When Peter tried to interfere with his dangerous choice, Jesus spoke harshly to him. In our worship today, let us explore those times when we try to interfere with other people's choices, because we believe that we are acting in their best interests.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I try to stop other people because I'm anxious for myself.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes I try to stop other people because I'm jealous of them.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes I try to stop other people because I think I know what is best for them.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 16:21-28 (NRSV)
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. [22] And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." [23] But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." [24] Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [25] For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. [26] For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? [27] "For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. [28] Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Story:
Peter tried to stop Jesus because he was anxious for himself. He knew that if they went to Jerusalem they would be walking headlong into trouble and possibly death, and he didn't want to face it. Jesus turned on him because Jesus knew what had to be faced and needed support in his chosen course of action.
In this story, Mel needs to break the rules, but Heather is horrified and tries to stop her. Heather is anxious for herself and is unaware of the whole picture.
Mel's Trouble
As soon as Mel got into school, she thought that something was different. She had a feeling that something was wrong, although she had no idea what that might be. But she was worried and distracted.
"Come on, Mel!" urged her best friend Heather, at the end of break. "It's Drama next and if we hurry we'll get a seat near the stage."
But Mel was still uneasy. For some reason which she was unable to identify, she didn't want to go back into school. She hung back and dawdled until Heather lost patience with her. Heather grabbed hold of Mel's arm and propelled her into school.
Then, just before they reached the hall where the Drama class was to take place, Mel spotted a fire alarm. In an instant, she knew what she had to do.
"Quick! Give me your shoe! I'm going to set off the fire alarm."
Heather was horrified. She'd never seen her friend like this before. "Mel! You can't! You'll be expelled or something!" Heather stood squarely in front of the fire alarm and spread her arms out. "I won't let you!"
But Mel snapped, "Get out of my way! There isn't time for this!" and gave Heather a shove which sent her sprawling. In a moment Mel had whipped off her own shoe and hammered at the glass. When it shattered, she pressed the fire alarm button as strongly as she could. As the piercing sound of the fire bell echoed through the corridors, children began to pour out of every classroom, chattering and giggling.
Heather had regained some of her composure, but she still had a very worried expression on her face. She hated trouble, and this looked as if it would be trouble with a capital "T". She clutched at Mel's arm and dragged her back into the playground, where they quickly lined up with the rest of their class.
They were outside for what seemed like hours. All the children cheered as they saw two fire engines arrive, but Heather felt sick when she spotted that the fire engines were followed by a police car. Then the children were sent home and told to come back to school next day.
Heather hardly slept that night for fear of what would happen next day. She wondered whether she could call in sick, but knew her mother would never allow it. Then she wondered whether she could say that it was all Mel's idea (which was true). But finally she decided that she would have to stick by Mel. Because that was what best friends were for.
Immediately they arrived, the whole school assembled in the hall. The Head asked quietly, "Who set off the fire alarm yesterday?" Heather gulped and prepared to stand up with her friend.
But Mel was already on her feet and saying, "I did, Sir." It seemed like the whole school held its breath, but to Heather's amazement the Head was smiling and called Mel up onto the platform.
"Well done, Mel," he said. "Your quick action averted a potential tragedy. There was a small fire in the science block, but thank goodness, nobody was in there and nobody was injured. But tell me, how did you know? The fire had only just started when the fire brigade arrived."
Mel grinned. "I just kind of knew, Sir," she said. "I knew something was wrong and then I smelled it. Just a whiff, but I guess it was because I was looking out for something. Heather helped me," she added generously.
Heather grinned too. She was so glad to be best friends with Mel and she was so glad Mel had taken no notice of her yesterday.
Activity:
You need:
A Scoubidou (scooby doo) pack
The current
craze sweeping the country!! For ages 6 - 80, and all genders! Scoubidou
strands are a colourful collection of hollow plastic strands in many colours.
By using the correct knotting technique, they can be turned into all sorts of
things: keychains, dolls, animal figures, friendship bracelets and necklaces to
name a few. Since they are hollow, you can insert flexible wires through them
and it makes them bendable so you can position them as needed. Strands are
approx 31½" long and are made from high quality French threads. They
comply with the European standard for safety of toys NEN-EN 71-3. You can buy
packs containing 100 strands quite cheaply.
Give each child four strands and invite them to make a friendship bracelet for their best friend (you can get a pattern on the Internet, but the children will probably know exactly how to make them!)
Talk about friendship and what the children think are the important aspects of friendship (reliability, trust, honesty, support etc.) Ask what it feels like when your friend says something nasty to you, or refuses to back you up. Tell today's Bible story in your own words and ask how they think Peter might have felt when Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan!" Point out that Peter still stayed with Jesus, even though he was afraid of what might happen when Jesus went to Jerusalem.
Finish by making sure that the children realize that even though you might have an argument and say hurtful things to each other, real friends still support each other and stick together. Jesus is a real friend to us as well as to Peter. Jesus may sometimes say hurtful things to us because the truth hurts, but he will always stick with us and support us.
Intercession:
Truthful God, in our church teach us the art of speaking the truth in love without being spiteful or nasty. Encourage us to stick together and support each other in all that we do and remind us to keep Jesus at the centre of our church life.
Truthful God, enable our local and national leaders to always see the truth and to stand up for it, no matter how unpopular such a move might be. Give them courage and support in their duties of leadership, so that we might all live a better life.
Truthful God, give us sufficient humility to receive the truth even when it hurts. May we be open to your voice and realise that your words might be spoken by other people. And give us the strength to side with that which is right, no matter what the personal cost might be.
Truthful God, be with those of our friends and families who are sick or facing difficulty at this time. May they know your presence with them, supporting them and upholding them through all their problems.
Blessing:
May you have the strength
To bear criticism
And the courage
To always be honest.
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.
