Scripture:

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

 

Script:

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

 

Pastor: We have VBS happening at our church this week.

 

Sammy: It’s going to be so exciting.

 

Pastor: I am looking forward to traveling to Ireland with all of the boys and girls tomorrow. And you know, it’s not too late to sign up and join us in the adventure to Emerald Crossing.

 

Sammy: How do we sign up?

 

Pastor: Ask your family to go online to our church website. You can also come talk to me or Mr. Scott after church today.

 

Sammy: You know, Pastor, I am a little nervous about VBS.

 

Pastor: Why’s that?

 

Sammy: Every year I go to VBS, I meet new people.

 

Pastor: And?

 

Sammy: That’s it. I just get nervous to meet new people.

 

Pastor: You know, Jesus talks about how we are going to live in our world. He tells a story, a parable, about a man who plants seed that is good. And then an enemy comes in and plants a bunch of weeds in a field.

 

Sammy: Why would an enemy do that?

 

Pastor: That’s what enemies do. They do bad things on purpose to hurt us on purpose.

 

Sammy: That’s terrible.

 

Pastor: I know, but Jesus has a plan. He protects the wheat and when harvest time comes, he gathers the wheat into the barn. 

 

Sammy: I am glad that this story has a happy ending, and I am glad that we have Jesus in our lives, but what does this parable have to do with me being nervous about VBS this week?

 

Pastor: Well, Jesus is reminding us that just like the wheat and weeds, we as believers grow up and live with nonbelievers. We are either children of God, or we are not. So as children of God, we have to remember that we are living among people who love God, and we are living among people who don’t love God.

 

Sammy: What does that mean?

 

Pastor: At VBS this week, and at preschool and elementary school in about a month, you are going to be in groups and classes with other children who are believers and who love God. You are also going to be in groups and class with other children who are not believers and who do not love God.

 

Sammy: How can other children not love God?

 

Pastor: Sometimes they don’t know about God. We have to remember that not everyone teaches their children about Jesus, but we can.

 

Sammy: We can?

 

Pastor: Well, in church we share the love of Jesus every week. In preschool or school, you can tell others that Jesus loves them. This week at VBS, make a new friend. And you can tell your new friend that Jesus loves him or her, too.

 

Sammy: I like that plan. I can tell my new friends at VBS that Jesus loves them.

 

Pastor: That’s great! Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to make new friends. Help us to tell others about you. Please help us as we go to VBS, school, and work. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

 

“But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”  Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:14-15).

Mob rule is the playground of evil.  When people are not thinking and are driven by a mob, they will side with whatever the politics of the moment are.  Worse, later crowds will mimic the crowd and continue the evil by persecuting others in the name of what a mob did.  The Jews killed Jesus, the Pilgrims killed supposed witches, and the Germans killed the Jews.  History is filled with such wickedness.  Salvation brings you into a righteous mind.

Heavenly Father, I have been guilty of being carried away with mobs.  I am hammered all day long with enticement to become a part of the crowd.  I do not know what or whom to trust.  Turn me from the world to You, for You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Help me to live humbly and trust what You have said above all the noise of this world.  Aid me to think things through, and even if I be the only one in a crowd who does so, keep me holding fast to the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult it is in this world gone mad.  I am constantly pushed to get in line with the mind of the crowd, but there are often things that do not add up.  Help me to learn how to reason and think things through.  Help me to choose the path that You have revealed to be true so that I am not caught up in the insanity of this age.  Lead me to live a life that is true to You as best I can.  Amen.