from the baby. He stands and crosses to the nurse, handing her the baby.)
Yeah, sure. Thank you.
NURSE
Have you decided on a middle name yet?
MATTHEW
It’s Emily, after her mom.
NURSE
That’s nice. I think she would’ve liked that.
MATTHEW
Listen, can you keep her? I gotta . . . I have to get out of here.
NURSE
(Understanding.)
Sure.
(MATTHEW exits right. Blackout.)
SCENE 7
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It’s early in the afternoon. A single cross stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his bowed head.)
JESUS
(Raising his head to the far away sky. With a tremendous effort, he cries out in anguish.)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
(Blackout.)
SCENE 8
At RISE: (A deserted street. It’s the middle of the night, or, more appropriately, very early morning. MATTHEW stands under the solitary light of a street lamp.
STRANGER
(Enters right. He walks directly to MATTHEW holding two bottles in two separate brown paper bags. He hands one to MATTHEW before unscrewing the top of his own bottle and lifting it in a “toast” to the young man.)
Thanks again.
MATTHEW
(Taking the bottle and unscrewing the top as he returns the STRANGER’S “toast”.)
Yeah. Enjoy it, buddy.
MR. BAKER
(Enters left, looking up and down the street. He is walking with another OLDER MAN, obviously a friend. As they walk, MR. BAKER freezes. He sees MATTHEW. He crosses quickly to the boy, seething with a cold anger.)
There you are.
MATTHEW
(Looking up and recognizing MR. BAKER.)
Mr. Baker, listen –
(Before he can say another word, MR. BAKER punches MATTHEW in the jaw, sending him staggering to the ground.)
MR. BAKER
(Still standing over MATTHEW.)
I should’ve known! You –
(Catching himself.)
My wife is sitting in the hospital with your daughter, our granddaughter. And my baby girl is lying . . . she’s dead, Matthew! She’s dead, and here you are, getting drunk in the street!
MATTHEW
(Sitting up on the sidewalk.)
Mr. Baker –
MR. BAKER
Don’t you dare! You don’t get to say anything to me. You took her from us, and now . . . She had so much, and you took it away . . . And look at you, you’re nothing.
OLDER MAN
(Stepping in to take MR. BAKER by the arm, almost dragging him away.)
C’mon Bob. It’s not worth it. C’mon.
MR. BAKER
(Halfheartedly struggling against the OLDER MAN as he’s lead off left.)
You should be the one lying in that morgue! It should be you! You’re nothing! You hear me? You’re worthless! It should’ve been you!
(MR. BAKER and the OLDER MAN exit left.)
MATTHEW
(He is sitting alone now beneath a solitary streetlight.)
He’s right.
(Looking up, his voice rising.)
You hear me? I said he’s right. It should’ve been me.
(Blackout. End ACT I.)
ACT II
SCENE 1
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It’s early in the afternoon. A single cross stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his bowed head.)
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
Look at him
VOICE 2 (O.S.)
(In mockery)
The King of the Jews!
VOICE 1 (O.S.)
He won’t be king of anyone much longer.
JESUS
(Rousing himself)
I thirst.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 2
At RISE: (We return to the same time and place as the close of Act I. It is the middle of the night on an abandoned street. MATTHEW still sits on the sidewalk, recovering from MR. BAKER’S punch. The STRANGER stands off to the side, staring down at MATTHEW. There is a light smile on The STRANGER’S face, suggesting both amusement and understanding.)
STRANGER
Is what that man said the truth?
MATTHEW
(Looking up, more frustrated with himself than the question.)
Yeah, it’s the truth. Every word.
STRANGER
Well then, I suppose congratulations are in order!
MATTHEW
(Laughing bitterly to himself.)
For what part? For being worthless or better off dead?
STRANGER
(Chuckling to himself.)
Nah, neither one of those. I meant congratulations on being a new daddy!
MATTHEW
(Still with sarcasm.)
Yeah, for being a daddy. Let me tell you, it’s great.
STRANGER
Oh, I see. So you don’t wanna be a daddy.
MATTHEW
No, it’s not that. It’s . . . It’s just. . . Listen, I’m the last person who should be a father.
STRANGER
Well what should or shouldn’t be don’t much matter now. Facts are you is.
