Important time
Children's sermon
Object:
a hairbrush, some homework, a bottle of fingernail polish, a home devotion book
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted
by many things ..." (v. 41)
Good morning, boys and girls. One day when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he stopped in to see his friend Lazarus and Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha. Everyone was happy to see Jesus. It had been a long time since Jesus had been to their home. Mary and Martha made sure that Jesus was comfortable. Then Martha went to get things ready for a big meal. Mary sat down beside Jesus and asked him questions about some of the exciting things that he had been involved in lately. Mary loved the stories about other followers in places like Cana, Jericho, and other towns and villages. Mary never grew tired of hearing about feeding 5,000 people with a few fishes and loaves, or the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Moments with Jesus were the most precious moments of her life.
On the other hand, Martha was very busy. She had to choose the food for the dinner, go to the well for fresh water, clean up the kitchen and the room where they were going to eat, and make sure things were ready for Jesus to stay overnight. She was a very busy woman.
It reminds me of some girls that lived in a wonderful family. The girls' names were Jean and Julie. Every night the family gathered for devotions before they went to bed. Usually their father would read something from the Bible and their mother would lead them in prayer, but they always had a family discussion. (hold up book) Jean always looked forward to this time of the day with her sister and parents. Her sister, Julie, was a different girl. While her dad was reading, she was brushing her hair or putting on fingernail polish. (hold up brush and polish) One night she brought her homework so that she could read it over before a test the next morning. (hold up homework) It didn't seem like Julie ever listened to the devotions. She was always busy doing something else.
Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping and was not making good use of her time. Julie complained about the devotions because sometimes they lasted too long and she had so many things to do. Jesus told Martha to relax and spend the time with him and Mary. There was so little time they had together that it was much more important than dinner or dusted furniture. I think Jesus might say the same thing to Julie. Being busy is not always the best way to be when you have a choice of being with Jesus or doing your fingernails.
When you go home, ask your mom and dad what they think is the most important time of the day. Maybe they will tell you what Jesus told Martha, that the most important time was the time they spent together. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. One day when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he stopped in to see his friend Lazarus and Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha. Everyone was happy to see Jesus. It had been a long time since Jesus had been to their home. Mary and Martha made sure that Jesus was comfortable. Then Martha went to get things ready for a big meal. Mary sat down beside Jesus and asked him questions about some of the exciting things that he had been involved in lately. Mary loved the stories about other followers in places like Cana, Jericho, and other towns and villages. Mary never grew tired of hearing about feeding 5,000 people with a few fishes and loaves, or the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Moments with Jesus were the most precious moments of her life.
On the other hand, Martha was very busy. She had to choose the food for the dinner, go to the well for fresh water, clean up the kitchen and the room where they were going to eat, and make sure things were ready for Jesus to stay overnight. She was a very busy woman.
It reminds me of some girls that lived in a wonderful family. The girls' names were Jean and Julie. Every night the family gathered for devotions before they went to bed. Usually their father would read something from the Bible and their mother would lead them in prayer, but they always had a family discussion. (hold up book) Jean always looked forward to this time of the day with her sister and parents. Her sister, Julie, was a different girl. While her dad was reading, she was brushing her hair or putting on fingernail polish. (hold up brush and polish) One night she brought her homework so that she could read it over before a test the next morning. (hold up homework) It didn't seem like Julie ever listened to the devotions. She was always busy doing something else.
Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping and was not making good use of her time. Julie complained about the devotions because sometimes they lasted too long and she had so many things to do. Jesus told Martha to relax and spend the time with him and Mary. There was so little time they had together that it was much more important than dinner or dusted furniture. I think Jesus might say the same thing to Julie. Being busy is not always the best way to be when you have a choice of being with Jesus or doing your fingernails.
When you go home, ask your mom and dad what they think is the most important time of the day. Maybe they will tell you what Jesus told Martha, that the most important time was the time they spent together. Amen.
