PETER ON THE FIRST ASCENSION DAY
Richard B Gillion
1999

NARRATOR	You won’t find this story in the bible, because it probably never happened.  Jesus has ascended to heaven.  The disciples are making their way down the Mount of Olives back to Jerusalem, but Peter is left behind.

PETER	Well you’ve left us for sure this time, Jesus.  I don’t even know whether you can hear me or whether I’m talking to thin air.

NARRATOR	“I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything.”

PETER	Yes, I remember what you said.  I guess you must be able to hear me then.
		[pause]
		It seems such a pity that your ministry was so short.  There are still a lot of people who need to be shown that your kingdom is near.

NARRATOR	“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

PETER	But how will we remember all that you have said?  You know how many times you had to tell us some of it.

NARRATOR	“The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

PETER	It’s still a tall order, doing the same works and greater.  How will we have the power to do all that?

NARRATOR	“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

PETER	Good, what a relief.  I suppose I’d better go and get a committee together to think up some ideas and get going.  There’s no time to lose if we are to go to the ends of the earth.  I don’t even know where the ends of the earth are.

NARRATOR	“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

PETER	All the same, it will feel very different doing it without you, Lord.

NARRATOR	“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

PETER	Great!  This calls for rejoicing.  If I set off now I can overtake the others and be the first to the temple.  That way I’ll get to choose the first psalm.  Goodbye Jesus.  Sorry — I mean “Amen.”
		[pause]
		I wonder whether the Holy Spirit really will remind us of everything Jesus said?