Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre

Luke: Last time on Focus on the Family Radio Theatre's presentation of The Luke Reports: A Time of Madness.

Gessius Florus: You are a doctor from Rome.

Luke: Yes, Governor.

Gessius Florus: You must go to extremes to survive here.

Luke: Is there a servant here named Eunice? I was told she could help me.

Eunice: I am Eunice.

Luke: You are Hezekiah's mother. Why would he deny you?

Eunice: For following the one he rejected.

Jesus of Nazareth: I have come not to call to repentance those who already think they are righteous, but to call those who know they are not.

Eunice: Jesus reached out to people none of the rest of us would have gone near.

Guest (Male): Master!

Jesus of Nazareth: My child, your sins are forgiven.

Eunice: Are you going to the feast tonight?

Luke: Yes, I am.

Eunice: Stay away if you can. Or better yet, leave.

Judah: I'm going to give you a taste of what will happen to you if you don't stay out of the way. Hezekiah's your men are going to do something at the feast tonight.

Luke: With respect, Governor, are you telling me the Zealots are no threat to you?

Gessius Florus: Of course they're not. I happen to know that one of the groups is going to attempt an assassination, but we're ready for it. I will slaughter them.

Luke: May I escort you back to your room, sir? It is a large house. One is liable to get lost.

Judah: I need to talk to you, Judah.

Luke: What makes you think you have anything to say that I would want to hear?

Judah: Look, you can continue with this tough rebel act of yours, or you can shut up and listen to some vital information.

Luke: I'll decide whether it's vital or not.

Judah: Florus knows what you intend to do tonight.

Luke: Intend to do? Whatever do you mean?

Judah: He knows your plans down to the detail.

Luke: How could he know unless you told him?

Judah: Oh, don't be a fool. There's nothing he could learn from me since I don't know your plans. I never have.

Luke: Why should I believe you?

Judah: I don't care whether you believe me or not. I'm telling you that you must get word back to Hezekiah to call off the attempt. Florus is ready to massacre you.

Luke: You're only saying all of this in order to save Florus's life.

Judah: Think what you like, but I beg you to tell Hezekiah and let him decide one way or the other.

Luke: We'll see, Doctor.

Linus: Afternoon refreshment for yourself.

Luke: Oh, thanks, Linus.

Linus: Yes, sir?

Luke: I was wondering if you could do me a favor.

Linus: If it's within my abilities.

Luke: I would like to speak with Eunice.

Linus: I'm afraid they've got her at work in the kitchen, preparing for tonight's feast.

Luke: I'm sure, but it's very important that I speak with her as soon as possible.

Linus: Are you certain I can't?

Luke: It needs to be Eunice. I'd be grateful for anything you can do.

Linus: How grateful, sir?

Luke: Oh, I see. Will this show my gratitude in advance?

Linus: It is adequate, sir. I'll see if I can find Eunice and send her to you.

Luke: Tell her I'll be walking in the gardens at the rear of the palace.

Linus: Yes, sir.

Luke: Florus was right. Some people could make a fortune in this city.

Eunice: Doctor.

Luke: Eunice, I'm so glad you've come.

Eunice: Why are you walking out here? The Governor's feast is going to begin shortly.

Luke: Yes, I know. I've been thinking.

Eunice: Linus told me you wanted to see me urgently.

Luke: Yes, something is going to happen tonight. There is going to be an attack on the Governor, or someone at the party.

Eunice: Yes, you know.

Luke: I do.

Eunice: Then you are a spy for Hezekiah?

Luke: No, he wouldn't dream of asking me, not the way he feels towards me. But that doesn't stop me from finding out what they're doing.

Eunice: Did you warn the Governor?

Luke: Of course not. I refuse to play any part in their conflicts one way or the other. Why?

Eunice: Because the Governor knows, and I'm afraid he is planning a counterattack. Eunice, if Hezekiah and his men come, they'll be killed.

Luke: No.

