Philip and the Ethiopian (children)

Introduction (Chariot and horses 5 sec. Then fade behind announcement)

Boys and girls, a story of long ago,- and from the greatest book of truth in all the world - from the Bible. (Pause 5 sec.) And there goes the chariot down the desert road to Gaza - in it the Ethiopian Courtier reads a very ancient book - a book that never can grow old. Now Philip, sent by God, comes near and speaks. (Pause - 5 sec.)

P/ Hello, stranger. Where are you going so early?

E/ Good morning. Good morning. Come up and ride with me. It is hot, isn't it?

P/ Yes, the sun is very hot. What is your book?

E/ Why it is a book a friend gave me in the city. It is very old and hard to get, he said.

P/ What is it about?

E/ Now, that I can't really tell you. I have ony started to read it, and it is not easy to understand. Listen to this: "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not His mouth. "Now is this man speaking for himself or sombody else?

P/ Let me see it a minute. Why, this is written by the great prophet Isaiah. You say you have just been to the city. You have no doubt heard of the strange doings there recently.

E/ There is much talk of one. Some say he is a good man. Others say he is an imposter who has just been put to death by his enemies.

P/ He was a good man. Many people will tell you of his good deeds. He healed the sick, helped the poor, drove out devils, even the dead he brought to life.

E/ When the soldiers seized him, could he not prove he was a good man? Would no one speak out and explain for him?

P/ That was just it. He did not explain. He would not open his mouth. He just took it all quietly and patiently. You know since we have had time to think it over we are beginning to understand some of these strange things. We have decided that this is the person your book speaks about here. Look what your book says. "He was cut off, killed, for the sin of the people to whom the stroke was due." He took punishment instead of others. Now we know why he did not say a word in self-defense. He intended to die instead of sinners.

In all the years before this our people have sacrificed lambs for their sins. These sacrifices were only pictures of this real sacrifice for sins. Now we may have forgiveness by trusting the true Lamb of God - This Jesus.

E/ I have been seeking forgiveness and peace for many years. Now I begin to understand. What great news this is. This Jesus has borne upon Himself the iniquities of us all. Truly He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.

P/ Yes, truly. "He made His soul an offering for sin." And now that works to put away sin. And He lives again you know - He lives. I myself have seen Him risen from the grave. What does this mean but that the mighty power that raised up Jesus from the dead can HOLD US, KEEP US, STRENGTHEN US, and finally take us to be where He is now making a home for us in heaven.

E/ Happy day. This day for me... I have heard the greatest news I could ever learn. And I am making the greatest choice of all my life. I am choosing this One named Jesus. From this day on, I am His and He is mine. (Pause 5 sec.)

Narrator: Yes, that great day for the Ethiopian nobleman was a long time ago. But today, now the same discovery he made; The same choice can also be yours. Will this day be your happy day? Your great choice of Jesus from this day on?