“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table” (Matthew 26:6-7).

What can you give the Lord?  It is not the expense of the item, but the love that guided the one who anointed the Lord.  The Lord of love has come so that we may live in the love He gives.  He offers you a loving relationship and desires that You learn to love as He loves.  Is this not the greatest commandment?  We are to love the Lord and others as we love ourselves.

Holy Spirit, I am tossed by the fickle whims of a manipulative world and often follow blindly.  You have come to fill my heart with love and wisdom.  Guide me in the true way of living according to Your word.  Help me to not just mindlessly go through life but live purposefully in the truth which has been revealed in the Gospel.  Guide me to love in word and deed, applying the things You teach me.

Lord Jesus, You who in great love gave Your life so that I may have new life have called me into an eternal loving relationship.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Open my eyes to see the pitfalls of this age so that I may walk the narrow path before me.  Through all things, teach me what it means to love others as You first loved me.  Fill my heart with Your love.  Amen.

“At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.  But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people” (Matthew 26:3-5).

How the wicked of this world plot.  There always seems to be a fear of the crowd.  Crowds must be manipulated.  If the wicked want their way, manipulation is what they will use.  The Lord gives you an offer.  You take it or you don’t.  But see how the wicked will say that we who have faith have been manipulated.  It is they, not the Lord who manipulates.  Our Lord says, “Come to me, you who are weary.”

Lord, this world wearies me.  I am often not sure what to believe.  You offer the words of truth.  You do not force me into anything but continuously offer.  Guide me in the way of true life so that I may receive Your offer and walk with You.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy in order that I may see through the wickedness of this age and live the life You are offering me.

Lord Jesus, I need to be saved from this world.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is there hope and a future.  Help me to not fall for the traps of those who manipulate but hear clearly the offer You give me to walk each day in the grace which is mine in You.  Help me to live this life of faith each day in the clear truth You have presented me through the Gospel.  Amen.

“When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion” (Matthew 26:1-2).

He who knew no sin became our sin.  He who is eternal submitted Himself to death.  He took upon Himself our death and gave us His life.  God, who knows all things, has done things that we are barely able to begin to grasp.  All who come under His grace will be recreated into new and everlasting creatures to be like Christ.  This is the offer of salvation, that we walk trusting Him always and believe He will make of us what He promised.

God of all creation, I am often puzzled by the course of events that I read.  I ask so many questions, but all things are in Your hands, and You ask me to simply trust You.  Lord, You know that I am wrapped up in myself.  Unwrap me and help me to put You on so that I may see things through Your eyes.  You are the greater and I am the lesser.  You are the author, and I am what You have created.

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew in me a right spirit.  Take not Your Holy Spirit from me but restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.  Kindle in me a heart of grace, mercy, and love so that I humbly walk according to Your direction and lead a life in service of You who first served me.  Prepare me for the eternal way of living that I might reflect Your light in this world of rebellion.  Amen.

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).

When this age is over, it will be shown that there have been only two kinds of people.  There are the righteous and the unrighteous.  In faith, we are made righteous through Christ.  Only by Him and with Him is this possible.  He will take us from where we were to where we need to be.  He will make the faithful into children of the Heavenly Father who love others as He loves us. 

The unrighteous remain in their rebellion.  Any good that the Lord put into them will be thrown away by them and they will go ever deeper into themselves, not caring about the Lord or about others.  The righteous will become like Christ and the unrighteous will become anti-Christ.  There will be heavenly creatures and hell-bound creatures.  To live is Christ.  To deny Christ is eternal death.

Lord Jesus, You have made clear the two directions.  This world is filled with dualism — good and bad, but You are Trinity.  You offer new life by grace, and it is mine because of You.  Help me to live this new life which You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk in the way You are leading me, not to do whatever I imagine, but to live into the eternal life You have given me.  Amen.  

“Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either’” (Matthew 25:44-45).

When people are independent, do not think beyond their own desires, and live for themselves, they do not see those around them who are in need.  Those curved in on themselves do not care about others.  This will show up in what they do not do.  They do not have concern for you beyond what you can do for them.  Though our lives are surrounded with people like this, there will not be these kinds of people in eternity.

Do not read that this is any kind of works righteousness.  If you have put on Christ, your heart will change, and you will have concern for those around you.  You will notice those who are in need.  The Lord grows a heart of love such that we have compassion, mercy and grace for others.  This will be shown through the things we do.  Christ does not see both great and little people, He made us all in His image and loves us equally and impartially.

Lord Jesus, increase in me awareness of others and grow in me Your love so that I do what You ask me to do.  You have already saved me, but I need to continue the journey of becoming more like You each day.  Guide me by Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk where You would have me walk, seeing what You would have me see, and doing those things which are pleasing to the Father.  Amen.

“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me’” (Matthew 25:41-43).

There are all kinds of people.  Some really do not care for anyone other than themselves.  They may act the part of a respectable person, but their heart is far from the Lord.  Unless we are redeemed, we cannot be a part of the kingdom.  Unless we have a new heart, we will not be ready to live eternally in the kingdom of the Lord.  It is a matter of letting the Lord save You.  He alone can make you ready to serve.

Lord, I cannot do this, so You must.  You must take over the management of my life.  You must lead me in the way You would have me go.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, so that I walk in the way You have established.  I see the principles clearly here, but I often do not follow them.  Help me to get out of the way.  I must decrease and You must increase.  Or should I not say that and humbly say, do as Thou will?

Lord Jesus, You alone are the Savior.  Help me to humbly submit to Your leadership today.  Guide me according to Your goodness so that I willingly do as You ask.  Plant in me a servant’s heart that will do what is right simply because it is right.  Help me, Lord, and teach me to follow.  Lead me on Your path of righteousness.  Amen.

“And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me’” (Matthew 25:39-40).

If you have the heart of a servant, you help where you are able.  Whether a stranger on the street or the person next door, your heart cares about the welfare of others.  But there are those who will not help, even when it would be easy to do so.  Some will help only certain kinds of people and others will never stoop to serving other kinds of people.  There are only people, and the Lord calls for us to have servant’s hearts.

Lord, often I judge others by their appearances or circumstances.  Lead me away from being so judgmental to see all as image bearers whom You have created.  You have come to redeem all who believe.  Help me to be amongst the redeemed.  I have witnessed the hard-hearted attitude that looks down on others and will not help them.  Let me not be that way.  Help me to look to You so that I follow where You lead.

Lord Jesus, You are telling us that the hard-hearted will not be among those who are with You.  Soften my heart, not to do all things for all people, but to look to You and do as You lead me to serve.  Guide me in this life of faith which You have given me so that I humbly walk the path You have set before me.  Teach me how to be faithful in little things as well as what I consider the big things.  Amen.

Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

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: Sammy, can you tell everyone what Jesus means by sending his disciples out like lambs in the midst of wolves?

Sammy: Sure, Pastor! Jesus is talking about how vulnerable his disciples will be as they go out to take the good news of the Gospel with them. They are going to face many dangers. Wolves eat lambs like me for a snack.

Pastor: That’s great insight, Sammy. One of the things to keep in mind is that the Holy Spirit equips the disciples, and they have Jesus, the Good Shepherd. So they are not in danger because of these two realities.

Sammy: I also like how Jesus tells them not to bring anything with them.

Pastor: Why is that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, I like that he will provide for them as they travel. It’s neat that God uses other people to provide for us. And I bet they ate some really good food on the way, too.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what are some of the things that the disciples did for people?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers. The disciples shared about Jesus, healed the sick, prayed, and ate with people in a variety of towns. We can do all of these things for our brothers and sisters in Christ today, too.

Sammy: I love that the gift of the Holy Spirit and this commission from Jesus is not just for his twelve original disciples, but for all of us believers today as well.

Pastor: Exactly, Sammy. Let’s say a prayer together. Can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for leading us to people in need. Help us to be your hands and feet. Help us to pray for and love each other. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

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, I am ready to go!

Pastor: Where are you going, Sammy?

Sammy: I am going to follow Jesus. And I am all ready to go.

Pastor: But, Sammy, you are already following Jesus. You love Jesus. You are here in church every week, and you use the gifts God gave you to help his kingdom on earth grow.

Sammy: Yes, but I am going to be more intentional now.

Pastor: How so, Sammy?

Sammy: I have a sleeping bag ready for Jesus. My daaa-daaa is still alive and well, and I don’t plow fields. So that means I am intentionally following Jesus.

Pastor: Oh, Sammy.

Sammy: You should see the set up I have for Jesus in the barn. I have a sleeping bag, a scented candle, warm straw. He will love it. It will remind him of being a baby.

Pastor: Sammy, I think you are missing the point of the Gospel reading today.

Sammy: I am?

Pastor: Yes, I think so. Jesus is calling those who follow him to leave everything behind. He wants us to focus on serving him and each other. Following Jesus is about leaving your old life behind and accepting the new live that God is giving you. The new life we have in God is so much fuller, richer, and lovelier than any life we can try to make for ourselves.

Sammy: So Jesus won’t be needing my sleeping bag?

Pastor: No, Sammy. But I think your heart is in the right place for thinking about giving Jesus a place to lay his head. Boys and girls, would you please bow your heads and fold your hands so we can pray together? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to better serve each other and you. Please help us to leave our old lives behind. Please help us look to you for our new lives. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, everyone!

Scripture: 

Luke 8:26-39

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, it’s amazing how one simple word from Jesus can change a person’s life.

Pastor: Isn’t that cool, Sammy?

Sammy: Yes it is! What I love about this story from the Gospel reading for today is Jesus sends the man who was healed out to tell everyone about what God has done for him.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. And the man goes out and tells everyone he meets about how much Jesus has done for him.

Sammy: He was living like a pig before. That’s not pretty at all.

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. But you’re pretty close.

Sammy: Hang on, Pastor. The lives that pigs live is very different from the lives that sheep live. I would know. I live with a lot of sheep and there are pigs on our farm, too. Boys and girls, what are some of the differences between pigs and sheep?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Sheep and pigs sleep in different places, eat different foods, and live very different lifestyles.

Sammy: Exactly. And we want to live like sheep. Not like pigs.

Pastor: I like that, Sammy. Jesus calls us to be his sheep; he is the Good Shepherd. We want to follow him like sheep. Let’s say a prayer together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to live like sheep. Help us to be grateful when you speak and when you call out to us. Thank you for changing our lives. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, everyone!