Soul Anchor: Marketplace Skit

 

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)