I Am The Light Of The World
Drama
Conversations With The Savior
Dialogues And Children's Sermons For Lent And Easter
JESUS: I see you're going my way, toward Emmaus. Do you mind if I walk with you?
CLEOPAS: Actually, my friend and I were having a private conversation, but I suppose it's all right. It's really not safe to travel alone. My name is Cleopas, and you are ...?
JESUS: Just another neighbor. You look like you've had a distressing day. What's the trouble?
CLEOPAS: What's the trouble? Don't you know? Are you the only one who doesn't know the things that have happened these past three days in Jerusalem?
JESUS: What things?
CLEOPAS: Everything about Jesus of Nazareth, the one the priests and rulers turned over to Pilate to be crucified. It was just this past Friday that he died. How he once filled our hearts with joy and hope! We had hoped he would be the one to redeem Israel!
JESUS: You had hoped, but now you don't?
CLEOPAS: How can a dead man do anything? When he was with us, he seemed so different, his wonderful deeds; the things he said about himself: I am the Bread of Life, I am the Gate, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Resurrection and the Life, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and I am the Light of the World. All these things he said to describe himself, and you know, I almost believed in him.
JESUS: But now you don't?
CLEOPAS: Like I said, he's dead.
JESUS: What makes you so sure?
CLEOPAS: I saw it all with my own eyes. I was there every step of the way up Golgotha. I heard the hammer blows as the soldiers drove the nails into his hands and feet. I listened to every word he said from the cross, even those impossible words, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Forgive them? For that cruelty? For that injustice? Maybe he wasn't who I hoped he would be, but he did nothing to deserve the cross. He died quickly, though. There was no need to break his legs, as they did to the others. But just to make sure, one of the soldiers thrust his spear into Jesus' side. He was dead, all right.
JESUS: So now your world is in darkness. Rather than joy and hope, your world is filled with sorrow and disappointment. You feel Jesus has failed you. He's not who he said he was. And so today you despair. The light he promised isn't shining for you anymore.
CLEOPAS: Yes, that's what I'm feeling.
JESUS: And you have no reason to change your mind?
CLEOPAS: No reasons of any importance. Oh, I suppose you should know that some of our women visited Jesus' tomb this morning as the sun was coming up. They said it was empty. They said there were angels there, ablaze with light, dressed in the whitest of garments. The angels had a message, "You're seeking the body of Jesus. He is not here. He has risen, just as he said."
JESUS: You didn't believe the women?
CLEOPAS: Well, you know how some women can be -- emotional, gullible. Besides what can you see when the sun's just barely coming up? I think they probably wanted Jesus to be alive so much they just convinced themselves. But they surely seemed happy! And so excited! They ran all the way to the Upper Room to tell Peter and the others their story!
JESUS: What if it were true? Would that explain their joy and excitement?
CLEOPAS: Oh, sure, but that's impossible. The dead don't rise.
JESUS: Just how well did you know Jesus?
CLEOPAS: As well as anybody. I was there through most of his ministry.
JESUS: Were you there when the woman taken in adultery was brought to Jesus? He told her accusers that whoever was without sin should cast the first stone. They all left. Then he said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin." What kind of person would speak such words to a sinner, words of forgiveness? And do you remember what he said a little later to his disciples?
CLEOPAS: Yes, he said, "I am the Light of the World." He surely shined some light on the whole matter of sin and guilt. He made us see that we were all sinners who needed forgiveness.
JESUS: And right after that, he restored the sight of the man born blind. All that the Pharisees could see was that Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath. But the blind man could see far more; he could see that Jesus was from God.
CLEOPAS: Jesus was certainly light to that blind man, that's for sure. What a contrast his faith was to the darkness of unbelief in the hearts of the Pharisees.
JESUS: Cleopas, you have said it was impossible for the dead to be raised, yet you saw Jesus give sight to a blind man, something that has never before happened in the history of the world. Why is one more impossible than the other?
CLEOPAS: I never thought of that.
JESUS: And what about Lazarus, Jesus' friend whom he called out of the tomb alive after he had been dead for four days? Surely you heard about that!
CLEOPAS: Indeed I did! It was the talk of all Jerusalem and Judea!
