Romans – The Play Part 1

Aquila opened the door. There, standing in the street, was one of the strangest beings he’d ever seen. “Aquila?” “Yes?” “I’ll make this as brief as possible. Almighty God has decreed that all men of all the ages are to be gathered together in a vast arena, there to stand trial before God.”

“Judge: The purpose of this trial of humanity is to determine each person standing before God. All the Jews of all time will be there. All Gentiles who have ever lived will be there. Everyone will be tried. Individually.”

The strange-looking man then motioned to Aquila to follow him. Aquila stepped out into the street, walked only a short distance, and was suddenly greeted by a vast coliseum large enough to hold the population of the world. A restrained, almost aloof figure mounted the judge’s bench. Glancing past the crowd, he grasped a gavel and sat down.

“Order,” came the stern voice. “The Gentiles have selected a group of five men to represent them. These five, in turn, have selected their spokesman. This man is to defend the Gentiles.”

“Judge: You understand that but one of you will speak for the defense. The other four are to serve as his counsel. The Jews, likewise, have selected five representatives from among them. They, in turn, had selected one spokesman. Warriors for the defense, please rise and identify yourself.” “I am Raspusen. I will defend the Jews.” “I am Diogenes. I will defend the Gentiles.” There was a pause. The judge now fixed his eyes firmly upon another man sitting at a table alone.” Would the prosecuting attorney identify himself, please?”

“I am Paul of Tarsus.”

“It will be your responsibility, Paul, to present before all those people gathered here evidence which you see establishes either the guilt and condemnation of each person as they stand before God, or evidence that establishes proof they are found in right standing within the eyes of God. Do you understand the enormity of your task, Paul? The entire human race is on trial here today. It is your responsibility to present evidence to this court. Your evidence will very well decide whether men or women here will be found guilty and condemned, or accepted as right in the eyes of God. This court wishes to be understood, and wishes each one of you to know you may or may not be found guilty, but it will be individual.”

“And do you, Raspusen and Diogenes, understand you are to defend your people, the Jews and the Gentiles respectively, seeking to establish a standard by which each of you is to be judged?” The judge reached for his gavel again. “In order for the Most High God, our Lord, that He has declared that this day be set aside for all mankind to be placed on trial, you have been chosen to be those of the defense. Today, it will be determined in this great arena who is right in the eyes of God. “There was a long silence. “Shall we proceed?” queried the judge, glancing first at Raspusen, then Diogenes, and lastly at Paul.

“Yes,” replied three voices as one. “Let us proceed.”

Paul had no comprehension of the number of people he now faced, but he could clearly see an ocean of heathen Gentiles to his left. To his right was a far smaller number of the people of his own race—the Hebrews. The arena itself was a vast, ruthless courtroom, and in front of Paul was the judge’s bench. To his left sat Diogenes and his four cohorts. Just to his right, at another table, sat Raspusen and his four counselors. Paul stood, respectfully, nodding to Diogenes, who was dressed in a white robe—the garb of a Greek philosopher. Around his neck hung a large gold medallion.

Raspusen—now there was a different matter. An arrogant man, as arrogant as one might imagine. Tall, bony, sober-faced, and seemingly contemptuous of the entire human race, Raspusen sat solemn and erect at his table, robed in the garb of a Pharisee. “Raspusen Ben Phineas,” Paul muttered to himself. “The Raspusen Ben Phineas.”