“On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother’” (Matthew 22:23-24).

The created come to the Creator and, from their unbelief, ask a question about that which they do not believe. This is the way of the world. People think they are smart when they are thinking foolishly. The Lord of all creation has told us that we will be where He is. He has risen from the dead and we shall too. It is not if, but when. This faith is about eternity which begins here and now.

Lord, I am sometimes like the Sadducees and from my doubts and fears say things that are foolish. Lead me so that I may look to You, listen and hear what You are saying. I may not understand all these things, but You are giving me what I need. Help me to walk the path You have set before me and learn wisdom as You grow in me the kind of person You are making me to be.

Lord Jesus, You have told me that I will be raised on the last day. You have told me that You are preparing a place for me. Help me to trust You above all things. Help me to not lean on my own understanding but walk in the way You have taught me. Guide me so that I do not question You and, instead, listen to the answers You give me. With the Father and the Holy Spirit You reign, One God now and forever. Amen.

Scripture:

John 12:1-8

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: Hey, Pastor! I am free this evening.

Pastor: Okay…what do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Exactly what I said. I am free this evening. You know, for you to invite me over for dinner.

Pastor: Uhh, Sammy, I–

Sammy: I know I haven’t been over to your house in some time, so I thought I would share my dietary preferences and restrictions, and my favorite foods, and what I don’t like to eat.

Pastor: Sammy, wait a second. Why do you think you’re coming over for dinner tonight?

Sammy: I guess I just got really inspired with Lazarus and Mary and Martha having Jesus over for dinner. I know Martha cooks really well, and I thought that you might cook really well, too, Pastor. Well, except for maybe that one time that you almost cooked a mouse on your grill.

Pastor: Sammy, the dinner that Lazarus and Mary and Martha had for Jesus was a very special event.

Sammy: I know. And I cannot wait to see how special the dinner you prepare for me is going to be, too.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think I should make for Sammy at the dinner?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I love all of these answers. Pastor, I will take one of everything!

Pastor: Let’s talk more about Jesus’s dinner with Lazarus before we get too carried away. Mary did something very special for Jesus at this event. She purchased very expensive perfume, called nard, and she poured this perfume on his feet.

Sammy: I like perfume. I don’t know what nard is, but I like Estee Lauder, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Burberry…

Pastor: Sammy. Let’s focus.

Sammy: I’m just giving you ideas for my welcoming gift when I get to your house, Pastor.

Pastor: Mary’s perfume was a very special kind of perfume. She anointed Jesus with the perfume, which is an essential oil. She was preparing Jesus for his path to the cross.

Sammy: That is a special oil. I am glad that Mary gave that perfume to Jesus. If anyone deserves the best we can give, it’s Jesus.

Pastor: Amen to that, Sammy. Boys and girls, can you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to recognize the gifts we have. Thank you for helping us share with others. Help us to honor and love you better each day. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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: Hey Sammy! Did you know we have just two more weeks of Lent until we reach Palm Sunday and Holy week?

Sammy: I didn’t know that, Pastor! That’s great news! But what does that news mean?

Pastor: Well, Sammy, Palm Sunday is a special day where we celebrate Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem. 2,000 years ago, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem and Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey.

Sammy: That’s very special. That donkey was one lucky critter to carry the Son of God.

Pastor: Yes indeed. When the donkey came into Jerusalem with Jesus on his back, the crowds of people grew and grew. They lined up in the streets to see Jesus. Boys and girls, what were some of the things that you think the people saw when Jesus rode by on the donkey?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are great answers!

Pastor: Yes they are! People laid their coats in the road so that the King of Kings, Jesus, could have a grand entrance. And they grabbed palm branches and waved them in the air.

Sammy: And there was singing and dancing…

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. The people sang and danced and shouted “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us!” The people knew that Jesus was coming to save them.

Sammy: What was he saving them from? From evil rulers? Bad laws? Chores?

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He saved his people, but not in the way that they expected him to save them.

Sammy: I am glad that Jesus came for me.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Let’s pray. Can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for being with us and for saving us. Thank you for choosing to walk a difficult road so that we could live in peace with you forever. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 13:1-9

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, I have to tell you, this week has been challenging for me.

