Paws & Tales

Joe: Okay, Ned, we're rolling in three, two, one.

Ned: Yeah, I'm sorry, Joel. I just don't, I don't feel the inspiration today. Sorry.

Joe: Ned, we got to get these recorded.

Ned: I am an artist, not a vending machine. I lack my muse.

Joe: Start with the one about the Free Wildwood Map. Anyone can download it.

Ned: What's my motivation? I feel untethered.

Joe: Okay, then do the one for the character coloring sheets. Also a free download. Come on, Ned. I want to go home.

Ned: Where is my atomization? My throat is dry. It's really parched.

Joe: The last one, Ned. Just read the last one.

Ned: This one? This one? The "Find it all at pausetales.org" script? That's the one.

Joe: Yes, Ned. That's the one.

Ned: I need a pumpkin spice something or other. I need it right now, please. Who's in charge of this craft table? I'm the talent here and I am in need of refreshment.

Narrator: Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventures to be had there too.

CJ: Come on, CJ, jump! It's too far!

CJ: It wasn't too far for me.

Narrator: Insight for Living is proud to present Paws & Tales.

Narrator: Howdy and welcome to Wildwood. On this beautiful Easter Sunday morning, the club members are where they usually are every Sunday morning, in Papa Chuck's Sunday school class. More precisely, they're just finishing up the class and Papa Chuck is closing in prayer.

Papa Chuck: Thanks for this time of year, Lord, when we celebrate your death and resurrection. Help us to remember throughout the year your precious gift of salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen. Happy Easter, everyone. See you next Sunday.

Papa Chuck: CJ, got a minute?

CJ: Sure, Papa Chuck. Is something wrong?

Papa Chuck: I was going to ask you that.

CJ: Me?

Papa Chuck: You seem kind of distracted during class. You didn't look at me once. You didn't raise your hand or join in any of the discussions, and you seemed to have turned your hand out into a piece of modern art.

CJ: I guess I'm just…

Papa Chuck: Bored?

CJ: Not bored, exactly. It's just that I've heard all these stories before, Papa Chuck, lots of times, all my life, especially the story of the crucifixion and the resurrection. It's just not new anymore.

Papa Chuck: Bored.

CJ: Sorry.

Papa Chuck: No need to be. I mean, ignoring for the moment that you've just insulted my teaching skills, but I can see your point.

CJ: Really?

Papa Chuck: Yeah, but I want you to do me a favor.

CJ: What?

Papa Chuck: Meet me back here this afternoon. I've got something I want to show you.

CJ: What is it?

Papa Chuck: Hopefully, a cure for boredom.

Narrator: That afternoon, Papa Chuck took CJ on a stroll out of town to a clearing in the woods. In the clearing, CJ was surprised to see

CJ: A stage?

Papa Chuck: Yep. It belongs to a troop of traveling actors. They're here to perform for the town.

CJ: So, the thing you wanted me to see is a show?

Papa Chuck: Sort of. Come on.

CJ: Aren't we going to sit down?

Papa Chuck: Nope. The story's out there.

CJ: The story?

Papa Chuck: Uh-huh. You see when you said you were bored, CJ, you were also telling me something else.

CJ: What?

Papa Chuck: You were telling me that the greatest story ever told has become old for you, commonplace. When something becomes commonplace, we stop caring about it. And it's only a short jump from not caring to not believing.

CJ: I'm a believer.

Papa Chuck: With your head? Yes. I'm thinking about your heart.

CJ: Papa Chuck, I…

Papa Chuck: Look out there. What do you see?

CJ: A clearing.

Papa Chuck: What else?

CJ: Rocks, sand, and some strange looking trees.

Papa Chuck: What else?

CJ: Hey, there's a guy kneeling by that rock. Where did he come from?

Papa Chuck: What do you notice about him?

CJ: He looks like he's praying, and he looks like he's really tired.

Papa Chuck: He should. He hasn't had any food for about a month.

CJ: A month? He must be really weak.

Papa Chuck: He is, but it's necessary.

CJ: Why?

Papa Chuck: Because it's when we're at our weakest that the evil one comes.

CJ: Evil one?

CJ: Whoa, what's that?

Papa Chuck: Watch.

Jesus: Jesus.

Satan: I knew you would come. Did you? Then why didn't you prepare food for us? Or aren't you hungry?

Jesus: Yes, I am hungry.

Satan: Then make us something to eat. I know. How about some nice fresh baked bread? Doesn't that sound good? Command these stones to turn into bread. That should be easy for the Son of God.

Jesus: Oh, you've forgotten the scriptures, deceiver. It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Remember?

Satan: Yes, I remember. But I think you're forgetting something as well. Something that changing stones to bread would have accomplished for you.

Jesus: And that is?

Satan: Proof that you are who you say you are. Humans need signs and wonders, you know? But if not by bread, there are other ways. Behold!

CJ: Whoa! They're in a city now.

Jesus: This is Jerusalem. The temple.

Satan: The pinnacle to be exact. Very good. I'm surprised you recognized it from up here. At this height you can see the whole city. If you were to do something miraculous here, the whole country would know who you are, virtually overnight. And they wouldn't just know you. They would follow you. That is the purpose of your being here, isn't it? To get them to follow you.

Jesus: Yes.

Satan: Well, a miracle here would certainly make your task a whole lot easier, wouldn't it? I know. Why don't you throw yourself off this tower? The Son of God doesn't have to worry about being hurt. The scriptures say, "The angels have charge over him, and they'll lift him up before his foot hits the ground." How about it?

Jesus: The scriptures also say, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."

Satan: But this? This isn't even really a test.

Jesus: Then there's no point in doing it, is there?

Satan: Too bad. It would have been glorious. But perhaps you just need to see things from a greater height.

CJ: They're on a mountain. How did they do that?

Papa Chuck: Hush.

Satan: This is one of my favorite places on this little globe. From here I can see my entire domain. All of the kingdoms of the world are mine, you know? And their glory with them.

Jesus: So I understand.

Satan: I was thinking much too small at Jerusalem. I can see you're a man of vision. You want the world to follow you. And I can give it to you, Jesus. All the kingdoms of the world will be yours without miracles or heroic deeds.

Jesus: And you want in return?

Satan: Nothing, really. The smallest of small acts. Simply bow down and worship me.

Jesus: Begone, Satan! The scripture says, "You shall worship the Lord God, and him only shall you serve. Go now."

CJ: That was amazing.

Papa Chuck: It was only the beginning. The best was yet to come. Come on.

Little Girl 1: Hi, I'm Gabby from Maine. Don't go away. There's more Paws & Tales coming right up.

Little Girl 1: Hey, everyone! Pop over to pausetales.org and download one of the radio scripts we have there. Record yourself on your parents' phone reading it like you're a real actor. Then, just have your parents go to pausetales.org and head on into the Clubhouse and upload it there. We'll use some of them inside an actual episode. Let's start your new career as a radio announcer to the world!

Narrator: Papa Chuck and CJ walked down a path in the forest until they came upon another clearing.

CJ: It's Jesus again.

Woman: Who's that with him?

Jesus: Listen. Who do people say that I am?

Peter: Some say you're Elijah.

Guest (Male): Yes, or Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.

Guest (Male): Still others say that you are John the Baptist, raised from the dead.

Jesus: But who do you say that I am?

Peter: You are the Christ, the son of the living God.

Jesus: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Woman: Wonderful, isn't he?

CJ: Whoa! Forgive me. I didn't mean to startle you.

Woman: That's okay. Do you follow the master?

Papa Chuck: Yes, I do.

Woman: And you?

CJ: Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm a believer.

Woman: I too am his servant. He healed me.

CJ: Really?

Woman: My heart was once cold and hard. I loved no one and let no one love me, except for money. And like many others, I scoffed at first when I heard talk about this Messiah. And then one day, I met him face-to-face, and my life was never the same.

Woman: Oh, the master is leaving. I must go. Excuse me.

CJ: Who was that?

Papa Chuck: Don't you know? I thought you knew the story.

CJ: She seemed familiar.

Papa Chuck: Remember this morning's lesson? Her name starts with an M.

CJ: Oh, Mary Magdalene.

Papa Chuck: Well, shall we follow her?

CJ: Let's go.

Narrator: CJ and Papa Chuck tried to catch up with Mary, but she was too fast for them and soon disappeared. Before long they came up on another clearing. It was deserted, but only for a moment.

Crowd 1: Hosanna!

Crowd 2: Hosanna!

Crowd 3: Hosanna!

CJ: Hey! This is Jerusalem!

Papa Chuck: You're right. Jerusalem on one of the greatest days it's ever known. Here comes Jesus.

CJ: He's riding on a colt.

Papa Chuck: Just like the prophecy said.

Crowd 1: Jesus, teacher!

Crowd 2: Who are they?

Crowd 3: Pharisees.

Crowd 4: Rebuke your disciples.

Crowd 5: Yes, tell them to be quiet.

CJ: Hey, this is the triumphal entry.

Papa Chuck: That's right. The start of the most remarkable week in history. Much of Jesus's ministry is already behind him, and still there's so much more to come.

CJ: More?

Papa Chuck: Yep. In the span of a week, Jesus put on a display of teaching, authority and hope that the city and the world will never forget.

Crowd 1: Just who did he think he was anyway?

Crowd 2: He had no call to do that.

Crowd 3: No call, no call at all.

Crowd 4: We were conducting legal trade.

Crowd 5: We serve a very important function to those who cannot afford a more expensive sacrifice for the Passover.

Crowd 6: We did until he came.

Crowd 7: How dare he disrupt our commerce.

Crowd 8: And vandalize our tables.

Crowd 9: Not to mention assault us with a whip.

Crowd 10: And with such high and mighty words.

Crowd 11: My house shall be a house of prayer.

Crowd 12: But you've made it into a den of thieves.

Crowd 13: Thieves.

Crowd 14: Thieves.

Crowd 15: Just who did he think he was?

Peter: He's our teacher, our rabbi, our leader.

Guest (Male): Although I do not understand all he says.

Guest (Male): Especially of late. There's been much talk of death. His death.

Guest (Male): As if we would let that happen. Besides, he is all powerful. Remember what he did to the fig tree?

Guest (Male): How could I forget? With only a few words, he caused it to wither up and die.

Guest (Male): Yes, and he said that we could have that kind of power. If only we have faith and do not doubt, we could say to a mountain, "Throw yourself into the sea!" and it would happen.

Guest (Male): Still, he's always warning us to be prepared and work hard. Remember the story he told of the ten virgins and their oil lamps?

Guest (Male): Of the master who gave away talents.

Guest (Male): Yes, yes, but those were meant to warn us of his return. But he hasn't gone anywhere.

Guest (Male): And remember what he said about the judgment?

Guest (Male): Oh yes, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will sit on his glorious throne, and he will gather the nations before him and separate the good from the bad."

Guest (Male): Puzzling. I still think it has something to do with all this death talk.

Guest (Male): But how can he die? He's our Lord.

Guest (Male): Lord? Ha, he's a troublemaker, that's what he is.

Guest (Male): Well, I think the biggest insult was his, "Woe to the Pharisees!"

Guest (Male): Indeed. I mean, the very idea of calling us hypocrites and thieves.

Guest (Male): And whitewashed tombs.

Guest (Female): Like I said, he's a troublemaker, and we better do something about him. Quick.

Narrator: The centurion pushed CJ, sending him to the ground. When he looked up, everyone was gone again.

CJ: Whoa. How real is this? Now where did everyone go?

CJ: Hammering. The crucifixion!

Narrator: CJ ran toward the sound. He climbed to the top of the small hill, and when he got there,

CJ: No! No!

Guest (Male): He saved others. Let's see if he can save himself.

Guest (Male): Yes, come down from the cross if you're the Son of God!

Jesus: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Mary: Mary.

Woman: For this reason was he born. To take the weight of our sins on himself.

Jesus: My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?

CJ: Jesus, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I didn't realize.

Jesus: It is finished.

CJ: No!

Papa Chuck: CJ.

CJ: Papa Chuck, I'm sorry.

Papa Chuck: It's okay, CJ. Crying at Jesus's death is perfectly understandable.

CJ: It's not just that. I'm sorry for thinking that the story is boring. I never realized before how hard it was, how great he is.

Papa Chuck: The perfect lamb, the spotless sacrifice for mankind.

CJ: I just feel so bad.

Papa Chuck: It's okay, CJ. You've probably all treated the story that way at one time or another, but it isn't over. His death paid for our sins. But he didn't stay that way. Jesus conquered death.

Mary: He's alive! He's risen! Just as he said! I was at the tomb, and it was empty. And then I wept because I thought someone had stolen his body. And then I saw a man I thought was the gardener, and I asked him, "Please, please take me to the Master's body." But when he turned around, I realized he was the Master. He said my name. He told me to tell the others. He is risen! Just as he said! He is risen! He is risen! Just as he said!

Peter: He's risen! He appeared to all of us. Even doubting Thomas believed. Later on, we had breakfast with him on the beach. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Have you heard?

CJ: Where are they going?

Jesus: They are going where I told them to go, CJ Brown.

CJ: Jesus.

Jesus: They are going where I want you and all disciples to go: to spread the gospel, the story to the whole world. They believe, CJ Brown. Do you believe? Will you spread the word?

CJ: I will. I will!

Papa Chuck: CJ, are you all right?

CJ: Oh, yeah. I'm great! I'm a believer!

Papa Chuck: CJ, you know this was just a show, right? And these people were actors?

CJ: I know, but it was more than just a show. It was the best show I've ever seen, with the greatest story ever! Now come on!

Papa Chuck: Where are you going, CJ?

CJ: We've got to get the rest of the club to see this!

Papa Chuck: Then what?

CJ: You heard him, and then we tell the story of Jesus to the whole world! Come on!

Singers: I've heard the words before of how you came to die. A crown of thorns, nails in your hands, wounds in your side. People turned against you, even closest friends. Yet you gave selflessly, love that has no end. May I not forget all you've done for me. Dying for my sin on a hill called Calvary. May I not forget the story ever true. Help my heart to remember. May I not forget you.

Singers: Let me see through new eyes, the sacrifice you made. No one took your life, true love you freely gave. So when my heart betrays you, when I lose my way, lead me back to the cross and the price you paid. May I not forget all you've done for me. Dying for my sin on a hill called Calvary. May I not forget the story ever true. Help my heart to remember. May I not forget you.

Singers: May I not forget all you've done for me. Dying for my sin on a hill called Calvary. May I not forget the story ever true. Help my heart to remember. May I not forget you.

Narrator: To order a copy of today's program, "I'm a Believer," just log on to pausetales.org. "I'm a Believer" was written by Phil Lawler and directed by David Carl. The song "May I Not Forget" was written by Dick and Melody Tunny. Music was by Tim Hossman, and our sound designer was Jerry Swafford. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production.