Poured out
Children's sermon
Object:
a glass of water
Jesus was the Son of God. He could have set up his kingdom
like many kings and rulers set up their kingdoms. He could have
built a palace and put on a king's crown and a king's purple
robe. He could have set up his rule and demanded that all his
subjects bow down before him and perfectly obey him.
On this day many years ago, Palm Sunday, the people gathered alongside a road leading to the capital city of Jerusalem. They had what in their hands? (Let them answer.) They had branches from the trees -- palm branches. Why did they gather with branches in their hands? (Let them answer.) They wanted to welcome King Jesus to his capital.
Did Jesus come as a king who would rule over an earthly kingdom? (Let them answer.) Of course not. He came to serve all people -- not just those in Jerusalem and not just those who lived in those times. He came to pour out his life for all people of all time.
When I think of Jesus pouring himself out, I think of a glass of water. Here I have a glass filled with water. The purpose of the glass is not to keep the water, but to hold it until I drink it. I pour the water out of the glass so that the water can quench my thirst. Jesus also came to pour out his life for all people. He came to serve -- not to be served. He came to die -- not to live like an earthly king. He came to Jerusalem that week -- not as their earthly king, but as their servant. He came not to receive, but to give -- just like this water glass gives me the water inside it. (Drink the water.)
This week is called "Holy Week" and we will look at how Jesus died and gave his life for us. Jesus was a different kind of king. He was a king for all people in all places at all times -- if the people let him be their king. I'm glad Jesus obeyed God and went to the cross instead of to the throne. I'm glad he "emptied himself" for me. I'm glad he died for me.
Dearest King Jesus: You poured out your life for us. Thank you for loving us that much. Amen.
On this day many years ago, Palm Sunday, the people gathered alongside a road leading to the capital city of Jerusalem. They had what in their hands? (Let them answer.) They had branches from the trees -- palm branches. Why did they gather with branches in their hands? (Let them answer.) They wanted to welcome King Jesus to his capital.
Did Jesus come as a king who would rule over an earthly kingdom? (Let them answer.) Of course not. He came to serve all people -- not just those in Jerusalem and not just those who lived in those times. He came to pour out his life for all people of all time.
When I think of Jesus pouring himself out, I think of a glass of water. Here I have a glass filled with water. The purpose of the glass is not to keep the water, but to hold it until I drink it. I pour the water out of the glass so that the water can quench my thirst. Jesus also came to pour out his life for all people. He came to serve -- not to be served. He came to die -- not to live like an earthly king. He came to Jerusalem that week -- not as their earthly king, but as their servant. He came not to receive, but to give -- just like this water glass gives me the water inside it. (Drink the water.)
This week is called "Holy Week" and we will look at how Jesus died and gave his life for us. Jesus was a different kind of king. He was a king for all people in all places at all times -- if the people let him be their king. I'm glad Jesus obeyed God and went to the cross instead of to the throne. I'm glad he "emptied himself" for me. I'm glad he died for me.
Dearest King Jesus: You poured out your life for us. Thank you for loving us that much. Amen.
