Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre

Dave Arnold: Hello, I'm Dave Arnold, producer for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. Though we look back over 2,000 years to the Middle East of the first century, in many respects their lives were not much different from our own.

The people then struggled with the hope of freedom in the midst of oppression, injustice and corruption. Those who exploited others for their own selfish purposes. Orphans in the street and a cacophony of priests, prophets, revolutionaries and magicians, all preaching their truth to whomever would listen.

The stories of those people are our stories. And as with our world, there seemed to be a pervasive battle between good and evil that claimed the lives and souls of many.

Luke, our physician turned writer, is now caught in that battle between good and evil, as he tries to chronicle the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Luke has already seen that battle manifested in many different forms, but he's about to encounter it in a way he'd never expected.

Join us in a moment, as Focus on the Family Radio Theatre presents Chapter 4 of The Luke Reports, The Finger of God.

Guest (Male): Classic adventure.

Guest (Male): The main event is a seven-lap contest between chariots and four.

Guest (Male): I am the only person alive who can tell you the true fate of your mother and sister.

Guest (Male): I dare not endanger his life.

Guest (Male): Unforgettable drama.

Guest (Male): Abbey! Oh, gracious heavens, let her not have gone down to the stone pits. Abbey!

Guest (Male): And stories that will touch your heart.

Guest (Male): Here, quick. There's a child in here. A child? All alone in a place like this? Mercy on us.

Guest (Female): Who is she?

Guest (Female): I am Mary Lennox.

Dave Arnold: These audio dramas are available for you and your family to treasure for years to come, produced by Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre. Stories like Ben Hur, Silas Marner, and The Secret Garden can be yours. For more information, the number is 1-800, the letter A, Family, or visit our website at radiotheater.org. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. Bring the adventure home.

Dave Arnold: Chat GPT 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.

Guest (Male): Diamond!

Berakaiah: Abigail!

Abigail: Yes, sir.

Diamond: Yes, Berakaiah.

Berakaiah: Ah, master.

Berakaiah: Stupid boy. How many times do I have to tell you?

Diamond: I keep forgetting.

Berakaiah: Now gather the people together. Go and be persuasive.

Guest (Male): Come one! Come all! See the wonders of the magician of Nain! The magician of Nain will demonstrate great powers!

Guest (Male): Come one, come all!

Berakaiah: Abigail.

Abigail: Yes, master.

Berakaiah: Good girl. Time to earn your keep. Get your bowl and don't allow anyone to leave without giving something. Show them your sad eyes if they hesitate.

Abigail: Like this? Please, sir, we're hungry and impoverished.

Berakaiah: Yes, perfect. And if that doesn't work, say that I'll curse them.

Abigail: And if they don't believe me?

Berakaiah: Then steal their purses when they aren't looking.

Abigail: Yes, Berakaiah. I mean, master.

Prefect (Male): This is a good market day, good crowd.

Malachi: Well, well, Berakaiah.

Berakaiah: Malachi.

Malachi: I see you're still up to your old tricks.

Berakaiah: Go away, Malachi. You smell of dead fish. I am about to work.

Malachi: Work? Is that what you call it?

Berakaiah: What do you want? Surely you didn't come all the way from Bethsaida or wherever you live these days, just to heckle me.

Malachi: I am traveling with a friend.

Berakaiah: I didn't think you had friends.

Malachi: This is Luke, a physician from Rome.

Luke: Greetings.

Berakaiah: Yes, I know who you are.

Luke: You do?

Berakaiah: You are writing about Jesus to save that friend of yours, Paul, isn't it?

Luke: How do you know that?

Berakaiah: But what Malachi is a magician of sorts.

Berakaiah: Of sorts, nothing. I am a magician. My power is genuine, unlike the crass games you play in the name of your God. Now, go away.

Malachi: Go away? Certainly not. We dare not leave Nain until we've seen its master magician at work.

Berakaiah: Then watch and keep your mouth shut.

Malachi: Come along, Luke. Let's find a good place to stand.

Luke: Right.

Berakaiah: Luke.

Luke: Yes, Berakaiah?

Berakaiah: You won't succeed.

Luke: Succeed with what?

Berakaiah: Saving the life of your friend.

Luke: Oh. And you know that for certain, do you?

Berakaiah: I do.

Guest (Male): Come one, come all! And see the many wonders and remarkable powers of Berakaiah! Master magician!

Malachi: So, what did you think?

Luke: Think of Berakaiah's performance this afternoon? A lot of powder and smoke mostly. I've seen better magicians in Rome. And why is he troubling you? He's not troubling me.

Malachi: Luke.

Luke: All right, I admit it was disconcerting that he knew me. And even more disconcerting that he said I couldn't help Paul.

Malachi: I wouldn't pay much attention to Berakaiah. He is, what did you say? A lot of powder and smoke.

Luke: But what about Paul?

Malachi: What about Paul? Luke, as difficult as it is for you to accept, Paul's life is now secondary to your mission. Trust God.

Luke: Yes. You're not the only one who has said so. But it's very hard to let go. I know I should, and yet, I am such a child.

Malachi: Don't be too hard on yourself. I don't know that we ever stop being children when it comes to faith. We rush ahead, then we stumble and fall. Even the disciples, those of us who saw so much more than most, were not always great men of faith.

I wish I could say that those of us who followed him always understood what was going on, always had wisdom and faith. But we didn't. And if those who physically walked with him sometimes stumbled and fell, then how can we expect more from those who have not seen him?

He trusts us, corrects our idiocies, and all the while seems to hope that we will come to understand that with power comes great sacrifice. You'll see for yourself, Luke. You'll see.

Luke: So, where do we go from here, Malachi?

Malachi: I'm afraid that we will not go from here. I must return to my home. But I'm awaiting word from a friend in Sychar, near Mount Gerizim, in Samaria. Someone who will be a great help to you in your work. I've instructed him to contact me here, if it's safe for you to come.

Luke: Safe? Is Sychar so dangerous?

Malachi: As I've already warned you, Luke, you should expect nothing but danger as you complete your work and be watchful.

Berakaiah: Boy! That was my best stop.

Luke: Oh, no. I don't like the sound of that at all.

Berakaiah: I'll be right back.

Malachi: So much for being watchful.

Abigail: Ow! Stop it!

Diamond: Please, stop! Stop it! Stop! Stop!

Abigail: Oh, stop! Please, make it stop!

Diamond: Berakaiah! Please, make him stop!

Luke: Berakaiah, leave the boy alone!

Berakaiah: This is none of your business.

Luke: I am making it my business. By what right do you beat this boy?

Berakaiah: Again, it's none of your business. Now go, before I take the whip to you.

Luke: You don't scare me! You can be sure that I'll give back better than I get from you!

Berakaiah: I'd like to see that.

Abigail: Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!

Prefect (Male): All right, all right, that's enough. Break it up! I said, break it up! You're both under arrest.

Prefect (Male): What am I supposed to do with the two of you? Berakaiah, I've warned you about your temper causing public scenes. This isn't the first time. But it had better be the last. You're becoming a nuisance. Oh, don't test my patience. I'm in no mood. And you, what did you say your name is?

Luke: Luke.

Prefect (Male): You come in here waving your credentials from Rome, yet you're brawling in my streets.

Luke: I apologize, Prefect. I'm ashamed of my behavior and can only attribute it to the rather merciless beating I saw taking place.

Prefect (Male): Are these two children your slaves, Berakaiah?

Berakaiah: In a manner of speaking.

Prefect (Male): In what manner of speaking? Did you purchase them or not?

Berakaiah: Well,

Luke: He didn't.

Prefect (Male): I didn't give you permission to speak, boy.

Berakaiah: Shut up, Diamond!

Prefect (Male): You shut up, Berakaiah! Go on, boy.

Diamond: He didn't buy us, sir. We're freeborn. Orphans.

Abigail: That's right, your honor. We were helping Berakaiah, that's all, for some food and a place to sleep.

Diamond: We never said he was allowed to beat us.

Prefect (Male): So you're not slaves or relatives?

Abigail: No.

Berakaiah: You'll both pay for this.

Prefect (Male): Another word from you, Berakaiah, and I'll take the whip to you personally.

Berakaiah: I'm sorry, Prefect.

Prefect (Male): Yes, you are. I've warned you about taking advantage of children before.

Berakaiah: Yes, sir.

Prefect (Male): Guard!

Guard (Male): Yes, Prefect.

Prefect (Male): Berakaiah is going to be our guest for the night.

Berakaiah: What?

Prefect (Male): Don't argue, Berakaiah, or I'll keep you longer. Take him away.

Guard (Male): Yes, Prefect.

Berakaiah: What about my business? My livelihood?

Prefect (Male): I don't care! Now, as for the two of you. I'd advise you to use Berakaiah's imprisonment as a chance to escape. I can't protect you, and I doubt anyone else, except possibly Luke here. I doubt anyone else will care what Berakaiah does to you if he catches you. Do you understand?

Diamond: Yes, sir.

Abigail: Thank you, sir.

Prefect (Male): Now go.

Diamond: Thank you.

Abigail: Goodbye.

Luke: With respect, Prefect, you're casting them into the street.

Prefect (Male): I'm not casting them into the street. I'm giving them a chance to escape Berakaiah.

Luke: But they're orphans.

Prefect (Male): They're resourceful con artists, light-fingered and quick with their wits. My men have been keeping an eye on them since they arrived in Nain a few months ago. I'm more worried about the poor citizenry than I am those two.

Luke: But what will they do?

Prefect (Male): I don't know. If you're so worried, why don't you adopt them?

Luke: I might consider it if I had a stable home somewhere.

Prefect (Male): Then you're either very generous or a fool. Oh, I am so tired.

Luke: Are you not well, Prefect? I'm a physician. I may be able to help.

Prefect (Male): It would take more than just a physician to heal the sickness in this country.

Luke: Did I miss something?

Prefect (Male): Haven't you heard the news from Jerusalem?

Luke: No, I'm afraid I haven't.

Prefect (Male): Gessius Florus is making a mess of things with the temple leaders and the Zealots. The situation is out of control. All of the garrisons and outposts are on alert. In case something happens.

Luke: Like what?

Prefect (Male): A full-blown rebellion, perhaps? So you'd be wise to take great care. You're a Gentile and a Roman citizen. Either position could get you killed.

Luke: So I've been told.

Prefect (Male): Where are you going, by the way?

Luke: Jerusalem.

Prefect (Male): Then my second guess was right.

Luke: Prefect!

Prefect (Male): You're a fool.

Dave Arnold: The seasons of your life are always moving forward: singlehood, marriage, parenting, aging well. And through it all, Focus on the Family is alongside you with encouragement from a biblical perspective. And now, we have a tool that gathers our trusted guidance and support together in one place: the enhanced Focus on the Family app. With it, you can listen to the Focus on the Family broadcast, engage our social media, find a counselor, or make a donation. All on the Focus on the Family app. Download it today from the App Store or Google Play.

Dave Arnold: Focus on the Family Radio Theatre is made possible through the generous donations of listeners like you. For more information, visit radiotheater.org or contact Focus on the Family at 1-800 A Family.

Luke: Malachi!

Malachi: Ah, Malachi. I was wondering what had become of you. I could've used your help with the Prefect.

Luke: I doubt that I could have been of any help. I knew they wouldn't imprison you.

Malachi: What, what made you so sure?

Luke: Good sense. You're a Roman citizen. As it is, I've heard from my friend in Sychar, and he's longing to speak with you. I've written all the details here. Go straight to him. You've no time to lose.

Malachi: You're not coming with me?

Luke: No, I mustn't. I have responsibilities at home, preparations to make.

Malachi: Preparations?

Luke: For the coming time of difficulty. The great battle between the Romans and the Zealots is inevitable. Some of us believe it is time to move on. My friend in Sychar is one of them. Which is why you must go quickly.

Malachi: Then this is goodbye.

Luke: There are no goodbyes, my friend. Our Lord has seen to that. Farewell.

Malachi: God be with you, Malachi. Thank you for all you've done.

Luke: I've done nothing compared to what you must do. Remember, Luke, follow the path of Jesus faithfully, wherever it will take you.

Malachi: I'll do my best.

Luke: Come out, whoever you are. There's no point hiding in the bushes. And you behind that rock, come out! I know you've been following me. I have nothing worth stealing if that's your idea.

Abigail: Steal from you? We'd never do that!

Diamond: Abigail! You saved our lives!

Luke: Diamond! What are you doing here? Don't you know how dangerous these roads are?

Diamond: No more dangerous than staying in Nain. You saved our lives and set us free! We'll always be in your debt forever!

Luke: You owe me nothing!

Abigail: But we do! That's why we've decided to follow you.

Luke: What?

Diamond: That's right. And there's no point in arguing about it. We're coming with you.

Luke: Oh, no.

Lammek: Nain, eh?

Aide (Male): Yes, master.

Lammek: See that the beasts are properly watered, and set up camp for the night. This is as good a place to stop as any.

Aide (Male): Yes, master.

Lammek: I believe I'll have a nap.

Abigail: Pardon me, sir.

Lammek: Yes, child?

Abigail: Forgive me for the intrusion, but I seem to have a terrible splinter in the sole of my foot, and I can't get it out. It's causing me great pain.

Lammek: You want me to look at your foot? Well, it's rather unusual.

Abigail: I wouldn't bother you, dear master, except you have no women in your caravan to ask.

Lammek: Well, of course there are no women. We're tradesmen. Our women are at home where they belong. Well, where you belong.

Abigail: Yes, but you see, I have no home and I am alone.

Lammek: A girl your age traveling alone?

Abigail: It is a terribly sad story of heart-wrenching circumstance.

Lammek: Oh, I'm sure it is. Well, sit down. Let me see your foot.

Abigail: There.

Lammek: I don't see a splinter.

Abigail: There, near the heel.

Luke: Stop! Stop right there!

Lammek: What?

Luke: Abigail, Diamond, don't move, not even a muscle.

Lammek: What's going on here? Hey, who are you, boy? Where did you come from?

Diamond: Hello.

Luke: A thousand apologies, sir. More than a thousand.

Lammek: Apologies for what?

Luke: My young friends were trying to rob you.

Lammek: Rob me? Impossible! I was helping this young girl with her foot.

Luke: Yes, and while you were kneeling to help her, this young man was sneaking up from behind to take your purse, which, you see, hangs in full sight from your belt.

Lammek: Oh, so it does.

Luke: Diamond, I can't even rest for five minutes. How many times have I told you?

Diamond: Yes, Master Luke, I'm sorry.

Luke: You're always sorry! And you, Abigail, we have talked about this again and again. You promised.

Abigail: I know, Master Luke, I don't know what came over me.

Luke: It would serve you both right if this man decided to beat you within inches of your lives. I might help him.

Diamond: Yes, Master Luke, I'm sorry.

Lammek: Oh, well. I've been taken in by many different types of criminals, but never criminals who are so young. Are they your children, sir?

Luke: They are not. They are orphans who have decided to follow me whether I like it or not. I don't mind so much, except for their predilection for theft and deception. I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Luke, and these two scoundrels are Diamond and Abigail.

Lammek: Oh, and I, your intended victim, am Lammek, a humble tradesman.

Luke: Humble, with all these camels and servants?

Lammek: Oh, do not confuse humility and success, sir. I can tell you're not a Jew, nor do you have the look of a tradesman. Why are you traveling these parts?

Luke: To be perfectly honest, I have been commissioned to write a report.

Lammek: Oh, what sort of report?

Luke: A chronicle of the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Lammek: Jesus of Nazareth? Oh, yes. Oh, I know of him. Much about him, in fact.

Luke: Do you?

Lammek: Oh, yes, yeah. Join me for supper. We'll talk.

Luke: Thank you.

Lammek: And come. My servants are putting up the tent now. Come along, children.

Luke: Diamond, give him back his purse.

Diamond: Oh,

Luke: Thank you, Lammek. The meal was delicious, the best I'd had in weeks.

Lammek: You've been traveling a long time?

Luke: Maybe not in months or miles, but certainly in wear and tear. Now, you said you know about Jesus.

Lammek: Oh, yes. Yeah. I met him once or twice when I was a young man as I traveled with my father on business. Oh, he was a remarkable man. As someone who's considered a foreigner by the Jews — I'm a Samaritan — my father and I were impressed by how generous he was to those who were, shall I say, outcasts.

