Matthew 4:1-11

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

 

Pastor: Hey Sammy, how are you doing?

 

Sammy: I am ready for Spring, Pastor.

Pastor: I am, too, but we still have several more weeks of Winter. 

 

Sammy: We do. I know.

 

Pastor: Wouldn’t it be great if we could just melt all the snow?

 

Sammy: Yes it would.

 

Pastor: And wouldn’t it be great if we could just have warm spring breezes and sunshine?

 

Sammy: I would really like that. And fresh grass, too! But you, know, Pastor, winter has a purpose and the seasons are a part of God’s plan for creation.

 

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. 

 

Sammy: I mean, as much as I would love to have new spring grass and feel the warm sun on my wool, I am going to try my best to enjoy the last few weeks of winter.

 

Pastor: Great perspective, Sammy. It’s tempting, though–to just think about willing winter away. 

 

Sammy: What does tempting mean?

 

Pastor: Tempting means that you feel pressure to do something that you shouldn’t do.

 

Sammy: Oh you mean like eat extra oats out of the oat bin?

 

Pastor: Yes.

 

Sammy: Or go in the Pastor’s office and hide somewhere and yell, “Surprise!”

 

Pastor: Definitely.

 

Sammy: Or let a whole bunch of mice in the church?

 

Pastor: Sammy, let’s focus. You know, Jesus was tempted, too.

Sammy: Did he want spring to come, too?

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus is fully God and fully man, and he felt hungry, just like we do.

 

Sammy: I understand that. I’m always hungry. 

 

Pastor: Being hungry is okay, but because Jesus is the Son of God, he was tempted to make his own food.

 

Sammy: Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. Men can make food, too, Pastor. I know you can cook–I’ve been to your house. 

 

Pastor: That’s not what I mean, Sammy. Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread.

 

Sammy: Stones? Like rocks on the ground?

 

Pastor: Yes.

 

Sammy: That’s silly. Why would he do that?

 

Pastor: Jesus is God–he is Lord of Creation and can do anything. But he was asked by someone to turn stones into bread so he could prove who he is. 

 

Sammy: Why would Jesus need to prove he is God? All throughout scripture, people who encounter him just know by the power of the Holy Spirit. They trust him, and they believe.

 

Pastor: And that’s what we are called to do today, too. We are called to believe in Jesus. 

 

Sammy: How did Jesus stop being tempted?

 

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. We all are tempted to do wrong things. Jesus gave us a great example of how to resist temptation: He quoted scripture. 

 

Sammy: That’s why it’s important to know your Bible verses.

 

Pastor: Indeed it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads to pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth to rescue us. We praise you and we love you. Thank you for helping us stay strong when we are tempted to do wrong. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Pastor, I have a question.

 

Pastor: Okay Sammy. Go ahead. 

 

Sammy: So the apostles go up the mountain with Jesus right? 

 

Pastor: Yes they do Sammy.

 

Sammy: And when they get to where Jesus was, they saw Jesus in all his glory with Moses and Elijah. 

 

Pastor: You are on track so far. 

 

Sammy: And then they hear the voice of God. 

 

Pastor: Sammy, are you just going to recite the passage we just read or are you going to ask me your question?

 

Sammy: Excuse me pastor, but I said I had a question.

 

Pastor: I’ll be quiet now Sammy. 

 

Sammy: If the apostles saw Jesus in all of his glory. Why were they afraid of Jesus? 

 

Pastor: Well Sammy, Seeing God is quite the scary thing. 

 

Sammy: It is? 

 

Pastor: Yes it is, even when Angels come to see people on earth. The first thing they tell them is be not afraid. 

 

Sammy: Why is that. 

 

Pastor: Because just seeing an angel is very different than anything else in this world. Seeing God is even scarier. When Israel reached Mt. Siani, God set a whole mountain on fire, and blew trumpets. As said anyone that approached him on the mountain, without being called up like Moses was, would die from the sight of God. Once the apostles heard God’s voice. They thought their life was in danger. 

 

Sammy: But why would they be afraid of dying just by seeing God? I thought that would be a good thing. 

 

Pastor: It would be a good thing, but because we sin and do bad things. We can’t look at God. We can’t even approach him. Because sinners cannot approach God. 

 

Sammy: But how do we approach God then?

 

Pastor: Because Jesus died and rose again Sammy. Jesus died to forgive our sins so we could be with God again. Just like our first parents were: Adam and Eve. 

 

Sammy: Oh I see pastor. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was all about reconciling God and humanity. And because Jesus died and rose from the dead. We don’t have to be afraid. 

 

Pastor: Exactly Sammy. I hope I answered your question Sammy. 

 

Sammy: You did Pastor.  

 

Pastor: Let’s pray everyone. Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down from heaven and living on earth. Thank you for revealing yourself to us so we can approach God without fear. We love you. Amen. 

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31).

The way of the cross, following Jesus is not easy.  It is war.  This world is in rebellion against our God who created it.  He has come to reconcile those who will lay down their arms and cease the rebellion, bringing all who believe to be with the Father.  But the war in this world rages on.  Jesus was killed by and for the sin of this world.  We are united with Him in order to be resurrected with Him.

Lord, I know the story and I see the rebellion all around me.  Lead all those who call upon Your name so that we live in the truth that You have come to reconcile all who believe in You in order to be with You for eternity in the love relationship out of which flows all goodness.  Guide all who turn to You out of the rebellion of this age and into the love You have for all.  Lead the faithful to see that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Raise us with You to live according to the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, You have called me to die to sin, death, and the devil.  In You alone do I have hope and a future.  Guide me dear Jesus to do what is right in the Father’s sight and live the life You have given me to live.  Help me to stand firm in the truth amidst the rebellion of this age.  Teach me all I need to know in order that I may remain faithful to You, my Lord and Savior.  Help me always hear You voice.  Amen.