A Visual Commentary On Galatians Three

A Visual Commentary on Galatians Three by Bonnie Abraham (Narrator's reading is NIV) Characters: Narrator Triune God - God the Father Triune God - Jesus Triune God - Holy Spirit Law Angel Prisoner/Persons (can be a few or several - at least 3) Props and Costumes: Clock Face - can be cardboard with movable hands- should be large enough to be seen at back of audience; marked off in several (more than just 5) 100 year segments Necklaces: Large Cross for Jesus Large Star of David for God the Father Large Flame or Dove symbol for Holy Spirit Smaller Cross + Star + Flame/Dove for each prisoner/person Bundle of Strings: at least enough for each prisoner/person; could also have tags marking specific sins "idolatry," "gossip," etc. but not necessary Inheritances: (haven't figured this one out yet - symbol of eternal life) White Robes: Triune God: ONE robe for all three - three neck holes, six arm holes; should be long enough that each can make small moves independently, but these characters should practice working together, and move together as much as possible Prisoner/Person: can be nothing more than rectangles with neck holes Abraham's Robe: identical to prisoner/persons but will not have necklace Angel: Similar to Prisoner/Person and Abraham, but not identical halo? some sort of wings? anything that will set this character apart from prisoner/persons Law's Costume: Any items that identify with the law - judge's robe and gavel for modern; Old Testament robes or 10 Commandments tablet for Biblical Narrator's Scroll: should be large enough to contain whole reading; narrator should be able to roll the scroll top to bottom as he reads (not side to side) so only what he is reading is exposed; be sure paper is well attached if rods are used; gluing paper to cloth will create a stronger scroll so you won't have to worry about it tearing.

(Stage empty at beginning. Prisoner/persons are scattered in the audience, not robed. Enter narrator with scroll. Faces audience. Begins to read from scroll.) Narrator: You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? (Enter Abraham, not yet in costume, and the Triune God) Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (center figure of Triune God - God the Father - drapes Abraham in white robe and hands him "inheritances" as narrator reads) Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (first figure of Triune God - Jesus - places cross "necklace" around neck) He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced (God the Father takes "clock face" and, as the numbers are read, turns it forward 100 years at a time, while Abraham steps back each time, the 5th step should be smaller) 100 200 - 300 - 400 and 30 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. (Abraham faces audience and displays his robe and inheritance) For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. (Enter Law who moves between Abraham and God. Abraham hands him "inheritances" which he wraps and places under his arm carefully as Narrator cont. to read meanwhile Jesus hides cross inside robe)

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. (Enter angel who goes to God and takes a bundle of strings from God and hands it to Law) A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! (Law bows reverently to God) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. (As Narrator cont. to read, Law moves out into audience -- Shaking his finger and mouthing "no" he picks out "prisoners" in audience whom he binds with string and brings on stage.) But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (Law brings prisoners to Christ) that we might be justified by faith. (Christ reveals the cross again and removes string then hands person to God who passes person to Holy Spirit) Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Law steps back from the scene as soon as all prisoners introduced to Jesus) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (God clothes each person in robes and Holy Spirit give each necklace with symbols, when all are fully clothed, they hold hands with each other and Holy Spirit) There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Law returns and hands "inheritances" to Jesus who passes them out to each person)