Gtcotr/ws040109
Tonight we will continue our Easter Series with Scene 3 of our 8 scene dramatic portrayal of Jesus’ journey to The Last Passover. This series covers the last two weeks of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. In these scenes we will travel with Jesus and His disciples as they leave the Galilee and head south along the eastern shore of the Jordan River toward the city of Jericho where they stop before making that last leg of the journey into Jerusalem for Passover.
The year is about 30 AD, approximately 10 days before Jesus would be crucified in Jerusalem. Somewhere on the road, between Capernaum and Jericho, Jesus encounters a man who was no doubt under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This man is young and rich and he holds some prominent position in life. He is called the Young Rich Ruler.
All along the way during these two weeks Jesus is focused on calling people into Kingdom service. Here on this road the Young Rich Ruler is going to get his chance to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus. What will this man do with his opportunity? Let’s see:
Take your Bibles and turn with me in the New Testament to the book of Mark, chapter 10 as we begin reading about this man’s opportunity.
(Production Note: When I begin to read the scripture the dramatic portrayal begins. For scene direction refer to notes at the end of this message.)
Mark 10 NKJV
17 ¶ Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
19 "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’"
20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."
(Dramatic Portrayal Continues and Concludes, then the Children are released before the Message continues)
We see the story unfold on that road near Jericho. No doubt Jesus had his mind on the cross but His heart was still on the people who He would leave behind, those not yet reached and those who had not yet heard the Good News. Jesus was looking for laborers, not just any laborers, but people of means.
Why was Jesus looking for people of means? Because Jesus had, and still has, a heart to help the poor and needy. How else can a person receive help except someone who has what is needed gives to that need. Jesus was looking for people of means to meet the needs of people who had no other means. Today Jesus is still looking for people whom God has blessed to become the hand of God blessing others. It’s the Kingdom way!
Let’s take a closer look at this Young Rich Ruler and his missed opportunity.
Mark 10
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
The scriptures say that upon hearing Jesus’ reply to give what he had to help the poor, the man refused and went away sad because he had great possessions. What would make a person say no to Jesus? What would make a person say no to the greatest opportunity of a lifetime? Perhaps:
Let’s continue reading:
Mark 10
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"
27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
28 Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."
29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
31 "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Perhaps this Young Rich Ruler said no to Jesus because he did not hear what Jesus said.
* Perhaps he heard give up your riches
* Jesus said, give to … not give up –
* Jesus said, invest in others less fortunate
* Jesus said, be responsible … response- able
* Jesus did not say, “I want you to become poor like one of them, but rather I want you to become truly rich like Me!”
Perhaps this man did not know the scriptures. Such as:
Proverbs 11
24 ¶ There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
25 ¶ The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.
Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.
What Jesus asked the Young Rich Ruler to do on that road near 2000 years ago is the same thing He is asking each one of us to do today.
What do you trust in? Have you truly put Jesus first place in your life? This may be your opportunity to repent and give Jesus your all.
Don’t miss this opportunity … it’s the opportunity of a lifetime!
(This Brown color is for production notes to help media follow along)
Dramatic Presentation Title: “The Young Rich Ruler”
Pastor Ron comes to the platform and begins his message setting the stage by continuing the story of Jesus’ journey from Galilee to the Garden Tomb, during the last two weeks of His earthly life and ministry.
Actors ready themselves awaiting their first cue.
Cue: Reading of Scripture Text
Scene 3
Pastor Ron begins reading his text from Mark 10:17-20 and continues telling the story up to that point.
*Jesus and His disciples (stage left door near the stairwell to the Children’s Department)
*The Young Rich Ruler (main foyer entry door by the Information Desk)
When Pastor Ron begins reading the text, Jesus and His disciples enter and move across the front walking and talking, stopping just short of center stage left.
When they arrive at their mark, the Young Rich Ruler comes running in and kneels down in front of Jesus, yelling,
“Good Master, Good Master!”
Jesus reaches down, helps him up, and they pretend to talk while Pastor Ron reiterates all of the good things the man has done. When all the characters are present Pastor Ron states that the Young Rich Ruler has kept the commandments from his youth.
*House lights fade
*Spotlight comes up on Jesus and the Young Rich Ruler
Jesus: Yet one thing you have missed. Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasures in Heaven.
The Young Rich Ruler turns, walks across in front of the stage toward the musician’s loft despondent. Jesus turns to His disciples.
Jesus: How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God.
YRR continues walking away from Jesus, climbs the steps on the platform and stops beside the keyboard. Spotlight comes up on YRR. Spotlight fades on Jesus. YRR turns and faces the congregation and begins monologue.
YRR: I wonder if I missed my chance that day. I heard that Jesus and His followers stopped in Jericho on the way to the Passover in Jerusalem. In Jericho, a tax collector named Zacchaeus did the very thing Jesus asked me to do. I wonder if I missed my chance that day. I didn’t know it would be my last chance to see Him.
Later I heard Jesus claimed to be the King of the Jews and for that He was crucified. Personally, I think the religious leaders saw Him as a threat to their power because the people seemed to love Him. A few days after His crucifixion, His body was reported missing from the Garden Tomb. You know what they are saying…they are saying He’s alive … (pondering) Do you think He’s alive? Could He really be alive?
Scene ends when YRR says,
“Could he really be alive?”
*The YRR drops his head and walks off as all lights fade allowing all characters to exit the stage
*House lights come back up
Pastor Ron dismisses the children and continues with message on missed opportunities.
Mark 10 NKJV
17 ¶ Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
18 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
19 "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’"
20 And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."
