Luke 6:27-38

 

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, everyone!

Pastor: Sammy, how are things going at the farm?

Sammy: Going really well, Pastor! I am counting down the days until spring.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy.

Sammy: So, Pastor, I noticed that Jesus talks a lot about extra credit in our Gospel reading for today.

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Boys and girls, can you tell Pastor what extra credit is? He seems to have forgotten.

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I am glad that everyone reminded me of what extra credit means. But, Sammy, why do you think Jesus was talking about extra credit?

Sammy: Jesus talks about how easy it is to give to people who give to us. It’s easy to love people who love us. But we are called to something greater than that as Christians.

Pastor: We are indeed.

Sammy: Jesus wants us to give to people who cannot give anything back to us. He wants us to let people borrow our things without expecting them back.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. We are not supposed to judge others, and we need to love others and forgive them.

Sammy: Yes, that’s the extra credit, too. Pastor, I do have a question.

Pastor: What’s your question, Sammy?

Sammy: Jesus says my reward will be great. Do Jesus mean I am going to win the lottery or get a new truck for the farm or something like that? Or maybe a sugar cube? I love sugar cubes.

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus is talking about our reward in Heaven. When we give to others and love others like Jesus did, then we get to witness God’s abundant grace and love. Our reward is eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.

Sammy: That is a beautiful reward.

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads with me. Dear Jesus, Thank you for teaching us how to live. Thank you for helping us love each other. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him” (Matthew 20:33-34).

Lord, we want to see.  The Lord has compassion, and He will open the eyes of those who do not see.  It is the same now.  Many who see with human eyes only are blind.  There are those who are physically blind who see.  The Lord has compassion for us and desires that we not perish.  He wants us to turn to His salvation, see, and begin the journey of living into eternal life.  Come to the Lord and He will give you insight to see things as they are.

Lord, I am blind.  I am blind to compassion, mercy, and grace.  I am blind to the suffering around me.  I shield myself in my little world and seek the things I think will make me happy.  Lead me out of living just for this body, which will perish, so that I live for You and live this life unto the eternal life for which You created me.  Guide me out of this mess to see things as they are and live the way You created me to live.

Lord Jesus, heal my sight.  Seeing, let me see things as You would have me see.  Guide me up and out of worldly thinking to come to the place where I have compassion, grace, and mercy for others.  Through all that comes my way, guide me to become more and more like You, doing what the Father gives me to do.  Give me insight so that I see more clearly and live more faithfully.  Amen.