March 22, 2026 - Matthew 19:16-20:34 Sermon Drama

My responsibilities as conference dean took me to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Wellsville.  I created this skit to be performed in place of the sermon.

Synopsis: One of Jesus’ disciples reflects on various scenes from Matthew 19:16 – 20:34. An angel is on one side giving his thoughts. A devil is on the other side giving his thoughts. Sometimes the angel and devil talk to the disciple. Sometimes they talk to each other in criticism. The skit is broken into several parts. The congregation will read a scene in the gospel. Then the skit picks up in response to that scene.

Cast: 

One of the lesser of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
Angel – wearing a white robe or light clothing
Devil – wearing red

Props/staging: The center altar rail is removed. A chair is set on the altar platform in front of the altar. The disciple sits in it facing the congregation. The devil and angel stand on either side of him.



Part 1: Matthew 19:16-23

Disciple: I don’t understand this. How can Jesus not praise this young man? He is doing everything right. He’s an upstanding citizen. He follows the religious laws. He lives by the traditions. He’s generous with his wealth. Surely he’s good enough to deserve eternal life already.

Devil: (to Disciple) Exactly! This man is a model of virtue. He deserves good eternal life.

Angel: (to Devil) I’m surprised to hear you say that! I thought you’d be over there wanting to corrupt that young man.

Devil: (to Angel) You know well enough by now to know that’s not how I work. Plus, he’s corrupt enough already. Self-righteousness is wonderfully corrupting without me having to do any work! He’s not going to follow Jesus.

Angel: (to Devil) I know you well enough to know that you’ll use whatever tactic that you think might work at any given moment.

Devil: (to Angel) That’s one of the perks of my trade. I get to change the rules however and whenever I want! I can latch on to anything I choose. Whereas you, dear angel, have to always operate under the rules of being right.

Angel: (to Devil) That’s yet another one of your subtle traps, for I am not as bound by rules as your sort seems to think we should be.

Devil: (to Angel) Of course, you and that whole “grace” thing. Grace just doesn’t fit the rules either. But it doesn’t matter to me. I can corrupt grace just as easily as I can corrupt anything else.

Angel: (to Devil) True, you can corrupt just about anything, but that doesn’t make it right. It also means that you ultimately lose no matter what.

Devil: (to Angel) Ultimate things don’t matter in my business. It’s short-term things that get us gains.
Take this disciple of Jesus here. (Points at disciple) He thinks he’s doing the right thing by following Jesus. But he doesn’t understand half of what Jesus says. He goes along with it just because the eleven other hopeless losers Jesus chose are also just going along with it.

Angel: (to Devil) Don’t call him or the other eleven hopeless losers!

Devil: (to Angel) Why not? It’s what they are, aren’t they? Didn’t Jesus choose a dozen hopeless cases to start his religious movement? Well, maybe not a dozen hopeless cases; just eleven. Judas is shaping up to be just the useful sort I like to see.

Angel: (to Devil) They’re all as God made them to be. Which means none of them are hopeless cases.

Devil: (to Angel) Have it your way then. But watch what I can easily do to this guy.
(to Disciple) You do see how Jesus’ teachings make no sense, right? Of course God blesses people who live by the rules. God gives them wealth and power as a reward for living the right way. Then everyone else should look to them as examples. If everyone lived the right way God would bless them with a prosperous and healthy life.

Angel: (to Disciple) Not so! While God wants you to work hard and live in a good way, God does not necessarily bless and protect those who do.

Devil: (to Disciple) Do you hear the nonsense this angel is telling you? What’s the point of being good then? And what’s the point of believing in God if God’s not going to come to your aid?

Angel: (to Disciple) I never said God wouldn’t come to your aid. All I said was that God doesn’t guarantee you an easy life. Keep listening to Jesus and he’ll teach you how God’s grace works.



Part 2: Matthew 19:24-26

Disciple: A camel going through the eye of a needle?!? That makes no sense. Then who can be saved?

Angel: (to Disciple) Do you see how God’s grace works? Do you understand that it’s impossible for you to save yourself? A camel can’t go through the eye of a needle. There’s no way to ever be good enough. No matter how good you try to be you’re going to end up tripping up. Life is not about living in the perfect way and earning salvation. Life is about trusting God and living out that trust.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that angel. He just speaks confusing nonsense. Of course life is about doing what God wants. Life is about doing things the right way. When you do things the right way then God owes you.

Angel: (to Devil) You can never make God owe you. God can get anything God wants faster and better than expecting people to do it. But God loves people even though they are far from perfect.

Devil: (to Angel) So what? Who cares what’s true? All I need to do is get this guy to believe he can be good enough. When I convince him of that then I’ve won.
(to Disciple) It looks like Peter has a question for Jesus. Let’s listen to what he has to say.


Part 3: Matthew 19:27-30

Devil: (to Angel) Aha! I’m right! It’s right out of the mouth of Jesus. There are things you can do to inherit eternal life. And God will reward those who do it.
(to Disciple) Alright, you have to admit that what Jesus just said is pretty tough. You’re going to have to give up your stuff. And I know you love your stuff and it’s important to you. But there is a path. Give up your stuff and God will reward you with eternal life. And even more than that. You’ll get to be the judge over the twelve tribes of Israel! Think about all the power you’ll have. God just wants you to live humbly now and God will reward you with eternal power later.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that devil. He’s just twisting Jesus words.

Devil: (to Angel) I am not! Didn’t Jesus just give a clear quid-pro-quo situation? Give up everything and at the renewal of all things these guys will be the judges of Israel. And… and I quote Jesus himself, “..and will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” That is a clear quid-pro-quo.

Angel: (to Devil) Well, aren’t you one for using fancy terms. I didn’t think you knew what “quid-pro-quo” meant.

Devil: (to Angel) Of course I know what it means! It means, “This for that.” I do this thing for you and you do that thing for me. It’s exchanging favors. It’s making a deal and following through on it. Jesus’ words are clear: be the kind of disciple who does what God wants and God will reward you for it.

Angel: (to Devil) Yes, you have quoted Jesus correctly. But you have twisted his words. Jesus does not mean that God will return a favor. Jesus is citing several Old Testament passages that show that God’s kingdom does not work by the rules of the world.
(to Disciple) A life of true discipleship is always looking to God. Quite often that is not the way of the world. The rules of what is fair and unfair are different. To the extent that you ever serve as a judge of anyone, you will be doing it from trust in God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that complicated nonsense the angel just told you. Listen to me and I’ll make everything clear. There’s no such thing as grace. God’s favor must be earned. Those who earn it get power. Those who don’t get rejected. It’s as simple as that.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to the tempting logic that devil just told you. It is about grace. Jesus is about to tell another parable. Pay attention to what he says.


Part 4: Matthew 20:1-16

Disciple: What does that mean? That makes no sense! Clearly those who work the longest should get paid the most. That’s only fair!

