THE APOSTLE JOHN ON TALKBACK RADIO

Scene: Radio studio. (This could be done as simply or as complicated as the director
chooses.) Basics: Desk with John and host seated on opposite sides. Headphones for
John and host. Mixing panel, computer, CD player/s, etc. If lighting effects available,
just have a room of light in which the two characters are sitting.
Characters: Jerry
John
Voice 1
Voice 2
Voice 3

Stereotypical DJ voice, somewhat aggressive but fair

and open to persuasion.
Young, fresh-faced, earnest, cheerful.
Woman (Voices could be either pre-recorded or done
live with microphones off stage.)
Middle-aged man, gruff
Male voice, very excited

Audio: Last 10 seconds of a songdepending on hosts preference and music

availability, this could be a contemporary Christian song or an older style tune with a
Jewish/Middle Eastern feel.
****
Jerry: (As music fades outDJ voice) Thats
from
,a
song thats doing some good things in the Jerusalem Top 30 at the momentand
remember you can hear the Top 30 in full, on Sunday evenings from 6 right here on
Radio JC, covering the greater metropolitan area of Jerusalem City. This is 2Day in
Jerusalem, where were standing by for your calls. In the chair, its your host who
plays fair. Jerusalems self-proclaimed king of talkbackif I must say so myself
Jerry Jeremiah. Like the prophets of long-ago, calling it how we see it and asking
the hard questions of today. (Snippet of fanfare music effect.)
Andas promisedI have a very special guest with me in the studio this morning.
Hes been causing quite a stir in Jerusalem over the past few weeks. So much so that
he has been released just this morning from a night in the local lockup and is fresh
from a hearing in front of the temple council. But he has agreed to speak with us on
Radio JC this morning. Welcome to the studio, John.
John: Thank you. Its good to be here and thank you for the opportunity to talk with
you and your listeners.
Jerry: Now, John, you have agreed to answer questions, well be taking calls in just a
moment, so standby for your opportunity to call in with your question for John on
Radio JC, 2Day in Jerusalem. But first let me ask you a couple of questions that
everyone must be asking.
John: OK
Jerry: I understand you have just come from a hearing of the temple council. What
was that about?
John: Well, Jerry, Peter and I were arrested yesterday evening for causing a
disturbance in the temple. We spent the night in the lock up and were questioned by
the temple council this morning.

Jerry: What was the story behind this alleged disturbance?

John: Im sure youand your listenershave seen the crippled man who regularly
begs in front of the temple gate, the one named Beautiful.
Jerry: Hes been there as long as I can remember.
John: Yesterday afternoon, when Peter and I were on our way to the temple to pray,
he caught our attention and asked us for a few coins. Peter had no cash on him so he
decided to do something more amazing. Peter stopped in front of him, told him he
didnt have any money but instead told him to get up and walk. Peter pulled him to his
feet and he not only began walking, but was soon jumping around and praising God.
It was fun. Of course, this quickly attracted a crowd and Peter is not one to miss an
opportunity to preach these days, so we spent the rest of the afternoon telling people
about Jesus.
Jerry: Until you were arrested?
John: Yes.
Jerry: Before we move on, let me ask you a little about your background. How did
you become involved in this kind of happening? Youre trained as a fisherman, arent
you?
John: Thats my background. My fatherZebedeeeruns a fishing business on
Lake Galilee, up north. And I worked with himbut I havent worked there for a few
years now.
Jerry: Thats strange qualification for healing, preaching, and teaching.
John: But thats the change. For the past three or so years, I have been a follower and
friend of Jesus, the preacher from Nazareth.
Jerry: So He taught you about this new career.
John: Yes, we were like apprentices to what He did.
Jerry: And now Hes gone, youre working to continue what He started.
John: Thats what He told us to do.
Jerry: So what was the outcome of the hearing this morning?
John: We were questioned about what were doingand Peter took the opportunity
to preach again, although this time the audience was a little less friendly. They sent us
out while they deliberated. Then we were called back and warned not to talk, teach, or
preach about Jesus anymore.