Pastor: Why is that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, there just seems to be a lot happening in our country and our world right now. I mean, there always is a lot happening, but a little lamb like me has trouble processing everything that is going on. It’s overwhelming.

Pastor: Tell me about it, Sammy. But one thing that I can encourage you and all of the boys and girls here to do is just to worry about kid stuff. Focus on being kids.

Sammy: That sounds like a good plan to me.

Pastor: Jesus knew about the current events of his day. There was a lot of violence and bad things happening around him. He responded with encouragement and tried to help people see that they need to focus on their relationship with God.

Sammy: That’s a good thing to focus on. I think being closer to God will help me have more peace about what is going on in the world.

Pastor: Absolutely. And our God is a God of second chances and multiple opportunities. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you made a mistake and your family or friends gave you another chance?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I make mistakes all the time! I think one of my biggest mistakes was tipping over the water bucket onto Farmer Luke. He wasn’t happy with me, but he refilled the bucket, told me he forgave me, and gave me another chance to drink my water out of the bucket.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. It’s important that we have mercy on each other, just like God has mercy on us. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your mercy and love. Please forgive us when we make mistakes. Help us to forgive each other when we make mistakes. Please keep our focus on you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 13:31-35

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: [Doesn’t appear right away. Stays hidden.]

Pastor: Sammy? Sammy? Are you there? Hmmm. Maybe we need to try again boys and girls. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: [Peeking up and hiding again.] Shhhh!

Pastor: Did you guys see Sammy? What’s going on Sammy?

Sammy: [Peeking up and hiding again.] Shhhh!

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think is going on with Sammy today?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great ideas. Sammy, if you can hear me, I just want you to know that you are safe. Our church family, including the boys and girls, are here.

Sammy: [Peeking up] Are you sure? Is the fox gone?

Pastor: What fox?

Sammy: Jesus saw a fox this morning in the Gospel reading. And I trust and love Jesus with all my heart. And if he says there is a fox, then I need to hide.

Pastor: Oh! Is that what is making you upset?

Sammy: Yes, Pastor! And we have foxes all over the place around here. I can’t be too careful.

Pastor: Well, Sammy, Jesus was talking about a man named King Herod. He isn’t really a fox; he’s a man.

Sammy: So why did Jesus call him a fox?

Pastor: Jesus calls Herod a fox because he behaves like one. Boys and girls, how does a fox behave?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: That’s exactly right! Foxes eat little lambs like me for snack.

Pastor: I want you all to remember that Jesus is the King of Kings, and he is even King above Herod in our Gospel for today. Jesus protects us, just like a mama hen protects her baby chicks.

Sammy: Speaking of chicks…

Pastor: Not now, Sammy. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for keeping us safe from foxes in our lives. Please help us to always trust in you. Thank you for giving us faith. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”  They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”  And hearing this, they were amazed; and they left Him and went away” (Matthew 22:20-21).

The traps of men will always fold before the Lord.  We have our systems in this world and the Lord lets them be.  We are in two kingdoms.  For now, we are in this world, but we have also been redeemed in order to prepare for the world to come.  The way of the Lord is love, but the way of rebellion is hatred.  Which way will you go?  It is one way or another, there can be no compromise.

I need Your help, Lord.  I am not wise enough.  You are.  I need Your wisdom to avoid the stumbling blocks that are laid before me daily.  Guide me in the mire of this world’s constant confusion to look to You and hold fast to the word You have spoken.  Lead me so that I walk forward and upward, abiding in Your grace.  Through all that comes, help me learn how to live and speak Your word of truth in all circumstances.

Jesus, You have taught me that if I hold the ground of truth and do not flinch, the liar will flee.  Lord, I do not ask to be clever, but to have the fortitude to hold the ground You have placed me on.  Teach me to react not with hatred as this world does but live in love.  Lead me today in Your love so that I walk according to the word You have already spoken.  Let the words of my mouth be pleasing in the Father’s sight today.  Amen.

“Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”  But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius” (Matthew 22:17-19).

Smooth language: “What do You think, Jesus?”  The Lord does not fall for the traps of men.  We do.  Be wary of the smooth talk that has led us far away from what the Lord has said.  You know the commandments.  How many violate them freely every day?  You are not your own but were purchased for a price.  You were in bondage, but through faith You have been set free.  Do not fall for snares that will bind you again.

Lord, You know all things and You know those who seek to snare those whom You have redeemed.  Grant wisdom that Your faithful ones would not fall for the traps laid in this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life You have set me free to live.  Lead me so that I see these things for what they are, and do not live as though Your word could ever be compromised.

Lord Jesus, You have given us the example of how to deal with those who seek to lead others astray.  Guide me now and always so that I do not fall back into the pit of bondage.  In Your mercy, help me to understand, and above all, help me to always look to You.  You are the One who has redeemed me.  Guide me to live as one You have saved that I may walk in the way You have set before me.  Amen.  

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.  And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone” (Matthew 22:13-14).

Buttering Jesus up with flowery, but truly sarcastic words, the trap is laid.  How often do we fall for this kind of reasoning?  Jesus does speak truth and He cares only what the Father thinks.  We sometimes fall for such traps.  Jesus spoke only truth.  Speak the truth.  Do not overly care what others think, not in the sense of being uncaring, but in the way that does not compromise what you know to be true.

Lord, this world is filled with traps.  There are many who want something and they will say things, seeking to get me on their side.  I need Your help to not be on anyone’s side, but to speak and live the truth You have already spoken.  Indeed, help me to be impartial to all but one thing and that is the truth of the word which You have spoken from the beginning.  Teach me how to always be truthful and stand fast against the antics of those who live in the way of this world.

Holy Spirit, fill me with understanding so that I may be guided by Your wisdom.  Help me to live according to the word of truth which has been given once for all by Your revelation.  Holy God, You are the source of all things.  Help me to live in this unchangeable truth now and forever.  Guide me in the goodness You have spoken so that I may live according to Your word.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, into the life You are calling me to live.  Amen.

“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’  For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:13-14).

Many are called, but few are chosen.  The Lord makes the final decision.  The one who is righteous and just determines who will be with Him.  You have been called.  Will you put on Christ?  Many say they are Christian, but that is something put on by themselves.  Few, it seems, are they who actually live into the life for which they have been invited.  Do not just think of others but answer the question for yourself.  Are you in Christ?  Are you living the Christ life?

Lord, You know the state of my heart.  You know where I am.  Guide me out of this world’s thinking to become honest with myself and others.  Lead me away from the arrogance of this age to be in You and You in me.  Guide me away from selfish gain in my mind, but to truthful reflection of the call You have given me to abide in You all the days of my life.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation.

Lord, I sometimes think that few are going to make it.  Being with You now and always is my prayer.  Help me to humbly submit to You today and do what You give me to do.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk in the way You know I need to go.  Aid me to put You on and abide in You always.  Whether I make it or not is Your business.  Lead me to walk faithfully, living as one preparing for eternity.  Amen.

“But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless” (Matthew 22:11-12).

One cannot be with the Lord who is not covered by the blood of Jesus.  Many are the ways that lead to destruction.  There are those who will say, “Lord, lord,” but do not know Him.  We are invited into a living relationship with the Lord.  There is no faking it.  Either you will come by the Lord’s grace, or else you will reject His grace and remain outside.  None are left out, but there are those who refuse the invitation to come in.

Lord, You have offered me salvation by grace through faith.  It is You giving Your life so that I can live.  I do not understand fully, but I am puzzled by those who are always taking and, if possible, would take salvation as if it were theirs.  Lead me away from such foolishness so that I see the gift You have given me on Your terms.  Lead me to be clear of mind, thought, and speech.

Lord Jesus, You know the state of my heart.  The wickedness of this world presses in and yells at me because I am preparing to be with You.  I am often confused by the ever-changing, yet never-changing, winds of this age.  Help me I pray, to look through the fog of this age to clearly see how to be in Your presence forever.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me so that I may humbly walk in Your presence.  Amen.