JESUS: Isn't it interesting that even the religious leaders didn't question that miracle. They knew it happened. But they plotted against Jesus anyway because he was a threat to their power.
CLEOPAS: I'm beginning to understand. Maybe the story the women told was true after all. Could it be that Jesus is everything he said he was? Maybe he is the Light of the World! But that couldn't be. He's dead. Say, how do you know so much about Jesus?
JESUS: How slow you are to believe, Cleopas. Didn't the prophets speak of how the Christ would suffer and then enter glory? Aren't even the very details of his death foretold in the Psalms, even his words from the cross? And wasn't it Isaiah who said that the Christ would be the Lamb upon whom all the sins of the world would be laid and through whom all would be healed? Doesn't this shed light on the events of the last three days, Cleopas?
CLEOPAS: How blind I've been! The miles have gone by so quickly. Here's my house. Within my heart the light of hope is beginning to shine again. But out here in the street it will soon be dark. Won't you come in and eat with us?
JESUS: Your hospitality is appreciated and accepted. I would love to break bread at your table.
CLEOPAS: Here, I'll get the door. Dear wife! Meet my new friend, who's name I still don't know but who seems to know much about Jesus. Perhaps he would bless our meal for us? Friend, sit here in the best place. Here's the bread. Won't you offer a prayer?
JESUS: Indeed I will. Father, bless this bread to the nourishment of our bodies and bless also the hands that prepared it. Grant this household to know him who is the Light of the World.
CLEOPAS: Why, I know you! You're no stranger! You're Jesus! What the women said is true! They didn't make it up after all! You're alive! You, you ... Jesus? Where did you go? You were just here and now you've gone. Dear wife, I must go back to Jerusalem at once and tell the others! I've seen him, Jesus himself! He is alive! This bread is the very bread he broke! He lives! He lives! It's true, the Lord has risen!
Prayer
God of light and glory, illumine our hearts with him who is the light of the world. Help us to know that even now he lives to give us hope and forgiveness and eternal life. And grant us joyful boldness to proclaim to the world his victory over sin and death. In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Easter Sunday
John 8:12
Children's Sermon
Item needed: a small table lamp
Good morning, children. What a happy looking group! Why are you smiling? (Most will answer, "Because it's Easter!") Yes, today is Easter, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Were some of you here on Good Friday? If you were, how did the church look inside? (Allow several to answer.) Yes, everything was very dark. There were no banners, no altar coverings, no beautiful flowers. Only one candle was left burning. It was a sad day because we were remembering that Jesus died.
But today is different. Everything is bright in the church. There are flowers everywhere. Look at all the candles! Each of you has your best clothes on, and you're smiling. Why? Because we're celebrating! Jesus isn't dead anymore. He's alive!
When I was little, I used to be afraid of the dark. I would lie in my bed and think the shadows on the wall were monsters. I would look at my clothes on the chair and think they were moving. Sometimes I'd would jump out of bed and go to my parents' bedroom and tell them I was afraid.
What do you think they would do? (Let the children answer.) Yes. Mom or Dad would take me back to my room, and turn on the light like this. (Do it.) We'd look all around the room together. I would see that there weren't any monsters and nothing was really moving. Then I'd get back in bed and happily go to sleep. (Turn off light.)
It was something like that for Jesus' friends when he died. Life had become very dark and scary. Even the sun stopped shining for a while. The disciples of Jesus were so frightened they locked themselves in a room.
Fortunately, some brave women went to Jesus' tomb very early in the morning on Easter Sunday to finish preparing him for burial. It was just barely daylight. Guess what they saw at the grave of Jesus! The tomb was open! There were angels as bright as lightning! And they said, "He is not here; he has risen!"
Would you have been afraid if you were there? So would I. But what the angels said was like a light coming on in the darkness. (Turn on the lamp.) Since Jesus is alive, we don't need to be afraid, ever! He's always with us protecting us from the real monsters of sin and death and the devil. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Because Jesus is alive, the light is always on in our life. Happy Easter!
Prayer
Dear Father in heaven, thank you that because Jesus lives we have no need to be afraid. The monsters of sin and death and the devil are defeated at the cross and the empty tomb. We are safe in Jesus who is the Light of the World. In his name we pray. Amen.
