March 22, 2026 - Matthew 19:16-20:34 Sermon Drama

My responsibilities as conference dean took me to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Wellsville.  I created this skit to be performed in place of the sermon.

Synopsis: One of Jesus’ disciples reflects on various scenes from Matthew 19:16 – 20:34. An angel is on one side giving his thoughts. A devil is on the other side giving his thoughts. Sometimes the angel and devil talk to the disciple. Sometimes they talk to each other in criticism. The skit is broken into several parts. The congregation will read a scene in the gospel. Then the skit picks up in response to that scene.

Cast: 

One of the lesser of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
Angel – wearing a white robe or light clothing
Devil – wearing red

Props/staging: The center altar rail is removed. A chair is set on the altar platform in front of the altar. The disciple sits in it facing the congregation. The devil and angel stand on either side of him.



Part 1: Matthew 19:16-23

Disciple: I don’t understand this. How can Jesus not praise this young man? He is doing everything right. He’s an upstanding citizen. He follows the religious laws. He lives by the traditions. He’s generous with his wealth. Surely he’s good enough to deserve eternal life already.

Devil: (to Disciple) Exactly! This man is a model of virtue. He deserves good eternal life.

Angel: (to Devil) I’m surprised to hear you say that! I thought you’d be over there wanting to corrupt that young man.

Devil: (to Angel) You know well enough by now to know that’s not how I work. Plus, he’s corrupt enough already. Self-righteousness is wonderfully corrupting without me having to do any work! He’s not going to follow Jesus.

Angel: (to Devil) I know you well enough to know that you’ll use whatever tactic that you think might work at any given moment.

Devil: (to Angel) That’s one of the perks of my trade. I get to change the rules however and whenever I want! I can latch on to anything I choose. Whereas you, dear angel, have to always operate under the rules of being right.

Angel: (to Devil) That’s yet another one of your subtle traps, for I am not as bound by rules as your sort seems to think we should be.

Devil: (to Angel) Of course, you and that whole “grace” thing. Grace just doesn’t fit the rules either. But it doesn’t matter to me. I can corrupt grace just as easily as I can corrupt anything else.

Angel: (to Devil) True, you can corrupt just about anything, but that doesn’t make it right. It also means that you ultimately lose no matter what.

Devil: (to Angel) Ultimate things don’t matter in my business. It’s short-term things that get us gains.
Take this disciple of Jesus here. (Points at disciple) He thinks he’s doing the right thing by following Jesus. But he doesn’t understand half of what Jesus says. He goes along with it just because the eleven other hopeless losers Jesus chose are also just going along with it.

Angel: (to Devil) Don’t call him or the other eleven hopeless losers!

Devil: (to Angel) Why not? It’s what they are, aren’t they? Didn’t Jesus choose a dozen hopeless cases to start his religious movement? Well, maybe not a dozen hopeless cases; just eleven. Judas is shaping up to be just the useful sort I like to see.

Angel: (to Devil) They’re all as God made them to be. Which means none of them are hopeless cases.

Devil: (to Angel) Have it your way then. But watch what I can easily do to this guy.
(to Disciple) You do see how Jesus’ teachings make no sense, right? Of course God blesses people who live by the rules. God gives them wealth and power as a reward for living the right way. Then everyone else should look to them as examples. If everyone lived the right way God would bless them with a prosperous and healthy life.

Angel: (to Disciple) Not so! While God wants you to work hard and live in a good way, God does not necessarily bless and protect those who do.

Devil: (to Disciple) Do you hear the nonsense this angel is telling you? What’s the point of being good then? And what’s the point of believing in God if God’s not going to come to your aid?

Angel: (to Disciple) I never said God wouldn’t come to your aid. All I said was that God doesn’t guarantee you an easy life. Keep listening to Jesus and he’ll teach you how God’s grace works.



Part 2: Matthew 19:24-26

Disciple: A camel going through the eye of a needle?!? That makes no sense. Then who can be saved?