Jerry: So you shouldnt even be talking to us here on 2Day in Jerusalem this

morning.
John: Ahhh no.
Jerry: But, you are.
John: Yes, some things are more important. As we answered the temple council:
Whether its right in Gods eyes to listen to you rather than God, you decide. As for
us, theres no questionwe cant keep quiet about what weve seen and heard.
Jerry: So this is something of an exclusive for 2Day in Jerusalem
John: Well, not really. Were telling anybody wholl listen.
Jerry: Well, thank you for talking to us first.
John: I guess soexcept for the donkey cart taxi driver on the way here [Pause]
and the
Jerry: (Cutting him off) Youre on 2Day in Jerusalem on Radio JC, with Jerry and
my special studio guest John, direct from his hearing before the temple council this
morning. (Snippet of fanfare music effect.)
Were taking your calls; so if you have a question or comment for John, call now. Of
course, the number here at 2Day in Jerusalem is all fives. Just keep pressing five
until it rings through and you can talk live with Johnwalking straight out of todays
headlines and talking to us here at Radio JC.
We already have a number of callers on the line, so lets go to the phones.
(Presses buttons.) Our first caller is Salome. Hello, Salome.
(Silence) Hello, Salome.
Lets try this line. (Button.) Salome, are you there?
Voice 1: Good morning, Jerry. I love your show.
John: (With good-natured long-suffering) Hi, Mum.
Voice 1: John, are you OK? Did you have a rough night in jail?
Jerry: John, this is your mother?
John: Yes. Mum, Im OK.
Voice 1: Hey, Jerry. You should make John a regular religion commentator on your
program. Hes a smart boy and after being with Jesus for the past three years or so,
hes right up on this new teaching thats attracting such attention in Jerusalem at the
moment.
John: Mum, you dont need to be always trying to get jobs for me.
Jerry: That might be a good idea, Salome.

Voice 1: Im proud of you, son. Hed be great, Jerry.

Jerry: Thanks, Salome. Well keep your idea in mind. How about it John?
John: (A little embarrassed) Umm Considering the councils warning for me not to
speak publicly, it might be difficult for your radio station.
Jerry: Well look into it. Youre on Radio JC. Its 2Day in Jerusalem with Jerry
and our studio guest John. Were taking your calls, questions and comments on 5555
5555. Going back to the phones, who have we got here?
Voice 2: Yeah, its Bart here.
Jerry: Ahhh. One of our regular callers. Always with a strong opinion. What
would you like to ask John this morning?
Voice 2: Its a simple question: How can John and his crazy friends keeping going on
about Jesus, when we all saw Him crucified and dead? This Jesus seemed like a good
teacher and He seemed to have helped a lot of people, but Hes gone now. Why cant
you let it go, John? Perhaps you should all just go back to fishing.
John: (Quietly but confidently) All I can say is that while we are talking about
something incredible, we are also talking about something that we have been a part of.
From the very first day, we were there, taking it all inwe heard it with our own ears,
saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of LifeJesus
appeared right before our eyes. We saw it happen!
Voice 2: But Hes dead. People dont come back from the deadno matter how good
they are.
John: About four years ago I probably would have said the same thing. But spending
time with Jesus changed my opinion about whats possible. I guess the most recent
example was when Lazarus from Bethany became sick and died, earlier this year. He
had been dead four days before Jesus opened the tomb and called him out. If you
travel down to Bethany, you can ask Lazarus to tell you his side of the story.
Voice 2: They may or may not be true but that doesnt mean this Jesus guys alive.
Hes certainly not around anymore.
Jerry: Yes, John, if Jesus is alive, why isnt He around? Why doesnt He just make
an appearance in the temple one day and then we all can believe Him?
John: Why Jesus had to leave just when He did, I dont fully understand. To tell the
truth, He was a great friend and I miss having Him around. But He tried to explain it
and I admit there are some things about Jesus I am still trying to work out. But Jesus
was around for about six weeks after He rose from the dead. There are many people
who saw Him during that time. And I know for myself that I saw Him. We talked
together, we ate together, and just as He was leaving He told us to tell as many people
as we could about His story.