CLEOPAS: Actually, my friend and I were having a private conversation, but I suppose it's all right. It's really not safe to travel alone. My name is Cleopas, and you are ...?
JESUS: Just another neighbor. You look like you've had a distressing day. What's the trouble?
CLEOPAS: What's the trouble? Don't you know? Are you the only one who doesn't know the things that have happened these past three days in Jerusalem?
JESUS: What things?
CLEOPAS: Everything about Jesus of Nazareth, the one the priests and rulers turned over to Pilate to be crucified. It was just this past Friday that he died. How he once filled our hearts with joy and hope! We had hoped he would be the one to redeem Israel!
JESUS: You had hoped, but now you don't?
CLEOPAS: How can a dead man do anything? When he was with us, he seemed so different, his wonderful deeds; the things he said about himself: I am the Bread of Life, I am the Gate, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Resurrection and the Life, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and I am the Light of the World. All these things he said to describe himself, and you know, I almost believed in him.
JESUS: But now you don't?
CLEOPAS: Like I said, he's dead.
JESUS: What makes you so sure?
CLEOPAS: I saw it all with my own eyes. I was there every step of the way up Golgotha. I heard the hammer blows as the soldiers drove the nails into his hands and feet. I listened to every word he said from the cross, even those impossible words, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Forgive them? For that cruelty? For that injustice? Maybe he wasn't who I hoped he would be, but he did nothing to deserve the cross. He died quickly, though. There was no need to break his legs, as they did to the others. But just to make sure, one of the soldiers thrust his spear into Jesus' side. He was dead, all right.
JESUS: So now your world is in darkness. Rather than joy and hope, your world is filled with sorrow and disappointment. You feel Jesus has failed you. He's not who he said he was. And so today you despair. The light he promised isn't shining for you anymore.
CLEOPAS: Yes, that's what I'm feeling.
JESUS: And you have no reason to change your mind?
CLEOPAS: No reasons of any importance. Oh, I suppose you should know that some of our women visited Jesus' tomb this morning as the sun was coming up. They said it was empty. They said there were angels there, ablaze with light, dressed in the whitest of garments. The angels had a message, "You're seeking the body of Jesus. He is not here. He has risen, just as he said."
JESUS: You didn't believe the women?
CLEOPAS: Well, you know how some women can be -- emotional, gullible. Besides what can you see when the sun's just barely coming up? I think they probably wanted Jesus to be alive so much they just convinced themselves. But they surely seemed happy! And so excited! They ran all the way to the Upper Room to tell Peter and the others their story!
JESUS: What if it were true? Would that explain their joy and excitement?
CLEOPAS: Oh, sure, but that's impossible. The dead don't rise.
JESUS: Just how well did you know Jesus?
CLEOPAS: As well as anybody. I was there through most of his ministry.
JESUS: Were you there when the woman taken in adultery was brought to Jesus? He told her accusers that whoever was without sin should cast the first stone. They all left. Then he said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin." What kind of person would speak such words to a sinner, words of forgiveness? And do you remember what he said a little later to his disciples?
CLEOPAS: Yes, he said, "I am the Light of the World." He surely shined some light on the whole matter of sin and guilt. He made us see that we were all sinners who needed forgiveness.
JESUS: And right after that, he restored the sight of the man born blind. All that the Pharisees could see was that Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath. But the blind man could see far more; he could see that Jesus was from God.
CLEOPAS: Jesus was certainly light to that blind man, that's for sure. What a contrast his faith was to the darkness of unbelief in the hearts of the Pharisees.
JESUS: Cleopas, you have said it was impossible for the dead to be raised, yet you saw Jesus give sight to a blind man, something that has never before happened in the history of the world. Why is one more impossible than the other?
CLEOPAS: I never thought of that.
JESUS: And what about Lazarus, Jesus' friend whom he called out of the tomb alive after he had been dead for four days? Surely you heard about that!
CLEOPAS: Indeed I did! It was the talk of all Jerusalem and Judea!
JESUS: Isn't it interesting that even the religious leaders didn't question that miracle. They knew it happened. But they plotted against Jesus anyway because he was a threat to their power.
