Children's Easter Devotion: Stumbling Over Jesus (Day 12)

He went on to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.

At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty‑handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty‑handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'

"But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!"

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.  Luke 20:9-19

Questions:

- What happened to the servants that the owner sent to collect some of the fruit?

- Then whom did the owner send? What did the tenants do to him?

- This parable was like a secret code. Who do you think the owner is? Who are the servants? Who is the son?

- What was the message that Jesus was trying to give through this story?

- Who understood Jesus' meaning and how did they react?

Thoughts: 

What made the Jewish leaders so angry was that Jesus was saying that He was God's son. Most of the Jewish leaders did not recognize that Jesus was God's Son because they were not pursuing God through faith but through works (but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." Romans 9:31-32). They did not want to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and they did not like that the people were following Him and listening to Him rather than listening to them. Today, if we tell the truth about Jesus, some will become very angry, just like the Jewish leaders. Many people do not want to believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. They want to think that they are good enough on their own and that they can earn their salvation.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the faith to believe that You are the Son of God, that God sent You to earth to die for my sins and rise from the dead. Help me to tell others about you, in a loving and gentle way.

Song:   I Lay in Zion

I lay in Zion for a foundation, a Stone,

I lay in Zion for a foundation, a Stone,

A tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone,

A sure Foundation, a sure Foundation.

A tried Stone, a precious Cornerstone,

he that believeth shall, shall not make haste.

Wonderful, counselor, the Mighty God,

The everlasting Father;

Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace

Here is a link for the song: I Lay in Zion

For Further Study: 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*

Children's Easter Devotion: Why Was Jesus So Angry? (Day 11)

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,

and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.

And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

When evening came, they went out of the city.  

Mark 11:15-19

Questions:

- Did Jesus ever get angry? If so, when?

- What made Him angry?  (It wasn't just the unfair money exchanging and imperfect animals being sold there...the area of the temple where this was taking place was in the Court of the Gentiles. This was a place that was set aside for foreigners to come and pray and worship the Lord. All the noise and activity would have kept people from meeting the Lord and worshipping Him at the temple)

- Is church supposed to be a place where we run around, are loud and yell or is church a place where we are quiet, pray and sing praises to God?

- Like Jesus, is it ever okay to get angry? If so, when?

Thoughts: 

There were three things that made Jesus angry: 1) The money changers and sellers were making money off of worshipping God? (Can you see any parallels to this today in our culture?) 2) This area of the temple was set aside for the worship of God by foreigners and Jesus wanted to make sure that they had a chance to find God. (Are our churches friendly to strangers and those of another faith?)

3) They were treating God's place of worship with disrespect. Jesus got angry because people were not being treated right and God was not being honored. Those are good reasons to be angry.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help us to welcome everyone to our church, no matter what they look like or where they are from. Help us to honor You, Lord. Thank you for Your love.

Song: Jesus Loves the Little Children

Additional information: Here is a website with printable children's activities that coincide with this story: Jesus Cleanses the Temple. I also blogged about this very topic. You can read it at Why was Jesus so angry?

For Further Study: 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This day is special for me since my great-great-grandmother was from Ireland and my grandma, Esther, went home to be with Jesus on St. Patrick's Day, 15 years ago. But it has also become special to me since I have learned the incredible story of St. Patrick! 

Below is the story of St. Patrick:

St. Patrick: From Slave to Saint by Grainne Rowland "Watch out! Hide! Here come the raiders!" My family's servants were screaming and running for cover. I watched in horror as my father's land and house were overrun. The raiders came with the Irish king, Niall of the Nine Hostages. Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind, tied up, and roughly pushed towards a waiting ship. I, Succat, was being taken as a slave! I struggled to get free. I thought of how angry my father would be when he learned that his son had been kidnapped. My father was the most powerful man in that part of Britain. Surely he would rescue me! I was thrown on board the ship with the other captives. The ship quickly sailed away. The raiders began to celebrate their successful attack. I knew then there would be no rescue. I was only sixteen years old. In Ireland, I was sold to Miliucc, a chieftain in Co. Antrim. I was forced to herd pigs in cold and rainy weather. I was hungry, wet, and shivery with cold. Always, I was lonely. I was a slave for six long years. I learned the Irish language and the customs of the Irish people. I also learned to pray. One night in a dream, I heard a voice say, "Behold, your ship is ready." I woke up and knew my chance to escape had arrived! I began my long walk to freedom. After many days, I reached Wexford, 200 miles away. I found a ship nearly ready to sail. But the captain was searching for someone to care for a pack of Irish wolfhounds on the journey. I was just the person! I was on my way home! The ship landed in northern Gaul, where there was only desert. For many days, we wandered in that desert. We found no food. The sailors made fun of my God. They asked why He didn't send us food. So I prayed. To the sailors' surprise, a large herd of pigs came into sight, squealing and grunting. It was enough meat for not only the men, but all the wolfhounds as well! On the day I walked into my home again, my mother and father ran to hug me. They both talked at once and asked question after question, never giving me time to answer. That night, I was the guest at a huge party. I was given many gifts. During the next few years, I studied in several places. I finally became a priest. It was then that I was given the name Patrick. One night, I had another dream. I saw the people of Ireland. They pleaded with me, saying, "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." I knew I must return to Ireland. When I arrived back in Ireland, I first went to Tara, the home of Irish kings. I asked King Leary's permission to preach in the country. He agreed and I began to travel throughout Ireland. I brought many people to the Christian faith. In about the year 441, I spent 40 days alone on a rocky, windy mountain praying for the Irish people. The mountain is now known as Croagh Patrick, or the Mountain of Patrick. One day, I was telling the people about God. They did not understand. So I picked a shamrock and showed them that there are three leaves but only one plant. Then the people could better understand that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make only one God. That is why, when you see a picture of me, I am usually holding a shamrock. I trained new Irish priests, and they learned many things. They knew how to copy and beautifully decorate the Bible and other books. They copied everything by hand and made paint from plants and minerals. In later years, the people of Europe forgot about learning. The Irish monks and scholars kept copying books and kept important knowledge alive. Not long before I died, I built a large stone cathedral in the town of Armagh. I also had a school built there. It later became a famous university. I died on March 17, 493, in the town of Saul, in Co. Down. This was the same place I had built my first church. Many towns wanted the honor of giving me a burial place. So my body was put on a wagon drawn by two oxen. The oxen pulled the cart to the town of Downpatrick. There I was buried. My body lies in a cemetery next to the Downpatrick Cathedral. The grave is marked by a large granite stone and the name Patrick.

This story was found at the website: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/StPatrick.html

After St. Patrick died, Ireland was used greatly by God to keep Christianity alive in Europe during the Middle/Dark Ages. At a time when there was much corruption in the Church in Europe and when very few people knew how to read so that it was difficult to spread the Gospel, the Irish/Celtic Church sent out many missionaries and helped preserve the Christian religion through its monasteries. This early celtic Church flourished with many monks and priests leaving Ireland to begin missions in Europe. In the first two hundred and fifty years after Patrick's death, around five hundred Irish saints were recognized. These missionaries established monasteries in Scotland, England, Switzerland, France, Germany and as far south as Italy.

We have much to be grateful for in the lasting Christian heritage and legacy of Patrick and Ireland!

Children's Easter Devotion: A Race to the Tomb

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.

Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.

Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)  John 20:1-9

Did you know that the forty days of Lent do not include the Sundays? Can you guess why that is? Lent is a time of thinking about Jesus' death. Every Sunday of the year, however, is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection. For that reason, we will spend the Sundays during Lent looking at one of the resurrection stories.

Questions:

- Why did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb early that Sunday morning? (the Sabbath time of rest was over and she had gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus' dead body with spices)

- What did Mary think when she saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb?

- Who were the two disciples that raced to the tomb? (the disciple "Jesus loved" is John, the author of the book of John)

- Who got there first?

- Why do you think John did not go in at first?

- What did Simon Peter discover inside the tomb?

- Do you think that if Jesus' body was taken by either an enemy or a friend, they would have taken off the strips of linen that wrapped His body and neatly folded the cloth that had been around Jesus' head?

- What do you think it means that John "saw and believed"?

Thoughts: 

The fact that John and Peter raced to the tomb, shows that in their hearts they still held out hope that all was not lost after Jesus' death, even though they did not understand His statements that He would rise from the dead. Peter, ever the leader and eager follower, pushes past John and enters the tomb. What do you think his thoughts were after he had, just two days before, denied ever knowing Jesus? Graciously, God allows Peter and John to see, with their own eyes, the empty, neat and orderly tomb. They believe even when they do not understand. We can learn a lesson from Peter and John. We may not always understand how or why God is doing something, but we can believe Him, have faith in Him and eagerly await the day when our faith will become sight.

Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for rising from the dead! Thank you for giving us the Bible so that we can know this truth. Help us to have faith in You, even when we don't understand everything that is happening around us or to us. We celebrate your resurrection this day and every day!

Song: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! 

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! 

Dying once, our souls to save, Alleluia! 

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! 

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! 

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! 

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! 

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Here is a link for the music: Christ the Lord is risen today

For Further Study: 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*

Children's Easter Devotion: And Jesus Wept (Day 10)

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.

They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." Luke 19:41-44

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Be perfect (complete, entire, full-grown), therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

Matthew 5:43-48

Questions:

- Why do you think Jesus began to cry when He saw Jerusalem?

- Jesus had been to Jerusalem many times before, why do you think He cried this time?

- What did Jesus say would happen to Jerusalem?

(In 70 AD, the Romans conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the temple and totally demolished the city...this is what Jesus was referring to).

- What was the reason that these terrible things were going to take place?

- Many of the people in Jerusalem would turn against Jesus later in that same week and call for His death. Yet, He loved them. What lesson can we learn from Jesus?

- Could this same cry of Jesus apply to the world today?

Final Thought: 

If many of us had been treated the way Jesus was treated, we would have wanted revenge. Yet Jesus did not want revenge. He did not want judgment to fall upon Jerusalem. And He does not want judgment to fall upon our world. He wants everyone He created to experience His peace. But the only way they can do that is by accepting Jesus as their Savior. We can show love for our enemies by praying for them and sharing the story of Jesus with them when we have the chance.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, just as you wept over Jerusalem and its people, may our hearts be broken for those who are lost. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the cries of those who have never known You and may we do all we can to bring them the saving knowledge of who You are and Your love for them. Use us, we pray. In Your name, Amen.

Song:  They Will Know We Are Christians

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

We will work with each other, we will work side by side

And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

They will know we are Christians by our love

A great video of this song performed by Jars of Clay with mission footage is here: They'll know we are Christians

Food for Thought: 

This would be a great time to talk to your children about mission work. There are over 2 billion people who have never heard of the name Jesus. They, like Jerusalem, are wept over by our Lord Jesus. Our children can have hearts for the lost and a desire to share Christ with the world if we will pray and share with them what God is doing in the world and how they can be involved. Check out this blogspot for more info on sharing missions with your children and educating yourself.

For Further Study: 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*

Children's Easter Devotion: The Stones Will Cry Out (Day 9)

As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" 

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."  Luke 19:36-40

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,

"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.  John 12:12-16

Questions:

Why is it called Palm Sunday?  (the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in the Jewish tradition)

Why did Jesus ride on a donkey?

What does it mean to fulfill prophecy?

Why were the people so excited to see Jesus?

What were the people expecting Jesus to do...die for them or rule over them as a Jewish king by conquering Rome?

Why do you think the Pharisees told Jesus to make everyone stop praising Him?

What did Jesus mean by his reply that "the stones will cry out?"

Final Thought: 

Jesus deserves our praise and our joy, but not for what he can do for us (like the Jews who praised Him for His miracles and for their hope in His conquering Rome) but for who He is. We can praise Him every day throughout the day, through singing, prayer, talking about who He is and what He has done, reading our Bibles and doing our best to obey Him. We can look forward with excitement to His return to earth some day!

Prayer:

We praise You Lord Jesus for who You are! You are mighty and powerful yet humble and gentle. Thank you for entering our hearts as our Savior. May we love You for who You are!

Songs:  All Glory, Laud and Honor 

All glory, laud, and honor,

to thee, Redeemer, King,

to whom the lips of children

made sweet hosannas ring.

1. Thou art the King of Israel,

thou David's royal Son,

who in the Lord's name comest,

the King and Blessed One.

(Refrain)

Here is a website for the music: All Glory

Praise Him 

Praise Him, praise Him,

praise Him in the morning,

praise Him in the noontime.

Praise Him, praise Him,

praise Him when the sun goes down.

For Further Study: 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*

Children's Easter Devotion: Trust and Obey (Day 8)

As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,

"Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

They replied, "The Lord needs it."

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.  Luke 19:28-35

Discuss 

- What did Jesus tell the disciples to do?

- Do you think this was a strange request...why?

- What did Jesus know about the colt/donkey? 

- Why would Jesus ride on a colt/donkey? (read Zechariah 9:9 - Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. - and discuss how Jesus fulfilled that prophecy)

- Did the disciples obey Him? Do you think they had any questions in their heads about this?

- Why do you think the owners let the disciples take the colt?

Final Thought: 

Sometimes the Lord calls us to do something. yet we still may worry how it will all work out. The disciples may have worried also. When we worry, we are basically saying to God that we don't trust Him to work in our lives the way He says He will. You see, Jesus knew all about the colt and how His Father in Heaven had prepared that colt for Him. In the same way, when Jesus asks us to do something, He already has everything prepared for us. All we have to do is trust and obey His Word.  

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Prayer: 

Thank You Lord for always preparing the way before us. We ask You to help us walk in that way, trusting and obeying You. 

Song: Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove

The delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows,

For the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Lord I love you, please help me to

Trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we'll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Here is a website with the song and lyrics song

For further study 

There are many children throughout the world who are very bold in their faith in Christ, especially in nations where it is hard to be a Christian. Sharing their stories can encourage a bolder faith in your children. A wonderful resource is Kids of Courage

* Some of the content of this blog is based on the book Family Celebrations at Easter by Ann Hibbard.*