Voice 2: (Still gruff but somewhat resigned) Well, I dont think Im going to convince
you, but I still think youre probably mad. I guess youll all have to decide how
important this crazy story is to youespecially if they start seriously enforcing some
of these warnings about your endless preaching. (Noise of hanging up.)
Jerry: Errr Sorry about that.
John: Thats OKsometimes even I find this story hard to believe. And I was there
through it all. It is truly the most amazing thing that has happened in my life.
Jerry: Yes, sometimes our callers get a little heated. This is 2Day in Jerusalem with
Jerry on Radio JC. With us this morning and taking your calls is Johnthe John of
Peter & John in this mornings headlines. Call now with questions and comments on
5555 5555. Lets take another caller.
(Presses button) Hello
Voice 3: (Cutting Jerry off. Extremely excited.) Wahoo! Is that John? JohnI can
still walk. It wasnt just an incredible dream. I can walk!
Jerry: Im guessing youre the beggaror former beggarhealed by Peter and John
yesterday.
Voice 3: (The story just spills out, almost tripping over itself.) Thats me. After 40
years, I can work. I was born lame and have spent my whole life beggingbeing
carried to the temple most days to earn a small amount of money to stay alive. And
yesterday was just like any other day: hot, dusty, not much happening at the temple,
not many people willing to stop to talk to a beggar. Then these two men came along. I
called out to them and one of them came over. I was getting hopeful but he said, I
dont have a cent. I started to turn away, looking for other people. But he kept talking.
He said something about Jesus. I had heard something about him a few months ago,
and someone even suggested Jesus might be able to heal meHe seemed to do a bit
of that sort of thingbut then I heard He was dead. But then this guy grabbed my
hand and pulled me up. I struggled to keep my balance, fell forwardand, andtook
a step. And then I was walking, then I was jumping. I can walk.
Jerry: And it was Peter and John who healed you?
Voice 3: They told me it was Jesus who healed me. I dont know much about Him
yet, but I sure want to find out more. John was telling me some amazing stories about
Him, werent you John?
John: Jesus is the most incredible person I have ever met.
Voice 3: Youre the best John. Thank you so much to you and Peterand to Jesus.
Yahoo!
Jerry: There certainly seems a great change in his life. What do you say about that,
John?

John: Jesus changed my life so much that now I am able to be involved in helping
change other peoples lives. I still feel like Im just the youngest son of an up-country
fisherman. But when you see Jesus work in such a powerful way, you cant just stay
the same.
Jerry: Youre listening to Jerry on 2Day in Jerusalem on Radio JC. Were almost
out of time, John, but let me ask you one final question: There is talk of some of the
disciples writing the stories of their time with Jesus. Have you thought about doing
that? It certainly sounds like it would be a bestseller.
John: I havent given much thought to it. I dont have time at the moment. Jesus said
He would come back soon, but if Jesus hasnt come back by then, perhaps writing
down some of the stories of my time with Him could be something I might do when
Im older.
Jerry: But do you think there is a need for lots of books about Jesus?
John: Jesus did and said so many amazing things. If they were all written down, each
of them, one by one, I cant imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of
books.
Jerry: So it might not be for a while but we might expect a story of Jesus according
to John. Just in summary, what makes Jesus so important?
John: Jesus is a light shining in the darkness. He was the Son of God. God became
flesh and blood, and moved into our neighborhood. We saw that glory with our own
eyes.
Jerry: Powerful words from John, our special guest this morning on 2Day in
Jerusalem. Thank you for being with us this morning, John.
John: Thank you for the opportunity to share something about Jesus with you and
your listeners.
Jerry: Well check Jerusalems freshest news and weather at the top of the hour. On
the way there, lets take a tune from
, this is
. Keep
listening to Radio JC, the home of 2Day in Jerusalem.
(Play first 10 seconds of song. Cut audio from studio, Jerry and John chat briefly
but unheard, shake hands and John leaves. Fade music and lights.)