Devil: (to Disciple) Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying all along. Don’t listen to this nonsense about equal pay for unequal work.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to what this devil is telling you. He’s taking Jesus’ words and twisting them.

Devil: (to Angel) Alright, if I’m twisting them somehow then tell me what they mean.

Angel: (to Disciple) Keep in mind the rich man we met just a bit ago who thought he could earn his way to heaven. Don’t add details to this parable that aren’t there. Jesus did not say that some were enjoying a day of relaxation and then only at the last minute got hired and received a full day’s pay. Also, Jesus did not say that the landowner represented God. He did not say that and he did not mean that.
You know that a day’s pay for a farm labor job isn’t much. It’s barely be enough to maintain a family at a subsistence level. In the parable all the workers who are hired needed the work badly. Jesus didn’t say why some weren’t hired right away. The point is that the landowner wants to make sure that all his workers receive enough to survive.

Devil: (to Angel) No matter how you spin it, it’s still unfair!

Angel: (to Devil) Of course it’s unfair at an earthly level. That’s the whole point! Jesus wants his followers to understand that God’s grace is not bounded by earthly fairness. At the level of God’s grace it is about everyone having an opportunity to be a part of the eternal kingdom.

Devil: (to Disciple) I suppose you’re listening to the nonsense this angel is telling you. Look, you’re a disciple of Jesus. You’ve been with him from the beginning. You’ve worked hardest and done the most work. If God is just, then you should get an exalted status in heaven. You should be above those who come to Jesus later. Plus, you’re Jewish. That should give you an inside track. You’re one of God’s chosen people. You should be above the non-Jews who believe in Jesus. If this ridiculous Jesus movement ever actually gets off the ground and becomes a religion, then Jesus should be rewarding loyalty; loyalty like you show.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t forget how you became a disciple. Did you go to Jesus and say that you were a faithful Jew and you wanted to follow him because you thought you were worthy? No. Jesus chose you. Not that many minutes ago this devil said that Jesus chose a bunch of hopeless cases. This devil thinks you’re a hopeless case! But Jesus says you are not a hopeless case. By God’s grace Jesus chose you; despite you not having anything special in worldly terms.

Devil: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that angel. I misspoke earlier. I didn’t really mean that you were a hopeless case. I just meant that Jesus was saying things that didn’t make sense and you shouldn’t be expected to understand them.

Angel: (to Devil) You’re endlessly splitting hairs and twisting details to serve your interests!

Devil: (to Angel) That’s what I do best!


Part 5: Matthew 20:17-19

Disciple: This is the third time Jesus has predicted that he will be handed over to the authorities and be condemned and killed, then be raised. I don’t understand what he means. But I don’t think I can ask again. The first time he said it Peter him aside and rebuked him for saying such nonsense. But Jesus then rebuked Peter in return.
Then a while later we gathered with Jesus in Galilee. Jesus said the same thing about being condemned and dying a second time. None of us knows what he means. It is distressing nonetheless. What does he really mean by it? I guess it’s just another parable. We’ll find out eventually.

Devil: (to Disciple) Good, good. Just ignore what Jesus says. Or when it’s too hard to understand just go along as if you do understand. Jesus will never know. And the other disciples won’t know either. Then when Jesus triumphs and it does make sense you can pretend that you understood all along.

Angel: (to Disciple) This devil is telling you nonsense. Jesus knows what he’s talking about. It is no parable. It will happen. Believe Jesus. If you don’t understand what he says then ask him. I promise you that you aren’t the only one who doesn’t understand. All would benefit if you have the courage to ask Jesus and believe him.

Devil: (to Disciple) Nah, that’s too hard. Just go along. If it’s important you’ll get it.
My devil friends on the shoulders of the other disciples tell me they’re convincing everyone to just ignore Jesus when Jesus says stuff like this. In fact, look, here comes James and John with their mother. I bet they’re going to ignore what Jesus said and ask for something important.


Part 6: Matthew 12:20-24

Disciple: James and John are such greedy schemers! They have their mother coming and asking Jesus for things on their behalf. That way they don’t look too greedy. They know Jesus doesn’t like greed. It just looks like they have a loving mother who is looking out for their best interests.

Devil: (to Disciple) Good! Good! Keep it up! Keep up that criticism of your fellow disciples. Don’t trust them. You know full well they have their own interests at heart. You should too! Keep competing to be Jesus’ favorite. He’ll reward you for it.
Plus, notice how they just ignored Jesus’ teaching about him being condemned. That’s what you should do. Like I told you before, just ignore whatever Jesus says that doesn’t make sense.

Angel: (to Disciple) Don’t listen to that devil. He’s trying to cause divisions between you and the other disciples. The more he can make you turn on each other the more he wins. Do you really want to spend eternal life competing with others for God’s favor? No. It’s all by God’s grace. Everyone will be there, not because they deserve it, but because God loves them.

Devil: (to Disciple) Just ignore what the angel said. I think you should call out James and John for their greedy schemes.


Part 7: Matthew 20:24-28

Disciple: I’m so confused. This is more about being a servant in order to be great. Is this like when Jesus talked about giving up all our possessions? Is that how I become great?

Devil: (to Disciple) Right on! Keep thinking that way. It’s all about reverse psychology. What God really wants is humility. Just be strategic in humility so that you can be great in God’s kingdom!

Angel: (to Devil) You never give up on an idea! You just keep twisting things and changing topics to make everything be about strategizing your way to greatness. That is not what Jesus is saying at all.
(to Disciple) Remember what I said earlier. Jesus chose you. You didn’t choose him. It’s already by God’s grace that you are following Jesus. Jesus doesn’t want you to waste your time or your energy posturing to be the best – whether that’s straightforward trying to get ahead or some back door method. Jesus loves you. Jesus chooses you. Just enjoy that and share the news that Jesus loves them and chooses them too. Let the rest of the details up to God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Silly, silly, silly, I say. That angel is teaching you nonsense. I tell you, the only way for you to live a full life it to take what you have and use it for yourself. Being a servant means that you’re just going to get walked over.

Angel: (to Disciple) It’s not silly at all. Jesus didn’t say that you should let yourself be walked over. He means that just as he loves you, you should love others. That means being willing to do things that aren’t glamorous. If you try to live for just yourself you’re going to end up exhausted and empty. If you take up the tasks Jesus has for you, you will be fulfilled.


Part 8: Matthew 20:29-34

Disciple: That was a cool miracle Jesus just did! It’s amazing to see him doing things like that!

Devil: (to Disciple) Cool?!? Humph. Maybe it was kind of cool, but think about it critically. It was a complete waste of a miracle. You are in Jericho. Who cares about Jericho? And Jesus heals two blind nobodies along the side of the road. (sarcastically) Big deal. Why waste power on worthless nobodies from nowhere who can’t help your cause at all?

Angel: (to Disciple) That’s another example of God’s grace. Learn from it. Just because it happened in a place unimportant to humans doesn’t mean it’s unimportant to God. And just because it happened to people who don’t seem important doesn’t mean they aren’t important to God.
Look, now they’ve become followers of Jesus too! That’s exactly grace in action.

Devil: (to Angel) Big deal. Now there are two more inept nobodies following Jesus; along with his bunch of other misfits from nowhere. I tell you, if you want to get something done in this world you have to strategize. You have to decide who’s worth it and who’s not. If they don’t have the skills then let them behind. If they’re able to help you, then recruit them.

Angel: (to Devil) That’s your perspective always. Always judge people based on how much you can get out of them.
(to Disciple) Remember, it’s all about God’s grace. God does not need anything from humans. God can get anything God wants. It is God’s own choice to love you, even though -in earthly terms- you have no value before God.

Devil: (to Disciple) Blah, blah, blah. More nonsense about grace and love. Grace and love is all that he talks about. Grace and love won’t get you anywhere. You’ll just die friendless and broke.

Angel: (to Disciple) You will die after a meaningful life. Trust God.

Devil: (to Disciple) I tell you, this angel is teaching you nonsense.
Look, it’s all coming to a head soon. You’ve been following Jesus for a couple of years now. For a long time he’s said you’re heading to Jerusalem. You’re almost there. That’s the place of Jewish power. It’s also the Passover holidays. The Romans will be pouring in with their troops to keep the peace. Pontus Pilate will probably even be there. There’s some power for you! But watch what Jesus does to them. You can bet he’s going to show them who’s boss. He’ll be knocking heads together and setting up his glorious kingdom. You’ll be honored too. Then you’ll see that I’ve been right about Jesus all along.

Angel: (to Devil) You endlessly lie and twist everything. Your stories don’t add up. You say one thing one time and another thing another time.

Devil: (to Angel) Like I said earlier, it’s a perk of my business. I can keep changing the truth to suit whatever I want. The key thing is to make this guy think it’s all consistent and logical. The only message I have to convince him of is that he’s the most important and he should look out for himself. These humans are always twisting logic for their own benefit.

Angel: (to Disciple) What this devil told you is true… partly. You are almost to Jerusalem. It is the center of religious power. And the Romans will send Pontus Pilate in with a whole legion of soldiers to keep the peace. But keep an eye on Jesus. Follow him. Believe him. Trust him. There are things that probably won’t make any sense. That’s the way God’s grace often works. But remember, even if you do fail, God still loves you. And you will have been a first-hand witness of just how much God’s grace can do!

Disciple: We have almost reached Jerusalem. I think it’ll be a big success for us. Jesus will surely make everything clear.
I know I’m a committed disciple of Jesus. …at least I think I am.
I’ll follow him no matter what happens. …at least I think I will.

March 15, 2026 Moral Foundations Matthew 19:1-15

In his 1973 book Whatever Became of Sin psychiatrist Karl Menninger notes that American presidents used to mention sin once in a while, but that none had done so since 1953. Thus at the time of publication the topic of sin had not been in presential language for 20 years. Picking up on this in 1988 United Methodist pastor Rev. Dr. Donald Strobe said, “The Republicans refer to the problems of “pride” and “self-righteousness.” The Democrats refer to “shortcomings.” But none use the grand old sweeping concept of sin anymore. Thus, it seems, we as a nation stopped sinning thirty-five years ago! And, speaking of politics: a poll on heaven and hell in the Des Moines Register awhile back found that only one Republican in 35 expects to end up in hell, whereas one Democrat in nine assumes he will. I am not sure what that means. It may mean that it does little good to preach hellfire and brimstone to a congregation that is filled with people who don’t believe there is a chance in hell that they will end up there!” (King's Treasury of Dynamic Humor. Seven World’s Press 1990, Pg. 193-4)

The word sin is certainly a word that does not get used in society anymore. Although perhaps it is used to by one political group to refer to the actions of a different group. It is a dirty word. We don’t like it. So we don’t use it. And as a society we’ve, in our consciousness, stopped sinning. But just because you chuck out a concept doesn’t mean it wasn’t true. And just because you’ve chucked it out doesn’t mean that it isn’t ultimately helpful either.

It has often been said that you cannot legislate morality. Indeed, you can try to codify moral principles into a legal system. While you have to have some sort of legal code so that there are solid boundaries, the legal code does not create morals. People will always find ways around them. You can make the legal code ever more complex so as to close all the loopholes, but people will ever find ways around them.

And then there is the other side of legislating morality. Any overly rigid moral code will inadvertently hurt innocent people. The letter of the law may even become a trap that an innocent person cannot escape. Many a novel has been written about innocent people becoming victims inescapably trapped in social and moral codes.

You cannot legislate morality. Lots of legal things are immoral. And lots of moral things may fall on the wrong side of the law.

Sin is a good concept to engage all of this. We may say that sin and morality are the same things. We would be right in seeing many overlaps. But they are not necessarily the same. Morals are about right and wrong conduct. Sin, in its most basic form, is about relationship with God. It is a deeper category than morality. Sin is going against God’s designs for creation and human society.

It is with this understanding that we turn to our gospel reading, which begins with Jesus being asked about divorce. Or perhaps I should say he’s being trapped by some Pharisees by using the concept of divorce. You’ll remember that according to the Old Testament law divorce was okay. Or, I should say it was okay for a man to divorce his wife. There was nothing giving a woman the right to divorce her husband. Grounds for divorce could be anything. Anything at all. Any failing or shortcoming the husband perceived from his wife was legitimate grounds. I’ve joked before that if the husband got home from work and his wife put a burnt meatloaf on the table for supper that could be grounds for divorce.

In Jesus’ day there was a debate over the legitimacy of divorce between the more conservative Shammaites and the more liberal Hillelites. Sort of like trying to trap someone into being either a Republican or a Democrat based on how they answer a moral question, so was the Pharisees question to Jesus to see which label they could apply to him. And just like today, if you can put a label onto someone you can impose all sorts of other categories onto that person as well.

Jesus is being asked a moral question that is a trap. Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? Jesus does not reply with a moral response. Jesus replies with a sin-based response. Jesus takes the issue back to relationship with God, God’s created order, and God’s designs for healthy human society. He says, “Have you not read that at the beginning the Creator made them ‘male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”

This answer does carry moral implications, but you can see how Jesus frames it in terms of sin.

His opponents are not satisfied with this answer. They pull out scripture for their response, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” Again, they are coming from a moral standpoint. They are asking about technicalities of right and wrong. They use the legal code to frame their question.

But Jesus refuses to be trapped into a moral argument. He once again responds from the point of view of sin, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.”

Do you see how this is again a sin category based upon God’s designs for relationships? Jesus’ ongoing response confirms that, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.” Now this can potentially open a whole new can of worms. That’s beyond the scope of this sermon. But again, we can see that he is rooting his thoughts in God’s designs for relationships and the fundamental breakdown of those relationships.

