Matthew 10:40-42

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

 

Pastor: How are you doing, Sammy?

 

Sammy: I’m thirsty, Pastor.

 

Pastor: You’re thirsty?

 

Sammy: Yes, I need water. Can I have some water?

 

Pastor: I don’t have any water to give you. There’s a water fountain in the hallway.

 

Sammy: Even if I use the stool, I still can’t reach the water fountain. I’m thirsty, Pastor. I need a drink. Boys and girls, have you ever needed a drink? Maybe right before bedtime?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: I don’t have a drink for you, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Well, Jesus says if you give me a drink then you get a treat. I am just trying to help you out, Pastor.

 

Pastor: Oh, Sammy. Jesus is talking about how we should treat each other.

 

Sammy: I know that. I am a little one. I am thirsty. I would like a drink. I can’t reach the water fountain. Nobody is sharing a cup of water with me. 

 

Pastor: Hang on, Sammy. You are missing the point. 

 

Sammy: I don’t think so. I think I understand the point perfectly. I’m thirsty. I need a drink. You give me a drink. You get a treat. 

 

Pastor: Jesus is talking about how we should treat each other. People did not always treat Jesus or the disciples very nicely. There were men who brought God’s word to people. These men were called prophets. A lot of times, prophets spoke words of truth that were hard for people to hear. Sometimes, people listened to prophets, and sometimes they just got mad at the prophets.

 

Sammy: What does this all have to do with my drink?

Pastor: I am getting to that part. Jesus shows us that we need to be loving and welcoming to strangers and to people that are little. 

 

Sammy: I am little!

 

Pastor: Yes you are. Jesus is talking about how we need to focus on listening to people who follow God and we need to focus on loving and serving the littlest people in our lives–children.

 

Sammy: That makes sense to me.

 

Pastor: I don’t have a drink for you, Sammy. But I think after church I can help you get one. 

 

Sammy: That sounds great, Pastor.

 

Pastor: Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for encouraging us to love and serve each other. Help us to always listen to you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

 

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! Did you bring your sword, Pastor?

 

Pastor: My sword?

 

Sammy: Yes your sword. I thought you could show the boys and girls the sword I found the other day.

 

Pastor: Yes. I remember that day. You were wandering around my yard and I invited you in for a drink.

 

Sammy: Yes you did. I was a thirsty lamb. You have good water.

 

Pastor: After you got your drink, you wandered around the house.

 

Sammy: Yes I did. I found all sorts of wonderful things in your house. So many fun toys and the sword. Show them the sword.

 

[If you have a play sword, a picture of a sword, etc. share this item with the children]

 

Pastor: Here is the sword.

 

Sammy: That’s a great sword!

 

Pastor: You know, Sammy, it’s great that you found this sword in my house ahead of this Gospel reading today.

 

Sammy: It is?

 

Pastor: Yes it is. Today in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.”

 

Sammy: What does that mean? What is Jesus saying?

 

Pastor: Jesus is talking about how when people believe in him, they sometimes have family and friends that don’t believe in him.

 

Sammy: Some of my family members don’t believe in Jesus. It’s hard for me to talk to them sometimes about how much I love Jesus.

 

Pastor: Don’t be discouraged, Sammy. When Jesus came to earth the first time, he brought a sword, and people were divided against one another. When Jesus comes back to create a new Heaven and a new Earth, we will have peace.

 

Sammy: I look forward to that day, Pastor. But until then, maybe hang on tight to that sword.

 

Pastor: I will, Sammy. Boys and girls, can you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, help us to pray for peace among our friends and family. We thank you Jesus for your love. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”  And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl” (Mark 14:19-20).

The first thing we often do is to build a wall of denial.  We all have guilt, and if we say we have no sin, the only one being deceived is ourselves.  The Lord will bring us to the place of introspection.  He will guide us inwardly to see the places where we have denied Him for something or anything other than humbly living in the truth of our God and Maker.  Judas was next to Jesus and dipped with Him the bitter tears of the Passover meal.

Almighty Father, Passover was not just about what You did for those who listened to Moses, but told the story of what would happen to Jesus too.  Help me to understand that You have come to save us from ourselves.  Aid me to connect Scripture so that I live according to Your word of grace and truth.  Where You have guided me through Your forgiveness, help me to never return to the rebellion into which I was born.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross even as we were betraying You.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray.  Help me by Your grace and goodness to lay down the rebellion of sin and humbly walk in Your light.  Lead me to see that in You alone there is hope.  In You alone can I find what my heart longs for.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You know I need to go and do not stop aiding me, so that I may become more like You each day.  Amen.