A Three-Way Conversation, in Three Acts

By Debbonnaire Kovacs, April 6, 2016

Based on Acts 9.

 

Act One—a room in a house in Damascus, the home of a Christian disciple, Ananias.

God: Ananias.

Ananias (jumps, startled): Yes?

God: Get up and go to Straight Street, to Judas’ house. Look for a man from Tarsus, named Saul.

Ananias (interrupting): But…um…Lord…?

God: At this moment he is praying, and—

Ananias: He’s what?

God: –and he has had a vision. He’s seen this guy named Ananias—

Ananias: Wait a minute–!

God: Shh! A man named Ananias, in Saul’s vision, comes and lays hands on him so that he can see again.

Ananias: Wait—he’s blind?

God: So go already.

Ananias: Lord, um, I don’t want to be disobedient or disrespectful, or anything, but…do you know who you’re talking about? I’ve heard of this guy Saul of Tarsus! He’s been persecuting your obedient, holy children!

God (interrupting): Ananias—

Ananias: I mean, he’s caused all kinds of trouble in Jerusalem, and now he’s come here with authority from the chief priest—

God: Speaking of authority…

Ananias: –and he can arrest us! All who call on your name!

God: Did you hear me? I said, Go.

Ananias: But—

God: This man is my chosen instrument. He is going to bring my name before Gentiles and kings, besides the people of Israel.

Ananias: He is??

God (tears in his voice): He will suffer for it, too. I myself will show him how much.

Ananias:…oh…(hesitates)…I’m sorry, Lord. I’ll go. Of course I’ll go.

 

Act Two—a room in a house in Straight St., the home of a Christian disciple, Judas. Saul of Tarsus is sitting in the dark, his head in his hands. He is gaunt and despairing.

Ananias (puts his hand on Saul’s shoulder. Saul jumps.): Brother Saul?

Saul: You’re calling me brother? I am no man’s brother.

Ananias: You are my brother.

Saul (interrupting): I don’t deserve—

Ananias (interrupting): None of us deserve God’s grace. You had a vision, right?

Saul (whispers, as if he can’t believe it): Yes…

Ananias: The Lord Jesus, the one who appeared to you on your way here—

Saul (interrupting): You heard about that?

Ananias: God told me. And listen—

Saul (interrupts again): God told you??

Ananias: Yes. Listen. He sent me so that you can see again.

Saul (gasps, as something like scales fall from his eyes): I—I can—see!

Ananias: And so that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Both men bow their heads, trembling.

Ananias: Do you want to be baptized, brother Saul?

Saul (weeping): Yes! Oh, yes, please, oh, thank you, brother, and thank you, Lord!

 

Act Three—a synagogue, with incredulous people.

Saul: Jesus is the Son of God! I’m telling you the truth! He came to me—me, the chief of sinners! He is the Son of God! I will proclaim him until I die!