The relationships of a solid family were foundational to the early Christian church and the same is true today. Matthew’s text turns to that in a minute, but not before a somewhat bizarre aside from the disciples.

The disciples say in response to Jesus talking about God’s purposes in marriage, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

That response makes no sense whatsoever. Jesus just put broken marital relationships into the category of sin and not just morality. The disciples somehow think it’s a statement against marriage in general!?! It is bizarre to be sure. And if it is an historically accurate account then it leaves us puzzled. But within the storyline of Matthew it sets up the next scene with children. Jesus’ response to them is basically that those who get married to form families and those who remain single both serve purposes in God’s design. Pressure should not be applied either way.

That becomes a stepping stone that takes us to the meaning of this whole passage.

Children were brought to Jesus but the disciples turned them away. Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” We know these words well and we love them. Let’s make sure we understand them in context. In contrast to both Jewish and pagan religious life, the Christian community encouraged participation by the whole family. There were pagan religions exclusively for men or women, but families did not participate together. Within Judaism the practices of first century synagogues are unclear. They definitely did allow for some participation of women, but not children. Boys under age twelve did not participate in worship. Girls and young women did not at all.

In the church the entire family was welcome. All had a place. All participated. Man, woman, or child… all were worthy and regarded as important. Children, with their almost total lack of status outside the church, were regarded as models of how the kingdom of God is to be received.

The church needs all people, for all are God’s children. The church also needs sin; or perhaps I should say it relies on the concepts of sin in order to make sense of the world. We build the community of the church on the foundational relationships God designed into creation, human society, and the way humans relate to creation. Ideally it is all one united community. Any and every break from it is a sin.

I think we would do well to not categorize the actions of politics, military, business, and society in general in terms of morality. That just leads to ever more divisions, ever more judgments, and ever more posturing for the moral high ground. When we see the plight of our world in terms of sin, I believe we are taking a step of seeing it how it should be. We recognize our own sinfulness. And we recognize ways that we can and should work to bring things into God’s designs.

It is unlikely that we will solve everything, or even perhaps much of anything at all, but we will be working in the right direction for God’s kingdom.

March 8, 2026 Greatness in Heaven Matthew 18

I have been slowly reading the book We Have Never Been Woke by Musa alGharbi, who is an African American Islamic Sociologist. He sees himself as a left-leaning thinker. I find that helpful because it is from that perspective that he criticizes many left-leaning ideologies. In other words, he is allowed to say things that a white male Christian is not allowed to say. Or perhaps I should say a white male Christian would be categorically condemned by many in society for saying.

AlGharbi points out that many who would label themselves as woke may indeed consciously have their hearts -in a sense- in the right place. They are for equality and inclusivity and all sorts of things. However, in their subconscious is an opposing drive to be the elites in society. And their subconscious is the driving force. He says that in the check out line at a grocery store these elites will happily see themselves as advocates on behalf of the person working the cash register. But they would not want to be the person working at the cash register. What ultimately happens is the reverse. Despite all sorts of words and supposed policies on behalf of the have-nots, they are using the have-nots for their own personal gain. Things get worse. Not better.

Perhaps you like me taking a jab at the social progressives of our society. Perhaps you are upset that I’d make a jab at the social progressives of our society. The thing is, pretty much everyone does it no matter where they fall in the political and social spectrums.

I’ve heard it said a number of times that if you put a group of people who have never met each other before in a room together and you give them a task to do, the very first thing they do is not the task but establishing a pecking order. People jostle for higher rank. No one wants to be on the bottom.

We should not be surprised then when our gospel reading records the disciples asking Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Perhaps we should even recognize that such motives exist within ourselves even if we aren’t conscious of it. The disciples are coming to realize that the rules of the kingdom of heaven may be different from the rules of society. So they, being Jesus’ insiders, are asking for the rules of the kingdom of heaven. That way they can be great in it.

So then, how does eternal life work? Do you really want to be forever posturing for social status? It would be exhausting. It would be more like hell than heaven. I can’t answer how it works. I suppose it’s something we can’t understand this side of dying. But Jesus’ response to the disciples shows us that the whole way of thinking that we use in this life is irrelevant.

Jesus calls a child and puts the child in the midst of them. He says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:3-5)

Does that mean a reversal of strategy? Does that mean that humility now leads to greatness in heaven? No. That’s still thinking using the same categories of status; and even the need for status.

In those days and in that culture a child had no status. There were no kids’ sports leagues and extracurricular activities. Although wealthy parents would invest in all sorts of schooling and development to make their child grow up to one of society’s elite. Most kids were just mouths to feed until they grew up enough to take up manual labor. Thus, a child was a burden. Helping a child was a waste of effort if you were planning to get ahead in life. It served no purpose. Children were needy. They had to rely on others for everything.

And so, becoming like a child is to accept that you cannot make it on your own. You need your family. And perhaps most importantly, you also have no status apart from the status your family gives you.

Ultimately then, if you’re going to live in this lifetime with the anticipation of the kingdom of heaven you’re not going to be motivated by social status. It isn’t ultimately important. You don’t really care. What you do know is that you are God’s child. You have been invited by God to be a part of the family. And so the status of being in God’s family is all the status you need. There is no social posturing in heaven. So if that isn’t our heavenly reality then it shouldn’t be a driving motive for our lives now.

Consider that as we look at the scenes in Matthew 18 that follow. Jesus uses graphic language to talk about cutting off hands or feet if they cause you to stumble. Or tearing out your eye if it causes you to stumble. The Greek work is actually scandal and not stumble. We’ve run into that word scandal again, just like last week and a few weeks ago when the cross was considered a stumbling block or scandal.

Jesus says that it is unavoidable that we will stumble at times. Jesus will talk about forgiveness a little later on. At this point though, all of this means that we should not trivialize the impacts of our shortcomings and sins. Whether the little ones in society are: children, or the weak, or recent converts to Christianity, or whoever they may be, mature believers need to ensure these little ones are entering the family of God with safety and certainty.

Jesus goes on with the parable of the lost sheep. Here we see that God doesn’t just consider one lost sheep, or one lost person, an unavoidable consequence of business. God will not rest until all are together. God doesn’t want any of us to ever go astray. And God does not somehow think more of the one that is found. But God just wants all of the family together.

Jesus continues on and talks about disciplining members of the family of God. Such things will be unavoidable. Notice that Jesus’ advice maintains healthy boundaries and relationships but does not shame a person who stumbles or goes astray. The goal is reconciliation and not excommunication.

Peter asks how often we should forgive. Given all that Jesus has been saying we understand why. Peter wants to know at what point we can give up on someone in God’s family who keeps sinning. At what point have they passed reconciliation? Jesus replies, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” That’s a high number! The point is that we shouldn’t keep track. For if we are keeping track it isn’t really forgiveness in the first place. Again, keeping track is the stuff of social posturing.

