“When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:10-11).

Who is Jesus.  The crowds thought Him a prophet.  Yes, He is, but He is more.  He speaks the word of God because He is God the Son, the Word made flesh.  All the prophets spoke of Him.  He is the One who fulfilled prophecy.  He grew up in Nazareth, but He is from eternity and returned to eternity.  Take care with what you hear.  There may be truth in what is said but listen for the whole truth.

Lord, crowds go away with some of the truth, but often, real and whole truth takes a little more work to hear.  They were not wrong that day, but they were not right.  Jesus, You are the eternal One who came down and became flesh for our sake.  You took our sins upon You that we might inherit Your life as sons and daughters of God.  Open our ears to hear and our eyes to see so that we are not carried away by the crowds of this age.

Lord Jesus, in humility You walked to Your own death.  All the while, the crowds were anticipating something else.  Help me to follow Your lead and walk where You lead.  I do not know what is coming, but You do.  Help me to trust You above all things.  Lead me through the crowds of this age to stand in Your presence and be whom You are making me to be.  Lead me, Savior and Lord of all.  Amen.

“Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road.  Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8-9)

People rally in crowds.  One never really knows what drives crowds.  That day there was much anticipation.  One week later, the anticipation was crushed.  What we hope for is often so much smaller than what God intends.  He, who knows all futures, is preparing a glory greater than any of us can comprehend.  Join in blessing the Lord but remain humble and trust Him day by day.

Lord, I become anxious and wonder where the crowds of this age are taking us.  I see them stirred up and I become stirred up.  Help me to look to You who, in that week, went to the cross.  At the time I would have wondered how that could be good, yet I know the only way I can become good is through the cross.  Help me to do what You instruct and spend less time trying to figure things out.

Lord Jesus, keep me from thinking like the crowd.  Help me to learn how to think like You.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk in the way You know I need to walk.  Teach me how to live life.  Teach me how to go into the silent place, even when the crowds are shouting.  Guide me now and always to walk with You and learn from You.  You alone know what I need.  Help me to look to You alone.  Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]

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, there’s a scary story in the gospel reading today.

Pastor: What is scary, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, when Jesus came down from the mountain after the Transfiguration, a dad met him and asked him to heal his son, a little boy.

Pastor: Yes. What is scary about that?

Sammy: Well the little boy was shaking and foaming at the mouth. And he kept screaming. He must have been really sick.

Pastor: He was really sick. None of Jesus’s disciples could heal him, and the boy’s father advocated for his son. He asked Jesus to heal him.

Sammy: And Jesus did heal him.

Pastor: Yes he did. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you were really sick and your dad or mom helped you?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I guess what is scary about this story is there are so many sicknesses and boo-boos that we cannot control.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. But the great thing is that Jesus can heal any illness or hurt that we have. He shows us through scripture that we have the same power through the Holy Spirit, and we just need to have faith.

Sammy: Pastor, I like that you help me see that I don’t have to be afraid. Jesus wasn’t afraid, and the little boy’s dad knew that Jesus could heal his son. When we have faith, our faith changes everything.

Pastor: That’s the goodness and power of Jesus in our lives. Let’s pray. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for faith. Help us to look to you for the power of the Holy Spirit. Please be with us always. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks” (Matthew 21:6-7).

The disciples did not know what they would find.  Jesus did.  The disciples obeyed Jesus, but they did not know what it would be like one week later.  Many, at that time, were expecting Jesus to become king.  He has always been a king.  He was coming to redeem those who believe.  The disciples lived each day and learned how to simply do what Jesus told them to do.  Should we be any different?

Lord, teach me to do things as You instruct me.  Many around me are prognosticating.  Help me to listen to You and follow Your instructions.  Take me from thinking in the way of the world and see how You have done things.  You walked with Your disciples each day and things unfolded as You planned.  Is it any different for me, Lord?  Is that not how my life is to be lived?

Lord Jesus, guide me to follow Your instructions.  Help me to cherish the day-to-day things that I do knowing that You are aware of all things.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You and obey all that You command.  Lead me to lay everything down before You, for all that I have, all that I am, belongs to You.  In the power of Your Holy Spirit, guide me this day.  Amen.

