I Am The Way And The Truth And The Life
Drama
Conversations With The Savior
Dialogues And Children's Sermons For Lent And Easter
THOMAS: The Passover meal has ended, Jesus, and all Jerusalem is sleeping except for us. Shouldn't we return to the upper room so kindly offered us and spend the remainder of the night there?
JESUS: Thomas, I am going away, as I told you during the supper. I must prepare for my journey.
THOMAS: But surely, Jesus, the preparations will be much easier if you are rested. I am just one of your disciples but if the others are like me, we are all very tired.
JESUS: My enemies do not rest. Even now they too are preparing for my departure. I must prepare too.
THOMAS: How can you prepare when the few things you own are still in Bethany, and our feet are taking us to Gethsemane? What can be done in a garden at this late hour?
JESUS: I need nothing for my journey but the assurance of my Father's word in prayer.
THOMAS: Jesus, you keep speaking of your departure, of your going away. Over and over at the supper you spoke this way. You said we could not go with you. Yet we have gone everywhere else with you, for three years and more. Why not this time? Are you abandoning us, Jesus?
JESUS: No, Thomas. It is true that I am going away, but I would never abandon you. When I am gone, my Father will send the Holy Spirit. He will comfort and help you and be with you forever.
THOMAS: Jesus, forgive me, but what you say isn't making sense to me. You say you are going away and we cannot come, but you won't abandon us? In the upper room you said we couldn't follow you just now, but later we would. Jesus, just where are you going? And if we are to follow later, how do we find the way?
JESUS: Thomas, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
THOMAS: You are on your way to the Father, Jesus?
JESUS: Yes, Thomas.
THOMAS: You speak of the Father so often, Jesus, but who is the Father? Where is he?
JESUS: I and the Father are one.
THOMAS: Now I really don't understand, Jesus. We have confessed you as the Christ, the Son of God. But how can the Father be the Son too?
JESUS: I am always the Son and he is always my Father, yet we are one. And the Spirit whom Father and Son send after my departure is one with us.
THOMAS: Jesus, if you would show us the Father, we could understand.
JESUS: That is just what I have done, Thomas. He who has seen me has seen the Father. The words I speak are the Father's words. The works I do are the Father's works. Hear these words and see these works in faith, and in truth you will know the Father.
THOMAS: Then why must you go away, Jesus? If we know the Father through all that we hear and see in you, wouldn't it be better if you stayed?
JESUS: I am going to prepare a place for you, Thomas, a mansion of many rooms.
THOMAS: A mansion? If you would let me come now, I could help you build it, Jesus! And so could the others. Most of us are just fishermen, but with a master carpenter like you showing us how, we could do the work in no time! And we'd never have to be apart!
JESUS: I must build the mansion by myself, Thomas. You cannot help me. Though the mansion has room for all, the Father has called me to build it alone. With two beams and three nails, I will build this mansion.
THOMAS: Just two beams and three nails? Forgive me for doubting you, Jesus, but no mansion was ever built with just two beams and three nails. What shelter could that give? Who would want to live in it?
JESUS: Thomas, the two beams and the three nails are my cross. All who come to my cross in faith will enter the beautiful mansion I prepare for them. All who would come to the Father must come through the cross, for there is no other way.
THOMAS: So that's it. You're not going away as one would take a journey to Cyprus or Rome. You are going away in the sense of death. And that on a cross! Oh, Jesus, there has to be another way. It's just too shameful, too horrible.
JESUS: For the world, yes. For all who cling to this cross, no. This is the way to the Father and his mansion. By my death on the cross, you and all who believe will have a home in heaven forever. No one comes to the Father except through me.
THOMAS: No one comes to the Father except through you, Jesus? But the cross is much too offensive. Others will surely claim there are many ways. Just as it is said that all roads lead to Rome, surely there are other roads to the Father and his mansion.
JESUS: Do you know what you are saying, Thomas? All have sinned and so no one is worthy of a home in this mansion. That means that for everyone, entrance to the mansion is by God's grace. And if by grace, who is anyone to complain about a gracious gift? And, Thomas, if there are many ways, then the Father has sent his Son to die on the cross for nothing. To sacrifice his Son when there are other ways would make him a monster.
THOMAS: I mean no offense, Jesus. But still, some will say it's not fair. What of the multitudes of people who with great sincerity seek another way?
JESUS: Fairness is when one gets what he deserves. Remember the woman who was caught in adultery, in the very act? The religious leaders demanded that she be stoned to death. She had, after all, broken the Law of God. I never disagreed. But do you remember what I told her accusers, Thomas?
THOMAS: Yes, I do, Jesus. You said, "Whoever is without sin, let him cast the first stone."
JESUS: And then what happened?
THOMAS: All her accusers left.
JESUS: Why do you suppose that was?
THOMAS: Because they had all sinned and deserved the same punishment.
JESUS: Yes, Thomas. They all had sinned and deserved death. If entrance to my Father's house were based on sincere attempts to live righteously, no one would enter since all are sinners. That's what would be fair. But entrance into my Father's house isn't based on fairness, Thomas. It is based on my Father's grace. And in grace he has provided a way, my death on the cross. Would you rather have fairness or grace, Thomas?
