----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. Visit our web site at http://hc.dlampel.com to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version for performance. ----------- DESCRIPTION ----------- STANDING IN THE SHADOW Type: Sketch (from The Twelve) Synopsis: Andrew and Rebekah are both younger than their brother, Simon Peter. Andrew is a calm, friendly person who enjoys bringing people to his master, Jesus. Rebekah is an easily excitable young woman who is having a difficult time understanding Andrew's humble servant heart and his deference to Peter. Themes: Servanthood; Evangelism Characters: Andrew, Rebekah Length: 4 1/2 min. ------ SCRIPT ------ STANDING IN THE SHADOW Copyright (c) 2000 David S. Lampel His Company The Time: Near the end of Jesus' Ministry The Place: Capernaum [Enter Andrew and his sister Rebekah. Rebekah is a few years younger than Andrew and both are younger than their brother, Simon Peter. Andrew is a calm, friendly person who enjoys bringing people to his master, Jesus. Rebekah is an easily excitable young woman who is having a difficult time understanding the ways of either brother.] REBEKAH (as they enter) So tell me more of what happened! ANDREW It wasn't that big a thing-- REBEKAH That's what you say. Because of you more than five thousand people were fed from a boy's lunch? And you say it's no big thing. ANDREW (stopping) You're getting it all wrong. I brought the boy to Jesus; the boy gave his lunch to Jesus; Jesus is the one who fed five thousand from the little boy's lunch. I had nothing to do with it. REBEKAH But you brought him. ANDREW (shrugging his shoulders) Could have been anyone else. REBEKAH (shaking her head) Andrew, you are never going to make anything of yourself in this world. You've got to have more self-respect, more pride. ANDREW You don't know-- REBEKAH Why must you always be standing in the shadow of someone else? You are important, too. ANDREW But Rebekah, you don't understand-- REBEKAH (oblivious) You're always talking about our brother, Simon-- ANDREW (excitedly) Oh, did I tell you? Jesus gave him a new name! (proudly) He is now called Simon Peter, the Rock! REBEKAH You see, there you go again! Always Simon this, and Simon that. I love our brother as much as you, but you seem to care nothing for yourself. Always bringing others to Jesus--always giving someone else first place. ANDREW Rebekah, I don't think you are really listening to the teachings of Jesus. We're none of us more important than the others. REBEKAH Even when you were a disciple of the Baptist you-- ANDREW (excitedly) There, you see! John was the perfect example of a servant. Everything he did pointed others to the Lord, not himself. (pause; seriously; introspective) Maybe I learned more from John than I thought. REBEKAH (solemnly) Yes, and we all know what happened to him. ANDREW (affectionately; placing his hands on her shoulders) Dear sister, listen to me. Profit from the words of Jesus. (pause) One day while we were on the road, Jesus spoke to us of this very thing. He said, "Whoever among you wishes to be great, he must be your servant; and whoever wishes to be the first must be your slave." REBEKAH That doesn't make any sense! ANDREW Ah, but He went on to say, "This is just as the Son of Man" -- He was speaking of Himself -- "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." REBEKAH These words are meaningless to me. ANDREW Well, you're not alone. I'm just beginning to grasp it myself. Earlier that day, Jesus was talking about what was going to happen to Him--as He had before. "The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up." It's hard for us to imagine such a thing. Our master....to die? And He already knows of it? Sometimes He tells us stories, and some think this is just another of His parables. But I'm not sure. I think this is more than a story. But whatever happens, I'm beginning to understand what He's saying. There will be some purpose in His death. Somehow, others will profit by His sacrifice. I know it makes no sense to us. But you should see into His eyes when He speaks of it.... Then you would believe. REBEKAH The words of your master are not proven by history. ANDREW He doesn't speak of the past. He speaks of the future. REBEKAH And what of all these servants? Where is their reward? ANDREW He said it a long time ago: "Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth." REBEKAH And that's why? ANDREW I am not the way I am because of some future inheritance. You know very well I have always deferred to others. I was always happy in the shadow of Simon. But I know that now--and in the future--Jesus will need followers who are simply ordinary people. People who place the welfare of others before their own. [Andrew smiles reassuringly at Rebekah; he places his arm around his sister as they exit] ANDREW (continuing) And if there is some inheritance for that, it will surely be the reward of having lived a life for Him. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel") ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel Winterset, IA 50273 USA Complete resources at http://hc.dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20120305