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!
