“Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”  And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone” (Matthew 27:65-66).

Secure from the outside, but not from the inside, the guard stood watch.  The guard was looking out and not in.  We often look out and not in.  Our Savior will transform us from the inside out.  The world’s attacks go from the outside in.  The Lord can overcome every barrier to meet those who will turn by faith and trust him as He frees all who believe from the sentence of death, and into new and true life.

Lord, You have laid the story out so that all who believe by the power of the Holy Spirit can plainly see how it is that You accomplish salvation.  The corrupt and self-serving heart is turned inward.  But You roll away the obstacle and we can walk out.  The light is shining, we just need to open the door of our heart to see.  None can ever keep you out, for through You all things exist.

Lord Jesus, in the mystery of the grave and the resurrection, You have revealed that You are the truth.  You have reached into my soul and touched me with Your grace.  Lead me to learn how to trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your grace to see the truth more clearly with each step that I take.  Guide me on this journey that I may be transformed and trust You always amidst the contrary messages of this world.  Amen.

 

Scripture:

Luke 14:25-33

 

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! Pastor, I’ll be over right after church.

 

Pastor: Why’s that, Sammy?

 

Sammy: I’m going to help you with your garage sale.

 

Pastor: Garage sale?

 

Sammy: Yes! You are having a garage sale.

 

Pastor: That’s news to me, Sammy. Boys and girls, what is a garage sale?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Sammy: Exactly.

 

Pastor: So you want me to have a garage sale? Why, Sammy?

 

Sammy: Jesus commanded you to have a garage sale. Plus, I’ve seen your house, Pastor. You have a lot of extra stuff.

 

Pastor: Sammy, a lot of us have extra stuff.

 

Sammy: Not me. I just have my special blankie, my teddy bear, my clothes, my shoes, my straw bed, my night light, my–

 

Pastor: See what I mean?

 

Sammy: I guess I can bring all of that stuff to the garage sale you’re having.

 

Pastor: You know, Sammy, Jesus isn’t mad at us for having stuff—he just doesn’t want us to be attached to our belongings.

 

Sammy: What do you mean?

 

Pastor: Jesus wants us to value him and our work for him more than we value our stuff. We don’t get to take our stuff with us to heaven, and storing up our stuff on earth isn’t the same as storing treasures in heaven.

 

Sammy: I can have treasures in heaven?! Are there garage sales in heaven too?

Pastor: I don’t know about that, Sammy. I do know that Jesus wants us to love God and to love and serve each other. That’s how we store up treasures in heaven.

 

Sammy: I think I can do that.

 

Pastor: I know you can do that.

Sammy: So no garage sale, then?

 

Pastor: Not today, Sammy. But we can pray together. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands, bow your heads, and repeat after me? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us store up treasures in heaven. Please let our focus be on you and serving each other. Help us to love as you love us. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!