Isaiah 42:1-9
You will need: a list of key words in the passage displayed so that everyone can see – justice, faithfully, called, righteousness, covenant, light, new things.
- Share some of the backstory to this chapter of Isaiah. The Israelites had been living in exile, in Babylon, for several decades – a time that would have been physically, emotionally, and spiritually challenging. They were a disillusioned group, far from home and lacking in hope. Then, in Isaiah 42, God speaks to the Israelites with a message full of hope.
- Explain that the passage will be read twice. During the first time, invite people to close their eyes and to listen to the hope that God gives the Israelites. During the second reading, invite people to raise their hand or stand up to show when one of the key words listed feels like it has given them hope.
Matthew 3:13-17
You will need: script below.
- Begin by saying that it can be easy to let the words of well-known Bible readings wash over us without really listening to, or reflecting on, what is happening. By encouraging people to place themselves in the reading, they may get a refreshed understanding of what God is saying to them, or to their community.
- Use the script to introduce the Bible reading and how people, at the time of Jesus’ baptism, may have been feeling. Society was divided by politics, religion, economics and race and the leaders seemed to only care about gaining power, glory and wealth for themselves. People were waiting on the promised Messiah, but at a hard time to remain hopeful.
- Invite people to listen to the reading as if they were one of the onlookers: What hope did they have before, during and after the baptism of Jesus? Invite people to share their thoughts in pairs, or small groups.
Script: It’s hard to have hope
Setting: Jordan River, Jordan, in the early first century just before Jesus was baptized.
Characters: Two ‘ordinary’ people living under the rule of the Roman Empire.
Costume: Simple tunics, belts, and sandals.
Both actors sit side by side, on chairs.
Voice 1: It’s hard to have hope.
Voice 2: How do you have hope when so many of us are living in poverty?
Voice 1: It’s hard to have hope.
Voice 2: How do you have hope when our rulers only want power and glory for themselves, and care nothing about us?
Voice 1: It’s hard to have hope.
Voice 2: How do you have hope when everywhere we look people are deeply divided by politics, religion and race.
Voice 1: It’s hard to have hope.
Voice Two stands up.
Voice 2: And yet, there’s talk of a Messiah.
Voice 1 stands up.
Voice 1: God’s promised one.
Voice 2: A King who will change everything.
Voice 1: And so, we wait with hope.
Voice 2: We wait with expectancy…
Voice 1: For God to deliver us.
Voice 2: For God to bring about change.
Voice 1: For a fulfilment of God’s promises.
Voice 2: For God to act.
Voice 1: Maybe today will be the day…
Voice 2: The day when hope is refreshed.