Finally Jesus gives the parable of the unforgiving servant. The debt the king forgives is enormous – more than several lifetimes worth of earnings. But then the servant who has been forgiven demands immediate repayment of a relatively small debt. The king finds out and hands the initial debtor over to be tortured until he repays the impossibly high debt.

Again, see all of this in light of social posturing and who is better than another. That whole way of thinking is faulty in God’s kingdom. We need to remember that we all sin. We all stumble. We all fall short. Therefore we must be graciously forgiving as well.

Indeed, all of this can sound like bad people can get away with a lot. These texts have been used in a way that bad people have gotten away with a lot, and their victims keep on suffering and suffering and suffering and never stand up for themselves. But that is not Jesus’ intent at all. Jesus’ intent is to have us center our lives on being in God’s family.

Matthew 18 does create an accountability system for those who do wrong. But again, restoration to the family is the main goal. And when people are belligerent in their activities then they have basically removed themselves from God’s family.

We live now freed from what can easily be a life-consuming quest for status and greatness. But it is not so in God’s heavenly kingdom. So let those who do their social signaling and moral posturing do it. It’s not our problem and it’s not worth our energy trying to keep up with them. We are God’s children. We are God’s family. In that we live safely forever.

March 1, 2026 Jesus: Son of God, Son of Man Matthew 16:13-17:27

Have you ever thought it was odd the way Jesus often refers to himself as the Son of Man? In what we read from Matthew today Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man five times. In the Bible as a whole Jesus uses the term to refer to himself 28 times, which more than anything else. Also, Jesus alone refers to himself as that. Only once in John’s gospel does a crowd call Jesus that; and there they are asking Jesus what he means by calling himself the Son of Man. So what does all of this mean?

Perhaps the good news is that if we are confused we aren’t alone. Even the best biblical experts aren’t sure what it means! (Although perhaps that’s not good news. We often want the experts to give us definitive answers so that we can be sure!)

“Son of Man” is awkward in English. It’s also awkward in Greek. But we start to get at what’s going on when we realize that it is not a native Greek term, but is the literal translation of the common Hebrew term, “ben adam”. Remember that the name Adam means simply human, earthing, or earth dweller. It is used 93 times in Ezekiel where the phrase designates the prophet as a mere human being in contrast to God.

So does that mean that Jesus is calling himself a mere human being? Well, it’s not that simple, but we’re probably on the right track. Again, the biblical experts differ on this, but many do think that Jesus used this in a self-effacing way. He wanted people to see him as human, as relatable. This idea fits quite well.

Notice in our reading from Matthew that Peter calls Jesus the Son of the living God. At the Transfiguration the voice from the cloud says of Jesus, “This is my Son, the Beloved…” I can’t think of any place in the Bible where Jesus calls himself the Son of God.

And let’s note this little twist. Who does call Jesus the Son of God? The devil does when Jesus is tested in the wilderness. It’s interesting that evil focuses on the divine aspect of Jesus while Jesus himself focuses on his human aspect.

We saw that also playing out in what we read today. Jesus asks his disciples who do they say that he is. Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus praises Peter for this and says, “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Yay to Peter! But…

Jesus goes on to say he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering and be killed. Peter takes him aside and rebukes Jesus as if Jesus is demon possessed for saying such a thing. There’s no way in Peter’s mind that the Son of the living God could possibly have such a thing happen. But what does Jesus reply to Peter for insisting too much on Jesus as Son of God? “Get behind me Satan…” There’s the Satan presence again for insisting that being the Son of God is a special status that is above, and immune from, the limits of humanity and the reality of death. Jesus goes on, “You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting you mind no on divine things but on human things.”

Something fascinating happens there. By Peter insisting that Jesus be divine and not have bad things happen he is actually focused on human things. Whereas Jesus, insisting on his humanity, is actually focused on divine things. Therein is the great irony. The strength that God shows for our salvation is not divine power at all. It is in dying as a human that God reveals ultimate power; power over death.

I suspect that as we sit here we all probably have a reasonable sense of our own capabilities. We know roughly how smart we are compared to others based upon the grades we got in school. We know how strong, pretty, athletic, and coordinated we are compared to others. Perhaps we are young and feel like our powers are growing to unknown heights. Perhaps we are old and lament abilities that we once had but are now gone.

What special: intelligence, wealth, power, athleticism, beauty, or charisma did Jesus show as the Son of Man who would suffer and die? None. Absolutely zero. Yet there is God’s greatest conquest.

So what does that tell us as we sit here comparing ourselves to others in the world and at other ages? Don’t we measure our worth and build our self esteem by the things that we can do. Yet didn’t Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind me Satan, for you are setting your mind not on divine things, but on human things.”

Everything – and I mean everything we are apt to build our sense of self-worth upon in this life… is not just nonsense. It is Satanic. It is downright evil!

Let’s learn two things from this part of Matthew. First, Jesus understood himself first and foremost as the Son of Man, not Son of God. He emphasizes his humanity above everything else. He is focused on his work at the cross, not his work of healing, exorcisms, and performing miracles. (Although as we are in income tax season we have to admire his ability to pay his taxes by telling one of his followers to go catch a fish!)

Jesus wants us to understand him as someone we can relate to. He wants to be a friend, a companion. Jesus is on our side. He wants to see us flourish. We should not let his Son of God status overwhelm his Son of Man status. Jesus does not want to intimidate us or overwhelm us.

And second, we are sorely mistaken about ourselves if we think we are somehow lessor than others because society tells us that we aren’t particularly skilled or gifted, or that we don’t have much to offer. Conversely, we are sorely mistaken about ourselves if we think that we are somehow superior than others because society tells us that we are skilled or gifted. Before God we simply aren’t.

No one gets to brag. And no one gets to duck out of responsibility because they think they have nothing of value to give. All of this is very hard to take in. It flies in the face of everything we live. But let’s keep Peter in mind. He messes up miserably over and over again as a disciple. He cannot seem to escape his humanity. Yet Jesus does not reject him. Jesus, the Son of Man, forgives him and continues to work with him. Jesus accomplishes through Peter exactly what Jesus wanted to accomplish through Peter.

I don’t care what that world says about you. By faith in the Son of Man you will accomplish exactly what God wants to get accomplished through you. There is no higher dignity than that. And there is no room to brag in that either.

We are followers of the Son of Man. We are the church. We are built on a rock yet still frail enough to fail regularly. That is how God chooses to get work done here on earth.

Feb. 22, 2026 Conflict and New Community Matthew 14-15

When we say that Jesus is the Son of God it is easy to then assume he is entirely equipped with supernatural abilities. Therefore, he would not be susceptible to things like burnout, exhaustion, and fatigue. I mean, if he can feed a multitude with just a few loaves and fish, and if he can cure diseases and perform all sorts of miracles, can’t he create energy for himself to rely upon?

