Forgiveness Countdown

Forgiving versus forgiving and forgetting.

Learning to pattern our forgiving after that which Jesus shows us. Comedy skit tells of the mathematics of forgiving, apparently out of the Bible, (this according to one of the character), remember the 70 times 7?

Cast:  3 (any age, m or f)

• Anne
• Jim
• Mary

Bible Reference: 

Set: bare

Lighting: standard

Sound:  wireless mics if available

Song: none

SFX: none

Costumes: standard

Props:  Bible, laptop computer (or reasonable facsimile) and long extension cord

Special Instructions:   none

Time:  30

Sample of script:

Anne comes on stage with laptop in hand, mumbling to herself, typing into laptop

Anne: OK, that’s 3 times. Oh, yes, and she told me my dress was very purple, that makes 4. Oh, I just about forgot that time when her Dad drove by and splashed me as I rode my bike through the water, that would be 5. Let’s see, oh, how could I forget when her dog chewed my favorite ball when I accidentally left it on her lawn that night. Think! Think Anne! There was lots more.

Jim comes on stage, watches as Anne talks to herself.

Anne: And I’m sure not going to forget when she dropped her chocolate ice cream cone on my brand new dress, (types), let’s see that’s 6.

Jim: What are you doing, talking to yourself, Anne?

Anne: Oh, hi Jim. I’m forgiving my friend Lisa for the rotten things she has done to me.

Jim: Forgiving her? Sounds more like you are remembering all the rotten things she has done.

Anne: How can you say that? I am obeying God.

Jim: God told you to remember all the things Lisa has done to you?

Anne: No, God tells us to forgive those who do rotten things to us, that’s what I’m doing.

Jim: But you are counting all of them, I don’t understand how that helps you forgive.

Anne: It’s in the Bible, you can read it for yourself.

Jim: God tells us in the Bible to count out all the things people do to hurt us?

Anne: Yes, well, not in so many words, but . . . .

Jim: Well, how about in “so many words”? Exactly what Bible passage are you thinking about?

Anne: Its in Matthew, Chapter 18, I’ll even read it for you: (reads from Bible) ”Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (closes Bible, smirks at Jim) See, its right there in the Bible.

Jim: So you are going to count up seven times Lisa has done something wrong?

Anne: Not too likely! I am going with what Jesus told me in His Word. I’m going to forgive Lisa 490 times.

Jim: I know I shouldn’t ask this but you came up with the number 490 by . . .

Anne: . . by multiplying seventy times seven, of course!

Jim: Uhhh ya! 490 times huh?

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Anne: You got it. And when Lisa messes up the 491st time, watch out, kaboom!