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Setting: An open stage.
Ted and Jill enter. Ted is carrying a large box.
Ted: Can we stop and open it now? This thing is heavy!
Jill: Okay, put it down. (looking around) This place looks secluded enough.
Ted: (puts down the box) I don't see why we couldn't just open it where we found it.
Jill: We didn't find it, it was given to us. It's obviously something priceless.
Ted: If it's so priceless how come that guy just gave it to us?
Jill: I don't know. Maybe he knew we needed it. Besides, it doesn't matter why he gave it to us; the point is that it's ours now. So, let's open it.
Jill stands back as Ted opens the box. He stands in awe and shock
Jill: (excited) What is it? Gold?
Ted shakes his head 'no.
Jill: Rare jewels?
Ted shakes his head 'no.
Jill: Money?
Ted shakes his head 'no.
Ted: It's empty.
Jill: Empty? I thought you said it was heavy.
Ted: It is. This doesn't make any sense.
Jill: Let me see. (goes to the box and looks inside) It's empty.
Ted: That's what I said.
Jill: Why would that man give us an empty box?
Ted: The better question is, why is it heavy if it's empty? This box is nothing but cardboard.
Jill: Maybe it's a special type of cardboard.
Jill sticks her hand inside the box and feels around. She looks shocked.
Jill: Ted?
Ted: What?
Jill: It's not empty.
Ted: Of course it is. I just looked inside and there's nothing in it.
Jill: Put your hand in here.
Ted puts his hand inside
Ted: What is that?
Jill: I don't know.
Ted: It feels like paper.
Jill: Like letters.
(Jill pulls out a folded sheet of paper)
Ted: How did you do that?
Jill: I don't know.
Ted: It's a magic box or something. What's on the paper?
Jill unfolds the paper and begins to read
Jill: Dear Jesus,
You saved my life. Those men were ready to stone me. If you hadn't stepped in, today I would have taken my last breath. I will never forget your words, .Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.. How can I ever repay you for your kindness? All I can say is thank you. Without you, my life would have never been the same.
Ted: You don't think that's the adulteress woman from the Bible do you?
Jill: That would be impossible. Wouldn't it?
Ted: On the other hand, we have a mysterious, heavy, empty box that really isn't empty.
Jill: Right. See what you pull out.
Ted: (pulls a letter from the box and begins to read)
Dear Jesus,
As of today, I am no longer sick. I consider that quite a miracle since I have been bleeding abnormally for almost 12 years. I was one of many trying to get close to you today. I knew if I could just reach out and touch you I could be healed. You sensed my presence when I gently touched the hem of your garment and in that moment, I knew I would be well. You have changed my life forever. Where would I be without you?
Jill: (incredulous) The woman who touched the hem of Jesus. garment? Can it be?
Ted: It must be. There's no other explanation.
Jill: (pulls out another letter, reads silently for a moment) This one is from Jarius.
Ted: Who's that?
Jill: The man who's daughter died. He ran to find Jesus and Jesus told him his daughter was only sleeping, then he raised her from the dead.
Ted: This is unbelievable! (he pulls out another letter and reads silently for a moment) Jill, look at this one.
Jill: Who's it from?
Ted: Jesus. mother.
Jill: (goes to stand near Ted and reads aloud)
My dearest son,
You are my precious child--my miracle from God. It has been my greatest joy to know you.
Mary enters and stands on the side of the stage. She and Jill say a few words in unison.
Mary & Jill: (in unison) To give birth under remarkable circumstances.
Jill continues to look at the letter but stops reading aloud, as Mary continues to recite on her own.
Mary: 'to watch you grow into a wise young man and incredible teacher. I've watched some follow you, some doubt you and some grow to despise you. I've watched you heal and perform astounding miracles. A mother could never be more proud of a son, than I am of you.
Ted: The letter seems to go on a bit but then down here she talks about the crucifixion.
Mary: To stand by and watch what they did to you.how they mocked you, spit upon you.beat you.hung your innocent body on a cross to die. It was almost more than a mother could take. But then you looked at me and in spite of what was happening, the love I saw in your eyes was the glimmer of hope not only for me, but for a lost world.
Jill: (points at the letter) Look, this must have been after his resurrection (reads from the letter) Will people ever realize what a truly tremendous gift they have in you?
Mary: A miracle sent from heaven.
Ted: (reads from the letter) You are going to change the world, my son.
Mary: The world is a different place because you have been in it. What a joy to know you! I love you. I have been blessed to be your mother.
Mary exits
Ted: These letters date back thousands of years. I still don't know how this is possible!
Jill: I wonder if they're all from Jesus. time period.
Ted: There's only one way to find out. (he sticks his hand in the box and pulls out another letter) Jill, this one is from a few years ago. (shows her the letter) Look at the date, March 16, 2001.
Jill: It looks like a child wrote it.
Ted: (begins to read) Dear Jesus.
Gretta enters and stands on side stage
Gretta: Thank you for sitting with me again in my room last night. I'm always so afraid of the dark.except when you are around. |
