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THELAW   4'?m4f The law vs the new covenant, legalism, sabbath

(scene: one chair L, one chair R, two separate but related
conversations occur at the same time on the left and right sides
of the stage)

A-LEFT -- (enters carrying notebook computer, sits, opens
computer, begins typing)

A-RIGHT -- (enters opposite reading Bible, sits, reads)

B-LEFT -- (enters carrying old dot matrix printer) Hey, look
what I found down in the storeroom.

B-RIGHT -- (enters opposite reading Bible) Hey, look what I
found in the Bible.

A-LEFT -- That's nice.

A-RIGHT -- That's nice.

B-LEFT -- It's an old dot matrix printer.

B-RIGHT -- I'm reading about the Laws of Moses. You know, the
world would be a better place if we kept the law.

A-LEFT -- (looks up) Huh? Oh, I haven't seen that printer in
years. I thought we threw it in the trash. You know, that was a 
state-of-the-art computer printer in those days.

A-RIGHT -- (looks up) Huh? Oh, yeah, the law was a holy
institution of God.

B-LEFT -- Then, how come you don't use it anymore?

B-RIGHT -- Then, how come we don't use it anymore?

A-LEFT -- Because that printer was not made for today's
computers.

A-RIGHT -- Because the law was not made for today's people.

B-LEFT -- I don't understand. I hooked it up to my computer. It
still prints okay. What's wrong with it?

B-RIGHT -- I don't understand. The law makes a lot of sense.
What's wrong with it?

A-LEFT & A-RIGHT -- There's nothing WRONG with it.

A-LEFT -- It's just that this printer was specifically designed
to be compatible with the computers of its day.

A-RIGHT -- It's just that the Law was specifically designed to
be compatible with the people of its day.

B-LEFT & B-RIGHT -- What do you mean?

A-LEFT -- I mean, the computers of that day were primitive.

A-RIGHT -- I mean, the people of that day were primitive.

A-LEFT -- They had slow clock speeds, with very little Random
Access Memory. They didn't have multitasking or plug-and-play
technology or color monitors.

A-RIGHT -- The Jews had been in slavery for 400 years. They
thought like slaves. They were used to being tightly regimented.
They were even told what they could wear and what they could
eat.

A-LEFT -- So the computer printer didn't need colors or high
resolution graphics.

A-RIGHT -- So, the law didn't give them very much discretion.

A-LEFT -- The problem was, as soon as we started using that
printer, we started noticing its shortcomings, the slow speed,
and low resolution of the graphics, and the lack of color.

A-RIGHT -- The problem was, as soon as the Jews started using
the Law, they started noticing their own shortcomings. They saw
that it was impossible to keep all the law all the time.

A-LEFT -- Even before they began selling that model, the
manufacturers had a better model on the drawing boards.

A-RIGHT -- Even before the Lord gave the Law to the Jews, He had
a better model on the drawing boards.

B-LEFT -- So, are you saying that. because there's a better
model now, I shouldn't use this one?

B-RIGHT -- So, are you saying that because there's a better
model now, I shouldn't use this one? (points to Bible)

A-LEFT & B-RIGHT -- You could. But, why would you want to if
there's something better?

B-LEFT & B-RIGHT-- Better? What's better?

A-LEFT -- Lazer printers. They're faster, with higher resolution
and color, much more compatible with today's sophisticated
computers.

A-RIGHT -- Salvation by grace and assistance from the Holy
Spirit. It's much more compatible with today's sophisticated
people.

B-LEFT -- Oh, I see. Well, I guess I'll put this thing back in 
the storeroom, then. Or maybe I should just throw it in the 
trash.

B-RIGHT -- Oh, I see. Well, I guess I'll trust in Jesus, then.
Or maybe I should just ignore the Old Testament. (turns to exit)

A-LEFT -- No. Keep it. That old printer will be a good reminder
for us of how much the technology has improved over the years.

A-RIGHT -- No. We need the Old Testament to remind us of how
much better the new covenant is than the old one.

B-LEFT -- (exiting) But, tell me, why didn't the manufacturers
just come out with lazer printers in the first place?

A-LEFT -- (exiting) Call it planned obsolescence.

B-RIGHT -- (exiting opposite) But, tell me, if the new covenant
is so much better, why didn't God come out with the new covenant
in the first place?

A-RIGHT -- (exiting opposite) Call it planned obsolescence.

©2007 Bob Snook. Conditions for use:
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