Eunice: I promise that it's true. I tried to tell Judah to get a message to Hezekiah, but he didn't seem to believe me.

Luke: Oh, he's a stubborn man.

Eunice: But can you sneak out to warn Hezekiah?

Luke: Now? So soon before the feast? No, the Governor always prohibits the servants from coming and going on these occasions.

Eunice: Then what are we to do?

Luke: I warned you to leave. Why don't you go now?

Eunice: Don't think I haven't wanted to try, if only to warn Hezekiah myself. But to go now would put me at odds with the Governor. He's counting on my presence at the party. If I leave, it will confirm his suspicion that I'm a spy for Rome. This is the very situation I'd hoped to avoid. I wanted my presence here to be low-key.

Luke: That's impossible in Jerusalem now. People like us, those who don't want to swear allegiance to either side, still bear the consequences of their actions.

Eunice: Do you believe we will be killed tonight?

Luke: That depends on the mood.

Eunice: The mood?

Luke: The mood of either the Sicarii or the Romans, whichever one is victorious. Death is a possibility no matter what happens. I cannot go any further. The Governor will be very angry to see a servant walking with a guest.

Eunice: And I won't go in yet, either. I'm not looking forward to this party.

Luke: Are you afraid?

Eunice: Yes. Aren't you?

Luke: Of course I am. I feel so helpless. There must be something I can do to help my son.

Eunice: Perhaps an idea will come to us in time. Meanwhile, we mustn't look anxious or suspicious.

Luke: I've always found parties like this to be a source of worry. Antipas hosted the most decadent of them. Many became orgies, and more than one ended in bloodshed.

Eunice: You're thinking of John.

Luke: Yes, the death of John the Baptist was the worst. Who could have believed that a girl's dance could lead to his beheading? I saw it all.

Eunice: Did they really bring his head in on a silver tray?

Luke: Yes. But somehow, even more terrifying than that was the look of victory on the face of Herodias. She smiled.

Eunice: Do you think John knew he was going to die?

Luke: Maybe not in that specific way, but I believe he suspected how it would end once he'd been put in prison. From the moment when Jesus began to preach, John seemed to retreat, as if he wanted to make room for Jesus.

His disciples didn't know what to do, though. I know Hezekiah was very confused. They were so loyal to John, you see. But John kept telling them that Jesus was the one to watch, the one to follow. The disciples didn't understand why. I know that Hezekiah finally became impatient and demanded that John tell them once and for all if Jesus was the Messiah. And John replied.

John the Baptist: Go ask Jesus for yourselves. Ask him, are you the Messiah we've been expecting? Or should we keep looking for someone else?

Luke: So John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus directly.

Eunice: And what did Jesus say to them?

Jesus of Nazareth: Return to John and tell him what you see and hear for yourselves. The blind can see, the deaf can hear, the lame can walk, the lepers are restored, the dead are raised to life. Tell him that the good news is being preached to the poor. And blessed are those who do not fall away because of me.

Luke: So Jesus answered that question without directly answering it.

Eunice: It was clear enough to those of us who could read between the lines. In him was the description of the Messiah's works. Who else but the Messiah could do such things?

Eunice, you should go. The Governor is headed this way. Sneak out if you find the chance. Stop Hezekiah from tonight's attack.

Luke: I think I've come up with a plan.

Eunice: You have?

Luke: Goodbye, Luke.

Eunice: Eunice!

Gessius Florus: Oh, friend from Rome! Are you going to linger here in the hallway or join our festivities?

Luke: I was just about to come in.

Gessius Florus: I should hope so. Now come along with me. I've so many people I want you to meet.

Luke: I can hardly wait.

Gessius Florus: Here, this is Antiacus. Antiacus, this is Luke, the physician from Rome.

Antiacus: Oh, yes. I understand you're the Emperor's spy.

Luke: I'm not, really.

Gessius Florus: Of course not. Antiacus is a merchant of weapons. He makes many of our swords and shields. His spears are known for their precise weight, balance, and straightness of the staff and, naturally, their effectiveness.

