The Whip and the Cross
(Peter is very, very unsure of himself at the beginning. He tries to suppress his feelings of being let down, and betrayed by Jesus actions, but doesn't make it))
Peter: How's it going Jesus?
Jesus: Yeah not bad, why do you ask?
Peter: No, nothing. Just asking..
Jesus: You want to ask something about the whip don't you?
Peter: Whip? What whip?
Jesus: Come on Peter, the whip I used to get those guys out of the temple.
Peter: You don't still have it there do you?
Jesus: Would it make a difference?
Peter: No, no, of course not. I like whips. My Dad used to have a big one.
Jesus: Well ask your question then?
Peter: So, you've calmed down?
Jesus: Ask your question!
Peter: Ummmm .... No, honest it's nothing.
Jesus: Ask your question!!!
Peter: OK, OK. was that permissible violence?
Jesus: Do you think it was?
Peter: Of course it was,... justifiable righteous anger if I ever saw it. I mean they've been ripping people off for centuries and today you had no choice, they had to be shown, . They deserved everything you gave 'em, if not more.
Jesus: You don't think I should have done it do you, Peter. Come on be honest!
Peter: No, I don't. You went crazy, you know that don't you. Crazy like a Jew who discovers his pet dog is actually a pig in disguise. What happened to you?
Jesus: It was my father's house?
Peter: So?
Jesus: So, they shouldn't have been using the temple for their evil
Peter: No, you're right. Of course, they deserved a good whipping.
Jesus: Peter, say what you want to say.
Peter: What happened to all that love your enemy, turn the other cheek, and blessed are the peacemakers stuff? How can you say those things and then use a whip?
Jesus: Did my actions confuse you?
Peter: Confuse? My head's still spinning. Whips just don't suit you?
Jesus: So, you like me better when I cuddle children and tell women caught in adultery to go and sin no more?
Peter: Jesus, it was a whip!
Jesus: This sure would be a wonderful place without violence wouldn't it!
Peter: Jesus, you said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
Jesus: Indeed, peacemakers have lots of work to do on this earth.
Peter: But do they have to use whips?
Jesus: Wouldn't it be great if they didn't!
Peter: What are you saying?
Jesus: What do you think I'm saying Peter?
Peter: Ahhhhhhhhh! I feel like screaming.
Jesus: Why?
Peter: Because I want you to bring peace. You're suppose to bring peace. I want peace. I want this world to be full of peace. And we should be willing to do anything to get it.
Jesus: What, even use a whip?
Peter: Stop that! You're twisting my words!
Jesus: You said you're willing to do anything to bring peace to this world. What if peace cost you everything?
Peter: What everything?
Jesus: Everything!
Peter: All I have?
Jesus: Everything!
Peter: Money?
Jesus: Everything!
Peter: My principles?
Jesus: Everything!
Peter: Life?
Jesus: Everything!
Peter: So let me get this right. You're suggesting that there may come a time when maintaining peace might require me to act in such a way that I must go against my own principles. I know I always tend to get things wrong, Jesus, but that just doesn't sound like something you'd say. Use violence to bring or maintain peace.
Jesus: But I didn't say that was the normal way. Let me ask you this hypothetical question, Peter. What would you do if one night the police from the temple came to arrest me.
Peter: They're not are they? When? What have you heard?
Jesus: Peter, do you know the meaning of the word hypothetical?
Peter: All I know is that whatever you say has a strange way of coming true.
Jesus: Well, Peter?
Peter: I know one thing. I wouldn't use a whip on them.
Jesus: What if you had a sword, Peter?
Peter: A sword? I don't own a sword. I wouldn't know where to get a sword. I don't even know how to use one. No Jesus, I'm happy to say, you've got this one completely wrong.
Jesus: So you wouldn't defend me?
Peter: Since when do you need defending? Today's message is that those poor temple officials need protecting from you.
Jesus: What about the others, Peter. What are you going to say to them. How are you going to implement your peace plan?
Peter: Fantastic. Peace plan. Implementation. Strategies. Now we're getting somewhere at last. What do you suggest?
Jesus: Not me, Peter you.
Peter: OK, here it is. You keep preaching peace.....maybe for another 20, 30 no let's make it 40 years. We'll all support you. I'm pretty sure I can get hold of a boat. If we want world wide peace we need to get you to Rome. Once there, you could preach another 40 years say.
Jesus: You checked out the average life expectancy in this world of yours?
Peter: That's just it. I was only thinking last week, you may not be able to raise us more than say three or four times, but you, death wouldn't dare ...
Jesus: Peter, I may not have much more time.
Peter: Yeah, yeah sure. Jesus, Son of God, the anointed One, the chosen one being defeated by death,... I'd like to see that!!! Good one Jesus.
Jesus: So, what you're really saying, is that you're not going to do a thing except hold to your principles while God brings peace to this violent world, through me preaching about peace so that more and more people follow me.
Peter: It works for me!!!
Jesus: Peter, there's real violence out there. The Romans are slaughtering women and children just to get control of more territory. Can you imagine what they'd do if your plan were to somehow succeed and they began to lose control of their own people to me.
Peter: But you wouldn't let them do that would you?
Jesus: What if I wasn't here?
Peter: Ha ha, not here!!.... You're serious aren't you!
Jesus: What are YOU going to do? What's your plan to bring peace to others?
Peter: Well I'm not going to use whips .... or swords ....
Jesus: Even if someone is using a sword on others?
Peter: Swords, don't achieve anything. We've got to teach, preach and live as a people of peace. We can never ease up on peace. You've probably picked up that I can be a bit of a hot-head bully at times, well, that's got to change. And I've been thinking about what you said on leadership. You're right, our community has got to learn a leadership that doesn't use power to suppress others. Somehow we've got to empower people to choose the way of peace.
Jesus: That's going to keep you busy.
Peter: And I don't care what you say about you not being here. You've got to remain in the centre of all we do, and all we are. Without you we're nothing.
Jesus: And the whip?
Peter: Well, I'm sorry but the whip still bothers me. You might have the wisdom and control to make right decisions, but I guess I'm terrified of what I'm capable of if you let me grab a whip.
Jesus: But unfortunately the reality is that whips and swords do exist in this violent world.
Peter: So that's your last work on the subject it it?
Peter: So that's your last work on the subject it it?
Jesus: Do you think it is Peter?
Peter: (leaving) Agggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Soppy ending - but it includes an image I don't want to forget.
Peter: Along with their aggressive, violent owners.
Jesus: Exactly
Peter: I was reading something the other day, I reckon you might appreciate it.
Jesus: I'm listening.
Peter: This guy summed up the Christian's task in this world using an embrace as a metaphor.
Jesus: Sounds interesting.
Peter: First there's the gesture of arms wide open. That's a signal I've opened myself up and created space in my life for others. It also suggests, I'm willing to move out of myself to enter space created by others.
Jesus: Offering an invitation for people to really make contact you mean.
Peter: Exactly. He then goes on. The second act is the waiting - still with arms outstreatched. The invitation is not an invasion into the life of the other person, but this act cannot be complete unless the other person reciprocates and moves towards the open invitation.
Jesus: So it looks like this (stand with arms wide)
Peter: I guess so. Then comes the closing of the arms. This is the goal of the embrace. It's a soft and gentle action where each is holding and being held. It doesn't necessarily mean differences no longer exist, but it indicates they no longer prevent real contact.
Jesus: And the fourth act.
Peter: The opening of the arms again. The embrace is not meant to merge the two, but each eventually lets go so that each can resume their own life, their own individuality. But of course, this letting go becomes the beginning of the possibility of a brand new embrace.
Jesus: This stance feels a lot more vulnerable than the one with the whip.
Peter: It sure does. But you know somehow it suits you.
Keith Stiller (24.07.01)
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