The Samaritan 1 - Rejection at Nazareth

Azariah and Abigail are Samaritans, outcasts among the Jewish people of New Testament times.  But one day there comes a stranger to the well they use - and life will never be the same..  Written and produced by Colm Flanagan.

Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Commission presents The Samaritan, a six-part drama by Colin Flanagan. Episode one. Rejection at Nazareth.

SPEAKER_00 0:22

I've been saving my story for a few years, but I think now is the time to tell it. I'll start with my name. I'm Azariah. Now, first of all, I'm not a Jew, but I am proud to say that I'm a Samaritan. So what's the difference, you may ask? Aren't you all from the same ancestors? Well, we have a lot of shared history with the Jews and a whole lot of hostility with it. Maybe that's the whole point of my story. But enough of that for the moment. I want to take you back to the start of a journey which led me away from my hometown to Jerusalem and later be even further afield. A faith journey, too, centered on a remarkable man whose life has changed the world. I'm a carpenter and stonemason, and one day, as I was making a table, I was interrupted by Asher, my friend.

SPEAKER_06 1:18

Hey Azariah, how goes to work? Oh, not too bad, Asher. Have you come to place an order?

unknown 1:24

Ha!

SPEAKER_06 1:24

Have you rotten stuff? Don't be silly. If I want decent furniture, I'd go to Omri. And he'd probably be cheaper. Okay, so why did you actually come? Well, are you busy? Well, right now I have a few things on. Time to go for a drink, maybe. I've got some news for you. Are you buying? If so, yes.

SPEAKER_00 1:46

Well, come on then. I was intrigued. Asher worked with the town magistrates. He was a clerk or some other minor official, but he always seemed to know what was going on and of the inside track and stories, both told stories and real ones. When we'd settled down in the tavern, he asked me a question I hadn't been expecting.

SPEAKER_06 2:09

Azariah, what do you know about Caiaphas?

SPEAKER_00 2:13

The high priest of the Jews? Indeed. He lives in Jerusalem, and he hates us like every other Jew does. Other than that, nothing at all. Why should I care?

SPEAKER_06 2:23

Well, yesterday one of his servants turned up at the town hall and started asking questions. What about? Well, that's the odd thing. They were asking about a family from Nazareth.

SPEAKER_00 2:35

Nazareth? That's a good way from here in Galilee. Why would they think we'd know anything about folk from Nazareth?

SPEAKER_06 2:43

They say that there's a man, a sort of rabbi, you know, religious teacher, who's been causing quite a stir. His name is Jesus. And well, didn't you once do some work in Nazareth?

SPEAKER_00 2:55

Yes, I know a Roman official there. I did some stonework for him a while ago.

SPEAKER_06 2:59

Well, did he ever mention this Jesus? Apparently he's a good techno like you. Well, not that I recall. Anyway, what does it all matter? But they'd ask me to just well, you know, a ask around.

SPEAKER_00 3:12

Ah. And I presume there's a little something in it for you, too. Well, they are quite generous. Then I'll have another drink, the same. And then I have to get back to work.

SPEAKER_06 3:24

Oh, and me. Oh, and how's the current girlfriend? Um Rebecca, isn't it?

SPEAKER_00 3:30

You know right well, and I know you disapprove, so don't pretend you care. Anyway, she's gone. We split up.

SPEAKER_06 3:36

Okay, okay, don't be so touchy. I only asked.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Yeah, sure. Actually, I'll not bother with a drink. See you around, Asher. I stomped off, a bit annoyed by the whole thing. I wasn't going to be anybody's spy. Actually, I knew more than I told Asher. A Roman official, Demetrius, who lived in Capernaum, not far away, had mentioned this Jesus person in my hearing. I got the impression that Demetrius had some interest in Jewish religion and thought this Jesus a bit special. But Jesus wasn't my business. Nor is Asher either. Let him earn his grubby little cash bonus some other way. But while I cut and sawed in my workshop, events in Galilee were occurring, which were to have a big impact on my life. The following week, I made my way to Nazareth to do some remedial work at the home of another Roman, Servius. Servius lived near the local synagogue, the Jewish place of worship, and he had engaged me to do some repair work on the stonework of his house, which was outside the village. The previous owner had left it in a poor state. I arrived on the Friday and realized then that the next day was the Sabbath, so I might not get much done. But Servius had an idea.

