Some years ago a godly old lay preacher placed his hand on the head of his kneeling grandson, and prayed that the boy would not stray into the path of wickedness. The boy, then sixteen, had just announced that he planned to be an actor.
Eventually his ambition was realized; he became a British actor of wide acclaim, performing regularly in London theaters where comedies and murder mysteries usually headed the programs.
But strange as it may seem, the popular actor, ambitious to put on a one-man show, one evening recited to a packed house the entire gospel of Mark. The "performance" was rated a tremendous success and afterward, "St. Mark" became "one of the hottest tickets" in London West End theaters. Ever alert for a London hit, American producers arranged for the actor to appear in the United States.
It has been well stated that "any religious program in which unsaved people can take pleasure without having their conscience stirred, is not of the Spirit of God."
This would include great commercial, film productions, passion plays and the like—and alas, many church sermons too. True, God is sovereign and can use His living Word to bless souls in any setting. Nevertheless it is deplorable when commercial theater interests dare to resort to Holy Writ for purely "box office" reasons.
A gifted performer may act out and charm his pleasure-seeking audience with a Scripture reading, yet himself be quite unacquainted with the Author.
In this context, the following anecdote, although not new, is worth repeating: Among the guests at a large private social gathering sat a well known actor, and an elderly retired minister.
During the course of the evening, the hostess asked the actor if he would read the twenty-third Psalm for the entertainment of the company. He consented on the condition that the minister would also read the same Psalm. To this the old pastor agreed.
So the actor took the Bible and read, employing all the arts and charms of speech and expression which his training in elocution had taught him. The company was charmed and applauded warmly.
Then the pastor, bent with age, slowly and humbly took the floor. His reading was not flawless like that of the actor; but oh the feeling he put into the words; What reverence, confidence and praise were in his voice!
When the old saint sat down there was no applause; but the whole audience was subdued; and many an eye was filled with tears.
Afterward one of the guests asked the actor how it was that although the company was charmed by his professional rendition of the psalm, they were moved to tears by the reading of the old pastor?
"The answer is simple," replied the actor: "I know the twenty-third Psalm—that old man knows the Shepherd."