“For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Mark 14:21).

Those who follow the Lord will be forgiven their sin.  Those who continue demanding that things be the way they want them to be are given a dire warning.  Woe to the one who rejects the salvation of the Lord.  Be led not by Your desires, but by the truth which has been revealed to you in scripture.  The Lord has come to save all who will live in the salvation He offers.  Those who continue in rebellion remain in the condemnation into which we all were born.

Lord and God Almighty, without Your salvation, we continue on the path of condemnation.  To reject You is to betray the salvation You have given us.  Lead Your faithful children to remain true to the salvation You have given us by grace through faith.  Good Shepherd, open our eyes to see more clearly the truth that You alone are the only hope there is for all who come to believe the truth that You are the One who has come to gather the wandering sheep of this world.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister to my heart.  Help me not betray the love You have poured into my heart.  Keep me in humbleness, willing to serve as I have been served.  Take me far from the temptation of thinking that I can do as I please, knowing that to love my neighbor means caring for them as You have cared for me.  Lead me deeper into the faith You have given me.  Amen.

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.

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.