The Samaritan 3 - Demons, Healings and Plots

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_00 0:07

Commission presents The Samaritan, a six-part drama by Colin Flanagan. Episode 3: Demons Healing and Plots.

SPEAKER_03 0:25

I seem to be hearing more and more about the teacher from Nazareth, Jesus. A few weeks later, I had a job in Bethshan. This was one of the cities, well, small towns really, which were known as the Decapolis, a group of ten of them, where Samaritans, Jews, and Gentiles managed to rub along not too badly. I was having lunch in a tavern on my final day there when I overheard a strange conversation.

SPEAKER_05 0:52

I tell you, it's true, Euclides. Oh, have it your own way, Demas. Maybe it did happen, but you've already told me you were half out of your mind anyway. Forget this miracle worker. Jesus, was it? Just have another drink and be happy. No, it's important to me. It's not just a story. No, I'll have it your own way. I'll see you again sometime. We'll have a good yarn about something else, eh? Yes, I suppose so.

SPEAKER_03 1:19

I was intrigued. So excuse me, uh I didn't mean to pry, but you mentioned someone I know just there. Who are you? My name's Azariah. I'm a stonemason and carpenter. I did some work for a friend who knows a Jesus from Nazareth. You said something about a miracle worker. I've heard he's supposed to heal sick people.

SPEAKER_06 1:45

You're right. He does. He healed me, but it wasn't just a fever. I was raving mad.

SPEAKER_03 1:52

How could he heal that?

SPEAKER_06 1:54

There's no cure. Listen, I was in a bad way. I lived near the sea, and the locals called me Legion and Lots. They were convinced I was possessed by a load of demons. And were you? I don't know. I was completely out of my head. Apparently I wandered naked round the graveyard, shouting and yelling and screaming at anyone who came near. And then one day a boat came to the shore. I watched as one of the people in it came straight to where I was.

SPEAKER_01 2:29

Demas! Demas! I must speak with you!

SPEAKER_07 2:34

Who are you? Have you come to tell me like the others?

SPEAKER_01 2:38

They call me Lots because there's lots of us! No, your name isn't Lots. You're Demas. The spirits that have taken over your mind and your body, they have no right to be there. Please help me. I command you, leave him alone!

SPEAKER_07 2:59

Hey, Lucy! You're Jesus! This son of God from heaven! What do you want with us? Do you intend to hurt us? We hurt him more. Please help me. Leave us alone!

SPEAKER_01 3:21

I will not hurt you.

SPEAKER_07 3:23

Promises?

SPEAKER_01 3:24

What do you want me to do?

SPEAKER_07 3:26

The pieces! The pieces! They have got lots of nasty, nasty, unclean pieces there! Nasty, dirty animals! Send us into them!

SPEAKER_01 3:36

Very well. Go! And go now!

SPEAKER_06 3:44

They've gone. The spirits have left.

SPEAKER_01 3:49

Oh Lord, thank you. Be whole demus, as it was intended you should be. What's that noise? Look.

SPEAKER_06 4:14

That was it. Jesus talked to me, and the others provided me with spare clothing and food from the boat. He's not an ordinary man. He's much more than that. I believe he is a son of God, the chosen one of the Jews.

SPEAKER_03 4:30

After this conversation, I returned home, and one day Isaac, Demetrius' servant, arrived from Copernum.

SPEAKER_04 4:37

Azariah, I have a message to you from Demetrius. Who is he keeping, Isaac? Oh he's well. And you? I'm fine. Anyway, Demetrius wants to know if you Oh Oh dear. Sorry, Azariah, what was I saying?

SPEAKER_03 4:54

You don't sound well, Isaac.

SPEAKER_04 4:55

Oh, it's just an old injury. Catches me every now and again. What I came to say was can you come over to Capernaum again soon? The place needs a proper rebuild, and I think Demetrius wants to see what you think.

SPEAKER_03 5:08

I'll be happy to come. We can start right away. I'll just let Abigail know.

SPEAKER_04 5:12

Abigail, are you still seeing her, Azariah?

SPEAKER_03 5:15

Oh yes, very much so. Copernum was very pleasant at this time of year in the spring. Demetrius was fast becoming a good friend as well as a provider of work for me, so naturally I agreed to come as soon as I could. And a few days later I set out for Copernum. But when I got there Azariah It's Isaac. He's on well, is that it?

SPEAKER_08 5:40

Yes, but how did you know?

SPEAKER_03 5:42

Oh, last time I saw him there was something wrong. He made light of it, but his face was very pale and he had a sort of racking cough. I didn't like the sound of it.

SPEAKER_08 5:51

No, I I'm afraid he is really very ill. Azaria, I am so worried about him. Physicians? Oh yes, I've had them here. They wring their hands and say there's nothing they can do for him. Do you know how long I've known Isaac? Thirty years. I was a centurion in the army when I met him. He was assigned to me as my servant. He's closer to me than a brother now. And we share our belief in the one true God. I see. I'd do anything to see him cured.

SPEAKER_03 6:25

Well, but what about Jesus, the teacher from Nazareth? Might he be able to help? I j I hadn't thought of him. He might but I don't know where he is. He seems to be getting known. Maybe some of the people from the synagogue? Oh yes, of course. The fisherman's wife and mother. Maybe the women will have heard. I'll go there now. Demetrius hurried off. He returned half an hour later.

SPEAKER_08 6:52

He's not too far away. A place called Gennesseret. I intend to go there to meet him. Will you come with me?

SPEAKER_03 6:59

After an hour's walk we saw a crowd in the distance. As we got closer, Demetrius recognized Jesus.

SPEAKER_08 7:06

Lord, stop a moment, please, a and listen to me. My name is Demetrius, and I am responsible to the Emperor for the well-being of everyone in my town of Capernaum. And this is my friend Azariah, who has come with me to ask a favor of you.

SPEAKER_03 7:22

Jesus looked at me, but he said nothing at first. Then, in spite of the cry around, he leaned over to me.

SPEAKER_01 7:31

Azariah, the Samaritan stonemason. You and I will meet again soon. And I will speak more to you. But for now, I must help your friend Demetrius. I know he's a good man. Demetrius! What's on your mind?

SPEAKER_08 7:50

Lord Jesus, I have a servant, Isaac. He's been my friend and companion for many years, and he's in such great pain that he can't even move. He's dying, Lord. And he will die. Unless you do something for him.

SPEAKER_01 8:08

And what would you like me to do, Demetrius? Do you believe I can heal Isaac?

SPEAKER_08 8:14

Yes, I do. But I'm a Roman and you're a Jew. You you may not want to enter my house. I am unworthy. But just give the order, and Isaac will get well again. Lord, I have higher ranking officials who give orders to me, and I carry them out. And I in turn have others under my command. I can say to one of them, go and he goes, no question asked. I can say to another, come and he obeys. When I need Isaac to do something, he tells the other household servants and they do it. I understand the chain of command. You are right, Demetrius.

SPEAKER_01 8:51

Listen, everyone! This Roman official calls me Lord because he understands more than any of you about who I really am. I tell you that in all of Israel I haven't found anyone with such faith. Many people will come from everywhere and every nation to enjoy the feast which I will lay on in the kingdom of heaven. Abraham, Isaac, and the other great men will be there. But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark because they have not believed in me. Demetrius, you may go home now. Your faith has made it happen for Isaac. He will recover.

SPEAKER_03 9:45

With that, Jesus walked on. Demetrius and I went straight back to Demetrius' home outside Capernaum, where we had an unexpected greeting.

SPEAKER_04 9:55

Sir, you're very welcome back. I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you, and Azariah also. Shall I get the kitchen staff to prepare some refreshments? You look as though you could do with them.

SPEAKER_08 10:06

But but but Isaac, you were near death when I left the house. You've been delirious for days. You were healed. Oh, thank God. And Jesus.

SPEAKER_04 10:16

When did this happen? Oh, just an hour ago. I I suddenly woke on my bed and thought, time to be about your business, Isaac. You can't lie abed all day. An hour ago? Demetrius Jesus knew Yes, he knew!

SPEAKER_08 10:29

Who knew what? Oh, I'll tell you the full story later. But I could do with a celebratory glass of wine. Break out some of the best stuff. You're all invited to join me.

unknown 10:40

Ha ha ha.

SPEAKER_03 10:41

So that evening we enjoyed a feast. The next day I overheard a very significant conversation. I'd been repairing some brickwork near the room which Demetrius used as an office. I was just relaxing before putting my tools away when I heard voices.

SPEAKER_08 10:57

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Demetrius. I was intrigued by your message, Cyrus. A discussion about someone of our mutual acquaintance? I believe your servant Isaac was dangerously ill, Demetrius. Yes, that's right. He was near to death recently. But he's all right now. Yes. And how did it happen? He recovered quickly and unexpectedly.

SPEAKER_02 11:21

Why? What have you heard, Gyrus? I understand you met with the teacher from Nazareth.

SPEAKER_08 11:28

Where is this going, Gyrus? Why would you, a leader of the Jews in Capernaum, be interested in a wandering preacher?

SPEAKER_02 11:37

I've also met with this man. I believe he is special. In what way special? I'll be frank with you, Demetrius. You know I have a daughter, Rhoda. She's only twelve. She took ill recently and a week ago she died. We were in mourning, and Jesus was told about this and he came into our house. Demetrius you may not believe this. He brought my child back from the dead. Rhoda was definitely dead, yet he raised her with a word. Then he told me to tell no one. But I must trust you with this. Do you realize what this may mean for us Jews?

SPEAKER_08 12:25

Might this man be your Messiah? The one who will deliver you from us Romans. Precisely.

SPEAKER_02 12:35

Now you know why I've tried to find out and see what you think of this, Jesus. I'm aware that what I've said might be of interest, the wrong sort of interest to hire Roman officials, but believe me when I say, I know Jesus has no desire to lead a revolt. I think you know that too. Now you're right, Jaris, I do. There are some here who think there might be some money to be made by telling another Roman official about this Jesus. I'm sure Pilate would consider him a threat.

SPEAKER_08 13:06

Oh you're right. Pilate is an insecure and brutal man.

SPEAKER_02 13:11

The Jerusalem Pharisees wish to speak with us leaders here, and I'll reassure them, and I think as long as Caiaphas the High Priest doesn't see Jesus as a threat to himself, Jesus will be left alone.

SPEAKER_08 13:23

We'll talk again soon. I'll tell Isaac and the others not to repeat the story of his healing too loudly or in public places. We're agreed then. Yes. I'll keep you informed if I get any more information.

SPEAKER_03 13:37

They left the room, and I pondered what I'd heard. But I remembered Jesus' words that he and I would meet again. How would that happen? This man Jesus was certainly special. It wasn't long before I realized just how special he was.

SPEAKER_00 14:23

The programme was written and produced by Colin Flanagan at Commission Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland.