If we wish to see Jesus, we must be prepared to follow him so that where he is, there we may be also.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, we would like to see you.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, help us to follow you.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, may we be prepared to lose our lives for you.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 12:20-33
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. [21] They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." [22] Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. [23] Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. [25] Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. [27] "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. [28] Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." [29] The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." [30] Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. [31] Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. [32] And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." [33] He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
Story:
It's difficult to understand the idea of "losing your life in order to gain it." This story shows how Tom's great attachment to his balloon actually prevented him having a lot of fun.
The Beautiful Red Balloon
Tom and Jenny each had a beautiful balloon. Tom's balloon was bright red, his favourite colour, and Jenny's was green. Tom was so thrilled with his balloon that he wanted to keep it for ever and ever. His last balloon had floated away on the breeze when Tom opened his hand, and he never saw it again. The one before that had burst with a loud bang, which had frightened Tom.
But this beautiful red balloon was different. It was very expensive and it had a face on it, and it was the largest balloon Tom had ever seen. It was also filled with something called "helium gas", which meant that he had to keep tight hold of it or it would very quickly float up to the stars.
Tom's Mum wanted them all to play with Tom's balloon, but Tom clutched it to his chest and shook his head. He didn't want to lose it.
"All right," said Tom's Mum. "We'll play with your balloon, shall we Jenny?"
Jenny nodded happily, and soon Jenny and Mum and Dad were laughing and joking and dancing around, patting the green balloon to each other. It looked such fun that Tom thought he'd join in. He jumped up.
But his mother said, "Oh no, Tom. We couldn't play with your balloon, so I'm afraid you can't play with us."
Tom was disappointed, but he didn't really care. He still had his beautiful red balloon.
When they'd finished playing, Tom's Dad said, "Hey, shall we write your name and address to a piece or card and attach it to the balloon? Then we could throw it up into the air, and someone far away might find it and return it to you."
Jenny clapped her hands with delight, and carefully wrote her name and address on a card. Her Dad attached it to the balloon, and Jenny went outside and threw it as high in the air as she could. They all stood and watched as it sailed up into the sky and quickly disappeared from view.
"What about you, Tom?" asked his Dad, but Tom shook his head. There was no way he was going to release his balloon, he loved it too much.
Tom's balloon lasted for three days, then it began to go down. After five days, it was just a forlorn little shrivelled piece of red rubber and Tom felt very sad.
The following week, Jenny had a phone call. It was from Holland, way across the sea, from somebody who had found Jenny's balloon. After that, Jenny often had phone calls from Holland, as well as little presents and cards, and in the summer she was invited to go to Holland on holiday.
But Tom had nothing.
Activity:
Continue preparations for the Easter garden. This week, plants.
You need:
A very large sand tray filled with soil.
Some
small trowels and forks.
Some large pebbles or small rocks.
Some small
pots of polyanthus or other suitable plants.
Some moss.
Water and a
watering can.
Today, plant the Easter garden. Rake over the soil, decide where the tomb and the crosses will be (the garden is completed next week), divide up the polyanthus into tiny clumps and plant in the garden. Make a hill with soil and cover it with moss, for the crosses. Use the rocks and pebbles to mark a rocky area where the grave will be. Water the plants and the moss, and if necessary, be prepared to water again during the week.
Diary Time: For details, click here.
Talk about the difficult concept of "Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Ask the children what that statement means, and write down their answers on a flip chart without comment. Then go through the answers, and discuss each one. Hopefully the idea of unselfishness will arise, and the idea that if you hog everything to yourself without sharing, it goes wrong.
Invite the children to remember a time when they were unselfish, and to write about it or draw it.
Intercession:
Jesus our leader, guide all members of your church both old and young, male and female along the right path. Forgive our selfishness and help us to give our lives into your care so that we may filled with your love and your joy.
Jesus our leader, guide all world leaders and all local leaders. May they find the right path to follow and may they make sure that all human beings are treated well. Help them to care more about the people under their care than they do about their own wealth or security. And may they lead us to peace.
Jesus our leader, guide our own community along the path you would have us follow. May we work together for the good of all within our community. May we restrict our own selfish desires and open our eyes to see the best way forward. Raise up for us wise leaders, and enable each of us to play our proper part in the life of our community.
Jesus our leader, guide those who are sick into the paths of health and lead them beside the still waters. Nourish their souls and enable them to become well and strong again. We name them (in our own hearts) .....
Blessing:
May you be willing to lose your life for his sake.
May you desire to be filled with his love and his joy.
May you be prepared to take up your cross and follow him.
And may the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