Angel: (to Disciple) Do you see how God’s grace works? Do you understand that it’s impossible for you to save yourself? A camel can’t go through the eye of a needle. There’s no way to ever be good enough. No matter how good you try to be you’re going to end up tripping up. Life is not about living in the perfect way and earning salvation. Life is about trusting God and living out that trust.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that angel. He just speaks confusing nonsense. Of course life is about doing what God wants. Life is about doing things the right way. When you do things the right way then God owes you.

Angel: (to Devil) You can never make God owe you. God can get anything God wants faster and better than expecting people to do it. But God loves people even though they are far from perfect.

Devil: (to Angel) So what? Who cares what’s true? All I need to do is get this guy to believe he can be good enough. When I convince him of that then I’ve won.
(to Disciple) It looks like Peter has a question for Jesus. Let’s listen to what he has to say.


Part 3: Matthew 19:27-30

Devil: (to Angel) Aha! I’m right! It’s right out of the mouth of Jesus. There are things you can do to inherit eternal life. And God will reward those who do it.
(to Disciple) Alright, you have to admit that what Jesus just said is pretty tough. You’re going to have to give up your stuff. And I know you love your stuff and it’s important to you. But there is a path. Give up your stuff and God will reward you with eternal life. And even more than that. You’ll get to be the judge over the twelve tribes of Israel! Think about all the power you’ll have. God just wants you to live humbly now and God will reward you with eternal power later.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that devil. He’s just twisting Jesus words.

Devil: (to Angel) I am not! Didn’t Jesus just give a clear quid-pro-quo situation? Give up everything and at the renewal of all things these guys will be the judges of Israel. And… and I quote Jesus himself, “..and will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” That is a clear quid-pro-quo.

Angel: (to Devil) Well, aren’t you one for using fancy terms. I didn’t think you knew what “quid-pro-quo” meant.

Devil: (to Angel) Of course I know what it means! It means, “This for that.” I do this thing for you and you do that thing for me. It’s exchanging favors. It’s making a deal and following through on it. Jesus’ words are clear: be the kind of disciple who does what God wants and God will reward you for it.

Angel: (to Devil) Yes, you have quoted Jesus correctly. But you have twisted his words. Jesus does not mean that God will return a favor. Jesus is citing several Old Testament passages that show that God’s kingdom does not work by the rules of the world.
(to Disciple) A life of true discipleship is always looking to God. Quite often that is not the way of the world. The rules of what is fair and unfair are different. To the extent that you ever serve as a judge of anyone, you will be doing it from trust in God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that complicated nonsense the angel just told you. Listen to me and I’ll make everything clear. There’s no such thing as grace. God’s favor must be earned. Those who earn it get power. Those who don’t get rejected. It’s as simple as that.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to the tempting logic that devil just told you. It is about grace. Jesus is about to tell another parable. Pay attention to what he says.


Part 4: Matthew 20:1-16

Disciple: What does that mean? That makes no sense! Clearly those who work the longest should get paid the most. That’s only fair!

Devil: (to Disciple) Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying all along. Don’t listen to this nonsense about equal pay for unequal work.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to what this devil is telling you. He’s taking Jesus’ words and twisting them.

Devil: (to Angel) Alright, if I’m twisting them somehow then tell me what they mean.

Angel: (to Disciple) Keep in mind the rich man we met just a bit ago who thought he could earn his way to heaven. Don’t add details to this parable that aren’t there. Jesus did not say that some were enjoying a day of relaxation and then only at the last minute got hired and received a full day’s pay. Also, Jesus did not say that the landowner represented God. He did not say that and he did not mean that.
You know that a day’s pay for a farm labor job isn’t much. It’s barely be enough to maintain a family at a subsistence level. In the parable all the workers who are hired needed the work badly. Jesus didn’t say why some weren’t hired right away. The point is that the landowner wants to make sure that all his workers receive enough to survive.

Devil: (to Angel) No matter how you spin it, it’s still unfair!

Angel: (to Devil) Of course it’s unfair at an earthly level. That’s the whole point! Jesus wants his followers to understand that God’s grace is not bounded by earthly fairness. At the level of God’s grace it is about everyone having an opportunity to be a part of the eternal kingdom.

Devil: (to Disciple) I suppose you’re listening to the nonsense this angel is telling you. Look, you’re a disciple of Jesus. You’ve been with him from the beginning. You’ve worked hardest and done the most work. If God is just, then you should get an exalted status in heaven. You should be above those who come to Jesus later. Plus, you’re Jewish. That should give you an inside track. You’re one of God’s chosen people. You should be above the non-Jews who believe in Jesus. If this ridiculous Jesus movement ever actually gets off the ground and becomes a religion, then Jesus should be rewarding loyalty; loyalty like you show.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t forget how you became a disciple. Did you go to Jesus and say that you were a faithful Jew and you wanted to follow him because you thought you were worthy? No. Jesus chose you. Not that many minutes ago this devil said that Jesus chose a bunch of hopeless cases. This devil thinks you’re a hopeless case! But Jesus says you are not a hopeless case. By God’s grace Jesus chose you; despite you not having anything special in worldly terms.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that angel. I misspoke earlier. I didn’t really mean that you were a hopeless case. I just meant that Jesus was saying things that didn’t make sense and you shouldn’t be expected to understand them.

Angel: (to Devil) You’re endlessly splitting hairs and twisting details to serve your interests!

Devil: (to Angel) That’s what I do best!


Part 5: Matthew 20:17-19

Disciple: This is the third time Jesus has predicted that he will be handed over to the authorities and be condemned and killed, then be raised. I don’t understand what he means. But I don’t think I can ask again. The first time he said it Peter him aside and rebuked him for saying such nonsense. But Jesus then rebuked Peter in return.
Then a while later we gathered with Jesus in Galilee. Jesus said the same thing about being condemned and dying a second time. None of us knows what he means. It is distressing nonetheless. What does he really mean by it? I guess it’s just another parable. We’ll find out eventually.

Devil: (to Disciple) Good, good. Just ignore what Jesus says. Or when it’s too hard to understand just go along as if you do understand. Jesus will never know. And the other disciples won’t know either. Then when Jesus triumphs and it does make sense you can pretend that you understood all along.

Angel: (to Disciple) This devil is telling you nonsense. Jesus knows what he’s talking about. It is no parable. It will happen. Believe Jesus. If you don’t understand what he says then ask him. I promise you that you aren’t the only one who doesn’t understand. All would benefit if you have the courage to ask Jesus and believe him.

Devil: (to Disciple) Nah, that’s too hard. Just go along. If it’s important you’ll get it.
My devil friends on the shoulders of the other disciples tell me they’re convincing everyone to just ignore Jesus when Jesus says stuff like this. In fact, look, here comes James and John with their mother. I bet they’re going to ignore what Jesus said and ask for something important.


Part 6: Matthew 12:20-24

Disciple: James and John are such greedy schemers! They have their mother coming and asking Jesus for things on their behalf. That way they don’t look too greedy. They know Jesus doesn’t like greed. It just looks like they have a loving mother who is looking out for their best interests.

Devil: (to Disciple) Good! Good! Keep it up! Keep up that criticism of your fellow disciples. Don’t trust them. You know full well they have their own interests at heart. You should too! Keep competing to be Jesus’ favorite. He’ll reward you for it.
Plus, notice how they just ignored Jesus’ teaching about him being condemned. That’s what you should do. Like I told you before, just ignore whatever Jesus says that doesn’t make sense.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that devil. He’s trying to cause divisions between you and the other disciples. The more he can make you turn on each other the more he wins. Do you really want to spend eternal life competing with others for God’s favor? No. It’s all by God’s grace. Everyone will be there, not because they deserve it, but because God loves them.

Devil: (to Disciple) Just ignore what the angel said. I think you should call out James and John for their greedy schemes.


Part 7: Matthew 20:24-28

Disciple: I’m so confused. This is more about being a servant in order to be great. Is this like when Jesus talked about giving up all our possessions? Is that how I become great?

Devil: (to Disciple) Right on! Keep thinking that way. It’s all about reverse psychology. What God really wants is humility. Just be strategic in humility so that you can be great in God’s kingdom!

Angel: (to Devil) You never give up on an idea! You just keep twisting things and changing topics to make everything be about strategizing your way to greatness. That is not what Jesus is saying at all.
(to Disciple) Remember what I said earlier. Jesus chose you. You didn’t choose him. It’s already by God’s grace that you are following Jesus. Jesus doesn’t want you to waste your time or your energy posturing to be the best – whether that’s straightforward trying to get ahead or some back door method. Jesus loves you. Jesus chooses you. Just enjoy that and share the news that Jesus loves them and chooses them too. Let the rest of the details up to God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Silly, silly, silly, I say. That angel is teaching you nonsense. I tell you, the only way for you to live a full life it to take what you have and use it for yourself. Being a servant means that you’re just going to get walked over.

Angel: (to Disciple) It’s not silly at all. Jesus didn’t say that you should let yourself be walked over. He means that just as he loves you, you should love others. That means being willing to do things that aren’t glamorous. If you try to live for just yourself you’re going to end up exhausted and empty. If you take up the tasks Jesus has for you, you will be fulfilled.


Part 8: Matthew 20:29-34

Disciple: That was a cool miracle Jesus just did! It’s amazing to see him doing things like that!

Devil: (to Disciple) Cool?!? Humph. Maybe it was kind of cool, but think about it critically. It was a complete waste of a miracle. You are in Jericho. Who cares about Jericho? And Jesus heals two blind nobodies along the side of the road. (sarcastically) Big deal. Why waste power on worthless nobodies from nowhere who can’t help your cause at all?

Angel: (to Disciple) That’s another example of God’s grace. Learn from it. Just because it happened in a place unimportant to humans doesn’t mean it’s unimportant to God. And just because it happened to people who don’t seem important doesn’t mean they aren’t important to God.
Look, now they’ve become followers of Jesus too! That’s exactly grace in action.

Devil: (to Angel) Big deal. Now there are two more inept nobodies following Jesus; along with his bunch of other misfits from nowhere. I tell you, if you want to get something done in this world you have to strategize. You have to decide who’s worth it and who’s not. If they don’t have the skills then let them behind. If they’re able to help you, then recruit them.

Angel: (to Devil) That’s your perspective always. Always judge people based on how much you can get out of them.
(to Disciple) Remember, it’s all about God’s grace. God does not need anything from humans. God can get anything God wants. It is God’s own choice to love you, even though -in earthly terms- you have no value before God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Blah, blah, blah. More nonsense about grace and love. Grace and love is all that he talks about. Grace and love won’t get you anywhere. You’ll just die friendless and broke.

Angel: (to Disciple) You will die after a meaningful life. Trust God.

Devil: (to Disciple) I tell you, this angel is teaching you nonsense.
Look, it’s all coming to a head soon. You’ve been following Jesus for a couple of years now. For a long time he’s said you’re heading to Jerusalem. You’re almost there. That’s the place of Jewish power. It’s also the Passover holidays. The Romans will be pouring in with their troops to keep the peace. Pontus Pilate will probably even be there. There’s some power for you! But watch what Jesus does to them. You can bet he’s going to show them who’s boss. He’ll be knocking heads together and setting up his glorious kingdom. You’ll be honored too. Then you’ll see that I’ve been right about Jesus all along.

Angel: (to Devil) You endlessly lie and twist everything. Your stories don’t add up. You say one thing one time and another thing another time.

Devil: (to Angel) Like I said earlier, it’s a perk of my business. I can keep changing the truth to suit whatever I want. The key thing is to make this guy think it’s all consistent and logical. The only message I have to convince him of is that he’s the most important and he should look out for himself. These humans are always twisting logic for their own benefit.

Angel: (to Disciple) What this devil told you is true… partly. You are almost to Jerusalem. It is the center of religious power. And the Romans will send Pontus Pilate in with a whole legion of soldiers to keep the peace. But keep an eye on Jesus. Follow him. Believe him. Trust him. There are things that probably won’t make any sense. That’s the way God’s grace often works. But remember, even if you do fail, God still loves you. And you will have been a first-hand witness of just how much God’s grace can do!

Disciple: We have almost reached Jerusalem. I think it’ll be a big success for us. Jesus will surely make everything clear.
I know I’m a committed disciple of Jesus. …at least I think I am.
I’ll follow him no matter what happens. …at least I think I will.