Cowboy Meets Wild East Skit  

SCENE 1 

[Cowboy] Dejected and fiddling with his rope. “Why did I have to lose my temper and get fired again?  Am I ever going to learn?  This cowboy life is SO HARD!” 

[Enter Angel]  “I’ve seen your struggles over the last few years, and I have been sent to show you a new path.  Would you like to travel through time with me to the Old Wild East?  You will meet some very famous people, and I know it can change your life.” 

[Cowboy] “The Old Wild East?  Never heard of it.  This sounds crazy!  Are you serious?” 

[Angel] “Yes, I am serious.  It’s actually quite simple, and in fact, quite safe.  I’ve never had a casualty!” 

All you need to do is put on this hat, and you will find yourself in a new destination.  Once you arrive, take the hat off and stay as long as you would like. When you are ready for the next destination, just put the hat back on again.  Oh, and if at any point you want to quit the adventure all together, just throw the hat down and stomp on it.  Then, you will automatically return right here.  I’m confident that you will not need to do that, though.  There are 6 stops.  Once you have reached the last destination, we will be right back here as well.”   

[Cowboy] “Hmm… That actually sounds quite fascinating.  I’ve always dreamed of getting on my horse and traveling around the world.  You say at anytime if I am upset, I can just stomp on this hat and I’ll poof right back here?” 

[Angel] “Absolutely!”  Hands the Cowboy the hat.   

[Cowboy] Takes the hat.  “Alright, what have I got to lose?”  Puts on the hat. 

SCENE 2 

2 people walk by holding a large blanket with a sign that reads SCENE 2. Adam and Eve sit by a tree petting a cat (if you can grab one).  Eve is holding an apple.  

[Cowboy] “Wow!  This place is like a garden paradise!” Exclaims to self as he takes off hat.   

[Angel]  Sneaking up behind Cowboy…“Yep, you are right.  I was a perfect garden!” 

[Cowboy] “Hey, what are YOU doing here?  I thought I was on my own – as usual…” 

[Angel] laughing to himself… ”That is usually the case, but I thought I would stick around in case something upset you – you know with your temper and all.  Well, that and the fact that I love revisiting these good old stories of the Wild East.” 

[Cowboy]   “Um… Ok.  Well then, I can see why you like this place.  It’s amazing!  It’s so peaceful and it doesn’t look like those 2 would ever have any problems.  I wish I could stay here forever!  Just look at all this delicious fruit just waiting to be picked…YUM!” 

[Angel] “Yeah, that’s exactly it.  This garden God made for them had no fighting, no sickness, no disease, and no death.  Best of all, they could walk and talk with God like they do with each other.  Everything was perfect until.   Well,… just watch.” 

[Adam] “Why are you holding that fruit, Eve?  Isn’t that the one kind of fruit that God told us not to eat or we would be cursed and die?” 

[Eve] “Yes, but the snake made me question whether God really does love us.  I mean, look at the fruit.  It is the most beautiful kind.  I think God knows that when we eat it our eyes will be opened and we will be like Him, knowing good from evil.  I tried it and it IS really good.  Try a bite!” 

Adam takes a bite and they both cower in fear and freeze. 

[Cowboy] “I wanted to stay here forever, but now I am not feeling so good about this place.  I feel like something really bad is about to happen.”  -wrings hat while saying this 

[Angel]  “Unfortunately, God had to send Adam and Eve out of the garden to face the curse of sin and death they had started by disobeying Him.”   

[Cowboy] “Oh this is all too terrible. I’m putting my hat on, so we can get to the next destination.  Hopefully, it’s better than this cold place.” 

SCENE 3 

Rebecca and Jocob are making stew by a tent.   

[Cowboy] Takes his hat off.  “Oh that smells so good!  I haven’t had a good home-cooked meal since the last time I visited my mother in Nebraska.”   

[Angel] “This was Jacob’s mom’s famous stew.  They are making it together, so they can trick Jacob’s dad into giving his blessing to Jacob instead of his older brother -by a few minutes- Esau, who rightly deserves the blessing.   

[Cowboy] “OK, but what’s so special about a blessing?” 

[Angel] “This wasn’t just some random hopeful blessing prayer.  God had chosen a man -Jacob’s grandpa Abraham- to be the one through whom he would bless the whole world by showing what He is like – righteous, just, and holy- through his family line.  He told Abraham that one day all the nations of the world would be blessed through his family and that his children would become as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Jacob’s mom, Rebecca, wanted Jacob to be a part of this blessing.  Just watch.  You will see.” 

[Jacob] “Mother, do you think I put enough goat’s hair on my arms, and do I smell enough like I’ve been in the woods to trick dad into thinking that I am Esau?” 

[Rebecca] laughs  “Yes, Jacob, I could smell you before you entered the tent!  Let’s see.” Touches Jacob’s arms.  “That goat hair should do the trick.  Your father can’t see very well at all anymore.  Now, go and bring him this stew so that he will bless you before your brother returns from his hunting and gets the blessing first!” 

Jacob brings the stew into the tent to his father.  Then, Esau comes back and starts preparing his food.   

[Cowboy] “This is so hard to watch!  I don’t want to be here when Jacob’s brother finds out that he stole the blessing…”  fiddles with hat and then puts it on dramatically. 

SCENE 4 

Thunder and God and Moses on mountain. 

 [Cowboy] Yells as he takes off hat.  “Oh, man, I was hoping this next destination would be less stressful!  This lightening storm is freaking me out!  And, didn’t you know that I am afraid of heights? I’m used to riding a horse on the open prairie, not standing on the top of a mountain!!!” 

[Angel] “Don’t be afraid.  Just listen to what happens with Moses as he talks to God on the top of the mountain.  A lot has happened since God made his promise to Abraham.  God chose to bless the world through Jacob, who was renamed Israel, and became the nation of Israel.  There are over a million Israelites now.  Moses is their leader.  Look!” 

[God] “Now that you know how to make the tent where I will make my dwelling among you, I will give you 10 Commandments that you are to teach the people to obey.  See, I have written them on these stone tablets.  The first 4 are about loving God the most- you shall have no other gods than Me.  The last 6 are about loving others My way” 

[Moses] takes the stone tablets.  “I want to stay with you up here because there is no one like you, but I am your chosen leader, and I will do as you say.  I will bring these commandments to your people, even though they are often complaining and ungrateful.”  Carries them down to the people who are worshipping an idol.   

[Cowboy] “Oh, No! Moses is going to be so mad!  The Israelites are already disobeying the commandments! This is terrible! They are bowing down to an idol they made with their own hands.  Don’t they know the God who actually made them?  I can’t take this any longer!  These people are in such bad trouble!”  Slams hat back on his head. 

SCENE 5 

Samuel begins walking toward a group of brothers and their dad. 

[Angel] “It’s ok.  You can look now.” 

Cowboy takes off his hat.   

“This is a much calmer destination.  Watch!  Samuel, another leader of God’s people is on his way to anoint a new king of Israel.” 

[Samuel] Frustrated and worried “I never wanted these people to have a king.  They just begged and begged to be like the other nations around them.  I warned them that a king would be bad for them.  God was their king, but no.  They wanted a king they could see. And now, because he didn’t obey God, God is asking me to anoint a new king while the first one is still on the throne!  If anyone finds out I am here to do this, I will lose my head for sure!” 

Brothers gather in a line and Samuel shakes his head “no” to all of them and finally picks the smallest to anoint his head with oil. 

[Angel] “I can see that this upsets you just as much as it did Samuel.  It’s ok, though.  Samuel anoints the youngest son, David, to be the next king because God was keeping his promise to Abraham that all the nations would be blessed through his family line- even though the people are still not loving God as He deserves.  David’s son will end up building a real temple for God to dwell in, instead of the tent.  So that part was good.   

[Cowboy] “Ok, Ok, I just want to get to the really good part.  These people are making me so mad.  Needing a king when they had God living among them.  Ugh!”  Angrily puts hat on head.   

