Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre

Guest (Male): Blessed are you who are hated and cast out and mocked and cursed on account of the Son of Man. When that happens, rejoice!

Guest (Male): I told you that I didn't follow Jesus to Jerusalem because of my family. But that is a feeble excuse. Now the truth is, I didn't follow him because I was afraid.

Luke: With all due respect, Justin, I think I had better continue my search for Benjamin.

Justin: Oh yes, but don't despair. If nothing else, it's against Roman law for these people to harm or execute anyone. They know that.

Luke: They may know it, but do they care? Naomi? All right, what's all this about? Where is Naomi?

Guest (Male): Why do you want her? It's none of your business no matter how many times you push me.

Guest (Male): It is my business. I'm Naomi's son.

Guest (Male): Well, you obviously don't get your manners from her. What is your name?

Guest (Male): Legion, for we are many! But we beg you, do not send us back to the pit where we will be punished!

Guest (Male): And where will you live?

Guest (Male): Send us into the herd of swine on that hillside! Allow us to enter them!

Guest (Male): You may go!

Guest (Male): The theater. In London, it's the West End. And in New York, it's Broadway. For fine acting, high drama, and the sheer experience, there's nothing like great theater. But if you can't go to Broadway, why not bring Broadway into your own home? Captivating drama like Les Misérables.

Guest (Male): Prisoner 24601, come forward.

Guest (Male): Exhilarating suspense like the Peabody Award-winning Bonhoeffer.

Guest (Male): I find nothing in scripture that gives a Christian the right to destroy the body of Christ.

Guest (Male): And original creative work like the Father Gilbert Mysteries.

Guest (Male): Oh, I've heard of the Esselton Chalice all right. I always thought it was a Stonebridge myth.

Guest (Male): Focus on the Family Radio Theatre presents great drama, staged especially for you. Share the experience of Broadway with your family, your friends, and the whole neighborhood. For more information, the number is 1-800-A-FAMILY, or visit our website at radiotheatre.org. Bring the adventure home.

Guest (Female): ChatGPT and AI can offer you ideas and attempt to give you answers, but it can't listen with compassion, pray with you, or offer biblical wisdom. Real connection is what brings true hope. Focus on the Family offers a free confidential consultation with a Christian counselor to guide you and help you find hope with whatever you're facing. Go to focusonthefamily.com/gethelp or call 1-800-A-FAMILY. That's 1-800, the letter A, the word FAMILY.

Caleb: Bethsaida. We'll wait for you until nightfall, Luke, but then we must return to Capernaum.

Luke: Thank you. Thank you for all your help.

Caleb: God be with you. You'll have to be if you're going to spend any time with Malachai.

Luke: What do you mean?

Caleb: You'll find out.

Malachai: And so, your search for the story of Jesus has led you on a search for Benjamin.

Luke: Yes. Can you help?

Malachai: The question is, will I help? You come here, you mention all the right names, say all the right things, but how can I know that you aren't here to do Benjamin harm?

Luke: Well, how can I prove my intentions? Caleb believes me. You could return to his boat and speak with him.

Malachai: And disappear like Benjamin has? No, thank you.

Luke: Then what can I offer you?

Malachai: Let me look into your eyes.

Luke: What?

Malachai: Look into your eyes.

Luke: Is this a trick?

Malachai: No, confound it. Sit still. That's enough. I trust you.

Luke: By looking into my eyes?

Malachai: I can tell a lot about a man by his eyes. A thief, a liar, a murderer, a spy, a zealot—it's all in the eyes.

Luke: And my eyes?

Malachai: You are none of those things.

Luke: I'm relieved.

Malachai: Would you like something to drink? To eat? You must be hungry and tired.

Luke: Will you tell me where Benjamin is?

Malachai: He could be anywhere.

Luke: Does that mean you don't know?

Malachai: A drink first. I looked into the eyes of Jesus, you know. Rather, he looked into mine.

Luke: And?

Malachai: And nothing was the same for me ever again. Do you want to hear about it?

Luke: Well, yes, but I'd like to—

Malachai: Jesus was teaching in Capernaum. Benjamin and I grew up together there. Did you know that?

