Children’s Sermon

Mark 2:13-22

Two Peas in a Pod

Object suggested: Fresh garden peas or a package of frozen peas.

Pictures of peas in a pod available at:
http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/pea-pod.html

Peas are a popular garden vegetable. The pea plant grows into a long vine that produces a white blossom. The blossom then forms into a pod that contains round, green peas. (Show picture.) Peas are not only delicious, but they contain vitamins and iron that make us healthy.

There is a saying that people use to describe things that are very much alike. They say, “……as alike as two peas in a pod.” If you open a pea pod you will see that the peas inside are exactly the same color, the same shape, and the same size. Packaged frozen peas also look very much alike..

Each person is unique in many ways, but there is one way that we are all “as alike as two peas in a pod.”

We learn about this in the Bible. Jesus had many followers and he was having dinner with them. Others criticized him and asked, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” (2:16). (Sinners are people who make bad choices and do things that hurt themselves and others.)

Jesus answered, “…I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (2:17).

Now here is where we are all “as alike as two peas in a pod.” There are many loving, righteous people who are an inspiration to others, but even those people, at some time in their lives, have made bad choices and done things that are hurtful. Everyone, at one time or another, has done sinful things. This is how we are all “as alike as two peas in a pod.”

We all make mistakes and need God’s forgiveness. If we were righteous (good all the time) we would have no need for God. Jesus came to offer us love and forgiveness. We all need that.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible