The Pharisee’s Dinner Guest

THE PHARISEE’S DINNER GUESTWritten By Warren Sager

CAST OF CHARACTERS: SIMON, JESUS, PHARISEE, JOHN, MATTHEW, PETER, JAMES AND THE HARLOT

SCENE: SIMON, THE PHARISEE’S HOUSE

(Simon enters with one or two other Pharisees. There is a low table set with cushions for reclining around the table.)

SIMON: Jesus and some of His followers should be here momentarily. Is everything prepared and ready for serving?

PHARISEE: Yes… I believe all is ready. When the Galilean arrives, what will you talk about?

SIMON: Oh, I don’t know…whatever He wishes to talk about. I find Him fascinating. The things that he teaches are so interesting and make one to really think.

PHARISEE: But you know how the other Pharisees question all that He says, and how His methods and actions bring offense to them.

SIMON: Yes, I know.

PHARISEE: His disciples do not ceremoniously wash before eating and they were picking grain and eating on the Sabbath. He was questioned by the Pharisees as to why He does what is not lawful on the Sabbath…

SIMON: Yes…and He answered with the example of David eating the consecrated bread. No one can catch Him in any wrong because of His great wisdom. I find it most interesting.

PHARISEE: What about the fact that He healed the sick on the Sabbath?

SIMON: Yes… but He HEALS the sick. From what I hear, they are quite miraculous healings. Why I have heard that He casts out demons and even raises the dead.

PHARISEE: I would think that those facts need to be confirmed, Simon. No one has ever raised the dead before.

SIMON: No one has done many of the things this Teacher does. I wish to know more about Him. Tonight, He will be a guest in my house. Perhaps I can question Him and learn more about who He is and where He comes from. I am a righteous man. He will clearly see that my house and my manners are upright and proper. I am certain He will feel very comfortable here and will be at ease to speak freely and talk openly about His life and His work and what He intends to do.

PHARISEE: Do you not worry about what the others will say when they hear you have invited Him for supper?

SIMON: Why should I? I have broken no laws.

PHARISEE: You know how many of them dislike this man. They were filled with rage when He healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

SIMON: And all I want to know is where does He get this power to perform such miracles? Until now, the blind and the lame have been cast aside, to live their lives as beggars and having no usefulness among the people. This man is making them whole again. Are we simply jealous of His powers?

PHARISEE: What are you saying?

SIMON: I’m just asking questions. I’m not saying that we should become his followers, also.

PHARISEE: They are here.

(Jesus enters with Matthew, Peter, James and John. Simon is there with a few of his Pharisee friends.)

SIMON: Welcome! Welcome! Come in and be comfortable! Welcome to my home!

(Jesus enters and finds a place to recline at the table not saying anything, joining the Pharisee. John approaches Simon.)

JOHN: Thank you, Simon for your invitation to dine with you this evening. The Teacher appreciates your hospitality.

SIMON: I am fascinated by the things that He teaches. I hope He will share some of His wisdom with us this evening.

JOHN: I’m sure He will speak if He has something to say. His wisdom is truly from God.

SIMON: And what is your name?

JOHN: I am John. This is my brother James, we are the sons of Zebedee; and this is Peter, who is also called Simon. We are all fishermen by trade.

SIMON: Fishermen.

JOHN: This is Matthew.

SIMON: And what is your trade, Matthew?

MATTHEW: I was a tax-collector.

SIMON: (Surprised) A tax-collector! Oh.

MATTHEW: You see… Simon, Jesus calls whomever He desires to be His disciples. It matters not to Him what we were or who we are: fishermen, tax-gatherers or even a Pharisee like yourself. We are all the same.

SIMON: All the same. I see.

MATTHEW: The day that Jesus called me to be His follower, I left my money table and I invited Him to my house for dinner, just as you have done tonight. My other guests were other tax-collectors, and sinners with whom I associated with.

SIMON: Indeed.

MATTHEW: We were all drawn to Jesus because of the words He would speak to us, and because of the love that we felt. He accepted us just as we were.

SIMON: You didn’t change your ways?

MATTHEW: Oh yes, certainly. We have…now. But on that night… there was no small disturbance among the people that Jesus was dining with sinners.

PETER: They were asking us why this was happening, and Jesus heard of it. He spoke to the crowd that had gathered at the door and He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Simon looks a bit uncomfortable at hearing this story)

JAMES: The Lord’s blessing will be yours for your hospitality and for the Teacher’s presence in your house this night.

SIMON: (Somewhat nervous) Yes. Shall we go and join the others around the table? (Simon and the disciples cross to the table and join Jesus who is reclining with at least one or two other Pharisees. Peter and John remain downstage for a minute)

PETER: (To John only) John, I’m not sure about this. You know how the Pharisees react to the things that Jesus says!

JOHN: Don’t worry, Peter. I’m sure it will be fine. What can they do to us?

PETER: But why have they invited us here? What do they want?

JOHN: Jesus does not appear concerned. We can be calm, and we must not be suspicious. Remember, the Teacher loves all men, and wants us all to come to Him, no matter who we are. Simon may be seeking the truth. Don’t forget about Nicodemus. He is a Pharisee. I believe him to be a follower, just like us. Simon could be as he is.

PETER: I suppose you could be right. We shall see. I know you are right about one thing… Jesus is not worried. He always knows what to say. I know I will learn a great deal from Him again this night. (They cross to their places around the table)

SIMON: Thank you, Good Teacher for coming to my house. I hope that the meal will be pleasant for you. (Jesus nods and smiles at him)

HARLOT: (Entering the room quickly, but then stopping at the door as they all notice her. She pauses for a second and then hurries to Jesus from behind. She is carrying an alabaster vial of perfume. She is standing behind Jesus and then drops to His feet and begins to weep and wet His feet with her tears and then wiping them with her hair, and then kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume. The others are very surprised at this, especially the Pharisees who are indignant to her behavior and actions and that Jesus is not reacting in the same manner as they.)

SIMON: (He rises to his feet and looks at Jesus. His words could be recorded and played so that the audience knows that it is his thoughts, or he could cross down toward the audience and speak to himself aloud or even to the audience as an aside.) If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him that she is a sinner!

JESUS: (Clearly He has not heard Simon, but read His thoughts) Simon, I have something to say to you.

SIMON: (Slowly sitting back down and trying to ignore the woman’s presence) Say it, Teacher.

JESUS: A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him more?

SIMON: I suppose the one whom he forgave more.

JESUS: You have judged correctly. (Turning toward the woman) Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. (Then to her) Your sins have been forgiven.

PHARISEE: (Turning to Simon or the other Pharisee to speak without Jesus hearing) Who is this man who even forgives sins?

JESUS: (to the woman) Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

HARLOT: (Looking at Jesus with gratitude and joy over her being forgiven. She rises slowly and smiles as she looks at Jesus who is smiling back at her. She exits as the lights go down.)

THE END

Copyright 2006 Warren Sager