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SUFFER3  3'?m2f Disciples suffer because Jesus suffered

AMY -- (enters reading file folder)

LIZ -- (follows) Hey, Johnson.

AMY -- Huh? (turns) Oh, hi, Liz. Say, you must be really upset.

LIZ -- How did you know?

AMY -- Because you only call me by my last name when you're
upset. What are you mad about?

LIZ -- I'm quitting. I've had it.

AMY -- I don't understand. I thought you liked this ministry.

LIZ -- That was before I started taking all the abuse.

AMY -- Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we warned you about that before
we turned you loose on your own project.

LIZ -- Well, I suppose you did. Sort of. I remember hearing that
people won't thank me for all my effort. But I don't remember
anybody warning me that people would call me names.

AMY -- They called you names?

LIZ -- Yes.

AMY -- Good! You must be doing an excellent job!

LIZ -- You're kidding, right?

AMY -- No. Have you forgotten that you're serving a person and
not an organization?

LIZ -- I knew that. So what?

AMY -- So, who is this person?

LIZ -- It's Jesus, of course.

AMY -- Did you ever read his biography?

LIZ -- If you mean have I read the Bible, yes. I read my Bible
every morning.

AMY -- Would you say that Jesus did a good job?

LIZ -- Well, of course. He did everything the Father told him to
do.

AMY -- And he had no opposition, no name-calling, no attacks?

LIZ -- Oh. I guess he did.

AMY -- In fact, when he healed people on the Sabbath, did the
Pharisees and teachers of the law ever praise God for his
wonderful miracles?

LIZ -- No. They never did.

AMY -- Never. Yet, you think you can continue the work of Jesus
and not suffer the abuse he received?

LIZ -- Oh. (sigh) I guess I just forgot. I guess Jesus was
abused, huh?

AMY -- Jesus said "No servant is greater than his master. If
they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."

LIZ -- Yeah, I guess he did say that. I suppose I tuned that
out. So, how did Jesus cope with the name-calling and the
insults?

AMY -- Well, I don't think he expects you to sit quietly and be 
pummelled into unconsciousness. He said "When you are persecuted 
in one place, flee to another." If the people you're serving 
criticize you for serving, they don't really see a need for your 
service. You should probably find people who need your service.

LIZ -- You're right. I'm a servant, not a whipping boy!

AMY -- That doesn't mean you're supposed to lash out and return
the abuse.

LIZ -- Oh. To bad. I had some really good insults prepared.

AMY -- So, what are you waiting for? You're a servant. Start
serving! (flicks hand)

LIZ -- Don't I even get a thank you?

AMY -- You get as many thankyous as Jesus. How many of the ten
lepers returned to Jesus and thanked him for curing their
leprosy?

LIZ -- One in ten. Well, that's better than no thanks at all!
Hey, thanks!

(exiting) 

AMY -- No, thank YOU.

LIZ -- No, thank YOU.
©2008 Bob Snook. Conditions for use:
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