Luke: Well, I knew he had, but he said nothing about you.

Malachai: Trying to protect me, no doubt. Anyway, Jesus was teaching in the house of the disciple everyone now calls Peter.

Luke: Oh, Simon.

Malachai: That's right. And the crowd was so thick. The people had come from everywhere, especially the leaders of the various synagogues. They came to watch, to test Jesus. But others wanted to hear his words, to be healed by his touch. However, I was not one of them. I knew his words couldn't help me, nor could his touch heal me.

Luke: What was wrong with you?

Malachai: I was paralyzed. As a young man, I'd been out hunting with Benjamin in the hills. I misstepped and fell from a cliff. That was the end of my ability to move. Our rabbis said that obviously, I had offended God somehow. I had sinned. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been struck down. And when Benjamin was taken by a demon, the rabbis said that my sinfulness had extended to others, that it was infecting those around me.

Luke: Benjamin said he felt responsible for your fall.

Malachai: He had nothing to do with my fall, but I know he felt as if he did. He was even consumed by guilt for it. And he resented God, as if I should have sprouted wings and flown to safety. I have sometimes wondered if that's what led him to the demon, or the demon to him.

Luke: So your fall crippled both of you in two different ways.

Malachai: I suppose so. The rabbis certainly helped along our despair. I had hours and hours, day in, day out, to think about what they said, to recount everything I had ever done to displease God. There were many, many things. And the rabbis were right. I was a sinner who deserved to be struck down.

Luke: How sad.

Malachai: It was, until Jesus healed Benjamin. It was a miracle. A true miracle. The demon left and Benjamin was once again as I'd known him. He was free of his burden of guilt and bitterness. So Benjamin was determined to get me to Jesus to be healed as well. I told him he was out of his mind. Demons were one thing, but to restore a man's ability to walk seemed impossible.

Benjamin wouldn't listen to me. He persuaded a couple of our friends to help him carry me to Jesus on my bed. What could I do to stop them? They took me to Peter's house, but the crowds pressed us back. Finally, Benjamin, who is a stubborn man as you must know, came up with an idea. They lowered me through the roof.

Luke: The roof?

Malachai: They hoisted me up against my will. I protested the entire time, you can be sure. I didn't like heights, as you can imagine. But they got me up and carefully removed the tiles. Jesus was directly below, teaching the crowd. They then lowered me down.

[--Luke-- (In Malachai's Memory)] Oh, no. No. Please. Please. Oh, no.

Malachai: I looked into his eyes, embarrassed to make such a scene. But then he said—

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] My friend, your sins are forgiven.

Malachai: My sins. Had he looked into my eyes and seen my heart? Did he know the blackness there? Or did he believe as the Pharisees did that my paralysis was the result of my sin? I don't know. But I felt my heart change at that moment.

[--Guest (Male)-- (In Malachai's Memory)] You have power to forgive his sins? Who do you think you are? This is blasphemy. Only God can forgive sins.

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] Tell me, which is easier: to say to someone, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Stand up and walk"?

Malachai: The Pharisees and scribes were livid. But Jesus was still looking in my eyes, as if he were talking only to me. Then he said—

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] So you'll know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, then I say to you, stand up, take your bed, and go home.

Malachai: I wish you could know exactly what it was like. How I looked into his eyes and somehow found the courage to move. One foot, then the other. My hands, my arms, everything that got me upright. And his hand clasped mine and I was standing up, my legs strong, my body erect, as if I hadn't lost all those years in that bed. That bed, which I picked up and tucked under my arm. Speechless, I walked away. But everyone was amazed. They knew they had seen what other generations could only dream about.

Luke: What a wonderful story. And have you had any problems since?

Malachai: Oh, the usual ailments, but nothing to complain about. Now about Benjamin. It's getting late. The sun is setting. Look, Caleb and Steven will be returning to Capernaum. It's better you don't return to Capernaum tonight.

Luke: Why do you say that?

Malachai: Do you have a place to stay?

Luke: Well, if you direct me to an inn then—

Malachai: An inn? Nonsense. You'll stay right here.

Luke: Yes, but what about Benjamin? We've lost an entire day.

Malachai: You worry too much. Benjamin can take care of himself.

Luke: Oh. Oh, and if he's dead?

Malachai: Then God is already taking care of him, and your haste won't make any difference. Have faith, Luke. You must have faith.

[--Benjamin-- (In Luke's Dream)] Luke. Luke. Luke, it's me, Benjamin.

Luke: Benjamin. Benjamin, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you.

Benjamin: Go to the mount.

Luke: The mount? Which one?

Benjamin: You must go there and wait. Don't return to Capernaum. It isn't safe for you there. Go to the mount.

Luke: Why don't we go together?

Benjamin: You'll have to go without me. Benjamin. Benjamin!

Malachai: Luke, are you all right?

Luke: Benjamin was here!

Malachai: He was? But how? The door is locked. Did he come through the window?

Luke: I don't know.

Malachai: You were dreaming.

Luke: No, I couldn't have been. He was standing here as real to me as you are.

Malachai: Did he say anything to you?

Luke: He said go to a mount. But he didn't say which one. He said not to go back to Capernaum, it isn't safe.

Malachai: I suggest you listen to him.

Luke: Him? Didn't you just say it was a dream?

Malachai: Yes. Listen to the dream.

Luke: That doesn't make any sense. I don't know what mount he's talking about. And if I don't go back to Capernaum, how will I find him? How will I help him?

Malachai: It may be too late to help him.

Luke: What do you know, Malachai? Are you gifted like Benjamin?

Malachai: Oh no, I see only with my eyes, but I see clearly. Go to the mount and stay away from Capernaum.

Luke: No, I'm sorry, Malachai, but I can't do that. I won't, not for a dream.

Malachai: Are you prepared for the consequences?

Luke: What consequences?

Malachai: Great pain. Perhaps death.

Luke: Well, if that's what it takes to learn the truth, yes.

Malachai: All right, then I will go with you. Do you think Caleb and Naomi will receive us?

Luke: Yes, why wouldn't they?

Malachai: Because something has happened. Look around you. It is late morning and hardly anyone is about. Something is wrong.

Luke: Good morning, Steven.

Steven: What do you want?

Luke: I want to talk to you or to your mother or father.

Steven: About what? Haven't you done enough damage?

Luke: Damage? What do you mean?

Steven: Haven't you heard the news?

Malachai: We've just arrived from Bethsaida, young man, and I suggest you curb your disrespect.

Steven: I'll curb nothing, old man. Go away.

Caleb: Stand aside, Steven.

Steven: Father.

Caleb: Be quiet, boy. I won't be told who I may have as guests in my own home. Suit yourself. Come in. You are Malachai, I believe.

Malachai: I am.

Caleb: Welcome to my home. Naomi!

Naomi: What's happened, Caleb?

Caleb: Benjamin has been found.

Luke: He has?

Caleb: And it's exactly as I suspected. You brought this on him. Trouble followed you into town like a stray dog.

Luke: What about Benjamin?

Caleb: He's dead.

Malachai: God have mercy.

Luke: Oh, no. Naomi, this is Malachai, a close friend of Benjamin's.

Naomi: Malachai. Yes, he spoke of you. I'm sorry to meet you on a day of such terrible news.

Malachai: It's no surprise.

Luke: What do either of you know about his death?

Caleb: He was found in the hills by a shepherd boy.

Luke: And do you know how he died?

Caleb: No. He was wrapped in a cloak and taken back to his house where he'll be prepared for burial.

Luke: I would like to examine his body.

Steven: Yes, you do that. And if you carry on, you may join him. Don't you see? He carries the mark of death on him. What kind of man willingly lays hands on the dead?

Luke: I know what Moses and the law say about it, but I'm a Gentile believer. I'm not subject to your laws.

Steven: All believers are subject to the law.

Luke: No, I'm sorry, Steven, but I must disagree and leave it at that. Malachai, would you like to come along?

Malachai: Yes.

Steven: Disagree all you like. You can't say I didn't warn you.

Malachai: Steven is a passionate man, if nothing else. It's my opinion that Steven embodies the struggle so many people have faced since Jesus was among us.

Luke: How so?

Malachai: The law versus grace. Proclaiming the message of God openly versus quietly living out one's life. These questions have not changed since Jesus was here. I remember on one occasion, when Jesus sent his closest disciples on a mission.

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] I give you power and authority over all demons and to heal the sick. Proclaim the kingdom of God. Take nothing with you for the journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money, not even extra clothes. When you're welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, then leave and shake the dust off your feet as you go. It will be a warning against them.

Malachai: So they went through the villages, preaching the good news and healing the sick. They came back and told Jesus all they had done.

Luke: And what does this have to do with Steven?

Malachai: Here's my point. After the disciples came back, they were very excited. They had seen God at work in them in ways they never thought possible. And yet, it was after that, after their time of glory, that Jesus spoke very seriously about what he knew was going to happen.

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] Who do the people say that I am?

[--Guest (Male)-- (In Malachai's Memory)] Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah, or one of the great prophets who has come back from the dead.

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] But who do you say that I am?

[--Peter-- (In Malachai's Memory)] You are the Messiah, sent from God.

[--Jesus-- (In Malachai's Memory)] Tell no one. The Son of Man will experience great suffering at the hands of our leaders, chief priests, and scribes. They will reject him and kill him. But on the third day, he will be raised from the dead.

Listen to me. If any of you want to be my followers, then you must deny yourselves, take up your cross every day, and follow me. For those of you who want to save your life will lose it, and those of you who lose your life for my sake will save it.

Malachai: From that moment forward, everyone who professed to follow Jesus had a choice. We all made them in different ways, some to their regret, some to their suffering, some to their deaths.

Luke: What about you? Did you follow Jesus to Jerusalem?

Malachai: Yes, I did, and I still have the scars to show for it. Ah, here is Benjamin's house. Are you sure you want to come inside, Malachai?

Malachai: Yes. God's peace be upon this house. Someone's here. Hello? Hello? Whoever it was must have left by the back.

Luke: But who would come into a dead man's house?

Malachai: Someone could ask us the same question. Good point. Come on, let's get this over with. What do you hope to find by looking at his body?

Luke: The dead can tell us many things, Malachai. I'm a physician. And I can say one thing: this was no accident. Do you see these marks?

Malachai: Yes, it would appear to me that he was terribly beaten.

Luke: Not beaten. Stoned. That's how he died. But you can see from the abrasions around his wrists that he was bound first. And I can only assume that this gash here on the back of his head, which is so different from the other marks, is where someone struck him from behind. And then the scrapes along his side and back indicate that he was dragged along the stony ground.

Malachai: So he was struck from behind, tied up, and then dragged away to be stoned. Barbaric. Oh, my dear friend, what have the cowards done to you? Cowards who masquerade as vigilantes, I would guess. This stoning is some sort of execution.

Malachai: But who would do such a thing? Only the Romans are allowed to execute, and they do not use stoning as a method.

Luke: The obvious answer is that it wasn't a Roman. Hmm, look at his hands. There's something under the fingernails. And look at these marks on his fingers and palms.

Caleb: Malachai? Luke? What are you doing here? Who are all these people?

Caleb: They're followers of Jesus who, like me, are tired of hiding. I want them to see what has happened to Benjamin. I want them to see what fear and ignorance has done.

Luke: Please go outside.

Caleb: No! I'm sick to my heart by this. We cower and still they come. They abuse us, and now this. Brothers and sisters, we know who did this. It was Ishmael and his pack of wolves!

Luke: Caleb, wait!

Caleb: Will there be justice? No, not unless we create justice for ourselves! We must confront Ishmael!

Luke: No, Caleb, please. Go to the proper authorities. Go to Justin.

Caleb: Justin has no authority here, nor respect. He's a Gentile married to a Jew. She is as good as dead in our community, and he can be of no help.

Luke: Then we'll have to send Justin for the Roman commander. Don't take this action yourself. It will only compound the wrong done to Benjamin.

Caleb: Compound the wrong? It will right the wrong! Come on, follow me!

Luke: Caleb, wait! Please! Well, that went surprisingly well. I think I'd better go see Justin.

Malachai: Perhaps I'll keep an eye on the crowd.

Luke: So Ishmael and his men executed Benjamin?

Justin: I can't say for certain who did it, but Benjamin has been murdered. And I'm afraid you're going to have a riot on your hands if you don't send for help.

Justin: I'll send a servant to Tiberias to alert Solidus. He's a commander there who watches over this area. We can't have this. I mean, what will become of us if people can be murdered without consequence? Justin, is everything all right?

Justin: Yes, my dear.

Naomi: Who is our visitor?

Justin: Naomi, this is Luke, a physician visiting from Rome.

Naomi: From Rome? How impressive.

Justin: You'll be more impressed to know that he's here to write a chronicle of the life of your God.

Naomi: Oh!

Luke: I'm writing an account of Jesus, good lady. I understand that you had personal dealings with him.

Naomi: Yes, I did, though I was only a girl.

Luke: I would be grateful to hear your story.

Naomi: Of course, I'd be delighted.

Guest (Male): Master! Mistress! Forgive me, but I've come with an urgent message from a friend of Luke's.

Luke: Which friend?

Guest (Male): Malachai.

Justin: What is the message?

Guest (Male): He said to come to the synagogue. A mob has gathered and is threatening to kill Ishmael.

Ishmael: How dare you threaten me! I'm not afraid of you or your rabble!

Caleb: The followers of Jesus will no longer run from you! This is our home and we should be allowed to live here in peace!

Ishmael: You call this peace? I thought your master taught love! Now look at you!

Caleb: Our master taught love and justice, and this mob is exhibiting neither! You deny that you murdered Benjamin!

Ishmael: Murder? I know nothing of murder. But I'm sure that whatever happened to Benjamin was of his own doing.

Caleb: You lie!

Justin: This is enough! Stop it, all of you! Go home!

Ishmael: Oh, I see. It's the entourage of the Gentiles come to bring order. Are these your reinforcements, Caleb? Do you see, everyone? To be a follower of Jesus leads to the ways of the pagans!

Caleb: Again you lie!

Ishmael: Do I? Then why is Justin, who is married to one of our own, interfering now?

Justin: I'm trying to save your life, you fool!

Ishmael: And who is this other one, this Luke who defiles the body of the dead Benjamin?

Luke: What?

Ishmael: Deny that you were at his house today, going over his body as if it were some decrepit carcass.

Luke: I was examining his body, but I would never—

Ishmael: There you are! The body of the Jew left to the hands of a pagan! And will he be buried before another night passes?

Luke: I haven't finished my examination.

Ishmael: One night has already gone and you will keep him unburied for another! The audacity! That you, the murderer, should be affronted by what happens to the murdered!

Justin: Be careful, old man. You don't know what you're saying. Enough, enough speechmaking and accusations. I have sent for the Roman commander in Tiberias. He will be here tomorrow, and then you will get your hearing. One way or the other, we'll learn the truth. Now I suggest you disperse. Go to your homes and forget any notions of violence. Now go! Go!

Caleb: You haven't heard the last of this, Caleb!

Ishmael: Nor you, Ishmael!

Justin: Go home! Do you see what the Romans have to deal with? They are such children at the best of times.

Luke: Well, with all due respect, Justin, I have seen equally bad behavior on the part of your people.

Justin: I won't argue with you. Will you and your friend come back to my house for supper? We'd be honored, and I know Naomi would like to speak with you.

Luke: I would enjoy nothing more. Though I'd like to return to Benjamin's to look over a few things first.

Justin: Is that wise, considering the outcry against you? I think you're only asking for trouble.

Luke: Yes, you're right. Maybe it's better if I wait until later when things have calmed down. In that case, I would enjoy talking to your wife further about Jesus.

Malachai: Next time on Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, the Luke Reports continues.

Guest (Male): Go on! Cast the first stone!

Naomi: I come to prepare his body for burial, but I can't do it!

Luke: You killed him for his disobedience to the law!

Guest (Male): What is this? Who are you? What do you want?

Guest (Male): We want you!

Luke: Was that real or a dream?

Guest (Male): The Luke Reports: The Hearts of Men is a production of Focus on the Family. For Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, I'm Dave Arnold. Thanks for listening.