This is a short dramatic scene which I wrote a few years ago for Digswell Village Church and which is based on the gospel reading for the Second Sunday before Advent in Year C, 17 November this year. We usually have quite a jolly atmosphere in the church in the early part of the service, but by the end of the scene the frightened silence could really be felt.·
As always, one of the first things we do when interpreting scripture is to think what it may have meant to its first readers, or, in this case, hearers. Then we can try to map our insights onto our present situation. Luke almost certainly wrote the Gospel between 70 and 90 AD, and his first readers will have been part of one of the early church communities. What will they have made of it? Let’s eavesdrop into a conversation:
We are in the equivalent of a bar/pub in a small town in what was then called Asia, around 80 AD. It’s lunchtime and two men, Erastus and Linus, who are part of a new church community, are discussing what they have just heard in their morning worship. It happens to be the Gospel we have just heard. They are quite cautious and talking in a low voice to each other.
Erastus So, Linus, what did you think of
this morning’s worship?
Linus I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t think
I like all these new songs. I much prefer the psalms sung in the old Hebrew
way. But I know we are not only a Jewish community now – Jews, Greeks, Romans,
slaves and free – all sorts in the church.
Erastus Yes, but how about that new reading
from Luke? My wife was asking me about it before I came out. She didn’t dare
ask whilst we were together at worship after we got that rather strong letter
from Paul.
Linus Yes, he’s a bit hard going. Tough on
the women, too. I wonder if he was ever married when he lived in Tarsus? Things
like Luke’s writings are usually easier, and they talk directly about Jesus.
Erastus But today was not at all easy. It
was all conflict and destruction.
Linus Sure, but Jesus was a prophet too,
and he clearly got it right. Do you remember what the refugees from Jerusalem told us? The
temple was one of the most magnificent buildings anywhere. In the sun it would
shine bright gold, and now it is completely destroyed, and with it the whole
Jewish priesthood. Now there are only isolated synagogues with their rabbis.
Erastus But with hindsight it could have
been expected. There were always revolts and insurrections against Rome. Eventually they
were bound to lose patience and when anyone makes themselves an enemy of Rome, Rome
makes sure that they are completely destroyed.
Linus What about the rest of the reading?
I’ve never heard such a long list of disasters and conflicts.
Erastus I wonder if some of that is not
already happening? Look how we have to keep our heads down at times. The Jewish
community is after us and Caesar’s officials are getting suspicious of us. Not
all my family agree with me about Jesus, and some of our closest friends are
beginning to keep their distance. It’s quite worrying really. Some of our
members may even be spies for Rome.
Linus So isn’t this where what Jesus said
is so important? I mean right now? Because what Jesus prophesised about the
temple happened, and what he said after that seems to be happening now. What
can we do?
Erastus I agree. It’s frightening. … See
that man over there in the corner? He’s not a regular. He’s looking round at
everyone. Don’t look up and catch his eye. …
What
I’m trying to do, but I’m not very good at it yet, is to keep praying. I’m
learning the psalms. Our Jewish brothers know them by heart. Some of them
really make sense. How about: ‘O God make speed to save me. Let those who seek
my life be put to shame and confusion.’
Linus Yes, that’s possible. Now you
mention it, there’s lots of verses that make sense .. ‘In God I trust and will
not fear, for what can flesh do to me?’
Erastus ‘Behold, God is my helper; it is the
Lord who upholds my life’.
Both
getting louder and more excited so that they are heard by everyone around.
During this the stranger comes over to them.
Linus ‘Hear my prayer, O God; hide not
yourself from my petition.
Give
heed to me and answer me: I am restless in my complaining.’
Erastus I know this one. ‘I am alarmed at
the voice of the enemy and at the clamour of the wicked; for they would bring
down evil upon me and are set against me in fury.’
Linus ‘And I said, “O that I had wings
like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest.” ‘
Erastus And later, ‘As for me, I will call
upon God and the Lord will deliver me’ (he
gasps as he looks up).
Officer Which of you is Erastus? You, is it?
Please come with me to the Praetorium. We have information that you have been
heard insulting the name of Caesar.
Erastus
leaves with the officer.
Linus (calling after him) Remember what Luke
wrote for us? ‘Not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will
gain your souls’.