Luke: By effectiveness, you mean how well they maim the enemy?

Antiacus: How well they kill the enemy.

Gessius Florus: Antiacus is vital to our success here. I could not survive without him. Oh, pardon me, gentlemen, my wife is summoning me. No gossiping, Antiacus.

Antiacus: Of course not, Governor. I do hope you are writing a report, Doctor. And if you are, I'll make it worth your while to speak well of me to the Emperor. I would covet the opportunity to provide the imperial army in Rome with weaponry.

Luke: I promise you there will be no report from me to the Emperor.

Antiacus: So you said. What do you think of the Governor?

Luke: Well, I'm not quite sure what to think. I only just met him today. What do you think of him?

Antiacus: Oh, like all men, he has his virtues and his faults.

Luke: Diplomatically said.

Antiacus: Though one can't live in Jerusalem and escape his reach.

Luke: You're not from here, I presume.

Antiacus: By the gods, no. I am a Syrian-born Roman citizen. Frankly, I hate this country. But for now, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Luke: Why not?

Antiacus: Because of our Governor's good graces, all the money he allows us to make, and because of the coming war, of course.

Luke: War?

Antiacus: Between Rome and these accursed Jews. It's inevitable and profitable for someone in my trade.

Luke: Profitable because of the Romans or the rebels?

Antiacus: It doesn't matter to me. I'll provide weapons to whomever wants them.

Luke: I see. Does the Governor believe there will be a war?

Antiacus: Oh, I think he'll insist on it.

Luke: Insist?

Antiacus: Yes. Why do you think he provokes the people so much? A war is exactly what he needs.

Luke: But why?

Antiacus: To show Rome his strength, his power. Maintaining peace in this region says nothing to the Emperor, but to squash an uprising, to crush a rebellion, it speaks volumes.

Luke: What if there is an uprising and the Governor fails to stop it?

Antiacus: Then he can blame it on an ungovernable people, which is also true, and leave with the fortune he has made from them.

Luke: But isn't that madness?

Antiacus: This is a time of madness. I dare you to put that in your report.

Luke: Judah! What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?

Judah: Not at all. I'm not playing the servant now, you see.

Luke: Then what are you playing?

Judah: I'm playing the victor. It's an enjoyable role to play for once.

Luke: What do you mean? Did you get word to Hezekiah?

Judah: No.

Luke: Why not?

Judah: Because I want him to come, you fool. And I plan to see that you get what's coming to you before the end of the night. Now excuse me, the Governor is about to speak. I must take my place.

Gessius Florus: Gentlemen, ladies, hear me!

Guest (Male): A toast to the Governor, the host of this feast!

Gessius Florus: Stop, stop, stop, stop. You make me blush. It is I who should toast you for being my friends in such a friendless place. Where else in the empire could a loyal Roman be at the mercy of pushy religious fanatics and nasty little zealots? Woe is me.

No, not only do they exhaust my patience, but they exhaust my finances. Here, here, we have a guest from Rome. Stand up, Luke! I'm sure he's been sent to discern what's become of our tribute to the Emperor. And what could I tell him? Our treasury is empty. What am I to do?

Guest (Male): It's time to raise the taxes on the peasants!

Guest (Male): Take it from the pockets of the Temple leaders! They're rich enough!

Gessius Florus: Well, the peasants have no money, but the Temple leaders, you may be onto something there. Herod's Temple is decorated from floor to ceiling with silver and gold, isn't it? Not that you've ever been inside to see for yourself.

True, so true. Perhaps I'm overdue for a visit to the Temple and its treasury. Yes! And you, my good friends, will benefit. All good Romans will benefit. For what is theirs is ours, and what is ours is...

Antiacus: Yours, Governor!

Gessius Florus: Well said, Antiacus! Now, I know you're thinking what good food we've had, and the wine was as good as can be found in this district. Is there anything else we might enjoy tonight? And I say, yes! I have a surprise performance for you, a tragedy, you might say. Tonight, the Sicarii have decided to attack my little get-together. Judah, where are you? There he is. Judah, isn't it time to signal our prey? I know they're waiting outside with great anticipation for your wave of the torch.

