Scripture

John 11:32-44

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, this story from the Gospel reading today is a spooky one.

 

Pastor: Is it?

 

Sammy: Yes! A mummy came out from a tomb!

 

Pastor: Sammy, that’s not what happened!

 

Sammy: Yes it is! I was listening. This guy named Lazarus died and Jesus told some men to roll the stone away from the cave. And then a mummy came out!

 

Pastor: Sammy, we are going to talk about what really happened. I think you still have Halloween on your mind. That’s different from the Gospel reading.

 

Sammy: I did eat a lot of candy. Boys and girls, did you get a lot of treats for Halloween?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Back to our Gospel for today. Jesus was really good friends with a man named Lazarus. He wasn’t old. He was a young man, like Jesus. Do you have a best friend?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Sammy: My best friend is you, Pastor.

 

Pastor: You’re my best friend, too, Sammy. Jesus’s friend Lazarus got sick and he died before Jesus could get to him to heal him.

 

Sammy: Oh no!

 

Pastor: It’s okay, Sammy. Death is not the end. Jesus is the end. He’s the beginning and the end.

 

Sammy: Amen, Pastor!

 

Pastor: When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’s house, he saw Mary and Martha there. They are Lazarus’s sisters. And they were crying. Jesus cried, too.

 

Sammy: Jesus cries? Why did he cry?

 

Pastor: Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is just like us. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you cried?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Jesus went to the tomb and asked the people to roll the stone away. He said a prayer and then told Lazarus to come out—

 

Sammy: And that’s when the mummy came out!

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. That’s when a living, breathing, fully alive Lazarus walked out.

 

Sammy: Wow!

 

Pastor: I want each of us to remember that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We get to live forever because of Jesus. We do not have to be afraid because Jesus loves us. He cries with us and is with us everywhere we go. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Thank you for your love. Thank you for helping us when we are sad. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him” (Matthew 14:1-2).

The authorities seem to marvel at God’s work showing up in their backyard. “Who is this?” Those in power in our world keep an eye on others while attempting to keep their power. They will die and what they thought was their power goes to another. Do not seek power, but the One in whom is all power and authority. Look beyond the temptations of this world to see that You have been created for an eternal purpose.

Lord, so many seem to scramble for power and authority. That belongs to You alone, “for thine is the power and the glory.” Guide me away from the pursuit of things that will never be mine to receive the righteousness You give by grace. Help me to stay focused upon Your goodness and mercy so that I may walk the life of faith that You have given me. In the end, it does not matter what others think of me. It does matter what You are doing in my life.

Be the One who leads me always, Lord Jesus. Let me not be stopped by those who are constantly questioning me but led by Your Holy Spirit in and through all things. Guide me this day to not be anxious, but to be diligent in all that You give me to do. By Your mercy, lead me through this day as I look to You alone so that I may do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

“And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and in his own household.” And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:57-58).

We begin with familiarity and then justify dismissing what we have seen. “They could not have done that.” With the Lord, all things are possible. Jesus is teaching us to honor whom God sends. Whether it is a farmer like Amos, a fisherman like Peter, or someone like you or me, it is what the Lord is saying and not the servant who is speaking the Lord’s word that matters.

Lord, teach me to honor others no matter what they appear to be. Guide me so that I may see others through Your eyes. Wisdom can come from You any time and in any place. Help me to understand that. You showed up amidst an ordinary family. You are the Good News in the flesh, and many are unable to move beyond the mystery of the Incarnation. Let me humbly see things as they are, mystery included, and follow You.

Lord Jesus, it cannot be just about the miracles. Of course You can do all things, for You are God. Help me to understand more profoundly that You have come to take me by the hand and lead me into all truth. Take my eyes away from circumstances to see Your hand in all things. Rest Your hand upon me that I may be in Your Spirit and move by Your direction. Guide me this day and every day according to the Father’s will. Amen.

“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56)

Jesus grew up to manhood. Fully God, but this verse affirms Him to also be fully human. Behind this statement are those who cannot believe that God could become a mere human. But He is God and that is the mystery. It reminds us that what we can see is not the whole picture. Be led by the revelation that God has shown up and done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Do not be skeptical but believing.

Things are what they are. Was Mary a perpetual virgin and these mentioned, Jesus’ cousins? Did Mary have other children? Does it change the Gospel? We have brothers and sisters who may believe one or the other of these. Respect them and honor that Mary was the mother of our Lord. Beyond this, love your brothers and sisters in faith, just as they are commanded to love you. Our eyes should be on the Lord and not our particular understanding of what we think about these things.

Lord Jesus, in the mystery of the incarnation, You have shown up to save us. Help me to keep my eyes upon You so that I may be guided by the Gospel which You have given me. Take away from me any desire for contention and lead me according to Your will. I have many questions Lord, but You have already given the only answers I truly need. You have come so that I may have a renewed life, and live into becoming what You are creating of me. Clear the path before me so that it will be You alone who guides me. Amen.