Matthew 28:16-20

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

Pastor: How are you doing, Sammy?

Sammy: I am doing well, but I am a little confused.

Pastor: What are you confused about, Sammy?

Sammy: What does authority mean? 

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Boys and girls, let’s try to help Sammy understand this word.

Sammy: Wait–I have a guess. 

Pastor: Go ahead, Sammy. What do you think authority means?

Sammy: Well, you heat up water on the stove, and then you get a mug, and you put dried leaves in the mug. Author-it-tea.

Pastor: That’s not right, Sammy.

Sammy: Well, it was worth a try.

Pastor: It’s always a good idea to try. Even if you are wrong. Still try. Anyway, boys and girls, what do you think authority means?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I love all of these answers. Authority means that person is in charge. He or she is given something to rule or command. And everyone needs to look to that person for where to go or for what to do.

Sammy: So what is Jesus given authority of?

Pastor: Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” All authority. Everything in Heaven and on Earth belongs to Jesus.

Sammy: Woah. Everything?

Pastor: Everything.

Sammy: Everything? Are you sure?

Pastor: Sammy, Jesus is God. Everything belongs to him. Everything in Heaven and everything on Earth.

Sammy: Pastor, that means all of us belong to Jesus too.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Jesus has authority over our good days, our bad days, our happy moments, and our sad moments. He is with us at school, on the playground, at church. There is nothing too big or too small for Jesus. He has authority over everything.

Sammy: I have so much peace knowing that Jesus has authority over everything. That means, no matter what, he is King.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, we thank you for your authority. We praise you for your love and for holding our lives in your hands. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: John 20:19-23

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: Peace be with you, Sammy.

Sammy: Peace be with you, too, Pastor. Hey, Pastor?

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: We say, “Peace be with you” during church, and Jesus says “Peace be with you a lot.” Today he said “Peace be with you” to his disciples.

Pastor: All of what you said is true, Sammy.

Sammy: So what does “Peace be with you” mean? I hear this phrase every Sunday, but I just don’t get it. I don’t go around greeting animals at the farm saying, “Peace be with you” to them. And when I go to the farmer’s market, the farmers don’t say, “Peace be with you” to each other. I hear a lot of “Good morning!” and “How are you?” and “What’s up?” but not ever “Peace be with you” until I come to church. So what does it mean and why do we say it?

Pastor: That’s a great question, Sammy. Boys and girls, what does “Peace be with you” mean?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you for all of the wonderful answers. Sammy, “Peace be with you” is a very special phrase. “Peace be with you” is a blessing. We are asking God to give a blessing of peace to others, and we are praying for peace between us and our neighbors. Church is a great place to share peace. But we can share peace with each other anywhere we go.

Sammy: That makes sense to me. I like that I can share peace with my friends and neighbors. 

Pastor: Something else that is really important about the Gospel reading for today is that Jesus gives his disciples the Holy Spirit. 

Sammy: That’s an incredible gift!

Pastor: Yes, the Holy Spirit is a gift Jesus gives us now. When we follow Jesus, we get to experience the peace of the Holy Spirit.

Sammy: I like that. Peace be with you, Pastor.

Pastor: Peace be with you, Sammy. Boys and girls, we are going to pray, and then I would like you to say, “Peace be with you” to someone on your way back to your seat. Let’s practice. Ready? Peace be with you. Nice job! Let’s bow our heads and fold our hands. Dear Jesus, thank you for your peace. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sammy: Peace be with you.

Pastor: Peace be with you.

“When it was evening He came with the twelve.  As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me – one who is eating with Me” (Mark 14:17-18).

We all have betrayed the Lord.  But there are the sins committed by those under grace and those which are committed by the ones under judgement.  The greater sin is the one which intends to thwart what God will do.  A sin of commission is a serious matter.  Weigh carefully what you do and why.  You are saved by grace, but do not fall to the place where you willingly betray the Lord.

Lord, I do begin to understand the difference.  So many around me have betrayed You by denying You because You did not give them what they wanted.  Who knows what we truly want?  We think we know, but we do not.  Help me to live looking to You, listening to Your word, and abiding by Your direction for my life.  Lead me so that I may understand more clearly that all things are in Your hands.

Guide me, Holy Spirit, in my inner thoughts.  I confess I have times of frustration, doubts, and even anger because things do not go the way I want them to go.  Help me to trust in the simple truth that all things are in Your hands.  Lead me now and always to humbly walk in the way of salvation, trusting You each step of the way.  Jesus, You went to the cross so that I could be with You forever.  Guide me now and always.  Amen.

“And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.”  The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover” (Mark 14:15-16).

We shall all find that things are the way our Lord has told us.  The world tries to get us to believe what it says, and we are often disappointed in the world’s false narratives.  We mix these lies into what the Lord says – which is exactly what the wicked one wants – and then are disappointed.  Trust the One who knows, and follow Him.  Trust that what He says, and know that it will come to pass.  He who knew you before you were born knows all that is needed.

Father in heaven, all things are in Your hands.  You know how all things began and will end.  Guide me to live in the truth which You have revealed.  Lead me according to Your purpose so that I humbly obey, and believe that I will find things to be just as You have revealed.  Take away the pride that causes me to stumble so that I follow Your only begotten Son on this journey of faith which You have set before me.

Thank You,  Lord Jesus, for being patient with each one of us.  You intentionally marched to the cross, setting things up along the way for our benefit.  Help me to live by this faith which You have given me.  Guide me to trust in Your word and not by the speculations of this world.  Through all things, teach me how to live life fully with each moment that You give me.  Help me to live this life in faith, trusting You above all things.  Amen.

