Marketplace
Cast:
Salesman
Foreign
Shopper
Judgmental
Shopper
Guilty
Shopper
Distracted
Shopper
Setting:
A sales
booth in a marketplace with a stack of Bibles.
Sign reads “Better Than” Bookstore.
_________________
Salesman: (to
audience, as if they were part of a busy marketplace) Ho, everyone, listen to me! Are you hungry for something real? Are you thirsty for something to satisfy your
soul? I have a product that is
guaranteed! (pause to show a Bible) This is it!
It’s all right here! This book
tells you about a Savior for your soul!
I’ve tried Him myself. I’ve never
been so satisfied…
(Judgmental Shopper
enters as Salesman continues)
Salesman: I don’t care what you’ve tried before. Jesus is better. He can meet your need. (pause) No money, no matter! This offer is free!
Judgmental Shopper: Free! Then how can what you offer be worth
anything?
Salesman: My friend, if you will just give your time to
this book you will see what I mean! This
product is so expensive that if you had to pay for it, even the richest could
not afford it.
Judgmental Shopper: (doubting) You’ll have to tell me more…
(Foreign Shopper
enters hurriedly)
Foreign Shopper: (eager
and interrupting): Excuse me, sir,
excuse me! I have traveled a great
distance to learn about Jesus. We have
nothing like Him where I live. Our myths
and superstitions leave us empty. We
offer sacrifices again and again, but we are sure our gods do not hear us. We are afraid. We have no purpose. Everything is bleak! I have heard you have answers. Please tell me!
Salesman: (smiling) You’ve come to the right
place, my friend! This book tells you
about Jesus. He is all you need. (hands
him a Bible, then a few more bibles) Here is your Bible and I will send
some for your friends. Jesus really is
Good News.
Foreign shopper: (relieved)
Oh, thank you, sir. You’ve made such
a difference. Our lives will never be
the same! (Foreign Shopper bows profusely and exits with his Bibles)
Judgmental Shopper: (scoffing) I see you will just give away your
product to anybody. Even the likes of a
foreigner. Ok, I’m a little bothered
with my standing before God. But how can
a free product available to anyone do any good?
Salesman: One taste and you will be convinced. Jesus is better than anything else.
(Guilty Shopper
enters)
Salesman: (continuing
both to audience and new shopper)
Jesus is better than any sacrifice you make or work you do. He can remove your sin and its penalty and
give you rest.
Guilty Shopper: (desperately)
Rest? You have a product that will
give me rest. Please I must have it!
Salesman: Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice, once
for all, for the forgiveness of your sin and mine.
Guilty Shopper: If only He could give me rest! I toss and turn every night. The things I’ve done! I can’t get them out of my mind. I can’t escape them no matter what I
try. Can He really forgive me? Completely?
Can I rest in that?
(Distracted Shopper
wanders in)
Salesman: Jesus is the answer for all your sins. Every sinful thought, every angry word, every
wayward action will be cleansed and forgotten.
Nothing is better at giving customers true peace. (hands
Guilty Shopper a bible) Jesus is
better because he can give you rest.
(Guilty Shopper takes the Bible and exits)
Distracted Shopper: You seem to be doing a brisk business! Everyone seems to be coming here.
Judgmental Shopper: (to
Distracted Shopper in a disgusted tone) Everyone
indeed! I thought for a minute he had
something, but it can’t be true. He
gives his product away- to guilty people, foreign people, anybody. (to
Salesman) You show no deference to
the discriminating shopper. That’s no
way to run a business! (exits)
Salesman: (to Distracted Shopper) He’s right.
What I offer is free. But if you
need forgiveness and peace, and purpose, and joy, there is no better, no other,
place to go.
Distracted Shopper: (wanders
about stage aimlessly, talking to herself)
I can’t say I couldn’t use a little forgiveness. I’m not perfect… but who is? On the one hand, I could use some peace. On the other hand, I’d have peace if people
didn’t bug me so much. And everyone
could use a little joy. Of course, I’m
pretty happy now… when I’m not thinking about my life. Maybe I’ll try it. How much is it?
Salesman: (begins
to pack up his wares and take down his sign) Jesus is free, but you have to act now. I don’t know how much longer I can offer this
amazing deal. You are only promised
today. (holds out Bible)
(Distracted Shopper
continues to wander and mutter. Salesman
folds up his shop and begins to go)
Salesman: I’m really going to need an answer. I’ve got to go.
Distracted Shopper: Maybe I’ll try Jesus soon… (Salesman exits) … or yoga!
(freezes)