Scripture: John 3:13-17

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: Hey Pastor. I was paying attention to the gospel reading today. Jesus said the Son of Man must be lifted up. I’m not really sure what he means by that. Did they have to lift him up really high in the sky?

Pastor: Kind of Sammy. Before I answer that question. Have you seen any crosses around the church.

Sammy: Yes, I have seen them all over the place. Boys and girls, do you see any crosses around the church?

Wait for answers

Pastor: Thank you for answering everyone. I am really glad that you can find all those crosses. They seem to be everywhere. Even in places you wouldn’t expect them.

Sammy: Okay Pastor, but what does the cross have to do with the son of man being lifted up? That doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

Pastor: Well, the son of man is Jesus and sometimes when we see crosses, we see Jesus on them.

Sammy: Oh yeah, I have seen that before. You have one of those in your office. So, Jesus was lifted up on a cross?

Pastor: Yes he was Sammy. He was lifted up high on the cross on top of a mountain and many people could see him.

Sammy: That does not seem very nice. Who would do that do Jesus?

Pastor: Some very mean people hurt Jesus like he did something bad, but he did not do anything wrong. He ended up dying.  

Sammy: That makes me sad pastor.

Pastor: It made a lot of people very sad. His closest friends couldn’t even bear to watch it.

Sammy: But Pastor. You always say Jesus is alive.

Pastor: That’s because he is Sammy. Even though he died on the cross. He rose up from the dead and he was alive again. And he is still alive today.

Sammy: That makes me happy. But why did he have to die at all.

Pastor: He died to save us. Only he could save us from our sin and he did so by dying on the cross. He became a sacrifice and suffered death so we could live with him forever.

Sammy: Wow pastor. It sounds like God loves us a lot.

Pastor: He does Sammy. Jesus said,  ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Sammy: Thank you for explaining all of that to me pastor. That all makes more sense now. Boys and girls can you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving us so much. That you would die for us. Thank you lord for forgiving our sins. And thank you for your love. Amen.

Pastor and Sammy: Bye Everyone!

“The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth.  They have venom like the venom of a serpent; like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers, or a skillful caster of spells.”  (Psalm 58:3-5)

The Lord knows those who are His.  From the womb I knew you, says the Lord.  In the mystery of why some and yet not others, there is the truth that there are those who are estranged and will remain so their whole life.  Yes, we may ponder, but heed the warning.  Look only to the Lord and walk with Him all the days of Your life.  He alone is fully trustworthy.

Lord, grant that I may recognize those who would lead me astray.  Guide me in the way of truth that You have established from the beginning.  Help me at all times to be aware that I need Your grace and mercy and the ever-present support of Your Spirit.  Lead me, O Lord, and grant that I willingly follow where You lead.  Help me now and always to turn to You first in all things.

Lord Jesus, You have fought the good fight for us and although the war is over, the rebellion rages on.  Guide me in Your goodness to walk in Your ways all the days of my life.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may be led where You would have me go.  Help me now and always to look to You as the source of truth and salvation.  Keep me from being deceived by those who lie and use deceit. Amen.