THOMAS: I would rather you not have to die, Jesus. But if you must, then let me die with you that I might enter this mansion now and not have to wait.
JESUS: Thomas, you cannot come now. Someday you will, but for now, you must remain and tell others of my love and death for them that they might have life and a home in the mansion.
THOMAS: What if they won't believe? It's so hard even for me to accept. How will I know this is true?
JESUS: You have heard my words. You have seen my works. After my death on the cross, I will come to you again in person. Then you will know that I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.
THOMAS: Jesus, I'm so tired. Can we talk more about this tomorrow?
JESUS: No, Thomas, not tomorrow. But in three days we will.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the Father through your words and works of love. Though we are unworthy because of our many sins, nevertheless, you have prepared a way for us to enter the heavenly mansion through your cross. Help us never to be ashamed of it, but always recognize it as the only way of salvation. And send us the Spirit you have promised that we might not be alone but daily have power to believe and boldness to confess you as Savior. In your name we pray. Amen.
Lent 5
John 14:1-7 (8-14)
Children's Sermon
Item needed: a road map or an atlas
It's good to see you all again, children. It's getting closer and closer to Easter. Are you getting excited? I am too. Because Jesus came and died for our sins, and rose again on Easter Sunday, we have a way to heaven. Without Jesus, we would be lost and never find the way.
I brought my road atlas with me. Do you have one? When do your parents use a road atlas or map? (Allow a child or two to answer.) Yes, we use the atlas when we take a trip. The lines on the map are roads. Each road has a route number written by it. To get where we want to go, we find out where we are and then locate the place we want to go. Next we learn what road will take us there.
If you want to take a trip to Denver from Albuquerque, will the road to Phoenix get you there? No! Why not? (Wait for answers.) Right. Phoenix is southwest and Denver is north. We could drive for a long time on the road to Phoenix and never get to Denver. What road would we have to take? (Let children look at the map.) Yes, we would have to take this road and go north on it. It's called I-25.
How many of you would like to go to heaven someday and be with God? (Children will raise their hands.) Good! So do I. Some people think there are many roads to heaven. But did you hear what Jesus said in the Gospel Lesson? He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
That means only Jesus is the way to heaven. All who believe that he is God's Son who died for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead will live forever with God in heaven. I'm so happy that Jesus is the way to heaven, aren't you? Let's say, "Thank you," to God for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you that you have sent your son Jesus to be our Savior. Without him, we would have no way to heaven. We would never see our heavenly Father. But you love us and sent Jesus so that all who believe in him might know the way to heaven. Help us show others that Jesus is the Way. In his name we pray. Amen.
JESUS: Thomas, I am going away, as I told you during the supper. I must prepare for my journey.
THOMAS: But surely, Jesus, the preparations will be much easier if you are rested. I am just one of your disciples but if the others are like me, we are all very tired.
JESUS: My enemies do not rest. Even now they too are preparing for my departure. I must prepare too.
THOMAS: How can you prepare when the few things you own are still in Bethany, and our feet are taking us to Gethsemane? What can be done in a garden at this late hour?
JESUS: I need nothing for my journey but the assurance of my Father's word in prayer.
THOMAS: Jesus, you keep speaking of your departure, of your going away. Over and over at the supper you spoke this way. You said we could not go with you. Yet we have gone everywhere else with you, for three years and more. Why not this time? Are you abandoning us, Jesus?
JESUS: No, Thomas. It is true that I am going away, but I would never abandon you. When I am gone, my Father will send the Holy Spirit. He will comfort and help you and be with you forever.
THOMAS: Jesus, forgive me, but what you say isn't making sense to me. You say you are going away and we cannot come, but you won't abandon us? In the upper room you said we couldn't follow you just now, but later we would. Jesus, just where are you going? And if we are to follow later, how do we find the way?
JESUS: Thomas, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
THOMAS: You are on your way to the Father, Jesus?
JESUS: Yes, Thomas.
THOMAS: You speak of the Father so often, Jesus, but who is the Father? Where is he?
JESUS: I and the Father are one.
THOMAS: Now I really don't understand, Jesus. We have confessed you as the Christ, the Son of God. But how can the Father be the Son too?
JESUS: I am always the Son and he is always my Father, yet we are one. And the Spirit whom Father and Son send after my departure is one with us.
THOMAS: Jesus, if you would show us the Father, we could understand.
JESUS: That is just what I have done, Thomas. He who has seen me has seen the Father. The words I speak are the Father's words. The works I do are the Father's works. Hear these words and see these works in faith, and in truth you will know the Father.
THOMAS: Then why must you go away, Jesus? If we know the Father through all that we hear and see in you, wouldn't it be better if you stayed?
JESUS: I am going to prepare a place for you, Thomas, a mansion of many rooms.
THOMAS: A mansion? If you would let me come now, I could help you build it, Jesus! And so could the others. Most of us are just fishermen, but with a master carpenter like you showing us how, we could do the work in no time! And we'd never have to be apart!
JESUS: I must build the mansion by myself, Thomas. You cannot help me. Though the mansion has room for all, the Father has called me to build it alone. With two beams and three nails, I will build this mansion.
THOMAS: Just two beams and three nails? Forgive me for doubting you, Jesus, but no mansion was ever built with just two beams and three nails. What shelter could that give? Who would want to live in it?
JESUS: Thomas, the two beams and the three nails are my cross. All who come to my cross in faith will enter the beautiful mansion I prepare for them. All who would come to the Father must come through the cross, for there is no other way.
THOMAS: So that's it. You're not going away as one would take a journey to Cyprus or Rome. You are going away in the sense of death. And that on a cross! Oh, Jesus, there has to be another way. It's just too shameful, too horrible.
JESUS: For the world, yes. For all who cling to this cross, no. This is the way to the Father and his mansion. By my death on the cross, you and all who believe will have a home in heaven forever. No one comes to the Father except through me.
THOMAS: No one comes to the Father except through you, Jesus? But the cross is much too offensive. Others will surely claim there are many ways. Just as it is said that all roads lead to Rome, surely there are other roads to the Father and his mansion.
JESUS: Do you know what you are saying, Thomas? All have sinned and so no one is worthy of a home in this mansion. That means that for everyone, entrance to the mansion is by God's grace. And if by grace, who is anyone to complain about a gracious gift? And, Thomas, if there are many ways, then the Father has sent his Son to die on the cross for nothing. To sacrifice his Son when there are other ways would make him a monster.
THOMAS: I mean no offense, Jesus. But still, some will say it's not fair. What of the multitudes of people who with great sincerity seek another way?
JESUS: Fairness is when one gets what he deserves. Remember the woman who was caught in adultery, in the very act? The religious leaders demanded that she be stoned to death. She had, after all, broken the Law of God. I never disagreed. But do you remember what I told her accusers, Thomas?
THOMAS: Yes, I do, Jesus. You said, "Whoever is without sin, let him cast the first stone."
JESUS: And then what happened?
THOMAS: All her accusers left.
JESUS: Why do you suppose that was?
THOMAS: Because they had all sinned and deserved the same punishment.
JESUS: Yes, Thomas. They all had sinned and deserved death. If entrance to my Father's house were based on sincere attempts to live righteously, no one would enter since all are sinners. That's what would be fair. But entrance into my Father's house isn't based on fairness, Thomas. It is based on my Father's grace. And in grace he has provided a way, my death on the cross. Would you rather have fairness or grace, Thomas?
THOMAS: I would rather you not have to die, Jesus. But if you must, then let me die with you that I might enter this mansion now and not have to wait.
JESUS: Thomas, you cannot come now. Someday you will, but for now, you must remain and tell others of my love and death for them that they might have life and a home in the mansion.
THOMAS: What if they won't believe? It's so hard even for me to accept. How will I know this is true?
JESUS: You have heard my words. You have seen my works. After my death on the cross, I will come to you again in person. Then you will know that I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.
THOMAS: Jesus, I'm so tired. Can we talk more about this tomorrow?
JESUS: No, Thomas, not tomorrow. But in three days we will.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the Father through your words and works of love. Though we are unworthy because of our many sins, nevertheless, you have prepared a way for us to enter the heavenly mansion through your cross. Help us never to be ashamed of it, but always recognize it as the only way of salvation. And send us the Spirit you have promised that we might not be alone but daily have power to believe and boldness to confess you as Savior. In your name we pray. Amen.
Lent 5
John 14:1-7 (8-14)
Children's Sermon
Item needed: a road map or an atlas
It's good to see you all again, children. It's getting closer and closer to Easter. Are you getting excited? I am too. Because Jesus came and died for our sins, and rose again on Easter Sunday, we have a way to heaven. Without Jesus, we would be lost and never find the way.
I brought my road atlas with me. Do you have one? When do your parents use a road atlas or map? (Allow a child or two to answer.) Yes, we use the atlas when we take a trip. The lines on the map are roads. Each road has a route number written by it. To get where we want to go, we find out where we are and then locate the place we want to go. Next we learn what road will take us there.
If you want to take a trip to Denver from Albuquerque, will the road to Phoenix get you there? No! Why not? (Wait for answers.) Right. Phoenix is southwest and Denver is north. We could drive for a long time on the road to Phoenix and never get to Denver. What road would we have to take? (Let children look at the map.) Yes, we would have to take this road and go north on it. It's called I-25.
How many of you would like to go to heaven someday and be with God? (Children will raise their hands.) Good! So do I. Some people think there are many roads to heaven. But did you hear what Jesus said in the Gospel Lesson? He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
That means only Jesus is the way to heaven. All who believe that he is God's Son who died for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead will live forever with God in heaven. I'm so happy that Jesus is the way to heaven, aren't you? Let's say, "Thank you," to God for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you that you have sent your son Jesus to be our Savior. Without him, we would have no way to heaven. We would never see our heavenly Father. But you love us and sent Jesus so that all who believe in him might know the way to heaven. Help us show others that Jesus is the Way. In his name we pray. Amen.
