(Simon comes out through door at back of sanctuary. Sort of stumbling about as though he has just awakened. Walks to the front and drinks some water then turns and is startled.)
Oh My! I’m sorry I didn’t realize anyone had come in. A thousand pardons for my rudeness but I had fallen asleep in the back room there and didn’t hear you. You know, I just can’t stay awake like those younger folks can. Why, Peter, James and John - I don’t suppose you know them do you? Well, anyway they and the others stayed up all night long in the room just above us here. I gave them comfort as long as I could but then my age got the better of me and I came down for a nap. I must have slept longer than I planned. It has been a very long week and yesterday was absolutely the worst day of my life – I guess I just reached the end of my rope and had to get some rest.
But excuse me, where are my manners. My name is Simon Barcephas. Yes, Simon son of Cephas. And you, sir? What’s that? Luke, you say? You’re looking for the owner here to see if there’s a room available? I’m afraid I don’t know where she is – probably went to temple with her son Mark. Pardon me – did I know this Jesus of Nazareth who was executed yesterday? Well of course I did! He’s the reason I’m here. I guess I’m the oldest of the lot that has been traveling with Jesus from city to city throughout the countryside. Oh the things I’ve seen! You wouldn’t believe the half of them if I told you.
No, I wasn’t with him from the beginning. That honor goes to the twelve or rather eleven now, I suppose. Those young men that were called by Jesus at the very beginning of his ministry. They were fishermen, farmers, tradesmen and, now I know you’re not going to believe me – but one of them was a tax collector! No, No. I’m not lying about that – it’s true. Once a tax collector and now is or rather was a disciple of Jesus.
I heard about Jesus and all the wonderful stories being told about him over two years ago but it was only last year that I decided to leave everything and follow him wherever he might take me.
Oh yes, I knew that I was probably too old to be traipsing across the countryside but I tell you once you heard him; once he looked into your eyes. Why it was like he knew your every thought….and with him I felt there was nothing that I couldn’t do.
What about me you ask? What life did I leave behind? Well, I had a wonderful wife – Sarah – a strong and loving woman if God ever made one – and two sons. I was fairly successful and had a nice – not great mind you – but enough – of an estate to take care of me and my family. But my sons got into a squabble after the younger left and returned several months later destitute and almost dead from starvation but thankfully he was alive. What a celebration we had! But then the fighting started between my sons. I think the fighting broke their mother’s heart for it was not long after that she came down with a sickness that she never recovered from. My whole world had come apart. It was soon after that I heard Jesus tell someone that if they truly wanted to follow him, they needed to go and give away everything and then come and follow him. Well I made up my mind right then and there. I told my sons that the place was theirs to do with as they please and I left and that’s how I wound up following the Nazarene.
What do I think now? Now that he’s been executed like a common criminal? I …..I don’t know what to think. In my heart I felt he really was the Messiah – not like all those imposters that have come along in the past. I mean you had to hear him – be there with him! There was just something different about him. I’ve lived a long time and I’ve never seen nor heard anyone like him.
But he’s dead you say? Just like all the others? I just don’t know. I did hear him talking to the twelve that he would soon be taken but he would come back on the third day. Maybe this is what he was talking about. Oh yes, you may scoff but what if he does come back? Tomorrow will be the third day so I’ve decided to wait here to see what might happen. I just feel like something good is about to happen. Will you wait with me? I really don’t want to be alone right now and there’s so much sadness and confusion with everyone. Yes, I have enough food to share. There was a big meal upstairs on Thursday night to celebrate the beginning of the Passover and all the leftovers were stored down here. So come let us share this bread – bread left from the last supper that we had with Jesus - and I’ll tell you what it was like this week.
The beginning of the end started several days ago as we were coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Jesus seemed to be more anxious – if you could say that about him – he told us more and more parables especially on what the kingdom of heaven would be like. It was almost like he knew the end was near and he had to teach us – especially the twelve - as much as possible. But I don’t believe we really understood what he was trying to tell us.
And then last Sunday I believed that we were witnessing the arrival of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets - the one who would take hold of the throne of David and drive those dreadful Romans out of our country. Jesus sent me and one of the other disciples to bring him a donkey from the village. Now how he knew that donkey would be at that exact place is beyond me but we did what we were told. And Jesus got up on that donkey and we led him into Jerusalem – just as it had been prophesied. “Your king is coming to you – humble and riding on a donkey.” Well all of the travelers with us and so many of the people that were there in Jerusalem for Passover started to shout “Hosanna, Hosanna – Deliver Us” when they saw Jesus. They ran down to the road and threw their cloaks on the ground for the donkey to walk on. Many had palm leaves waving them in the air and they too were shouting “Hosanna – Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” It was such a joyful celebration. All the noise and commotion attracted some of the Roman soldiers who are always on alert at this time of year thinking a riot might break out any moment. Some of the Pharisees saw the Romans edging their way toward us, so they told Jesus to get his followers to quite down. But Jesus told them that if they were to keep quite the stones would cry out. Whatever that meant. But nothing happened because the soldiers soon went back to their post.
