Children’s Sermon

John 14:1-14

Grandpa’s Cabin

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John 14:1-14

Grandpa’s Cabin

Kyle and Kelly were disappointed when they saw dad load his suitcase and some tools into the pickup truck. “Where are you going?” Kyle asked. Their dad explained that he was driving up to Grandpa’s cabin in the mountains. He said he would be adding a porch so that when it rained, they could still enjoy fresh air. He said he would be back soon and then the whole family could go with him to the cabin. Dad also reminded them that they could call his cell phone any time they wanted to talk with him.

Their story reminded me of a story in the Bible. Jesus told his disciples that he would be going away to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. Just like Kyle and Kelly, the disciples were sad and disappointed.

One of Jesus’ friends, Thomas, said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going! How can we know the way?” (Verse 5)

Jesus explained again,“I am the way.” (Verse 6)

But Thomas and the other disciples were confused by everything that had happened in the past and everything that was happening right then. The others didn’t speak up, but Thomas wanted to understand, so Thomas said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” (Verse 8)

Jesus must have rolled his eyes at that point. He had been with these disciples for three years, teaching them, helping them to understand about God, the Father. Still they didn’t understand. But once again Jesus explained his own connection to God, the Father.“Believe me,” he said,“that I am in the Father and the Father in me.” (Verse 11)

Do you think they understood then? (Allow the children to respond.) You are right. They probably didn’t understand, because Jesus continued explaining. He said that if people truly believed in him – in Jesus – that the things Jesus’ did, his followers would be able to do, also.

He even said,“If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (Verse 14)

Now, I imagine Thomas and the others were still confused. Jesus had been talking about going away, about trusting and believing. They had a hard time understanding that they were simply to place their trust in Jesus. He was getting ready to go away, but just for a while, not forever. But, he wanted Thomas and the others to understand that he would never really leave them alone.

“Believe me,” he said,“that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.” They didn’t understand. Sometimes, we don’t understand either, but we know that we can trust what Jesus says. Sometimes, we have to choose to trust and believe.

PRAYER

We pray to you, Holy God. Thank you for your Holy Bible. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the lessons you teach us about trust and believing. We know that Jesus returned to you to prepare a place for us. We believe that. We know that he will come back some day. We trust in that truth. Amen.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible