This is a story which tries to explain how Jesus can be the Holy One (God) and yet is regarded as God's son.
Call to Worship:If we absorb Jesus, we live in him just as he lives in God. In our worship today, let us join together to explore what it means to absorb Jesus.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we find it difficult to understand the Bible.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we dismiss your word because we have failed to understand its depth.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we are afraid to probe the depths of your word in case it challenges us.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 6:56-69
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. [57] Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." [59] He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. [60] When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" [61] But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? [63] It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. [65] And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." [66] Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. [67] So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" [68] Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. [69] We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Story:
The disciples were confused and puzzled by Jesus' teaching, and some of them were offended because they took his words very literally. When Jesus asked the twelve whether they too wished to leave him, Peter responded that Jesus was the Holy One.
This is a story which tries to explain how Jesus can be the Holy One (God) and yet is regarded as God's son.
The Weekend Away
Martin had a new best friend. Azir had just started at Martin's school and sat in the only spare chair in the classroom, which was next to Martin. Martin took to Azir immediately, and before long the two boys were chatting away.
Their friendship grew from there and became stronger every day, until they were rarely parted.
One day, Martin invited Azir to the church weekend away. "It's great," he confided. "There's an open-air swimming pool and loads of sports equipment. And we do really exciting things. Last year we made go-karts and raced them downhill. And there's a concert on the Saturday evening. You and I could put on an act together. It'd be brilliant."
Azir's brown eyes shone. He was as excited as Martin. "I'll ask my parents," he promised.
But next day Azir's shoulders drooped as he came into school. "I can't go," he said. "My parents said there's bound to be worship, and I'm not allowed to join in because I'm a Muslim."
Martin was puzzled. "But nobody at church will mind! Anyway, you believe in the Old Testament and God, and in Jesus too, don't you?"
"We believe that Jesus was a great prophet," explained Azir, "but not that he was God. Anyway, how could he be God if he was God's son? Jesus used to pray to God, so how could he be God himself?"
Martin frowned. He had no idea of the answer and he thought Azir had a good point. He asked his parents about it later.
His parents acknowledged that Azir had a point and that it was rather difficult to understand how Jesus could be God's son and pray to God, and yet still be God himself. They talked about for a while, then Martin's father said," I think of it like this. We all have God inside us and we call that God within, the "Holy Spirit". But there's lots of bits of us which do our own thing and which take no notice of the God within. I think "the God within" was in Jesus just the same as in us, but that there was no bit of Jesus which did its own thing. I think Jesus did exactly what "the God within" wanted so that there was no difference between Jesus the person and "the God within", the Holy Spirit. So if you looked at Jesus on earth, you saw God."
Martin nodded. He kind of understood, although he didn't think he'd be able to relate any of this to Azir because he didn't think he'd remember it properly.
"What about the weekend away?" he asked.
"I think," said Martin's mum, "that we must respect the wishes of Azir's parents, so Azir won't be able to come on the weekend away. But I'll tell you what we'll do. We want to take the caravan up to the coast for a week. How about inviting Azir to come with us? I don't this his parents will mind that."
Martin was thrilled. They would have a terrific time together at the seaside. But he had one question left.
"Dad," he said. "If Azir is a Muslim and doesn't believe that Jesus was God, does he still have "the God Within" him, the Holy Spirit?"
Martin's dad smiled. "Oh yes," he said. "We all worship the same God, we just worship God differently. Azir's family are very devout Muslims, and very spiritual people. They all know "the God Within" very well."
Martin sighed contentedly. He was so glad his religion wouldn't spoil his friendship with Azir.
Activity:
You need:
A multi-media projector and screen
or
a
video/TV combo unit
a copy of the Star Wars film
Show some clips from Star Wars which concentrate on "The Force" (The Force be with you, etc). Ask the children what they understand by "The Force". Ask whether it was a force for good or a force for evil. Ask how Luke Skywalker was able to use the force. Then talk about the Holy Spirit and explain that the Holy Spirit is God's force within us. If you wish, you might also explain that different people have different names for this force. Ask the children what effects they think this force might have (they might come up with, or need prompting about, the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12 &13) and the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)). Explain that the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit of Jesus, because Jesus is God.
Diary Time: For details, click here.
Ask the children whether they have ever "known" something without being told. Some of them may have had "deja-vu" experiences, or "known" that someone would get better after an illness, or had other intuitive experiences. Talk about the God within giving us such knowledge. The children should write about or draw their own experiences, or those who have never experienced anything like that could draw a picture from Star Wars which shows the work of "The Force".
Intercession:
Jesus, source of all Life, so fill us in your Church with "the God within" that we mirror more and more closely your wishes and desires for us. May we align our will with yours and follow you in all we think and do and say.
Jesus, source of all Life, may the whole world become aware that you have the welfare of all human beings at heart. May we be open to those who worship differently but believe in you as God, and may religious wars become a thing of the past.
Jesus, source of all Life, teach us to understand and love each other, even when we are confused by our differences. May we be aware of you within all human beings and may we respond to your love whenever it is demonstrated by others.
Jesus, source of all Life, we bring to you those who especially need your love and healing power within them because they have problems in their life or are sick themselves or have just suffered the death of someone they love. May they know your comfort, health and strength. We name them before you ...
Blessing:
May you be filled by "the God within",
May your heart be close to God's heart
and may you grow in the love
and knowledge of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