SCENE 6 

Nehemiah serving a King in a palace 

[Cowboy] takes off hat as he exclaims “Ahh a palace!  I’m already liking this place.  That king looks very rich!” 

[Angel] “He is quite wealthy, but that’s not who we are here to see because he is the king of another nation.  It’s Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, servant, who we want to focus on here.” 

[Cowboy] “Wait- a servant under another king- not Israel?” 

[Angel] “Yes, unfortunately, the Israelites disobeyed God so many times that finally God sent them on a 70-year time out.  They were taken as prisoners to another kingdom. They were warned many, many times, but they were just too stubborn to listen.” 

[Cowboy]  “How are they supposed to be a blessing to the nations and showing everyone how great God is when they are acting like this?” 

[Nehemiah] says sadly as he gives a drink to the king. “Here you are, my King.”  

[King] “Why do you look so sad?  Tell me honestly.” 

[Nehemiah] “My people’s temple has been burned to the ground and its city’s walls have crumbled to dust.  The people are finally returning to the land that God promised to them, but they are not safe and have still not learned to obey His Commandments- to love God and love others.  I fear for their safety and what God will do if they don’t turn back to following Him again.” 

[King] “I see.  You have been a faithful servant to me – much like this God of yours.  I will allow you to go and help them rebuild the ruins and learn to follow your God again, but you must be careful, for there are many who will seek to thwart your plans along the way.”  

[Nehemiah] Much relieved. “Thank you, my King!  I will go quickly and I will trust my God to protect me and make this trip successful.”  

[Cowboy] “Wow!  That guy is brave, but I don’t think I want to stick around to see his dangerous mission.  Yikes!” Puts on hat quickly.  

SCENE 7  

Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus is praying with sleeping disciples near him.  

[Cowboy] Whispers as he takes off hat. “Well, are you going to tell me if he was successful on his mission?” 

[Angel] “Only partially. The city and temple where God dwelt were rebuilt, but the people kept disobeying and loving other things than the One true God.”   

[Cowboy] “I guess that explains why we are here in this dark earie garden.  It’s like the exact opposite of the 1st garden we saw. The air here is thick with fear and the man over there looks like he is desperately crying out for help and even dripping blood like sweat from his face!” 

[Angel] “That’s Jesus, God’s Only Son, whom He sent into the world to bring the blessing and save His people.  He is the only one who obeyed God’s Commandments perfectly and never sinned.”  

[Jesus] Cries out.  “Father, if it is possible, remove this cup from me, but not my will, but yours be done.”  

Soldiers come in and arrest Jesus and take him away. 

[Cowboy] Yells. “Wait! Stop!  You are arresting the wrong person!  He is innocent.” 

[Angel] Pulls Cowboy back. “They can’t hear you.” 
  

[Cowboy] “But they need him for the blessing. What are they going to do with him?” 

[Angel] “The religious leaders of God’s people are going to have him killed on a cross.  To be crucified like this was considered a curse.  Jesus is like the 1st Adam in the 1st garden, but he is going to take the curse that Adam and Eve and all the people ever since then couldn’t take.  He is going to take it for us, too.” 

[Cowboy] “But how?  How does his dying help everyone?” 

[Angel] “This is the best part of the story!” 

[Cowboy] very confused “Huh?” 

[Angel] “Jesus doesn’t stay dead.  He came to break the curse of sin and death.  He rose from the dead 3 days later and made a way for us to be right with God again – just like it was in the 1st garden.  When he rose from the dead, all those who put their trust in Jesus can now have a right relationship with God again.  We don’t need the tent or the temple for God to be close to us anymore.  He came to give us new hearts that want to love and obey His commands and let him be our King.” 

Cowboy takes hat and puts it on slowly.   

[Cowboy] “Whew!  We are back at the ranch!  Ponders for a moment.  “I think I am putting all the stories together now.  What I really need in my life is for Jesus to be my King because I just keep messing up on my own like the Israelites did.  Is that why you are here?”   

[Angel] “Yes, I am here to tell you, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.’” 

Both pray.