I thought that Jesus would go straight into the city and claim his crown. But instead he went to the temple and started driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the benches and tables of the people – people to me who appeared to be providing a service to the worshipers coming in for the Passover celebration. You know the ones – those that either failed to bring an animal for sacrifice or that brought one that was either unclean or had blemishes making it unacceptable to God. It wasn’t until that night when we got back to Martha and Mary’s that Jesus explained what was going on with the moneychangers. How they were stealing from the people and blaspheming God. It was then I had a slight glimmer of understanding of just what might be going on here. But I don’t believe the young ones got it.
Throughout the week Jesus would preach at the temple, in the streets, anywhere he could. He told us parables and gave us lessons every waking minute.
Then something really strange happened. It was a couple of days before the Feast of Unleavened Bread and we were resting in the village of Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper. All of a sudden a woman came in with this jar of very expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus’ head. Well I had never seen anything like that! Some of the twelve were complaining about how the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But what really shocked me was that Jesus let her do it! I mean he didn’t even try to stop her as the perfume was pouring out over him. And then Jesus told them to hush up and quit their whining. Jesus told us she had poured the perfume on him to prepare his body for burial. Well excuse me, I thought, you normally anoint a body after death, not before. Jesus turned and stared directly at me from across the room and I knew he had heard my thoughts. I was so embarrassed. I just slipped away and waited outside.
On Thursday we came back into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover meal here in this very house. Several of us along with Jesus and the twelve gathered in the upstairs room and waited for the feast to begin. But as the food was being served, before we started to eat, Jesus stood up, got the water basin, took off his tunic and wrapped a towel around his waist and started to wash all our feet. I couldn’t believe it. Here was the one we were thinking might be the Messiah and he was on his knees like a common servant washing the dust from our feet. As usual, Peter tried to make a big scene about what was going on but Jesus soon put him in his place. I just don’t think this young man will ever understand his position in life!
After that the meal went rather smoothly until Jesus without any warning announced that one of the twelve was going to betray him. Of course they each denied it. I didn’t think it possible at the time but now I know how wrong I was. We know now that it was Judas who conspired with the temple priests to turn over Jesus to them under cover of darkness. I still don’t understand what got into Judas to do that and for only thirty pieces of silver – such a small amount of money to forfeit a man’s life for.
We were all very uncomfortable when Jesus brought up about the betrayal but we really got confused when he changed how the bread and wine were given. Jesus held up a piece of bread, broke it and told us: “This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me”. Then he took the cup of wine and told us: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Now get that strange look off your face. And no I’m not losing my mind! That’s exactly what happened – I’m not making this up. And no, I don’t completely understand what he meant by that. Well of course we weren’t eating human flesh nor drinking blood! Now you’re the one talking crazy!
After that we went outside and crossed over to the Mount of Olives to a garden there called Gethsemane. Jesus told us his time had come and that all of us would fall away from him that very night. Peter shouted to him “Not me Lord – I will never fall away.” But Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed, that Peter would deny him three times. And with that he left us to go pray in the garden. We waited for a good long while before Jesus came back to where we were. His hair was drenched and his clothes were dripping wet – I wondered if he had fallen into a watering pit or if his praying had been that intense.
As I was sitting there, suddenly out of the darkness came a large group of temple guards being led by Judas. It was then we all knew who Jesus had been talking about at the meal – the one who would betray him. Judas had the audacity to come up and kiss the Master on the cheek – like he loved him! I didn’t understand what was going on. They were there to arrest him. Jesus had created some disturbances in the temple and had been preaching all over the city. But he was preaching love and telling everyone how we needed to love God first and to love each other – to love everyone as our neighbor. What was unlawful about that? It was like a strange dream. No, it was a nightmare! They took Jesus into custody, leading him off into the night. Most of the others ran away but a few of us along with Peter and John followed behind in the shadows.
They took Jesus straight to the house of the Council High Priest and went inside. But before the courtyard gate was closed, Peter slipped inside – hoping to find out anything that would explain what was happening. We watched through the gate as he moved up closer to a fire where several people had gathered around. Soon some of the people recognized Peter as a disciple of Jesus and pointed him out to the others. I was shocked and heartbroken to hear Peter deny that he was with Jesus. Again he was asked and again he denied the association. And finally when they asked him the third time, he cursed them and shouted that he didn’t even know the man! It was then we heard the rooster crow and we all remembered what Jesus had told Peter. Peter left the courtyard and came to us and cried. We tried to comfort him but the question was on all our minds: “Would we also deny Jesus so quickly and easily?”