CLEOPAS: I'm beginning to understand. Maybe the story the women told was true after all. Could it be that Jesus is everything he said he was? Maybe he is the Light of the World! But that couldn't be. He's dead. Say, how do you know so much about Jesus?
JESUS: How slow you are to believe, Cleopas. Didn't the prophets speak of how the Christ would suffer and then enter glory? Aren't even the very details of his death foretold in the Psalms, even his words from the cross? And wasn't it Isaiah who said that the Christ would be the Lamb upon whom all the sins of the world would be laid and through whom all would be healed? Doesn't this shed light on the events of the last three days, Cleopas?
CLEOPAS: How blind I've been! The miles have gone by so quickly. Here's my house. Within my heart the light of hope is beginning to shine again. But out here in the street it will soon be dark. Won't you come in and eat with us?
JESUS: Your hospitality is appreciated and accepted. I would love to break bread at your table.
CLEOPAS: Here, I'll get the door. Dear wife! Meet my new friend, who's name I still don't know but who seems to know much about Jesus. Perhaps he would bless our meal for us? Friend, sit here in the best place. Here's the bread. Won't you offer a prayer?
JESUS: Indeed I will. Father, bless this bread to the nourishment of our bodies and bless also the hands that prepared it. Grant this household to know him who is the Light of the World.
CLEOPAS: Why, I know you! You're no stranger! You're Jesus! What the women said is true! They didn't make it up after all! You're alive! You, you ... Jesus? Where did you go? You were just here and now you've gone. Dear wife, I must go back to Jerusalem at once and tell the others! I've seen him, Jesus himself! He is alive! This bread is the very bread he broke! He lives! He lives! It's true, the Lord has risen!
Prayer
God of light and glory, illumine our hearts with him who is the light of the world. Help us to know that even now he lives to give us hope and forgiveness and eternal life. And grant us joyful boldness to proclaim to the world his victory over sin and death. In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Easter Sunday
John 8:12
Children's Sermon
Item needed: a small table lamp
Good morning, children. What a happy looking group! Why are you smiling? (Most will answer, "Because it's Easter!") Yes, today is Easter, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Were some of you here on Good Friday? If you were, how did the church look inside? (Allow several to answer.) Yes, everything was very dark. There were no banners, no altar coverings, no beautiful flowers. Only one candle was left burning. It was a sad day because we were remembering that Jesus died.
But today is different. Everything is bright in the church. There are flowers everywhere. Look at all the candles! Each of you has your best clothes on, and you're smiling. Why? Because we're celebrating! Jesus isn't dead anymore. He's alive!
When I was little, I used to be afraid of the dark. I would lie in my bed and think the shadows on the wall were monsters. I would look at my clothes on the chair and think they were moving. Sometimes I'd would jump out of bed and go to my parents' bedroom and tell them I was afraid.
What do you think they would do? (Let the children answer.) Yes. Mom or Dad would take me back to my room, and turn on the light like this. (Do it.) We'd look all around the room together. I would see that there weren't any monsters and nothing was really moving. Then I'd get back in bed and happily go to sleep. (Turn off light.)
It was something like that for Jesus' friends when he died. Life had become very dark and scary. Even the sun stopped shining for a while. The disciples of Jesus were so frightened they locked themselves in a room.
Fortunately, some brave women went to Jesus' tomb very early in the morning on Easter Sunday to finish preparing him for burial. It was just barely daylight. Guess what they saw at the grave of Jesus! The tomb was open! There were angels as bright as lightning! And they said, "He is not here; he has risen!"
Would you have been afraid if you were there? So would I. But what the angels said was like a light coming on in the darkness. (Turn on the lamp.) Since Jesus is alive, we don't need to be afraid, ever! He's always with us protecting us from the real monsters of sin and death and the devil. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Because Jesus is alive, the light is always on in our life. Happy Easter!
Prayer
Dear Father in heaven, thank you that because Jesus lives we have no need to be afraid. The monsters of sin and death and the devil are defeated at the cross and the empty tomb. We are safe in Jesus who is the Light of the World. In his name we pray. Amen.
