Standing on The Rock

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Standing on The Rock (working title), the 2009 Spring/Summer/Fall script for Zeek and Friends

Written by Zeek and Friends, Altoona, PA

Description and Characters:

The setting is an old-style 50's diner, preserved until the present day, with much of the "authentic" memorabilia and worker uniforms from the past.

The Solid Rock Cafe is the name of this central diner location for the setting of the script. The characters either work or interact with this setting during the story.

Angel, the head waitress has a great gift for evangelism.

Ramón, the chef and owner is from the big city, but has since settled down in this mid-size town diner. It is his first business enterprise, and he loves it. After hiring Angel as a waitress, he came to really know and follow Jesus as Lord.

CJ, the quirky, say-very-little, good-natured "diner-fly", has his "own stool" by the counter and keeps a very odd assortment of items at the diner, including a baby grand, saxophone, and other instruments.

Joe, the average "Joe", who pretends to be a follower of Jesus for appearance sake, comes in to this diner one Sunday morning, and finds out what it really means to "Build Your House Upon the Rock".

All music accompanying the script is provided by One Way Street, a Christian puppetry resource.

As the story opens, we see Angel come around the counter and go to her Bible (preset to be sitting on the counter) for a quick morning personal scripture reading, before opening the diner.

Angel
(reading from scripture)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:1-10 ESV)
Angel
(now praying) Dear Father in heaven, thank you for this reading from your word. I pray that you would help and strengthen my walk today, that I may be obedient to your commands, and give you the glory in all that I do today. If any new faces enter the diner this morning, help me to shine your light before them, that they may see in me your good works so that you may have the glory. In the name of the Son Jesus, I pray these things, Amen.

SONG: SHOWERS OF BLESSING (excerpt, 60s girl-group style)

Angel goes about her morning duties, for about 1 minute during the playing of this song, opening the front door (stage left), checking the coffee, etc

The song is interrupted when the bell chimes (like in Whit's End on Adventures in Odyssey), and CJ walks in

Angel
Good morning, CJ!
CJ
Morning, Angel.
Angel
I have your usual stool by the counter all ready for you this morning.
CJ
Thank you, thank you very much.
Angel
It is a beautiful Sunday morning, isn't it? I can see the folks out on the street, all dressed up, heading toward the churches up the block. I love Sunday mornings. Fortunately, I have an evening church option where I attend, so I won't miss going to worship today, even though I am working this Sunday morning shift.
CJ
Yep, that's a good thing.

The bell rings again and Joe walks in, he looks tentatively around, finds a booth, and goes to sit in it. He has a prominently-displayed bible with him.

Angel
Well, it looks like I have another customer.

She walks over to Joe's table

Angel
Good morning, my name is Angel, and I will be serving you. Welcome to the Solid Rock Cafe. What may I get for you on this beautiful Lord's Day morning?
Joe
Ummm, hi, name's Joe, uhh, I think I'll have the short stack with syrup, blueberries, and please bring an orange juice as well.
Angel
Sounds great, Ramón's pancakes are the best! Hey, I see you have a Bible there. Are you on your way to church?
Joe
Church? Oh, yeah, no, I uhh, just came from the church. I dropped my wife and kids off, and I came in here for a little time to myself. (now trying to sound pious) Yeah, I faithfully drop the wife and kids off, I give regularly to the ministry there, and I read a few verses each week in the Bible. I sometimes go to the park or one of the other breakfast restaurants in town, but I think this is the first time I have been in this diner.
Angel
So, you don't actually attend the church services?
Joe
Huh? (surprised by her prying) Well, uh, you know... I uh
Angel
Sorry, no, I don't mean to pry. I was just a little curious, that's all. You have your Bible here, and you seem to get your family to the church regularly, but I was just wondering why you were not there?
Joe
Well, I just need a little quite 'me' time. You know. I go to church on Christmas Eve and Easter, and whenever the kids are doing something musical in the service, and what-not... you know...
Angel
Oh sure, right, again, sorry, I am not trying to pry. How about I go get your order in, and I'll be back in a short moment.

(During the following dialog, a curious CJ walks over to the jukebox looking over a Joe as he talks to himself. At the end of the dialog, CJ selects a song)

Joe
Yeah, thanks. (As she goes away, he now speaks to himself) I am a good 'religious' person. After all, I get the family to church, I got my Bible. I dress up. I certainly look good and religious. Why would she question that? Oh, let me pick a verse. Let's see, I'll just open up this Bible here, and see what pops up. Matthew. That sounds like a good name. (reading) The Gospel According to Matthew. (to himself) Well, now, that sounds even better, a 'gospel'. Let's see, chapter 6, let's just pick out a verse, hmmm, let's just start with verse 1, see what that says, (now reading): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 6:1 ESV). Whoa, wait a minute, that feels a little too close to home.

CJ has selected a song from the jukebox, which is to play next, and Joe sings along. CJ may return to his stool or disappear for a moment, or whatever.

SONG: THE GREAT PRETENDER (parody of The Great Pretender)

Angel
(who has returned as promised) How is everything? Good? (Joe seems lost in his thoughts) Well, again, I don't mean to pry, but I couldn't help overhear the words you were singing to that tune. I get the sense that you feel that something is missing from your Sunday morning routine.
Joe
What? Oh, hi again. Yeah, right. Look, I was just picking out a verse from the Bible as I tend to do, and I land on this Matthew 6:1.
Angel
(knows it from memory) Yes, that is "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Joe
Yes, that right... Wait a moment, how did you pull that out of your head like that?
Angel
I am currently in a daily personal Bible study of the Gospel of Matthew right now. I've been reading in there a good bit each day. For instance, today, I was reading from Matthew chapter 5, the Beatitudes. In fact, I was reading just before we opened up shop.
Joe
You mean you read every day?
Angel
Yeah, and not just Matthew, although that is where I am currently studying, but all of the Bible is good for instruction in the things of God. How else do we get to know Him?
Joe
Well what really is there to know? He's God. He made everything and takes care of everything.
Angel
Well, that is a good start. But there's so much you can know from the scriptures. Take Ramón back there, for instance.
Ramón
(comes out from kitchen behind counter) Hey, what you need, Angel?
Angel
Oh, no, I was just starting to tell Joe here a little about your morning routine.
Ramón
Ah, yes, the Sunday morning cook and praise
Joe
What?
Ramón
Oh, you see, ever since Angel here was instrumental in getting me into the study of God's Word each day, I start each morning with a Bible reading, and then begin to cook up a storm, praising God as I go, for He has blessed me with this little diner, which is my livelihood, and He has given me many gifts that I can use to His glory. For instance, I love to cook.
Joe
And I must admit, you are very good. Angel was right about these pancakes.
Ramón
Well, praise God! As the Bible says in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (ESV) I am thankful that my cooking has given you something for which to be thankful this morning then, my friend. (To CJ) CJ, I feel like a lotta praisin'. Do you have something over there to provide accompaniment?
CJ
I think I can handle that.

Ramón goes back toward the kitchen and starts singing in the center stage area. Meanwhile, CJ will pull out a baby grand at the appropriate point and 'go to town'.

SONG: WHOLE LOTTA PRAISIN' GOIN' ON (parody of A Whole Lotta' Shakin')

Joe
Just what kind of diner is this, anyway?
Ramón
This is the Solid Rock Cafe. When I bought this place, it used to be called Ted's Fish 'N Fry. I changed it to a 50's theme and named it Ramón's, but when I hired Angel and she introduced me to Jesus, I became a committed Christian, and thought that the name of the diner should reflect a little more of my trust in the solid "Rock of Ages", Jesus Christ the Lord. I think that you will find most people that work here have a love for Jesus.
Joe
I think I am starting to see that.
Ramón
Well, God seems to have brought you to us this morning for a chance for us to witness to you about the great things that the Lord has done. Let me next introduce you to the rest of our waitstaff. They have been in the back doing a little Bible study. But as they are wrapping up back there, and as the customers will start to pick up out here, you should be able to meet them. (To the back) Hey guys, you ready back there?
Soda Jerk
(from the back, not seen yet) We're just finishing up now.
Ramón
(To CJ) Hey, CJ, do you think you can find me a guitar for this next one?
CJ
No problem, man.
Ramón
Then it's time to praise Him, praise Him!

(The Soday Jerks, along with Ramón (or a third 'other' puppet) are featured in the next song; so here they come out onto the stage at the opening of the song)

SONG: 50'S PRAISE MEDLEY (50s style, includes parody of Rock around the Clock)

Joe
Alright, look, you are very talented people. I mean, here you are cooking, serving, and putting on a whole show with praise music. But, Angel was questioning my lack of attendance at chuch this morning, and here you all are at this diner, on a Sunday morning.
Angel
(Who has returned) Ramón and the other guys actually go to my church, and we provide a Sunday night service, so I don't miss worship. On my schedule, I am only here one or two Sundays a month, and on those mornings, I use that opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with folks like you who might happen in.
Joe
I see. Well, look, I get that you all get very excited about church and the Bible and Jesus, and all that. I mean, I went to Sunday School when I was younger. I know about a lot of these things. I mean, so what's wrong with dropping of the wife and kids and relaxing on a Sunday morning with my "verse of the week" from the Bible?
Angel
So, if you know about all these things, then you are probably familiar with another part of Matthew's gospel where Jesus talks about the wise and foolish builders?
Joe
It rings a bell. They were both building houses, and one didn't last, or something like that.
Angel
That is the idea. Specifically, Jesus told His listeners during His "Sermon on the Mount" that "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV) Wait, I bet we can illustrate this for you. (To CJ) CJ!
CJ
Yeah?
Angel
Do you have a saxophone there with you?
CJ
Got you covered!
Angel
(To Joe) Then watch this...

SONG: BUILD YOUR HOUSE UPON THE ROCK (One Way Street original music in 50s style with sax/piano/chorus)

Angel
Joe, I wondered if you caught that in the passage I quoted earlier, where Jesus says that the wise man is the one who hears the words of Jesus and does them. You see, the foolish man also hears Jesus' words, but the difference is, he does not do them. Being an authentic follower of Jesus requires not only knowledge of God and the Bible, but a belief in God and His Word, as well as an absolute trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Joe
I guess I never paid that close attention before to that story of the builders.
Angel
Well, remember where you were reading earlier, where Jesus says, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them"?
Joe
Yeah...
Angel
Well, in Jesus' time there were these prideful religious leaders called the Pharisees who liked to look very righteous and holy on the outside, but they were not obedient go God on the inside. Referring to these people, Jesus said, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20 ESV) He also says to his listeners, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48 ESV)
Joe
Whoa, wait a minute. That's a tall order. No one is perfect. How can Jesus expect us to be perfect?
Angel
Great question. And the key is what He says about himself during His "Sermon on the Mound": He says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17) You are right, Joe, we cannot fulfill the law, because we are sinners, disobedient to God, even the best of us. But Jesus was not a sinner, He was the Son of God. He came to fulfill the law for us that we could not fulfill ourselves and then die in our place on the cross. In the Bible, in 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul says that Jesus was "...made... to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV) Jesus was sinless, but took upon Himself our sins on the cross, so that we, those who trust, follow, and obey Jesus might obtain the righteousness that only comes from God.
Joe
So you're telling me that all my work of driving my family to church, going myself on special holidays, paying offering, reading my weekly verse, all of this will never be enough to be a "good person" in God's eyes. So I am the foolish builder?
Angel
But wait, you can be the wise builder. You can not only listen to Jesus, but you can follow Him. When the requirements for salvation seemed hard to the disciples, they asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus answered, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (from Matthew 19:25-26 ESV) You see, people cannot save themselves, but God the Father has provided us with His Son, Jesus, and He saves.

SONG: JESUS SAVES (40s/50s Big Band/Swing/Broadway style)

Joe
Okay, so I cannot save myself, but Jesus can save me?
Angel
You are probably familiar with this Bible verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV)
Joe
Sure, I have heard that I time or two.
Angel
Well, then put all your hope and trust for salvation in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul articulates this well in the Bible's book of Romans, where he says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 ESV) and also, "...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9 ESV) Maybe Ramón can provide a testimony to illustrate...
Ramón
(coming out from around the kitchen) I thought you'd never ask! (possible organ music under) Well, I came to this town from the big city. I was looking to get away from all of the commotion, I thought my life would be somehow more fulfilled, have more meaning in a new location. I read some book about a life of purpose, and got this idea that I can find my happiness and purpose in my own pursuits, in doing things the way I wanted to. So I bought this diner, changed it around to the 50's theme, and was making a living for myself. I thought I had everything I was missing in the big city. (pauses) But something was still missing. I could feel it. I worked all day, trying to keep this place going, but I had no joy. Day after day I plodded on, trying to find out what I was still needing.
Angel
But then one year, I came to this quiet little town, looking for a job, and I saw an article in the paper for a job at this cute little 50's diner.
Ramón
I was a little overwhelmed and needed some more help around here. Angel applied for the job, and I hired her, but little did I know how her personal witness to me about Jesus would turn my life around. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy. I did not at first really care about the Bible or church, or God, or whatever, I was trying to run my business and find happiness. But in the end, the only true happiness to be found was in a right relationship with my very own Creator, and as you have already heard, this is only possible through Jesus, and how He has provided for the forgiveness of sin through the cross. So I have become a follower of Jesus, He is King of my heart, and I thank God for that every day. Whatever comes and goes in this world I can handle, good and bad, because Jesus gives me daily strength for the journey. And an eternal home with Him is the great final destination I can be sure of as a believer.

(breaking out into song)

SONG: KING OF MY HEART (parody of King of the Road)

Joe
So I trust in Jesus, making Him king of my heart, and He has payed my debts of sin?
Angel
Let's look at John's Gospel, chapter 1: (quoting) "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13 ESV) It sounds like God is working, calling you to Him, Joe. Repent, turn from your sins and trust in Jesus, for He has paid your debt on the cross.
Joe
I will, I will. Thank you Angel. Well, thanks to all of you, for such an eye-opening morning. I think it is time to build my house upon the Rock of Jesus. To stand on the Rock, and to trust no other. I think I want to sing about this. Guys, can you help me out with this? CJ?
CJ
Got you covered, man.

(CJ whips out a piano)

SONG: STANDING ON THE ROCK (parody of At the Hop)

Joe
Wait, I should probably be in church. I think I might still be able to make most of the service and join my wife and family. Hey, thanks, guys! I will definitely build my house upon the Rock of Jesus!

ALTERNATE ENDING (proposed but not used):

(alarm clock beeps at the end of the song; set switches to Joe's bedroom, he is sleeping)

Joe's Wife
(from offstage) Joe, are you getting up to drive us to church this morning?
Joe
What, what? It was just a dream? It is still Sunday morning, and I have not missed church yet? (calling to wife) Wait, I'll be right there. I think I'll go with you into church this morning!
Joe's Wife
Really, Joe? That's wonderful!
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