Luke: And how did he treat outcasts?

Lammek: Well, I remember, uh, where was it? Somewhere between Galilee and Samaria, I don't remember the exact place. Jesus came into a village and ten lepers approached him.

Luke: That's rather bold.

Lammek: Oh, they didn't march right up to him. They kept their distance, but they shouted, 'Jesus, master, have mercy on us! Please, master, have mercy on us!' Well, it was heartbreaking. We wondered what Jesus would do. I know that I hoped that he'd go up to them and heal them right then and there. But he didn't. He simply said, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' Well, they must have been wondering why they should show themselves to the priests when they were still lepers. But they obeyed. And as they went, they were healed of their leprosy. He'd made them clean. All ten of them.

Luke: Yes.

Lammek: Though only one of them came back to thank Jesus for healing him. He praised God with a loud voice, threw himself at Jesus' feet, thanking Jesus for making him clean. And you know, the one who came back was a Samaritan.

Luke: Ah.

Lammek: Jesus said to him, 'Were not ten of you made clean? Where are the other nine? Are you, a foreigner, the only one who returned to praise God?' Thank you, master. 'Get up, my friend, and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.' So he reached out to the Samaritans, even though we were, well, we are despised by the Jews. His message knew no cultural boundaries. Even when put to the test, he didn't flinch, didn't retreat. One day a lawyer came to him to trick him with a question.

Guest (Male): Master! What must I do to inherit eternal life?

Lammek: Tell me what is written in the law. What do you read there?

Guest (Male): It says you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Lammek: You have answered well. Do this, and you will live.

Guest (Male): Yes, master. But, who is my neighbor?

Lammek: Let me answer with a story. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of thieves who stripped him, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Now, by chance, a priest came down that road. And when he saw the poor man, he passed by on the other side. Later, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw the beaten man, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan came by on his journeys, saw the man and was moved with compassion. The Samaritan went to the man, bandaged his wounds after anointing them with oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two coins, gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him, and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you have to spend.' Now, which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the thieves?

Guest (Male): The one who showed him mercy.

Lammek: Go and do likewise. Yes, I was very impressed with Jesus.

Luke: But you didn't follow him?

Lammek: Me? Nah. Nah, I come from a long line of tradesmen. I didn't have time for prophets and Messiahs, especially when they go foul of Rome, wind up crucified.

Luke: But he didn't end there, you know.

Lammek: Oh, yeah, yes, I've, I've heard the talk, risen from the dead and all that.

Luke: It doesn't mean anything to you?

Lammek: Well, only if I could figure out how to make it good for business if you know what I mean.

Aide (Male): Master.

Lammek: Oh, yes, come in, Nedab.

Aide (Male): I'm so sorry to interrupt.

Lammek: Oh, Nedab, what was wrong?

Aide (Male): It's the two children.

Lammek: Oh, no. What have they done now?

Aide (Male): Oh, they have done nothing, but there is someone who wants them.

Lammek: What do you mean?

Aide (Male): A man, a magician, is demanding that we give him the two children.

Lammek: Berakaiah.

Aide (Male): He wants to take them away. He was going through the camp looking for them, but our men caught him and have him surrounded.

Lammek: Well, then bring him here.

Aide (Male): Oh, we can't. The man performs feats of magic. He pulls fire from the air. He says he will curse us. Our men are afraid.

Lammek: Does this Berakaiah have such powers?

Luke: To curse your men? I don't think so.

Lammek: Ah, superstitious fools. All right, lead us to him.

Dave Arnold: Next time on Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, the conclusion of The Luke Reports, The Finger of God.

Berakaiah: Your tricks didn't impress me in Nain, nor do they impress me here.

Guest (Male): You're no magician.

Jesus: But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

Dave Arnold: The Luke Reports, The Finger of God is a production of Focus on the Family. Our cast starred Richard O'Callaghan as Luke, Adam Godley as Jesus, Andrew Sachs as Lammek, Peter O'Shaughnessy as Berakaiah, Richard Franklin as Rufus, Stephen Webb as Diamond, and Jade Williams as Abigail. For Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, I'm Dave Arnold. Thanks for listening.