Several more of the followers slipped away but I had come too far, had seen too many things to give up so quickly. A few of us waited – hoping that Jesus would be freed and that this nightmare would end. Then in the early morning the doors crashed open and out came the chief priests and the elders with Jesus tied up; practically dragging him down the street. There in the darkness, they weren’t able to see us and we again followed from a distance. They took Jesus to the palace of Pontius Pilate. You know him don’t you. He’s the Roman governor over this province. His headquarters is in Caesarea and he only comes here when he absolutely has to. The threat of trouble from the huge Passover crowds in Jerusalem is probably what brought him here this time.
Many people were starting to gather outside the palace – it was as though the news of Jesus arrest was spreading like a fire throughout the city. Many of them were saying that Jesus was being tried for treason and for inciting sedition. I was flabbergasted to say the least. How can this be, I asked. Jesus teaches only peace and love. It was then that I noticed scattered throughout the crowd were many of the temple guards and priests. They were whispering in the ears of those around them and passing out coins. The more they moved about the crowd the louder the people became. Many started to shout: “Crucify him. Crucify him.”
How could this be! Why only a few days ago, many of these same people were shouting with joy when Jesus entered the city and now here they are shouting for his death. What has happened? I tried to talk to those around me but the crowd became even more unruly and was starting to get out of control. I must have missed part of what had been going on up front for suddenly a shout went up from the crowd: “Release Barabbas. Crucify Jesus.” Barabbas? Barabbas – one who had been found guilty of insurrection and murder – he was to be released and Jesus left to die!
I cried out: “No, No let Jesus go – free Jesus.” The people around me then turned on me – beating me, knocking me down and kicking me there on the ground. I managed to crawl away before passing out in a doorway.
When I came to my senses, the crowds were gone and it was strangely quite. All of the noise and uproar that I had witnessed was gone – in its place was quietness. A quite like I’ve never heard. No birds, no people, no wind – nothing. It was like death itself. I struggled to stand up – thank goodness I had not lost my trusty staff – and made my way down the street until I spotted a young man sitting in a doorway. I questioned him as to where everyone had gone. He told me they were crucifying three men outside town and the people had either gone there or were inside preparing for the Sabbath.
My heart came up into my throat! Could they actually be crucifying Jesus at this very moment? I ran, with all my strength; I ran as fast as I could in the direction the young man had pointed toward. And there I saw the three crosses in the distance. No, I cried. Not this! No, it can’t be Jesus! As I got closer I saw him – hanging there on the middle cross like a common criminal. He was bleeding from the cuts over his entire body. They must have beaten and tortured him while I had been unconscious. Thank God I had missed that! I don’t think my old heart could have taken it!
I worked my way closer to the cross until I was at his feet looking up into his face. He looked down at me and said “It is finished.” and died! A Roman soldier standing beside me took a spear and pierced Jesus’ side – to be sure he was dead. I was numb. All I did was fall back on the ground and sit there looking up at him. All the promises. All the hope. Everything – died there with him.
The crowds soon departed and Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross. None of the disciples were around. What had happened to them, I thought? Had they been arrested too? Then a man by the name of Joseph asked if I could help him prepare Jesus body for burial. My mind flashed back to that night at Simon the Leper’s house when that woman poured out the perfume over Jesus. Did he know this was going to happen? While helping Joseph, I found out that he was from Arimathea and, like me, was a follower of Jesus. To my surprise and much to my relief, he had his own tomb close by and that is where we placed Jesus before rolling a huge stone over the entrance.
After that, I came back here to this house and during the night more and more of the disciples came drifting in. I then learned that they had all run and hid as Jesus was being beaten and then crucified – that is other than John. He stayed with the Master. Then at the end he took Mary, the mother of Jesus, away from that horrible place. Everyone was in a state of shock – especially the eleven. They were young and had given up everything to follow this Jesus. What would happen to them now? Where could they go? I stayed with them through the night – consoling, crying and praying until I just couldn’t stay up any longer. And that’s how I came to be here this morning.
What’s that? What about his being the Messiah? Well, I did see what appeared to be miracles – he gave sight to the blind; cured the leper; he made the lame walk. Why just a few weeks ago, he brought his good friend Lazarus back from the dead – four days dead – and Jesus raised him from the tomb. I saw it myself so I know it’s true! Hmmm. Raised from the dead? I wonder? You know I just feel like something good is about to happen.
I’ve asked you before: Will you wait with me? I just feel like something really good is about to happen and I want to be here to see it. Will you wait with me?
Great, let’s have a seat over here and I’ll tell you some more stories about Jesus - things that I witnessed myself so I know they’re true. Yes, I feel like something good is about to happen.