“And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ (Mark 14:13-14)

The Lord does line things up to work out as He plans.  This is true of all eternity.  Notice the particularities and details.  The Lord works things out to the most minute detail.  He has been doing this since the beginning.  We get carried away with our prognostications while the Lord is holding all things together and working them together for good for those who love Him.  Learn to trust wholly in the Lord for all things.

Lord, I notice many things about this part of Your story.  First, You have lined things up, but also You want us to do things as well.  We each have opportunity to live by faith, trust Your word, and obey what You have directed.  You, who know all things, have called us to live by faith and trust that You will bring all things together, just as You planned from the beginning.

Lord Jesus, I see You pulling these things together as You head for the cross.  You give me every opportunity to live by faith.  Help me to not waste so much time trying to figure things out but instead live by the faith You have given me and humbly follow where You lead.  Guide me to live the faith You have given me, knowing that You go before me to prepare the way.  Amen. 

“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” (Mark 14:12)

The traditions are fulfilled.  By this time in His ministry, the disciples knew that things were going to be done in a particular way.  Many who go to church are in this situation.  They know things need to be done in a certain way, but, as we learn from the disciples, there is a difference between the religion of tradition and the faith of trusting Jesus.  Yes, He knows, but also, He is your friend as He was theirs.  He will lead you.

Lord, You know how often I come to You knowing that You know all things, but I do not come in faith and trust You.  Lead me out of such thinking so that I humbly walk with You knowing that You already have things planned.  You have offered me an eternal relationship, living with You now and forever.  Help me to obey You and do what You give me to do, and also to engage fully with You in this relationship You make possible.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being patient and kind.  You have led me all the days of my life.  Wherever I was (or was not) on this journey of faith, You have been there.  Guide me to live today knowing that You have plans for me, that You care about my life and all that is happening around me.  Teach me to be awake and aware, living each day that You give me, walking by faith, and in the grace for which You gave Your life for so that I might live with You now and forever.  Amen.

“Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.  They were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time” (Mark 14:10-11).

Becoming indignant with the Lord’s actions, Judas went deep into his own idea of how things should be.  This is the betrayal that is common to all sinners.  God is not behaving as we would have Him behave.  We set ourselves up as the judge of the Lord and others.  It is the illusion of control and of pride which brings us deep into the pit of separation from the Lord.  God is the God of all.

Lord, I have done this.  I have judged You and others by my standard.  I have been self-righteously angry and not done what You would have me do, nor listened to the truth of Your word but relied upon my own ideas.  Help me, Lord, so that I look at things through Your eyes.  Guide me so that I do what You would have me do and not run off into the crazy thinking of this sinful world.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me into the good life, not judging others, but heeding Your word of truth and living with the desire to obey all that You command.  Guide me so that I may listen to the Holy Spirit as You help me to learn how to live righteously.  Through all things, be the One who leads me, and take me out of my sinful thinking to seek the Father’s will in and through all things.  Amen.

“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.  Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her” (Mark 14:8-9).

And so it has been done according to the Lord’s will.  Our Lord is very intentional about the words spoken and these words are important.  They teach us about dependence upon Him and what He will have us do.  He does not expect us to do good deeds perfectly, for we cannot, but He who is perfect must be the One who leads us into perfection.  We are called to live lives that are balanced.

Lord, this world is filled with causes.  There are so many things that I hear, and there are pleas to do this or that.  I am often confused, not knowing which direction to take.  Be the One who helps me.  Lead me to learn from You what it means to be faithful.  Guide me to learn how to live in faithfulness.  Teach me the things I need to know and then help me to put them into action.

Lord Jesus, the stories You want to be told speak to our hearts to teach us eternal lessons.  There are those examples which You lift up so that we may know and understand.  Guide me in the best way of living life so that I hear and heed Your word, sharing the stories You would have me share.  Help me to look to You, hear Your word, and obey all that You command.  Lead me this day, dear Lord.  Amen.

“But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.  For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me” (Mark 14:6-7).

What are our priorities?  Sometimes we look at the good we are supposed to do and that displaces our relationship with the Lord.  We have our religion to point us to the relationship our Lord makes possible.  We should not live for our own sake, but for the sake of the One who created us.  There is a fine line here that is often crossed.  Live in the relationship You have with the Lord and not for your own ideas of how things should be.

Lord, You care for all, but also You came to teach us how to live the godly life.  You have come to teach us priorities and the necessary boundaries which we may and often do cross.  Yes, we are to do good, but also, we are not to do these things for our own sake, but according to the Father’s will.  Lead us to be prudent and have balance so that our good deeds are in Your will  and not with our ideas of what is right and fitting.

Lord Jesus, this is a difficult lesson to learn.  You know how easily I go to the place where I operate from my own sense of right and wrong and not according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Guide me to humbly submit to the Father’s will in all things.  Teach me what it means to be sensitive to others while remaining faithful to you.  Help me so that my religion builds upon the relationship we have.  Amen.

“But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?  For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her” (Mark 14:4-5).

We are supposed to do what the world expects us to do.  Appearances seem to be very important, but reality is often left to the privacy of the individual heart.  The Lord is focused upon the heart and does not seem to mind whatever has brought the heart to this place.  Some poor are poor for their own selfish reasons.  Some are not.  What does this act of Jesus have to do with poverty?  The Lord gave infinitely more for your soul and mine.

Lord, I think too often in terms of dollars and cents.  I do not think enough in terms of temperance and prudence, or sense.  You have given me a mind that is able to think.  Help me to use my mind and think things through.  I do not know the heart of anyone, let alone myself, but You do.  I do not know the reasons for most things, but You do.  Help me to be less a judge and more one who loves You and my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, every act of mine could have been in another direction.  Help me to be led by the Holy Spirit so that my acts are faithful to the call You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that in You I have the hope of becoming like You as You prepare me to dwell with You eternally.  Lead me now and always in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.