Philip and the Ethiopian

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." (Pause 3 sec.) (Chariot wheels)

"Hello, stranger! Where are you going so early?"

"Good morning! Good morning! Come up and ride with me. It's hot, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's hot. What's your book?"

"Why it's a book a friend gave me in the city. It's very old and hard to get, he said."

"What's it about?"

Now, that I can't really tell you. I've only started to read it, and it's not too 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 of himself or somebody else? Unless some one explains it, I'm afraid this book won't mean much to me."

"Let me see it a minute. Why! This is written by the great prophet of Israel, Isaiah, nearly four hundred years ago. I say, you've just been to the city. You have no doubt heard of the strange doings there recently."

"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."

"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."

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

"That was just it. He didn't explain. He wouldn't 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 this person your book speaks about here in this bit we have just read, is no other than the man who has just been put to death in the city. We remember hearing Him say one time, "I am come not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life to set many free." Look what your book says here. "He was cut off, killed, for the sin of people to whom a stroke was due." He took punishment instead of others. Now we know why He didn't say a word in self-defense. He meant to die instead of the sinner, just like the little lamb had to do before, all these years. That is why John introduced Him as "the Lamb of God." Our people got peace through the sacrifice of the little lamb before. Now we may have it by trusting in the "Lamb of God" - this Jesus."

"I have been seeking forgiveness and peace for many years. Haven't I just been up to the city offering sacrifices and hoping for peace! My friend gave me this book, no doubt hoping I would see it is not through offering sacrifices, but by believing in this One Who died for me, that I should get peace. If you hadn't explained, I might still not understand. How grateful I am to you...ALL my sins have been forgiven...Through Jesus, the Lamb of God!"

Add appropriate Scripture verses if time.