Operation Eternal Mercy

Meet Rapha and Tromos, two angels on a mission that Heaven itself can barely fathom

I started a new series of scripts called Even Angels that will be available on Skit Guys across North America soon. But I wanted to give my readers of Things I Wrote Down a look at it first.

The idea for the series came from the verse in 1 Peter about the curiosity of angels around the big reveals in history and the surprising plans of God. It’s a fresh way to unpack stories we think we know so well.

The first instalment in the series is called Operation Eternal Mercy.

Looking for Easter content for your congregation? Check out my other popular scripts like Easter is Wow, The Body and the Blood, At His Right Hand and It’s Empty, He’s Alive over at Skit Guys.

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In the story, Rapha and Tromos, two angels, receive their assignment to help Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. They’re shocked to learn their mission is to ensure Jesus is arrested and turned over to the enemy with very clear instructions: Heaven’s host must not draw swords.

It sounds like treason, but it’s the plan from the very top.

Take a read! I’d love to know what you think.

Operation Eternal Mercy

Rapha is warming up his body. When Tromos enters the stage, Rapha continues with the warmups. 

Rapha: There you are. I can't believe we got assigned this mission!

Tromos: I can't believe it either. 

Rapha: I was thinking we should run a few mock battles with the ranks. Close combat.

Rapha stops warming up and looks with concern at Tromos.

Rapha: Wait, what happened? It looks like you've seen a human. 

Tromos: You didn't hear the details of the mission yet?

Rapha: Jerusalem. Tomorrow. God's bringing redemption.

Rapha returns to the warmup exercises.

Tromos: So you haven't heard.

Rapha: Yes! Tomorrow's the showdown. We move when the Son has supper in that upper room we scoped out last week. That’s our cue.

Tromos: We've been ordered not to draw our swords. 

Rapha: What?

Tromos: No carnage. 

Rapha stops and turns with surprise. Then smiles, believing it’s a joke he wags a finger at Tromos.

Rapha: Ha! You’re yanking my wings. You almost got me.

Tromos: This isn't a prank. Not a single enemy–fallen angel or human–is to be touched.

Rapha: But tomorrow all the people are gathered! From all over the world. They’re ready to anoint him King. I still don't know why He didn't go to the palace and take the throne when they were all waving those palm branches last week. It would have been so poetic! David’s throne, the upcoming Passover, there in the heart of Jerusalem.

Tromos: Not Jerusalem. Gethsemane. 

Rapha: The garden? 

An aerial map image of Jerusalem appears that highlights the Garden of Gethsemane.

Tromos: The orders are to make sure the devil himself can walk right in there and arrest Jesus, untouched.

Rapha: This is a bad joke! 

Tromos: Nope. It's the plan. Came from the top. 

Rapha: This makes no sense. 

Rapha sits down. Puts his hands on his temples as if pained.

Tromos: He always surprises us! Remember Operation Bethlehem?

Rapha: We sure didn’t see that one coming. I don’t know who was more shocked–the Messiah’s personal protection or those barn animals. [He shakes out of the memory.] But what about the prophets?

Tromos: What about them?

Rapha: For hundreds of years they’ve been talking about a king! And my sword is hungry for demon blood. I'm sick of seeing humanity lost in sin. It's so depressing.

Tromos: This will solve that for good! That's why the devil walks right in. One of his own disciples will bring him there. 

Rapha: Judas?

Tromos: Yep.

Rapha: That traitor!

Tromos: But there's one contingency. If he calls for help… if Jesus gives the word and asks us to intervene, you can unleash Heaven's fury. Without restraint. There will be 12 legions ready to move. [Beat.] But it's not going to happen.

Rapha: Why you gotta be such a buzz kill?

Tromos: Because I know Him. I've watched Him close ever since He walked into the desert.

Rapha: Riiiiight. Operation 40 Days. You were there.

Tromos: For all three, remember?

Rapha: How could I forget. I’m standing in the presence of a future archangel. You were there when –

Tromos: Moses didn't eat for 40 days on the mountain and when –

Rapha: [Nodding head sarcastically] Yeah, yeah, when Elijah took his trek through the wilderness –

Tromos: But with Jesus it was different. Jesus could have asked us for help at any moment but He saw it through. By the book. Totally on mission. A workshop in obedience and endurance. 

Rapha: How can you be so sure He won’t ask us to slay some devils tomorrow?

Tromos: Because there’s this. You should probably sit down again. 

He hands him a clip board.