Judah: Yes, Governor, they are.

Gessius Florus: And so are my soldiers. Now signal the Sicarii, Judah, and we'll have our evening's entertainment. Up on your feet, everyone! We'll watch from the windows. Get on with it, Judah!

Judah: Yes, Governor.

Eunice: No!

Guest (Male): Eunice!

Guest (Male): Watch out! She has a knife!

Guest (Male): A woman assassin! Step aside! Get him!

Gessius Florus: Have I been stabbed? What's happened? Where is that doctor?

Luke: I am here, Governor. I see no blood, not even a scratch.

Gessius Florus: I'm sure that witch touched me with her knife!

Luke: No, I assure you.

Guest (Male): Doctor, here! She struck the Zealot, Judah.

Gessius Florus: Well, what is his condition?

Luke: He is dead, Governor.

Gessius Florus: Well, that's too bad. Will someone look at my back? Is that a drop of blood? I know I felt something as she rushed past. Guard, what do you want done with this woman? Do you pay to ask stupid questions? She's an assassin and must be executed immediately.

Luke: No, wait, Governor, please. Hear her case first.

Gessius Florus: Case? What case could she possibly have? I want her executed and I want it done now.

Luke: Eunice, please. Explain to him what you've done.

Gessius Florus: Explain? Are you out of your head? She very nearly assassinated me, and now she's ruined the entire evening. Eunice, please say something.

Eunice: There is nothing to say. I will do anything to save my son's life. Anything.

Gessius Florus: Guards, take her away! Everyone, go away. I'm distraught. Please, go.

Guest (Male): But what about the Sicarii?

Gessius Florus: I've had enough excitement for one night. Take your men. Tomorrow, kill anyone you suspect. No, I don't care now. I'm sick of this whole business. Is that a scratch on my arm?

Luke: Governor, please, listen to me.

Gessius Florus: Listen to you? What do you know about it? Some physician you are. You can't even find my wound. Go off and write your report. It doesn't matter to me what you say. The Emperor will see my strength tomorrow when I come down on this blasted city like a fist!

Luke: But Florus!

Gessius Florus: Don't you dare call me by my name! Now get out! All of you! Get out!

Linus: I'm sorry to trouble you, sir.

Luke: Linus, tell me, what's become of Eunice, the messages you took to the Governor for me on her behalf?

Linus: I'm afraid she was executed only moments after her arrest.

Luke: Oh, no.

Linus: As it is, the Governor refused to read your messages. He has sent me to serve as your escort.

Luke: My escort? To where?

Linus: To wherever you plan to go.

Luke: Ah, I see. He wants me out of the palace.

Linus: Out of the palace and out of Jerusalem, sir. The Governor said he fears for your safety and wants you well away from the city.

Luke: Oh, he's still afraid of the report I'll write to Rome if I witness what he's instructed his troops to do tomorrow.

Linus: He said only that this is no place for a man who is not a soldier. Shall I help you gather your things, sir?

Luke: I never unpacked.

Linus: This way, please.

Luke: But I'm sure the way to the city gate is in that direction.

Linus: I've lived in Jerusalem many years, sir. You must go down this alleyway.

Luke: Last time I was told to go down an alley, I was knocked unconscious.

Linus: I have no intention of doing that to you, sir.

Hezekiah: But I might. Hezekiah. Keep your voice down, you fool. Here, here's your payment, Linus. You'll hear from us again.

Linus: A pleasure doing business with you, as always. But I'll give you this advice for free: Hide. The Governor's soldiers will not be merciful. Farewell.

Luke: Linus works for you?

Hezekiah: He works for anyone who will pay a good price.

Luke: Then the Governor didn't really want me to leave.

Hezekiah: Oh, he wants you to leave all right, but I wanted to see you first.

Luke: What about?

Hezekiah: I want to know what happened.

Luke: You haven't heard?

Hezekiah: No, nothing that makes sense. One person says the Governor was stabbed by Judah, another says Judah was stabbed by the Governor, and another says some madwoman stabbed several people. I want to know the truth.

Luke: Judah betrayed you. He was going to signal your men to attack knowing full well that the Governor's troops lay in wait. And Judah would have succeeded with the Governor's plot had it not been for the servant you had sent me to see.

Hezekiah: Eunice? What did she have to do with it?

Luke: Before Judah could send the signal, she stopped him. She was the so-called madwoman with the knife. Oh, aren't you moved? She saved your life, Hezekiah.

Hezekiah: Oh, not mine. I wasn't part of the attack on the palace.

Luke: What?

Hezekiah: I had nothing to do with it except to offer marginal support.

Luke: Then who was going to attack?

Hezekiah: Eleazar, the head of another faction. I helped him organize some of it, but I left him to execute his plans, no pun intended. So Judah was thwarted and Eleazar escaped without harm. Too bad.

Luke: Too bad? You wanted Eleazar to die.

Hezekiah: I told you before, our rebellion needs a single leader, and I plan to be the one.

Luke: This is barbaric. Eunice thought she was saving your life.

Hezekiah: Which was very kind of her, though unnecessary. Where is she now, in prison? I'll bribe a few guards and help her to escape. We're all very good at—

Luke: Florus executed her immediately. She's dead.

Hezekiah: I see. Well, that is too bad.

Luke: Is that all you have to say about your mother?

Hezekiah: She made her choices, as we all must. There's nothing I can do about that.

Luke: But you could grieve.

Hezekiah: I've spent my life grieving over her.

Luke: And I suspect she spent her life grieving over you because you never understood her.

Hezekiah: Well, then the scales are even.

Luke: No! The weight of her love is greater than anything you could put on the other side.

Hezekiah: Don't judge me so harshly. This is the world we live in. The times make us what we are.

Luke: I don't believe that. There is someone who came to tell us differently, that the times are what they are but we can shape them by rising above them, by looking beyond their flaws and circumstances to eternity.

Hezekiah: Philosophical nonsense. This is a world of flesh and blood.

Luke: And if that is all you have to offer your followers, those who will give their flesh and blood for you and your rebellion, then you and they are to be pitied.

Hezekiah: I won't argue with you, physician. You go your own way and stay clear of Jerusalem. You are sharp and clever with your words, but some wouldn't be as patient as I am. Farewell.

Luke: Goodbye, Hezekiah.

And so, Theophilus, I believe there are some convictions that lead many men to spiritual death, while other convictions lead many men to spiritual life. In Jerusalem, I see them all in place, and it is heartbreaking. The dead walk among the living without ever realizing that they are dead.

And now I understand a story from the disciple Peter, something Jesus had said as he approached Jerusalem for the last time before his crucifixion. Jesus began to weep and said.

Jesus of Nazareth: Oh, Jerusalem. I wish that today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long, your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place because you have rejected the opportunity God offered to you.

Luke: I fear that the words of Jesus will soon come to pass. And so Luke's quest to chronicle the life of Jesus of Nazareth continues in the next chapter of this remarkable saga. We hope you'll keep listening.

Focus on the Family: The Luke Reports: A Time of Madness was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Sound was recorded and designed by Mark Drury. Music was composed by John Campbell.

Our cast included Richard O'Callaghan as Luke, Robert Hardy as Gessius Florus, John Challis as Hezekiah, Pip Miller as Judah, Dora Bryan as Eunice, and Adam Godley as Jesus of Nazareth.

Also starring were Howard Atfield, Justin Butcher, Ian Farthing, Martin Friend, Oliver Hayden, Philip Hawthorn, Damian Matthews, Robert Meadwell, Tim Meats, Joanna Myers, David Oakley, and Richard Sims.

And I'm Dave Arnold, your producer and host for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. Thanks for listening.