“And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him” (Matthew 26:49-50).

Greetings to the Lord?  As if the Lord did not know what was in his heart!  This is one of the mistakes of the proud and haughty.  They act as if they are their own person, bringing about the outcome they desire.  Do not be proud nor haughty, but come humbly to the One who saves.  The world seeks to arrest Jesus and be rid of Him.  He is still present and holds all power and authority.  The world may be lost, but You are found in Him.

Lord, help me to humbly and simply see the truth that I do need to be saved and You are the only One who can save me.  Help me to submit in all things to Your authority and walk the way of faith.  The crowds around me may go the way they go, but after this age, it is You whom I will see at judgement.  Lead me to live my life as You are creating it to be lived.  Guide me in all of Your ways.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the forgiveness You grant by Your grace.   May I come to the place where I live by the forgiveness You give.  There is no excuse for my sin, only forgiveness.  Help me to hear Your word and live, sinning less and less.  Guide me up and out of sinful thinking to willingly and firmly follow You now and forever.  You are the Lord of my life.  Help me to live this truth.  Amen.

“And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him” (Matthew 26:47-18).

The appearance of affection covers the hatred inside.  The rebellion against the Lord is strong in sinners.  Judas wanted what He wanted, but our Lord was doing what the Father wanted.  This is the human story.  We want what we want and pit ourselves against the Lord who is the Creator of all things.  We may arrest the Lord in our heart, but He is the only One who can make us free.  Submit to the Lord in all things and know true freedom.

Lord God, You are the Maker of all things.  There is such pride in me that at the least, I think myself Your partner instead of Your servant.  Slay the pride and make of me what You will.  Though I have betrayed You within the guise of following You, teach me to take up my cross and follow You.  Without You it is hopeless, but with You alone there is hope.  Grant me the assurance of hope for the things You have promised.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross for all these things.  Guide me to be resolute in following You no matter how many like Judas I may encounter.  Take my pride from me.  You alone are the Lord of all.  Lead me to be steadfast in the truth of the salvation You have purchased through the cross.  Help me to simply and humbly be Your servant following You always in and through all things.  Amen.

“Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!” (Matthew 26:45-46)

The hour is at hand.  We all face our dark evenings when things we cannot comprehend come upon us.  Like the disciples, we are tempted to run away.  Like the disciples, even though we may betray the Lord, we can pray that His Holy Spirit will restore us to face battles yet to come.  Facing a battle will come.  Will you continue to flee or will you turn to the Lord and follow His lead?

Lord, You know where I have been and the things I have done.  You know what I need to learn how to be faithful.  With You I cannot fake it or pretend.  Lead me to learn to never fake it or pretend, but humbly walk in the truth You have revealed.  Awaken me to the truth of eternity and help me to live now in this moment in preparation of being with You forever.

Lord Jesus, You know betrayal.  I have betrayed You and You continued loving me.  Take me away from the place where I betray You so that I may be ready for every hour that comes.  You invite me into the fray of the battles of this age.  Lead me according to Your goodness and the Father’s will to do what is right and fitting in each moment You give me.  Help me to learn how to be faithful.  Amen.

“Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more” (Matthew 26:43-44).

We slumber in this age.  The warfare surrounds us and often we do not pay attention.  The wicked one seeks whom he may devour, and many around us are being devoured.  The Lord invites us into a life that is awake.  Will we slumber, or fight the urge to ignore what is around us and become involved?  Ask the Lord so that He removes the heaviness from your eyes in order  that You may be awake and join him in the battle of this age.

Thank You, Lord, that You are at the front of all of the battles that rage in our lives.  You know every circumstance and I am unable to comprehend all that You are doing.  You have given the promise that it will work together for good for all who love You.  Help me to join in and be a part of what You are doing.  Lead me out of the slumber that surrounds this life to be alert and awake to do Your will.

Lord Jesus, You must lead for You know that with heavy eyes I often do not see the truth of many situations.  Lead me through every circumstance so that I continue walking with You.  Guide me in this narrow upward journey to follow You all the days of my life.  Teach me Lord how to continuously be in prayer with You.  Help me to do what needs to be done in this life You have given me.  Amen.

“He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42).

What we experience in life often brings us to this point where there is something we would rather have taken from us.  What do we do?  Some get angry at God and walk away.  Jesus teaches us to drink the cup and submit to the Father’s will.  No, it is not easy.  This is the place where either we will trust the Lord in and through all things, or else we will not.  The Lord is Lord of all.  Will we trust Him?

Lord God Almighty, teach me to drink from the cup of suffering.  I know I will sin along the way but keep my heart from rejecting You because of my circumstances.  Lead me through every temptation so that I live the life You have given me and give thanks for the grace which is mine in You.  Where it is within Your will, keep me from suffering, but help me to accept it when it comes.  Through all things, be the One who leads me.

Lord Jesus, You suffered in ways I am unable to imagine.  Only because You are God could You do what needed to be done.  Guide me so that I humbly submit to the Father’s will.  Teach me to suffer with grace when it comes.  Teach me to comfort others with the comfort You have given me.  Through all that will come in this life, help me to live a life of faith worthy of the calling I have received from You.  Amen.

“And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?  Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40-41).

I want to do whatever You ask of me, Lord.  How many times do we make vows only to break them.  Our salvation is based upon finishing the course.  We fail and that is why we need a Savior.  Our Savior comes and finishes for us what we cannot complete.  We have a willing spirit, but our flesh is weak.  The answer is given by Jesus.  Learn how to watch and pray so that temptation does not lead you astray.

Lord, I am often tempted in this world.  I wander hither and yon, seeking after things that do not matter, when You have already given me the best portion.  Guide me, Lord, so that I look to You, the source of my being, for all things.  I am weak, but You have conquered sin, death, and the devil with Your “weakness.”  With Your strength, keep me close to You so that I may not give in to temptation.

Lord Jesus, only by Your grace, purchased on the cross, am I able to humbly walk in this life of faith which You have given me.  Guide me so that I may resist the temptations of this world and live into the life which You have given me through faith.  May I learn to lean on You for all things knowing that, in You alone, do I have hope and an eternal future.  Guide me to live  with You Knowing that You are always present.  Amen.

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).

How we long for the cup of suffering to pass from us.  This world is filled with suffering, but the Lord has promised that if we hold fast and endure to the end, all things will work together for good.  Ultimately, we meet the place where our ideas surrender to the One who holds all things in His hands.  We must attain that place where we no longer live just by the Lord’s grace, but by His will in all things.

Lord, my will gets me into trouble.  Sometimes, with the most simple things, I falter and fail.  Only Your will is perfect.  Lead me in Your will to do what is right and fitting in every situation.  I cannot see into tomorrow, but all of the days before us are in Your sight.  Guide me according to Your will and keep me from living according to my will alone.  In Your hands all things have their being.  Keep me in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You drank the cup of suffering for my sake.  Not just for my sake, but for the sake of all who believe.  You suffered for us.  Teach me how to submit in all things so that the Father’s will is the will I live.  Guide me into a life of submission so that I learn how to be obedient in all things.  By Your example, and in the grace You provide, lead me into a life that seeks Your righteousness.  Amen.

Scripture:

Luke 10:38-42

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Whew, Pastor! I am tired.

Pastor: Why are you tired, Sammy?

Sammy: I have been doing so many chores around the farm this morning. First, I helped Farmer Luke water the garden. Then I opened the chicken run so the chickens could free-range for a bit outside. After that, I helped Farmer Luke with training the puppies on the farm. They are going to be sheep dogs one day, but right now, they are a handful. And they like to play. A lot.

Pastor: That’s a lot of chores, Sammy. I am sure that Farmer Luke really appreciated your help this morning.

Sammy: You know, Pastor, that’s the thing. Usually Farmer Luke works with me to do all of these chores, but today, he just said, “You know what to do, Sammy,” and he left. I was doing all of the helping, but I was getting no help!

Pastor: I am sorry to hear that, Sammy. What was Farmer Luke doing instead?

Sammy: Well, when I was done with all of my chores, I went to go find him. It was then I realized he left and went to go pray in the meadow before church.

Pastor: What’s wrong with that, Sammy?

Sammy: Are you kidding me, Pastor? I had to do all of these chores—by myself—and I didn’t even get a thank you from Farmer Luke. And he was sitting in the meadow praying. Do you see what is wrong with that picture?

Pastor: I think Farmer Luke chose a great thing to do. We all need to devote more of our time to prayer.

Sammy: But, Pastor, I didn’t get any help. You should call Farmer Luke on your phone and tell him that he needs to help me next time.

Pastor: Farmer Luke chose the best thing.

Sammy: What!

Pastor: Think about it, Sammy. All of the chores you did were not urgent. They could all wait until later. When it’s time to spend time with Jesus, we should focus on him and listening to him.

Sammy: But what about all of the other chores and things I need to do today?

Pastor: We can worry about those things after church. Right now, we need to focus on listening to the Word of God and worshiping Jesus. That’s the most important job we have.

Sammy: I’ll try.

Pastor: That’s the spirit, Sammy. Boys and girls, would you please fold your hands and bow your heads so we can pray? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to remember what is most important. Help us to focus our attention on you. Please give us energy for our chores and for all we need to do. Please give us peace knowing you are Lord of all. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture:

Luke 10:25-37

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Today I want to teach you all the most important commandment.

Sammy: I know! I know!

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: I know the most important commandment!

Pastor: Go ahead. What do you think the most important commandment is?

Sammy: Love God with all your heart.

Pastor: Great job, Sammy! In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus is quoting the book of Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Sammy: What does loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength look like? How can I do that, Pastor?

Pastor: Sammy, that’s a great question. Boys and girls, what do you think? How can we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like these answers! One of the things that I still don’t understand is how I can love my neighbor as myself. How can I do that?

Pastor: Let’s let the boys and girls answer this one too, Sammy. Boys and girls, how can we love our neighbor as ourselves?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: All of these ideas make a lot of sense to me. I am going to try to love everyone. I know sometimes others aren’t always kind to us, but Jesus calls us to love them. And sometimes it’s also hard to love someone who is really different from us. But God calls us to love that person, too.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. We need to remember to love our God with all that we are. And that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus is asking us to live our lives in love and service to each other. We also have to remember that a lot of times, when we serve and love others, not everyone with thank us. And that’s okay. Remember that God always sees what you do and how you treat others. He knows your heart.

Sammy: That’s comforting to hear, Pastor.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank you for helping us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!