Scripture

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

Script: 

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

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Good morning, Pastor.

Pastor: Sammy, did you know that we can find Jesus in the Old Testament?

Sammy: We can? I thought Jesus only appeared in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and that he only appeared in the New Testament.

Pastor: Many follows of Jesus today think that Jesus is only in the four gospels, but he is in the Old Testament as well.

Sammy: Where? Do the boys and girls know where we can find Jesus?

Pastor: Boys and girls, do you know where we can find Jesus? 

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: In the Gospel of John today, John declares that Jesus is the Word of God who was in the beginning. Who created the heavens and earth, Sammy?

Sammy: God did. He spoke and creation came into being.

Pastor: That’s right. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed from the beginning, before the creation of our world.

Sammy: What is the first thing that God created, Pastor?

Pastor: In the Gospel today, John talks about Jesus as the light of the world, and that’s also the first thing that God created: light.

Sammy: I like the light, Pastor. I like when I can see where I am going.

Pastor: When we follow Jesus, our creator, we will see more clearly than ever before.

Sammy: So where else can we find Jesus in the Old Testament?

Pastor: Jesus walked with Abraham and ate with him. He stood in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When you read stories from the Old Testament, you have to look for him. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are present all throughout scripture, and Jesus walks among his people many times.

Sammy: I love knowing that Jesus walks with us today, too. We have an amazing God.

Pastor: Yes, we do. Boys and girls, let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Please repeat after me: Dear Jesus, Thank you for creating light and for always being there, even before creation. Help us to search for you daily, especially as we read the scriptures. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

 

“And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”  And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”  And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once” (Matthew 17:16-18).

I sometimes wonder how often we exasperate the Lord.  We do not believe, and it does not happen.  Yes, our Lord is slow to anger, but He does get angry.  Do not be threatened by this but turn to the Lord so that He will turn your unbelief into belief.  All of creation is subject to the One through whom all things have their being.  He has told us that if we have just a small amount of faith, we can move mountains.

Lord, I look to myself and then wonder why certain things do not happen.  Guide me, Lord, so that I look to You, knowing that with You all things are possible.  It is not just what I need to learn, but what You will ask me to do that matters most.  With and through You, I can do all that You ask me to do.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You will have me go.  Teach me to look to You in all things.

Lord Jesus, I live in a perverse and adulterous generation.  You call me out of this generation to live by faith.  Guide me now and always to live into the life of faith which You have given me by Your grace.  Help me to understand that I can do nothing apart from You.  With You, I can do all things necessary.  In Your goodness and mercy, guide me this day in the righteousness You give so that I may humbly follow You and do the Father’s will.  Amen