Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:1-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23

A lesson about preparing the way.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
None

(MR. MIKE begins on stage when DILLY enters.)

DILLY: How y’all doin’, Mr. Mike?

MR. MIKE: If I was doing any better, I couldn’t stand it. How are you this fine day?

DILLY: Why, I’m finer than frog hair, but I am plumb tuckered out.

MR. MIKE: Why are you so tired, Dilly?

DILLY: I’ve been busy cleaning my house. I’ve washed the dishes, shined the windows, dusted the furniture, and done the laundry.

MR. MIKE: That’s great, Dilly, but…

DILLY: I even emptied the lint filter. Ya know, I think that’s were all the lost socks go. They just shredded into itty bits and go in the filter.

MR. MIKE: It could be, but…

DILLY: I polished the silver, made the bed, set the table, and swept the chimney.

MR. MIKE: But why…

DILLY: I emptied the dishwasher, filled the dog bowl, and cleared cache.

MR. MIKE: (gives up on trying to ask why)

DILLY: I’ve swept the stoop and vacuumed the coop. I’ve mopped the bath and mowed a path. I’ve beat the rug, scoured the jug, stomped a bug, and scrubbed the tub.

MR. MIKE: (silent)

DILLY: Well, you been quieter than a mouse walkin’ on cotton. Ain’t you got nuthin’ to say?

MR. MIKE: I was just waiting for you to take a breath.

DILLY: Of all the impertinence. (takes a very loud breath) There! I have breathed! Speak!

MR. MIKE: I was just wondering what the occasion was for all the cleaning?

DILLY: (happy to be talking about herself again) Last Sunday, the preacher exhorted us to prepare the way for the Lord. Well, I certainly don’t want the Lord coming to a dirty house.

MR. MIKE: I don’t think that’s what he meant. I think he meant you need to prepare yourself.

DILLY: Oh my lands. I am sure I am quite a sight after all that cleaning. I’ll need to get my feathers done and my Sunday go-to-meeting clothes laundered and…

MR. MIKE: Not your outside. You need to prepare your inside.

DILLY: Well, if I am going to prepare my inside, I will most certainly need to increase my fiber.

MR. MIKE: Not prepare that way. Prepare by praying and spending time in God’s Word. If you make yourself available and are obedient to God, he will use you to prepare the way for others to be saved.

DILLY: Well, butter my biscuit! Is that what the preacher meant?

MR. MIKE: I believe that’s what the fellow meant.

DILLY: (growing excitement) Then I best get a move on if the Lord is counting on me for such an important job. Where’s my Bible? Where is my Bible? No, I better pray first. But where is my Bible? Oh, and I better tell Flora, cause she’s cleaning her house as we speak. (exits)

MR. MIKE: (stares at the stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)