MATTHEW
Listen, you don’t know me.
STRANGER
Oh, I don’t know about that. I bet I know you more than you think. Like I can see all that guilt you’re carrying around. Just wearing it around your neck like it’s some kind of badge of honor. Like you’re proud of it or something. And I’m smart enough to know there’s only one man ever did make it through this life perfect. As far as I can tell, you ain’t him.
MATTHEW
(Snapping.)
You don’t think I know that.
STRANGER
(Staying perfectly calm, his voice unchanging.)
Well now, maybe you did or maybe you didn’t. Either way it had to be said. Now you can go ahead and get on with it.
MATTHEW
Get on with what?
STRANGER
(Laughing.)
Get on with what the rest of us mere mortals do everyday; every single time we make a mistake. We ask for forgiveness. We say we’re sorry; we ask the good Lord for another chance, and then we try our best to do it just a little bit better. I mean after all, that’s what life is right, one big trial and error?
MATTHEW
You don’t understand.
STRANGER
Why you keep assuming I don’t know nothing? I certainly don’t have the most
(Cont’d.)
STRANGER (Cont’d.)
education, but then again, I don’t see anyone handing out PhD’s in love, so maybe I understand just right. Maybe you don’t understand. Let me ask you something. What’s your daughter’s name?
MATTHEW
My . . . ? We named her Hope.
STRANGER
(Smiling to himself at the name.)
You say Hope?
(MATTHEW nods.)
Now that’s a sweet name. One of the sweetest a child can get, I think. Right up there with Faith and Love.
(Laughing at his own joke.)
Well let me ask you something about little Hope. Have you held your daughter in your arms yet?
MATTHEW
Yeah, I have. Just for a couple of minutes . . .
STRANGER
Now tell me, when you was looking down at little Hope, did you love that little girl?
MATTHEW
Yeah. More than anything.
STRANGER
See that! And she ain’t done a thing yet, and here you are, loving her like that. No reason for it. It just is. Now let me ask you something else . . . what would that little girl have to do to make you stop loving her?
MATTHEW
(Laughing quietly to himself.)
Nothing. There’s nothing in the world. Not even if she tried.
STRANGER
And that’s the smartest thing you’ve said yet. Sounds like you understand this love thing pretty good too. And think about it, you’re just guilty, messed-up, old you.
MATTHEW
Yeah, I guess, but. . .
STRANGER
Now tell me something else, don’t you think our heavenly father can love like that? Son, he’s dying to love you like that.
MATTHEW
(Softening.)
Look, I hear what you’re saying, but . . .
STRANGER
Yeah, you hear what I’m saying, but you ain’t listening. You’re too busy hearing me with your ears and with your head. But you keep on listening and sooner or later you’ll hear me where you need to. ‘Course it won’t be me you’re hearing at all.
(The STRANGER takes another swig from his bottle, then turns to leave.)
Anyway, I think I oughtta get home myself. You take care now, son, and you tell little Hope we’ll be praying for her.
MATTHEW
(Fumbling in his pocket for a few dollar bills.)
Listen . . . here, take this. You can use it for another . . .
(He points to the convenience store.)
STRANGER
Nah!
(Taking a bottle of soda out of the bag.)
I can only have one a night. The caffeine gets to me after a while, you know.
MATTHEW
(Dumbfounded.)
I . . . I mean I thought . . .
STRANGER
(Smirking to himself.)
Yeah I know what you thought. I let you think it. But it don’t matter. You just go on and take care of that little girl, and you go and take care of yourself too, and . . . I guess I never did catch your name.
MATTHEW
It’s Matt.
STRANGER
Well Matt, we’ll be praying for you too.
(The STRANGER exits left, singing quietly to himself. Matthew watches him go. Blackout.)
SCENE 3
At RISE: (A hill in Jerusalem. It’s still early in the afternoon. A single cross stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his bowed head.)
JESUS
(Looking up to heaven and calling out in a loud voice.)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
(Blackout.)
SCENE 4
At RISE: (The interior of the church sanctuary. It looks exactly as it did in ACT I SCENE 2, only it’s darker now and empty of people, as it is the middle of the night. MATTHEW enters the church from right and quietly steals up the middle aisle. He sits in his usual seat, second pew, right side, closest to the aisle. He is obviously awkward in the abandoned church and would just as soon leave, but even so, he forces himself to stay. He thinks about praying, but he can’t. Instead he sits in silence, staring toward the front of the church, but looking at nothing in particular. After a few moments PASTOR BLACKWELL enters the church from right. He walks in silence up the middle aisle and MATTHEW fails to notice him until PASTOR BLACKWELL sits down in the pew across the aisle.)
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Speaking as he sits down in the pew.)
I thought I’d keep the church unlocked tonight, just in case. Still never thought I’d see you.
MATTHEW
(Starts to get up.)
Yeah, I guess it’s been a while . . .
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Holding up his hand to stop MATTHEW.)
Sit down, Matt. I learned a long time ago not to take church attendance personal. Besides, it’s good that you’re here.
(Quietly, as if speaking almost to himself.)
You know, I used to sit over here for hours after Abby passed away. I didn’t mind that it was quiet here. . . You’re not old enough to remember Abigail, are you?
MATTHEW
No, I remember Mrs. Blackwell. She taught our Sunday school for a year.
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Almost speaking to himself.)
That’s right. I forgot she did that . . . You know it’s funny, Matt, but it never seems to hurt any less. I guess it just hurts less frequent. You know, something like that happens and at first, it’s all you can think about. But then, after a while, you go a couple days, sometimes even a couple weeks, and you just don’t think about it. But then you get a day like today, and it all comes back, and every time it always feels the same. I know you were young when it happened, but do you remember anything about Abby’s accident . . . ?
MATTHEW
No, not really. I mean, I remember my mom telling me about it, and I remember her crying a lot, but that’s about it.
PASTOR BLACKWELL
Well let me tell you, those first few days after the accident were bad. I was a mess. I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t think. I couldn’t do anything. It’s like I was walking through a fog, just waiting to wake up. I didn’t know what to do, so eventually, after those first few days went by I thought I’d start back to work; I’d try and force myself back into some kind of routine. Problem was I wasn’t ready to go back to work. I couldn’t be a pastor to anybody. But I kept at it. Then a couple weeks went by. Then a couple months, and I was still doing my job, but I sure wasn’t doing it very well. ‘Course the folks here at Calvary were great. They supported me the best they could. But after six months of dealing with a mediocre pastor, even they had had enough. That’s when they figured it was time to do something, and they picked your dad to do it.
MATTHEW
(Laughing.)
I never heard this. What did he do?
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Laughing to himself.)
Well, your parents had me over for dinner. Your mom made her lasagna, and then, after dinner when she took you upstairs to put you to bed, your dad and me. . . well, we had a talk. I remember we were having our coffee when he fixes me with that look he’s got. You know the one I’m talking about?
MATTHEW
(Laughing.)
Yeah, I know that look. That’s his, you-better-listen-up-because-I’m-only-going-to-say-this-once look. Yeah, I may have seen that once or twice.
PASTOR BLACKWELL
Well he hits me with that stare of his and he says, “Pastor, you can either keep trying to beat this thing on your own, and you can keep failing at it, or you can ask for help.”
Then he takes a sip of his coffee, and without ever looking back up he says, “And I’m not talking about Susan and me.”
MATTHEW
What did you do?
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Stands up and walks around to the pulpit.)
I walked out. I don’t remember ever being so angry at another person. I was mad at your dad for . . . well, for having the guts to say those things, and I was mad at myself, because I knew it was the truth. That was a Saturday night. The next day in church I was still angry. I was standing right here, just seething with all my anger, when we finally got to the hymn before the sermon. It was Be Thou My Vision. Now we had sung that hymn at my wedding. So I was standing here, singing, and all my anger just seemed to slip away. And then I wasn’t really singing anymore at all. I was praying with the words of the hymn. I realized I was holding back; holding on to some illusion of control over my life. You know, talking about God’s will for our lives that was all well and good, just as long as God’s will fit in with my own plans. But then losing Abby . . . well, that was never a part of any plan. So that Sunday, and maybe for the first time in my life, I truly prayed, “God’s will be done.”
PASTOR BLACKWELL (Cont’d.)
(Stepping down from the pulpit and returning to the pew across from Matthew.)
