Your Story Hour

Guest (Male): Yes? Oh, it's you, Reb Samuel.

Guest (Male): Yes, Hulda. Are you finished mending my cloak?

Guest (Female): Yes, just a moment.

Guest (Male): Poor woman, barely making a living with her weaving and mending. Well, today I'll give her an extra coin for the Passover. Too bad her husband is dead.

Guest (Female): Here you are, Reb Samuel. Almost as good as new, hmm?

Guest (Male): Yes, that's very good. Here you are. One coin as we agreed and another coin for your good work.

Guest (Female): Why, thank you, kind sir. Now I have enough for an offering.

Guest (Male): An offering?

Guest (Female): You know it is against the law to give less than one quadrans, but with your generous tip, I now have one quadrans.

Guest (Male): But what will you have for yourself? I mean, to buy food with. I know you don't have anything extra.

Guest (Female): That's not important. I must show God my thankfulness. Another Passover is coming and I'm still in good health. Our God is good.

Guest (Male): Oh yes, I know, but there are thousands giving big gifts. They can support the temple. What good are your two little coins?

Guest (Female): Good sir, it is not my business what others can give. I want to give an offering to God.

Uncle Dan: Hi, boys and girls. This is Uncle Dan.

Aunt Carole: And I'm Aunt Carole. Welcome, everyone. We're so glad to be with you again.

Uncle Dan: Our story today takes us approximately 2,000 years back in time to when Jesus lived on this earth.

Aunt Carole: It all happened in the city of Jerusalem just before and during the festival of Passover. That's the special time of year when all those of Jewish faith remember how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. It's a time of great celebration.

Uncle Dan: The city was bursting with pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean world. It was a very exciting and happy time for parents and children alike.

Aunt Carole: Now, the lady in our preview whom we call Hulda was a widow and very poor.

Uncle Dan: There were hundreds like her living in Jerusalem, people with no family to support them, and it wasn't unusual for them to go to bed hungry.

Aunt Carole: But Jesus told his disciples that there was something very special about Hulda.

Uncle Dan: You can find out why she was special and learn all about the important events that happened during that special Passover celebration by reading the accounts in the New Testament of your Bible. They're recorded in the book of Mark, chapter 12, verses 41 through 44, and also in the book of John in portions of chapters 12 through 17.

Aunt Carole: Why not do that later? But right now, just listen as we bring you the story of A Night to Remember.

Guest (Male): They really seem to be in a generous mood today, Judas.

Guest (Male): Yes, Matthew. There's a Pharisee. I know him. See how much he gives? A very generous man.

Guest (Male): Yes, and he wants everyone to know it, too. Notice how he looks around to see who's watching him? Did you see that, Master?

Guest (Male): He has his reward, Matthew, on earth, not in heaven.

Guest (Male): True. He gives so men can see him give.

Guest (Male): But without such gifts, how would the temple be run and all the sacrifices paid for? And all the priests and Levites be paid? Do you think gifts like that woman is bringing would do it?

Guest (Male): Which woman?

Guest (Male): That one in black. Must be a widow.

Guest (Male): Oh yes, now I see her. She's trying to enter unseen. There, she's dropped in her offering.

Guest (Male): What offering? The absolute minimum, one quadrans. Enough to buy a bowl of flour.

Guest (Male): Friends, come here a moment. You have seen that poor woman give her offering, two small copper coins. You want to know the truth of the matter? She has given more than all the rich men combined.

Guest (Male): Two copper coins? More than—oh really, Master. Explain that to us, Master.

Guest (Male): The rich have given only a little of what they didn't need, right? And this woman, as poor as she is, has given everything she has, even money necessary for living.

Guest (Male): Oh, I understand, Master. The others gave a small portion of their large storehouse, and this woman gave 100% of what she had.

Guest (Male): And she gave to God out of thankfulness. Many have given so others could see how generous they are.

Guest (Male): Truly she loves God, and God loves her.

Guest (Male): Excuse me. You are Philip, one of the disciples of Jesus, aren't you?

Guest (Male): Yes, I am. May I help you?

Guest (Male): Yes. We want to meet your Master, Jesus.

Guest (Male): My Master? Why, I think that will be all right. Just a moment, let me check. Andrew! Andrew, I need to talk with you a minute.

Guest (Male): What's the problem?

Guest (Male): No real problem, but some pilgrims, Greeks, are looking for Jesus. Should we bother the Master to come talk with them?

Guest (Male): Let's tell Jesus. Let him decide. Master, there are some believers here from Greece. They've heard about you and they would like to meet you.

Guest (Male): I will go talk to them.

Guest (Male): Master, what does it mean, these foreigners coming to see you?

Guest (Male): They are part of the harvest that is coming, Andrew.

Guest (Male): A harvest, Lord?

Guest (Male): Listen to me, my friends. The time has come for me to return to my glory in heaven. But first, I must fall and die like a kernel of wheat that falls between the furrows of the earth.

Guest (Male): Master, you speak of death again. That can't be necessary. The Messiah cannot die.

Guest (Male): What do you mean, Master?

Guest (Male): Unless I die, I will be alone, a single seed. But my death will produce many new wheat kernels, a plentiful harvest of new life. The Greeks are over here, Master. If they want to be my disciples, they too must come and follow me. For my servants must honor the Father, and the Father will honor them.

Guest (Male): Why is he suddenly so sad?

Guest (Male): Will the Messiah be a man of sorrows? Scriptures say that.

Guest (Male): Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, "Father, save me from what lies ahead"? But that is the very reason why I came. Father, bring glory and honor to your name.

Guest (Male): I have already done this, and I will do it again.

Guest (Male): Thunder! That's what it was, thunder.

Guest (Male): No, it was an angel that spoke to him.

Guest (Male): I never heard thunder like that. It was God himself who spoke to him.

Guest (Male): The voice was for your benefit, not mine. The time of judgment for the world has come, and the time when Satan, the prince of this world, shall be cast out.

Guest (Male): He will declare himself the Messiah now. Yes, the Messiah!

Guest (Male): When I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to me.

Guest (Male): The cross? That means death. Die, Master? We understood that the Messiah would live forever and never die.

Guest (Male): My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can and go where you want to go before the darkness falls. For then it will be too late for you to find your way.

Guest (Male): Jesse! Jesse, I have something exciting to tell you.

Guest (Male): Better hurry. I need to go help my father in the temple. Listen, the Levites and priests are beginning to sing.

Guest (Male): It's beautiful. It always sends shivers up my spine. But what I wanted to tell you was I sold Herman today. I sold my lamb.

Guest (Male): Oh, I'm sorry, Ben. I know you liked him a lot.

Guest (Male): But listen. One of the disciples of Jesus bought him. I think it was Peter. And Judas was with him. He had the purse.

Guest (Male): Do you know where they're going to celebrate the Passover?

Guest (Male): No, some place in Jerusalem. But can you imagine Jesus and his disciples eating my lamb for the Passover? It makes me feel great. Of course, I'll miss Herman. Still, Father said I had to sell him today. Well, I'd better go and help my father.

Guest (Male): Let's see. The Master told us as soon as we came into the city, we would meet a man carrying a pitcher of water.

Guest (Male): There, that's him coming towards us now. Let's follow him.

Guest (Male): He went in that house, just as the Master said he would. Quick, knock.

Guest (Male): Yes, may I help you?

Guest (Male): Excuse us, good sir. Our teacher says for you to show us the large room where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples.

Guest (Male): But of course he may come here. I've already prepared everything. You've brought the lamb, I see.

Guest (Male): Yes. Can we roast it over your fire?

Guest (Male): The fire's ready for you, too.

Guest (Male): Go ahead, John. Prepare the lamb. I'll go find the others.

Guest (Male): Fine, fine. Oh, one thing, Peter.

Guest (Male): What is that?

Guest (Male): Be careful that no one follows you here. And watch out for spies.

Guest (Male): Oh yes, of course.

Uncle Dan: You know, Aunt Carole and I bring you stories from the life of Jesus because we want you to get to know him as your Savior and friend.

Aunt Carole: Wouldn't you like to have today's story, as well as all the other CDs that make up our life of Jesus album, for your very own, to play whenever you'd like?

Uncle Dan: You may collect all 13 absolutely free as our gift to you when you become a member of our Adventures in the Holy Bible Club.

Aunt Carole: So visit our website at yourstoryhour.org, click on Adventures and sign up. That's at yourstoryhour.org.

Uncle Dan: Or send Aunt Carole and me a card or letter asking us to sign you up. Just be sure to include your return address. Our address is Your Story Hour, Box 8, Niles, Michigan, 49120. That's Box 8, Niles, N-I-L-E-S, Michigan, 49120. Remember, the adventures are free, our gift to you.

Aunt Carole: But right now, it's time to get back to our story, A Night to Remember.

Guest (Male): Ever see Jerusalem so crowded? Shoulder to shoulder in the streets.

Guest (Male): Good to get these sandals off. It's dusty.

Guest (Male): What's this? No servant here?

Guest (Male): No, not yet.

Guest (Male): Hey, Peter, how did you find this place?

Guest (Male): The Master told us about it, Andrew. By the way, where is Jesus? John, have you seen him?

Guest (Male): Yes, he's coming.

Guest (Male): Well, I'll sit next to him on this cushion.

Guest (Male): Oh no, you won't. That's my place.

Guest (Male): Are you two fighting over your places again?

Guest (Male): I'll sit next to the Master. I have a right to.

Guest (Male): Well, I followed him first. Besides, Peter and I will sit next to him in his kingdom.

Guest (Male): Andrew, that is not for us to decide. Let Judas have the place of honor next to the Master.

Guest (Male): It's the Master.

Guest (Male): Peace be to you all.

Guest (Male): Peace to you, Master. Blessed are you who comes in the name of the Lord.

Guest (Male): And blessed be all of you in the name of the Lord.

Guest (Male): All is ready, Master. Except there is no servant to wash our feet. Well, I guess we don't need to do that this time. We've all bathed before coming here.

Guest (Male): He's going to wash our feet.

Guest (Male): He's the Master, we're the disciples. Master, you shouldn't be washing our feet like this.

Guest (Male): You don't understand now why I'm doing this. Someday you will.

Guest (Male): No, you shall never wash my feet, never.

Guest (Male): Peter, if I don't wash your feet, you are not in fellowship with me.

Guest (Male): Then wash my hands and head as well, Master, not just my feet.

Guest (Male): If you have already bathed all over, you need only your feet to be washed before you are entirely clean. Now you are clean, but that isn't true of everyone here. Not all of you are clean.

Guest (Male): Master, explain to us what you have done.

Guest (Male): Do you understand what I was doing? You call me Master and Lord, and you do well to say it, for it is true. And since I, the Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

Guest (Male): But Lord, a servant washes his Master's feet. You are the Master.

Guest (Male): How true it is that a servant is not greater than his Master, nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. You know these things, now do them. That is the path of blessing.

Guest (Male): Lord, it is good for us to eat the Passover together.

Guest (Male): I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat it again until all it represents has taken place in the kingdom of God.

Guest (Male): Blessed are you, God our Father and Creator, who has brought forth bread from the earth. My friends, take this bread and eat it. For this is my body broken for you.

Guest (Male): Blessed are you, our God and Father, who has created the fruit of the vine. Here, friends, each one of you drink from this cup. For this is my blood sealing the new covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of multitudes. Mark my words, I will not drink this wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Guest (Male): I know so well each one of you I chose. But the scripture declares: one who eats supper with me will betray me. And this will come true. I solemnly tell you that one of you will betray me, one of you who is here eating with me. I tell you now before the event, so when it happens you may believe that I am what I am.

Guest (Male): But Lord, how can that be? We would never do that to you, Master. Is it I, Lord? Am I the one, Master? It can't be me, can it? Am I the one, Master? It can't be me.

Guest (Male): It is one of you twelve eating with me now. I must die as the prophets declared long ago. But oh, the misery ahead for the man by whom I am betrayed. Oh, that he had never been born.

Guest (Male): Rabbi, am I the one?

Guest (Male): You yourself have said it, Judas.

Guest (Male): What did he say? I can't believe anyone would do such a thing. Lord, who is it?

Guest (Male): My beloved John, it is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the herbs and sauce. Judas, what you are about to do, do quickly.

Guest (Male): Dear children, my time has come. The glory of God will soon surround me, and God shall receive great praise because of all that happens to me. And God shall give me his own glory, and this will be very soon.

Guest (Male): He's going to set up his kingdom at last. Quiet, listen.

Guest (Male): Dear friends, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you. So I am giving a new commandment to you now. Love each other, just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

Guest (Male): Master, where are you going?

Guest (Male): Peter, you can't go with me now, but you will follow me later.

Guest (Male): But why can't I come now? For I am ready to die for you.

Guest (Male): Peter, Peter. Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not completely fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up the faith of your brothers. Tonight you will all desert me.

Guest (Male): No, no, Master.

Guest (Male): It is written in the scriptures that God will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.

Guest (Male): I will never desert you, Master, no matter what the others do.

Guest (Male): Peter, let me tell you something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, declaring that you don't even know me.

Guest (Male): No! No, Master. Not even if I have to die with you, I'll never deny you.

Guest (Male): I have a sword, Master, I'll defend you to the death. I have a sword too, I'm with Peter, Master.

Guest (Male): The time has come for the prophecy about me to come true. The prophecy which says, "He will be condemned as a criminal." Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true. Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust God and trust me. There are many homes where my Father lives, and I am going to get them ready for your coming.

When they are all ready, I will come back and get you and take you with me. Then you will be where I am. I would tell you plainly if this were not so. And my way there is known to you.

Guest (Male): No, it isn't, Master. We don't even know where you are going. How can we know the way?

Guest (Male): Thomas, I am the way. Yes, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except through me.

Guest (Male): Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.

Guest (Male): Philip, don't you even know who I am, even after all this time I've been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. My words are his words. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else accept the evidence of the deeds themselves.

I am leaving all of you with a gift: peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back again to you.

Guest (Male): Lord, tell us more. Don't stop, we need your words. Yes, please, more.

Guest (Male): I don't have much more time to talk to you, for the evil prince of this world is on the way. He has no rights over me, but the world must be shown that I love the Father and do exactly as he commands. So come, let's be going.

Uncle Dan: If you believe in Jesus, you will trust him, and you'll do the things he says to do. When you have this kind of faith, he saves you from the punishment that comes from doing wrong. Acts 16, verse 31: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

Guest (Male): Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you will be saved. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you will be saved. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Uncle Dan: Our thanks to Steve Green and Sparrow Records for allowing us to air Believe in the Lord from their Hide 'Em in Your Heart CD.

Aunt Carole: And thank you for joining us.

Uncle Dan: This has been Your Story Hour: Building for a Better Tomorrow.

Aunt Carole: This is Aunt Carole.

Uncle Dan: And Uncle Dan saying—

Aunt Carole: Goodbye, everyone!

Uncle Dan: See you again next time.