“And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.”  Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey’” (Matthew 21:3-5).

The Lord prepares the way before each of us.  He knows what is needed.  Of course, the faithful children of Zion will grant the Lord’s request.  Of course, things unfold the way the Lord knows they will.  We guess, but He knows.  Come into the Lord’s presence – for that is what walking with the Lord means – and be guided by Him all the days of Your life.  He has given you His word to lead you on your journey.

Lord, I am often befuddled in this age and do not understand all that I need to do.  But I do know what to do.  I need to look to You and live the life You have set before me.  I have my ideas and thoughts about how things ought to be, but You know how they will be.  Lead me, Lord, so that I look to You for all things.  Guide me on the upward path to follow Your leading and walk with You, knowing that You are always with me.

Come, Lord Jesus; do not just be my guest, but lead me this day.  Through all the things that You know are coming, guide me to humbly walk under Your leadership and obey all that You command.  Help me to keep my eyes upon You so that, no matter what comes, I may proceed under Your guidance.  Let nothing hinder me from living as a child of God, one who is faithful to the call You have given me.  Amen.

“When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to Me” (Matthew 21:1-2).

Our God, who sees all things, past, present, and future (from our perspective), knows what will happen.  What is prophecy for us is simply His telling us how things will be in what to us is a future moment.  Jesus knew the circumstances and He knew the prophecy.  He had to come into Jerusalem on a donkey, a foal, upon which no one had ridden before.  He says, “Go.”  Will you follow the command of the Lord?

Lord, I marvel at these things.  I ask, “How do You know?”  You see all things.  You know all things.  Help me to come to the place where I realize that all things really are in Your hands.  Keep my eyes turned upon You.  Lead me out of the place of the doldrums of this age to see abundant life before me, living and moving along the path that You have set before me.  Guide me all the days of my life.

Lord Jesus, with great purposefulness, You have accomplished all that is needed for our salvation.  Guide me now and always to walk forward on the path You have set before me, for You know what is coming and have prepared the way.  Teach me to trust in Your guidance and humbly to follow You obediently.  Through all that will come my way, help me to see more clearly each day.  Amen.

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.

“But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:31-32)

Crowds are always speaking an opinion that runs contrary to what the Lord is going to do.  Pay attention to what is said, not to follow, but to understand that we are often led by the crowd and not by our Lord.  Listen and learn.  Our Lord asks, “What do you want me to do?”  Ask Him and see what He will do.  Asking is not telling, so be bold and ask.  Has not our Lord said that we do not receive because we do not ask?

Lord, teach me to ask with the right motive.  Lead me in the direction of hearing what the crowd is saying so that I understand when it is You who is giving me the right answer.  There are people all around me who are in need of mercy.  Guide me to have discernment so that I humbly walk in the way of obedience to Your word amidst the cacophony of this world’s shouts.  Teach me how to be faithful to You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead all who believe in the way of everlasting life.  Guide me this day to humbly walk in the way of faith.  Shut my mind to the calls of the crowds of this age and open my mind to Your word of truth.  Guide me in the faith You have given me and help me to be bold in the call to serve others so that I am faithful to Your call.  Guide me, Jesus, in the way You would have me live today.  Amen.

“As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.  And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 20:29-30)

Lord, grant me this which I do not deserve; but that simple attitude seems to be rare in our day.  What we deserve and what we desire are most often two different things.  Come to the Lord asking for mercy.  Asking with the right attitude and motive makes a difference. The Lord is merciful to us.  It is not what we deserve, but what He gives.  You have been saved because of His mercy and grace.

Lord, I have been healed of the blindness of this age through Your mercy.  Why me?  I do not know, but You have given me mercy and grace.  Guide me to give others what You have given me.  Lead me to see with new eyes to see things as I have not seen them before.  Lead me out of the mire of this age to see things through Your love, being merciful to others as You have been merciful to me.

Guide me Lord Jesus in the way life is meant to be lived.  You are the author of this faith You have given me.  Teach me to see things as You see them.  Lead me so that I am merciful to others.  Teach me what mercy means.  Throughout the things that will come my way this day, help me to live into the life You have given me knowing that all things are in Your hands.  Amen.