SPEAKER_03 4:58

You can do some work inside the courtyard tomorrow, Azariah. They're at the back. Oh, won't the Jews be a bit angry? You're not supposed to work on the Sabbath. We'll call you a Roman heathen. Well, it wouldn't be the first time. Anyway, the house is outside the village. I doubt if they'll bother me. And I'll go to the synagogue myself earlier. Maybe you'd like to come with me. Oh, I don't think so. Oh, well, why? Because you're a Samaritan? But don't you worship the same god as the Jews?

SPEAKER_00 5:27

Well, yes, we do worship the same gods, sort of. Or those who are religious too. I just go through the motions really. Although my father would have liked to see me a religious leader. I did spend some time at school, but it wasn't for me. Does the Jewish religion attract you, Servius?

SPEAKER_03 5:46

I sometimes attend in the area reserved for women and outsiders. Ah, I see. But this Sabbath I think it'll be interesting. There's a youngish man from here who seems to be different. And I have a feeling he might be saying something at the service. We can sit at the back. They know me a bit, and you could pass reject easily enough. And no one here knows where you're from. Well, I dunno.

SPEAKER_00 6:13

I think you should. Why did he think that? He didn't really know me well. I just did some work for him. But for some reason I didn't understand at the time, I agreed. And the event that took place that morning changed the direction of my life. At first, the service took place as usual. I got a bit bored, but then a nudge from Servius brought me back to the present.

SPEAKER_04 6:41

It is time to hear from the scriptures. The word of God. I feel there's someone here who wishes to read.

SPEAKER_02 6:52

I will read the Lord's word if it pleases you, Jacob.

SPEAKER_04 6:56

Indeed, young Jesus. Jonas, hand the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to Jesus, son of Joseph.

SPEAKER_02 7:05

The Lord's Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers and say, This is the year the Lord has chosen.

SPEAKER_00 7:28

And with that, Jesus handed the scroll back to the attendant and sat down. That was significant. Rabbis taught sitting down. Clearly, Jesus was going to say more. At this point, Servius nudged me again.

SPEAKER_03 7:44

I know of that scripture. It's about the Messiah. But he left the last bit out.

SPEAKER_00 7:51

Now this was serious. Both we Samaritans and the Jews believed that one day a Messiah, a leader, would come to free us from everything, including the Romans. That made it a view you only expressed in private if you valued your freedom, not to mention your life. Because this Messiah was actually God, who would reign forever. But Jesus had left that out of his reading. I wondered why. I could see everyone staring at Jesus. Then he spoke.

SPEAKER_02 8:29

What you have heard me read has come true today. What did he say? How does he fulfill scripture? Isn't he Joseph's son? You will certainly want to tell me this saying. Doctor, first make yourself well. You will tell me to do the same things here in my own hometown that you heard I did in Capernaum. But what you can be sure of is this, that no prophets are honored by the people of their own hometown, and this is my hometown.

SPEAKER_04 9:03

Jesus, I think we have heard enough. You are not treating the word of God with respect. You speak as though you think you are the person referred to in the text, the Messiah. That is outrageous. You cannot mean what you seem to say. You are young, and blasphemy against God is a serious thing.

SPEAKER_02 9:27

Let me tell you something more, Jacob, and all the rest of you. Once during the time of Elijah there was no rain for three and a half years, and people everywhere were starving. There were many widows in Israel, but Elijah was sent only to a widow in the town of Zarapath, near the city of Sidon. During the time of the prophet Elijah, many men in Israel had leprosy, but no one was healed, except Naaman, who lived in Syria. And only the widow and Naaman received blessing.

SPEAKER_05 10:05

Foreigners, unclean people, Samaritans, who will be blessed next? Romans? Never! Somebody should stop him.

SPEAKER_04 10:13

Jesus, son of Joseph, get out of here now.

SPEAKER_05 10:17

Who does he think he is?

SPEAKER_00 10:19

This began to look like a dangerous situation. Jesus had certainly stirred them, but not for the better, it seemed. It was time for us to leave.

SPEAKER_03 10:29

I think we should go now before this turns nasty. I don't want to be involved. I agree they might turn on us.

SPEAKER_00 10:36

We left the synagogue and then stood outside. From inside we could hear the murmur of voices increasing in volume. Then the doors burst open and a cry came out.

SPEAKER_05 10:54

Over the cliff with him!

SPEAKER_00 10:56

I could just see Jesus among them being jostled and pushed along by two heavily built men. He didn't seem to be resisting much. He was certainly brave, but I thought foolish to stir folk up like that. It looked as if he was going to pay a high price for that. Then Servius stepped forward.

SPEAKER_03 11:16

What's going on here?

SPEAKER_00 11:17

The crowd fell silent. They knew Servius, and the sight of a Roman official had a calming effect at first.

SPEAKER_03 11:25

He's broken our law. If you kill him, you're breaking Roman law. It will be murder.

SPEAKER_04 11:30

You don't have jurisdiction here, Servius. We will do what we must.

SPEAKER_00 11:34

They pushed on past Servius and headed for the cliff edge just outside the tunnel. It was obvious what they intended, and we could do nothing to stop them. The crowd with Jesus at the head, reached the cliff edge, and then Where is he?

SPEAKER_04 11:49

He was right here for Cephas. You were holding him! Where is he?

SPEAKER_02 11:56

Hasn't anybody seen it?

SPEAKER_00 11:57

They began to argue and bicker over whose fault it had been that Jesus had somehow escaped. Then I saw him just walking through the crowd. He passed them and looked towards Servius and me. He smiled at Servius, and then he inclined his head to us, a sort of gesture of recognition that he knew who we were. And then he was gone. As the crowd dispersed, a woman ran toward us.

SPEAKER_07 12:30

Sir, what have they done to my son? Did you see?

SPEAKER_03 12:34

You're Jesus' mother?

SPEAKER_07 12:36

Yes, I am Mary. Have they killed him? They said in the village he was to be thrown over the cliff for blasphemy against God.

SPEAKER_03 12:44

Well, that's what they wanted to do, but somehow he Well, he he just walked away. None of them seemed to see him. He walked right through the crowd. It was as though God was protecting him.

SPEAKER_07 13:00

Yes. He has always done so since he was born.

SPEAKER_03 13:06

I expect he's gone to your home. He's a technon, a carpenter, I gather.

SPEAKER_07 13:12

Yes, sir, and a good one.

SPEAKER_03 13:15

Well, when you see him, tell him that I have some carpentry work for him to do. Once my friend here has finished the stonework of the house.

SPEAKER_07 13:23

I will tell him, but I believe that God may be calling him to something else.

SPEAKER_03 13:29

Uh he certainly made an impression here today. But he'll need to be careful. Next time he may not escape so easily from a hostile crowd.

SPEAKER_07 13:39

I will warn him, sir, and thank you.

SPEAKER_00 13:43

The next day I was busy with stonework, and soon I was on my way back to Sikar. I wondered if I'd ever hear about this man, Jesus, again. Little did I know then how he would affect my life.

SPEAKER_01 14:10

In episode one of the Samaritan, the part of Azaria was played by Mark Claney, with other parts by members of the Commission radio drama team. The programme was written and produced by Colin Flanagan at Commission Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland.