Getting in God's way
Children's sermon
Object:
A football
Soon you will see and hear a great deal about football. When
I think of today's story, I think of football. Let me explain
myself. Today's story is about the time when Jesus tells his
disciples that he is going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Peter,
the leader of the disciples, said to him, "God forbid it, Lord!
This must never happen to you."
I can understand why Peter might say that, can't you? Peter loved Jesus and did not want Jesus to suffer and die. Whenever we love someone, we never want them to suffer and die. That's the way Peter was. He could not understand suffering and death.
But Jesus tells Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!" Wow! That sounds strong, doesn't it? When I think of Satan I think of the devil -- of someone who stands in God's way. That is what Jesus meant. "Peter, you are standing in God's way. I must suffer and die. I don't want to and you don't want me to, but that is what God wants me to do. It is God's will."
When football players have a football, they want to run it all the way to the end zone to make a touchdown. But there is a problem that's keeping them from doing that. What might that problem be? (Let them answer.) The problem is that there is a defensive team standing in the way!
Peter was a good person who loved the Lord Jesus. But he was standing in Jesus' way. That is why Jesus called him "Satan." Peter was like the defensive football team who prevents the quarterback from making a touchdown. Peter was not a "bad" person, just like the opposing football team is not a "bad" team. It's just that Peter was in the way.
Sometimes very good churchgoing people get in God's way as well. Some of God's most faithful people are the very ones who stop the church from accomplishing much. That's why we always pray for God's will to be done. We want things to go God's way -- even when we can't understand why. It must have been hard for Peter to understand why Jesus had to suffer and die. It's hard for us to understand that. There are many things we do not understand. But we always pray that we not be in God's way -- blocking the kingdom.
Dearest Lord: Teach us your will and help us be helpers. Amen.
I can understand why Peter might say that, can't you? Peter loved Jesus and did not want Jesus to suffer and die. Whenever we love someone, we never want them to suffer and die. That's the way Peter was. He could not understand suffering and death.
But Jesus tells Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!" Wow! That sounds strong, doesn't it? When I think of Satan I think of the devil -- of someone who stands in God's way. That is what Jesus meant. "Peter, you are standing in God's way. I must suffer and die. I don't want to and you don't want me to, but that is what God wants me to do. It is God's will."
When football players have a football, they want to run it all the way to the end zone to make a touchdown. But there is a problem that's keeping them from doing that. What might that problem be? (Let them answer.) The problem is that there is a defensive team standing in the way!
Peter was a good person who loved the Lord Jesus. But he was standing in Jesus' way. That is why Jesus called him "Satan." Peter was like the defensive football team who prevents the quarterback from making a touchdown. Peter was not a "bad" person, just like the opposing football team is not a "bad" team. It's just that Peter was in the way.
Sometimes very good churchgoing people get in God's way as well. Some of God's most faithful people are the very ones who stop the church from accomplishing much. That's why we always pray for God's will to be done. We want things to go God's way -- even when we can't understand why. It must have been hard for Peter to understand why Jesus had to suffer and die. It's hard for us to understand that. There are many things we do not understand. But we always pray that we not be in God's way -- blocking the kingdom.
Dearest Lord: Teach us your will and help us be helpers. Amen.