After that I was a different pastor. Heck, I was a different person. We started up the
Ruth Ministry for families coping with grief soon after, and that’s been such a blessing to this church. I mean, did you know that’s how Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Collins first started at Calvary? And Chris and Jennifer Walsh met for the first time at one of our Ruth meetings. And, when they’re ready, the Ruth Ministry and this church will be there for Bob and Carol Baker. And Matt . . . we’ll be there for you too.
MATTHEW
(More frustrated than angry.)
So that’s it? That’s your advice? Look for the silver lining in all this? Trust that this is all part of some master plan?
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Still calm.)
Matt, I learned a long time ago not to guess at God’s plan, but I’ll tell you what I do know. Here you are at two o’clock in the morning, sitting in an empty church, looking for answers. And here I am, at two o’clock in the morning, to unlock the door. I take some comfort in that.
(Stands and turns to leave, but before he goes he touches MATTHEW’S shoulder.)
Maybe you can too.
(As PASTOR BLACKWELL leaves, the lights fade to black except for the single light that stays on MATTHEW. He sits silently, with his head bowed and his hands folded. As he sits, the rest of the church interior is removed.)
SCENE 5
At RISE (A hill in Jerusalem. It’s early afternoon. A single cross stands in the center of the stage. JESUS hangs from the cross with a crown of thorns around his bowed head. At the same time, it’s also 2:00 in the morning in the interior of the church. MATTHEW still sits in his pew at left, praying with his head bowed and hands folded. Throughout the scene, he never looks up.)
MATTHEW
(Head bowed, hands folded, praying aloud.)
I’ve been here my whole life, listening with my ears and with my head, but never really hearing what I needed to . . . God, I know that you are good. You are holy. You’re perfect, and I know, with all my heart, that I am not.
MR. and MRS. WALLACE
(Enter and stand at right. They exist in MATTHEW’S memory, and therefore, MATTHEW still doesn’t look up or acknowledge them.)
MATTHEW
God, I have sinned. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life that I don’t know where to begin. And I know that each one of these mistakes has hurt someone I love. I’ve hurt my family and my friends. I’ve hurt Emily. And I’ve hurt you, and for that I’m sorry.
MR. BAKER
(Enters and stands at left. Like MR. and MRS. WALLACE, MR. BAKER exists in MATTHEW’S memory, and therefore MATTHEW does not acknowledge him.)
MATTHEW
I know you hate my sins. How could you not? But I also know, even with all my sins and mistakes, you still love me. You love me, and you want a relationship with me.
STRANGER
(Enters and stands right. Like the others, he is a memory.)
MATTHEW
I’ve tried to save myself by my own means, and every time I’ve failed. But now I have a daughter. I’m her father, and the time for playing games with my life and my faith is over. I know the only way I can be saved is through you.
PASTOR BLACKWELL
(Enters and stands left. Like all the rest, he is a memory.)
MATTHEW
I know the price of my sins should be death, but you loved me so much that you sent your son to take my place. He became a man and lived a perfect life. Then he humbled himself and submitted to death – even a death on a cross – to save my life. Father God, let me confess out loud what I believe in my heart. Jesus is Lord of my life. You raised him from the dead, and through him I am saved.
EMILY
(Enters and stands left. Like the others, she is a memory.)
MATTHEW
(Still looking down and praying.)
Dear God, forgive my sins. Wash me and I will be clean. Create in me a pure heart and make me a new creation. I pray for all these things in your name . . .
JESUS
(Stepping down from the cross and walking directly to MATTHEW. He places his hand on top of MATTHEW’S head as he speaks, while MATTHEW continues to bow his head in prayer. The words are intended specifically for MATTHEW.)
It is finished.
(For the firs time MATTHEW looks up from his prayer and into the eyes of JESUS. JESUS reaches down and helps MATTHEW to his feet. Then he turns MATTHEW around to fully face downstage. As MATTHEW steps forward, JESUS exits.)
(MATTHEW looks back, first over one shoulder then the other. He holds out each hand and MR. and MRS. WALLACE, MR. BAKER, the STRANGER, PASTOR BLACKWELL, and EMILY step forward to join him, all holding hands and forming a single row across the stage.)
(Blackout. Curtain. End ACT II.)
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