The throne and the cross
Children's sermon
Object:
a cross and a decorated chair that looks like a throne
Good morning, boys and girls. I want you to see something. (point to the chair) This is a king's throne. He usually sits there dressed in beautiful clothes, with jewels in his crown, and rings on his fingers. He has people standing beside him to do anything he commands. People listen carefully to every word he says. He lives in a palace. His life is one of beauty and comfort. Remember this throne. It is a place of power.
We are one week from Easter, the most important week in all of world history. This is the week that Jesus began with a parade from a little village outside of the great city of Jerusalem in which people showered him with songs and praise and pleaded with him to be their king. This is also the week that ended with Jesus being dead in a tomb. In seven days he went from being treated like a hero to being treated like a criminal.
During that week, Jesus cried for Jerusalem and the people that lived in it, chased greedy men and their animals from the temple, prayed to God for his life in a garden, ate his final meal with his disciples and friends, watched one of his disciples betray him for money, was arrested by Roman soldiers, and appeared before the local king and the local governor sent by the emperor of Rome.
Some people who cheered him on Sunday at the parade now screamed for him to be crucified. He was led up a hill carrying a very heavy cross. There he was nailed to the cross and died within three hours. He was taken down from the cross and put in the tomb of some secret friends. His disciples denied him and went into hiding and the one who betrayed him took his own life. Only one disciple and his mother Mary and a few other women were at his crucifixion. The rest of his followers were gone. When we think of Jesus, we think of the cross.
Some people wish that Jesus sat on a throne like this chair. People would like for Jesus to wear fine clothes, jewels, and a crown. They would like for him to eat fine food and drink expensive wine. They would like to see Jesus dance at great balls, ride in beautiful chariots. But you will not find Jesus sitting on this throne.
Instead you will find Jesus hanging on this cross, suffering and dying for our sins. We will find him forgiving and helping the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the lonely, and those in prison. We hope that you will remember which king you are worshiping. Not the one who sits on this beautiful throne, but instead the God who forgives us and hangs on the cross.
We are one week from Easter, the most important week in all of world history. This is the week that Jesus began with a parade from a little village outside of the great city of Jerusalem in which people showered him with songs and praise and pleaded with him to be their king. This is also the week that ended with Jesus being dead in a tomb. In seven days he went from being treated like a hero to being treated like a criminal.
During that week, Jesus cried for Jerusalem and the people that lived in it, chased greedy men and their animals from the temple, prayed to God for his life in a garden, ate his final meal with his disciples and friends, watched one of his disciples betray him for money, was arrested by Roman soldiers, and appeared before the local king and the local governor sent by the emperor of Rome.
Some people who cheered him on Sunday at the parade now screamed for him to be crucified. He was led up a hill carrying a very heavy cross. There he was nailed to the cross and died within three hours. He was taken down from the cross and put in the tomb of some secret friends. His disciples denied him and went into hiding and the one who betrayed him took his own life. Only one disciple and his mother Mary and a few other women were at his crucifixion. The rest of his followers were gone. When we think of Jesus, we think of the cross.
Some people wish that Jesus sat on a throne like this chair. People would like for Jesus to wear fine clothes, jewels, and a crown. They would like for him to eat fine food and drink expensive wine. They would like to see Jesus dance at great balls, ride in beautiful chariots. But you will not find Jesus sitting on this throne.
Instead you will find Jesus hanging on this cross, suffering and dying for our sins. We will find him forgiving and helping the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the lonely, and those in prison. We hope that you will remember which king you are worshiping. Not the one who sits on this beautiful throne, but instead the God who forgives us and hangs on the cross.
