----------------------------- 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 ----------- ONLY FOR A TIME Type: Sketch (from The Surrender) Synopsis: It is now time for Jesus to begin His ministry. He must be baptized by His cousin and leave home. But first He must bid good-bye to his mother, Mary. Misc. Notes and Scripture References: For some, this sketch goes against their traditional image of Mary, the mother of Jesus. For that reason, I have included an apologia of sorts below. I based my picture of a Mary in her 50's on primarily three groups of scripture: at the temple - Luke 2:40-52 the wedding at Cana - John 2:1-11 Jesus' family calling to Him - Matt 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21 I began with our traditional image of Mary, which is taken from the Annunciation and the Magnificat; but then I overlayed that with time, the aforementioned references, and (most importantly) human nature. Mary was not a supreme being nor was she a perfect human. God chose a mother without blemish as the vehicle by which to incarnate his Son, who was without blemish. My reading of scripture has left me with the foundational premise that Mary was first and foremost a mother--nothing less, and very little more. We do ourselves a disservice by leaving Mary with the personality of a fragile, awe-struck teenager for the rest of her life. She did believe, she did accept her role as mother of the Son of God, she did believe the angel--the Magnificat so beautifully tells us she did. But look at the later passages. Only twelve years after the birth she has already forgotten. She and Joseph "..found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening and asking questions," questions and answers that "...amazed all who heard Him." What was his parent's response to such an amazing thing? Mary scolded Him: "Son, why have you treated us this way?" Wouldn't the Mary of the Magnificat have said something like: "How wonderful! It's finally beginning!" No, verse 50 says that after Jesus explained to them that He now had to be about the things of His Father, "...they did not understand the statement which He had made to them." Now, eighteen years after the temple event, Mary is probably in her fifties or late forties, her husband is probably dead, and she is left with several children--the oldest of which is Jesus, who has learned the trade of his earthly father. Surely, as the oldest, it would have fallen to Him to support the family after the passing of His father. But let's leave the good-bye scene and skip ahead to those two events recorded where Jesus had dealings with his mother and family. In just three succinct verses, at the scene of His first recorded miracle, the wedding at Cana, we get a clear picture of their new relationship from both Jesus and Mary. I defer to the Wycliffe Commentary: "Mary came to Jesus with the tidings that the wine supply had been exhausted. In His reply, the use of woman does not involve disrespect. What have I to do with thee? (KJV) The words indicate division of interest and seem to suggest a measure of rebuke. Mary may have expected Jesus to use the situation to call attention to Himself in a way that would have furthered His Messianic program. But His hour had not yet come. Later references point to the cross as the focal point of the hour. Jesus wanted His mother to understand that the former relationship between the two of them was at an end. She was not to interfere in His mission. Mary wisely did not dispute the matter. If she could not command Him, she could instruct the servants to obey His directions. Thus she showed her confidence in Him." Jesus further defined this separation later in His ministry when He was surrounded by a crowd of people and His family wished an audience with Him. When informed that His family was outside wishing to see Him, he gestured to those immediately around Him and said: "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." These scenes from the Scriptures tell me that Mary went through a time of transition--and that probably that transition was not easy for her. The New Testament is replete with examples of how people--and especially His family--did not understand what Jesus was about. Even His disciples--twelve men who lived with Him day in and day out, witnessing miracle after miracle, hearing him teach--did not understand until the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost--just as we don't understand any of it without the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Mary had thirty long years to accept Jesus as her son, to know him as a man; she nursed him, cleaned up after him, fed him, bathed him, watched him play with the other boys in the neighborhood........ She had thirty years to conveniently slip away from that momentous visit by the angel. She didn't forget--she just chose to deny that He had never really been hers. He belonged to God, and I think any mother of thirty years would want to hold onto her first-born. While this explanation has been longer than the sketch itself, it serves as a very good explanation for how I have approached the subjects in most of the plays in this catalog. Theme: Jesus' devotion to the Father and His commitment to His plan. Characters: Mary, mother of Jesus, and Jesus Christ Length: 4 min. ------ SCRIPT ------ ONLY FOR A TIME Copyright (c) 2000 David S. Lampel His Company [At the age of thirty, Jesus left his home in Nazareth, to be baptized and begin His ministry, leaving behind his mother and the rest of her sons and daughters. Jesus sees before Him a ministry, the very reason for which He came; His mother, Mary, sees only her eldest abandoning His family. ENTER MARY and JESUS, already in conversation.] MARY (frustrated) But I don't understand this. JESUS (quietly, but firmly) I must leave. MARY You haven't given me a reason. Have I done something wrong? JESUS I--I'm compelled. MARY Jesus, when your father died, he left with his heart at peace, knowing that you--his first son--would continue his business and care for his family. JESUS I am the first-born to another. MARY Again you speak of it! JESUS (tenderly) Mother, when I was twelve years old you and father took me to the temple in Jerusalem. Do you remember? It was my first time and I was so excited. It was all so new and special to me. But I stayed too long. I was separated from you and stayed behind and made you angry. Do you remember what I said to you when you found me there in the temple? Mother, do you? MARY (emphatically) Your father's business is here! JESUS Would you have me deny my Father's will? MARY (missing his inference; nostalgically) He wanted only the best for you. You learned his trade so easily--you were born to it. And he was so proud of you. Why, Joseph always said-- JESUS (firmly) Mother! (pause; softening) I loved Joseph with all my heart. With all his uncertainty, all his...questions, he accepted me. He loved me as his son. But it was a love that held much pain. He put up with so much vicious talk. MARY Oh, was I immune to the gossip of neighbors? JESUS I was at least of your body. He held no claim to me but marriage to you. A man and woman join to create life. That child is then a special miracle to those two people. Joseph never had that with me. He could love, even accept, but never fully understand. I was never a part of him. My beginnings were not stirred from his loins---and my end will not be his memorial. MARY (turning away; sadly) At this moment, I think I miss my husband very much. I feel so... alone. JESUS (going to her) I will always be a part of you. You brought me to this world. You gave me the warmth of your arms, the nourishment of your breast... you gave me life! You're my mother! MARY (turning back quickly) Then how can you leave? JESUS (stronger) It's my time. MARY (angrily) Time for what? To break your mother's heart? Time to walk away from your responsibilities, your family? Your life is here! You are the oldest. JESUS I go to be baptized. MARY (stunned; incredulous) Baptized? Why? Only the Gentiles require baptism when they accept our faith. Why would you have need of this? JESUS To fulfill all righteousness. In obedience to my father. MARY (harshly) Your father died nine years ago. He left you to take care of his family. JESUS (sternly) Woman! You can no longer keep buried in your heart the reality of my birth! Remember. Remember how it began. I have never been yours to keep. Only for a time. (pause) I have no one closer to me on this earth than you. But, it is my Father's plan that I walk the rest of the way alone. MARY (after a pause; in catharsis) Oh, Jesus! I've denied the possibility of this day for....thirty years. I prayed that, somehow, God would show me mercy....that He would change His mind. JESUS The Father will never forsake you. Through you He has accomplished His purpose. Don't be afraid, Mary. MARY (smiling through her tears) A long time ago, an angel from the Lord said that to me. I wasn't sure how to take it then; (seriously) I'm not sure how to take it now. I am very much afraid--for you. (pause) Will I ever see you again? JESUS I'll not be a stranger to you. We'll meet from time to time and others will keep you informed of my whereabouts. But, (painfully) you must understand, I now walk the lonely path of my Father's design. It's a way narrow and hard. Mother, you will never completely understand why I came. To you, I'll always be your son. But now I must be His son--and only His son. That, too, is my Father's design. He has given you thirty years--more than even I imagined. (pause) It's now my time. And my time is short. [They EXIT.] ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2012 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) 2012 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) 2012 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