Those are good questions based on good logic. But I believe that whole line of thinking is a mistake. Let’s remember that while Jesus is the Son of God he is also still fully human. He gets tired. He gets hungry. He has human needs.

Let’s run through the scenes we just read and realize how draining it all was for Jesus.

We started with Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth. We’d expect the hometown crowd to be proud of their local boy. He’s going on to have regional notoriety. He is putting Nazareth on the map for good things. He’s also showing extraordinary insight in their midst. Yet despite all of that they question him. They’re critical and they don’t believe. That’s not a nice way to return home.

Jesus leaves there on a bit of a low.

In the very next scene we hear about the execution of John the Baptist. It’s a pretty disgusting story where a human life is ended, basically as part of a party. This news hits Jesus hard. We know that their ministries were linked and the fate of John the Baptist was a sure foreshadowing of what Jesus knew was coming for himself. So after leaving Nazareth on a low he hears about John’s death. He then withdraws all by himself in a boat to pray. He truly wants to be alone. He wants no crowds around him. No disciples either. Leaving alone and in a boat was a sure way to find uninterrupted solitude for as long as he needs.

But even before he gets ashore he sees a great crowd waiting for him. He somehow dredges up enough energy to be with them and cure their sick. When evening comes they are hungry. The disciples, probably being compassionate for their master, advise him to send the crowds away. But Jesus says, “They need not go away. You give them something to eat.”

The disciples know that five loaves and two fish aren’t going to go anywhere in a crowd of that size. But Jesus takes control of the situation and performs a great feeding miracle.

With only a few hours of alone time Jesus then sets out walking across the lake to meet his disciples, who are in the boat Jesus originally took for himself. It’s a tough journey because of the wind and the waves. And when he catches up with his disciples we have the antics of Peter who decides he want to try walking on water too. Of course Jesus has to rescue him.

Getting across to the other side Jesus is immediately recognized by the people and he is again swarmed by needy people. In the midst of that some religious leaders come and try to interrogate Jesus about technicalities in the religious law. He just can’t catch a break! No one is offering support. No one is defending him.

The very next scene is the Canaanite woman who asks Jesus to heal her daughter. He’s not kind to her. I don’t believe his lack of kindness is because of fatigue on his part. Although many pastors put that interpretation on it. I think there is a lot more going on there. (The men’s breakfast will explore that more on Wednesday.) For right now though, let’s just realize the obvious answer. Jesus is already overwhelmed by just the needs of the local Jewish people. How on earth can he possibly allow his ministry to expand to fixing everyone’s problem everywhere. He is showing this woman his priorities. Even so, he bends them for the sake of compassion.

In the next scene Jesus is again curing crowds of people. Immediately following that we have another feeding miracle by Jesus. This time it is a somewhat smaller crowd, but Jesus feeds them with just seven loaves of bread and a few small fish.

Is he ever going to get a break from all these needs?

Despite all of this outgoing show of God’s glory and mercy we have religious leaders again coming to Jesus to test him. No one ever seems to be satisfied. No one ever seems to support Jesus.

The whole series wraps up with Jesus having a conversation with his disciples.

I doubt any of us have ever felt as overwhelmed and over-demanded by life the way Jesus was in these chapters, but we probably know the feeling. Let’s note two things. One, God knows what it is like to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes life keeps throwing problem after problem at you, with need after need. Sometimes the problems seem as bit as feeding a crowd and you only have a few loaves and a couple little fish. Yet do not lose heart. Stay faithful and stay committed. Hour by hour, day by day, week by week, God will be with you. You will get through it by faith. It probably won’t be easy. It’s unlikely there will be supernatural solutions but that doesn’t mean you’ve been abandoned by God.

Second, and finally, realize that Jesus does not continue to do everything all on his own. Even here he has his disciples with him often. Next week we will read more about the beginning of the church; the community of faith built around Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. When life overloads us we know that we are not going through it alone. Jesus had his disciples. Even as they often fell short, they still helped carry the load. Remember, they’re the ones who provided the bread and fish for the two feeding miracles. Jesus didn’t create them out of nothing! We do the same. We are wise to turn to family, friends, and the faith community for support and resources. Perhaps the support will feel meagre and inept. But you will not be alone.

God knows what it is to feel tired and overwhelmed. And God is willing to be with us when we feel the same. God will help us endure; and not only endure but actually accomplish his will at the same time. We rejoice in our never-failing God and God’s commitment to us.

Feb. 15, 2026 Living Resurrection Reality Matthew 11:20-12:50

If you watched the Super Bowl then you likely saw the ad from He Gets Us. He Gets Us is a campaign to invite people to consider Jesus and why he matters today. The campaign is not affiliated with any church, political party, or ideological movement. It gets criticism from those who think money shouldn’t be spent on an expensive ad at the Super Bowl. Perhaps, but where else can you get such a wide audience? They’ve put an ad or two on every year for the last few years.

This year’s as is called, “Is there more to life than more?” Here it is: https://hegetsus.com/videos

The ad may leave you with many questions. I think that is its intention. But it definitely calls out our tendency to always want more; thinking that having more will somehow mean we have a better life or feel more fulfilled.

I talked about this in the sermon a couple weeks ago. We always want more. Give us the luxury of cold running water and we want hot running water. Then we want central heat. We want computers, internet, personal transportation, and more and more entertainment. We convince ourselves that whatever we happen to current have is somehow lacking and therefore not only can we have more, but that we should have/deserve to have more. All of this leads to a rat race of consumption that leaves us empty and drains the earth of precious resources. It’s all very guilt inducing. Heidi Griffith, our former music director said on a few occasions, “Why didn’t God wait for a better species than humans to evolve before sending Christ?” Indeed, we humans are fully undeserving of God’s choosing. And yet that proves the real power of God’s grace. God sacrifices greatly for a creature fundamentally flawed and undeserving.

My intention with this introduction is not to put us back into a place of guilt. It is to draw our attention to what may have been an obscure part of our gospel reading. Yet that obscure part is the first time Matthew introduces the key challenge the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus creates.

The scene was 12:38-42. There some scribes and Pharisees say to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he replied, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to us except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.”

That is referring to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The death and resurrection of Jesus really is the core of it all. Do you believe it, or not? And if you do believe it, then how do you live it?

Earlier in the gospel John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Then later when John goes to prison Jesus picks up the same message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” What does that mean? What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven has come near? What do we mean when we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come”?

Many today say that the coming of the kingdom of heaven does not refer to the future at all. But that it refers to God’s own reign alive and working here on earth. Thus, when Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” He means it literally.

Yet others will say that the coming of the kingdom of God refers to the future entirely. God’s kingdom will come about at the end of time. Only then will it be fulfilled. Thus the Lord’s Prayer is an appeal to God to hasten that day; so that the misery and problems caused by us unworthy humans will be ended.

Both of these points of view have merit and both have their place. The typical Lutheran response to, “Is the kingdom of God now or in the future?” is, “Yes.”

When the coming kingdom of God has been taught to be exclusively about the future it was often used to justify abuse. Poor people, suffering people, and enslaved people were told that God’s will was for them to suffer in this life so as to be rewarded in the future. Therefore they should just keep their heads down, be content, and quietly work hard as others exploit them. Clearly that is not what Jesus intended.

But a mess also happens when the kingdom of God is too much a ‘hear and now’ thing. Among many social justice minded Christians it has become a rally cry they use to claim the moral high ground for themselves. They say that Jesus attacked the rich and powerful for their greed and raised up the poor and lowly for their innocence and purity. They make Jesus into the image of a social justice advocate of today. What gets lost on them is what Jesus says in Luke 13 and 18 where he calls even his closest followers faithless sinners. These are people who were among the poor and oppressed. He reminds them that they have no moral superiority over their oppressors. The only difference is that their oppressors are in power and they are not. But that the coming of the kingdom of God will not somehow put them on top because they’d just be different oppressors.

No, the coming of the kingdom of God is both present and future. Both ideas must be held if the image is to work properly.

So, it also goes for the death and resurrection of Jesus. If you have it be just a future thing then you are disregarding the present world. God loves this flawed transitory world enough to be marred and die for it. You can’t just say it’s all temporary and so it ultimately doesn’t matter. At the same time, if your life is driven by this life and this life only, then you are being shortsighted about eternity. The resurrection of Christ is a promise for us too. What does it mean to live for both the present and for eternity?

I think it gives us a perspective, or perhaps a lens to view everything. It is helpful if we regularly ask ourselves if our decisions make sense in light of both the importance of the present and for eternity. The Super Bowl ad asked, “Is there more to life than more?” More money. More stuff. More security. More power. More life. What are all these things? They are all trivialities in light of eternity. It has been often studied and proven that once your most basic bodily needs are met having more does not significantly improve the quality of your life. Those who are driven to have more will never be satisfied. Whereas those who find fullness in Christ are already satisfied in this life and for eternity.

What is the eternal fate of those who just endlessly consume and want ever more; exploiting many and doing all sorts of harmful things in the process? I don’t know. That’s God’s question to answer. What I do know is that the eternal fate of those who believe and trust in the resurrection of Jesus have a rock solid identity that can weather any storm and give contentment no matter what life’s circumstances are.

Consider many things in light of eternity. Do many of the things we worry about most days really matter? Nope. And also consider all the things that we are apt to fill our days with. Are they really building God’s kingdom now or are they just our own dead-end consumption? Building God’s kingdom is always worthwhile; although it may not often be easy.

I am surprised by the advice of lawyer and financial planner Toby Mathis. He has a YouTube channel with about 600 thousand subscribers. So he isn’t truly big time, but he is influential. He always advises giving 10% of your income away to some good cause. That’s not the usual kind of advice you’d expect from a financial planner. But he says it’s important to living a satisfied life. He also teaches that having more is not more. Ultimately he finds the most satisfied people are people who are living well below their means. They have found that with a meaningful job, civic engagement, and sizeable charitable giving they are content. And if he says if you truly don’t have enough money to give any away then you need to make the time to volunteer somewhere. Because working all the time just to get ahead is not ever going to lead to getting ahead. Though he is a secular financial planner, his advice fits for a person of faith who is living the resurrection promises of Jesus.

The people of Jesus asked for a sign from him. He said the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah, which meant the resurrection. The resurrection remains the key promise that all of our faith revolves around. It is a promise that goes for life today and for eternity. Begin every day by reminding yourself of the resurrection. Go to bed at night reminding yourself of the resurrection. When you are suffering, remember that no matter how long it may endure, it is nothing as compared to eternity. And when everything is going well and you are feeling great, realize that lasting joy and hope only come from Christ.

Matthew 11:1-20 Sermon Skit by St. John's Sunday School Children, February 8, 2026

The Sunday school children led worship on the 8th.  In place of a sermon they performed a skit.  Below is the script; including the stage directions.

A tour guide in 1st century Israel takes the congregation on a tour of sites. They include:

a reed shaken by the wind

a king/queen in soft robes

John the Baptist at the Jordan River

the cross of Jesus



Cast: Tour Guide

Reed shaken by the wind (dressed in tan or wearing a burlap tunic, can be holding some

palms from Palm Sunday last year.)

King/Queen – fancy robes from the costume closet

John the Baptist – wild looking, beard, dressed in burlap

Cross – a voice offstage speaking into a microphone

Two adult members of the congregation, or a couple of the Sunday school teachers who

stand up the cross and put it in its base.



Props/staging: three rolling dividers to distinguish the different locations. A chair is in front of each for the character to sit on until their part. Then they stand (except the King/Queen)

Farthest left – The Reed simply sits/stands in front of the divider.

Right - The King/Queen sits in the fanciest chair we can find, which is set on top of the platform the pulpit sits on. A rolling divider is placed behind the platform.

Near left – John the Baptist sits/stands in front of the divider.

Cross – The cross we use for Good Friday is laying down with its base at the altar and the top towards the back of the sanctuary. It is literally a tripping hazard and the Tour Guide will trip over it several times. The cross will be stood upright near the end of the skit.





Guide: (speaking to the congregation from the front center of the sanctuary) Welcome tour guests! I am (name) and I will be your tour guide as we see sites along the Jordan river in first century Palestine.

Come with me to our first site. (Walks toward Reed but trips over the cross) Sorry, I tripped over that beam laying there.

Here we have a reed that is shaken by the wind.



Reed: (stands and sways slightly and slightly waves palm branches) Welcome to the bank of the Jordan River!



Guide: (to Reed) Tell us what it’s like for you to live here on the river bank.



Reed: Life is pretty easy. I just go with whatever the flow is. When the water rises I just bend with the current. When the wind blows I just bend to it. If the wind changes direction I switch and bend in that direction instead.



Guide: Do you ever stand firm for anything?



Reed: Why would I do that? No, I just go along with whatever is happening around me. Standing firm for something might get others upset. If they get upset then they may want to hurt me.



Guide: But what do you do when things are wrong? Don’t you ever stand up for truth or rightness?



Reed: Now why would I want to do that? I don’t care what is right or wrong. I just bend to whatever is going on. Whenever that changes, I change. That’s what suits me best. Everyone around me also does the same. Life is easier that way.



Guide: So you’re just out for the easiest possible way through life?



Reed: That pretty much sums it up. That’s me. I go along with whatever is going on. I have no spine and no real strength. All I ask is that you don’t hurt me and keep my life easy.



Guide: I suspect our tour visitors may not agree with you, but thank you for your time today.



Reed: My pleasure. Come back again sometime and always go with the flow.



Guide: (to congregation) Next let’s journey to Herod’s fortress palace of Masada. There we’ll meet someone living in soft robes and comfort.

(Guide begins to walk to the right side where King/Queen is seated. Guide trips over the cross yet again.)

Ugh, that thing is still there. It is quite a stumbling block to doing what you want to do!



(arriving at the King/Queen, spoken to the congregation) Here you can see we have arrived at the splendid palace of Masada. It is a fine example of Herodian Architecture. It was begun in the year 37 B.C. and took six years to build. Inside we’ll find staterooms, an advanced water system, a bathhouse, and defensive fortifications. Anyone living here is wrapped in comfort and security. Let’s go inside and meet the ruler.



(steps to the King/Queen and addresses him/her) Thank you for letting us tour your lovely home!



King/Queen: Welcome to Masada! This is one of several palaces I use. This one is especially designed to be secure while still being very comfortable to live in.



Guide: Tell us about living here and about ruling Judea.



King/Queen: Oh, it’s a tough thing to do, you see. Most people don’t like me. But that’s okay. I don’t like them either! Ordinary people are always jealous of those who have power and money. After all, what’s the point of power and money if you can’t use it for yourself?



Guide: Well, if we’re honest, a lot of people do question if you really do have the right to be the leader of the Jews.



King/Queen: That’s all nonsense! Of course I have the right to rule! The Romans have given me the title of ruler. And some of my ancestors are actually Jews, so it’s all legitimate, I assure you!



Guide: What do you do to the people who disagree with you?



King/Queen: I either have them killed or I put them in jail.



Guide: Doesn’t that seem a little harsh just because someone disagrees?



King/Queen: Not at all! If you want power you have to do what you have to do to keep it. Maybe I do have taxes a bit high, and maybe I do demand a lot from the population, but if I didn’t do it, someone else would. So, it might as well be me!



Guide: Do you ever feel bad about people suffering?



King/Queen: Why should I? They serve me, don’t they? I’m the ruler. They do what I say. If they don’t, then I replace them with someone who does obey me.



Guide: Before we go, what is one of your biggest concerns right now?



King/Queen: You know that John the Baptist guy? He’s a weirdo. He’s been gathering big crowds and getting them all riled up. I understand he says a lot of nasty things about me. I’m going to have to bring him in and silence him.



Guide: Thank you for your time. We’ll be on our way.

(Guide turns to leave. After taking a step the Guide says to the congregation.)

As it turns out, John the Baptist is the next stop on our tour. I wasn’t going to say that to the ruler, however!



(Guide begins to walk towards the left where John the Baptist is. Once again the Guide trips over the cross.)

Guide: Sorry, I tripped over this thing yet again. We’ll have to see about getting it out of the way. It really does get in our way!



(Guide arrives at John the Baptist, who stands.)



John the Baptist: (Points at congregation) Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come, you brood of vipers!



Guide: (a bit hesitantly) Um, hi John. We’re a tour visiting Palestine and you’re on our list. Wouldn’t you like to greet your guests with a bit more kindness?



John the Baptist: Greeting them with kindness doesn’t change anything! They need to repent. For the kingdom of heaven is coming near. The Messiah is coming and they’d better watch out!



Guide: They’re good people, I assure you.



John the Baptist: Are they really, or do they just think they are?



Guide: I see there’s no changing your tone.



John the Baptist: And why should I? They need to know. The Messiah is coming. He’s going to give them what they’ve got coming to them!



Guide: What do you mean with all this?



John the Baptist: Only that the Messiah will bring God’s justice. For too long the good haven’t been rewarded for their goodness. The bad have gotten away with being bad. The coming Messiah will kick out the Herods. He’ll kick out the Romans. He’ll get rid of all government corruption. And he alone will rule with strength and justice. He’ll kill and destroy all that is bad.



Guide: That sounds pretty scary.



John the Baptist: God’s judgment is. So you’d better watch out! The world is about to change. The bad guys are about to get what’s coming to them! It’ll be death, destruction, fire, and wrath!



Guide: Will there be any mercy from God?



John the Baptist: Why should there be mercy? Sin deserves punishment. Period. Those who sin get punished. Those who do not sin will feel satisfied as they see the sinners get what they deserve.



Guide: I have to admit, it is good to see bad guys punished and good people rewarded.



John the Baptist: That’s what I preach. I’m sure that’s what the Messiah will do!



Guide: We need to be moving on with our tour now. Thank you for being a part of it.



John the Baptist: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!



Guide: (Turns away from John and steps towards the center.) That wraps up our tour of Palestine. I hope you enjoyed the places you saw. Be sure to check out the gift shop before you head back to your cars.



(Guide steps across the cross and trips yet again.)

Guide: (yelling) WILL SOMEONE PLEASE GET THIS STUMBLING BLOCK OUT OF HERE!



(The adult congregational members who have been selected, or two Sunday school teachers, pick up the cross and put it in its stand.)



Guide: Thank you. That thing is always getting in the way! What a stumbling block it is!



Cross: Indeed I am.



Guide: (startled and looking around) Who said that?



Cross: I did.



Guide: (reaching out and tentatively touching the cross) I didn’t know you could talk. You’re not a part of the tour.



Cross: I can talk. And I should be a part of the tour.



Guide: Why? You’re not a reed shaken by the wind. You’re not someone in soft robes. You’re not a crazy man yelling out a message of repentance to everyone who walks by. You’re just in the way of everything!



Cross: True. I’m not any of those things. And I do often get in the way of everything. People often stumble over me.



Guide: Tell me about it! I’ve been tripping over you all along!



Cross: I don’t fit into the things people like and find convenient. I also don’t fit into logic. You see, I don’t make sense in human terms.



Guide: What do you mean by all that?



Cross: I’m not a reed shaken by the wind. I stand solidly for what is right all the time. I do not yield. I do not bend. Ever. No matter how hard things get.



Guide: Indeed, you’re a hard thing when I tripped over you!



Cross: I am also not to be found with those who live in palaces wearing soft robes. I am not about getting power or keeping it. I am not about comfort, ease, and luxury. Those who live by me do not scheme for their own benefit. They are willing to work hard, even when they don’t see the benefits of it.



Guide: Yes, but must you be in the way of everything?



Cross: Yes, quite often I am. I can even get in the way of human ideas of justice.



Guide: You mean like John the Baptist saying that God’s going to get the bad guys and reward the good guys?



Cross: Indeed. While God is just, God’s justice is not like we often expect. John thinks that God’s kingdom will be about punishment and reward. That sounds good at one level. But ultimately, punishments and rewards just cause things to go round and round until everyone gets hurt. God’s justice does something different.



Guide: I don’t understand you.



Cross: John the Baptist will be arrested soon. He will be put in jail. From jail he will hear about the ministry of Jesus, the Messiah. And it will not look the way he expects. Jesus will not focus on punishing the bad. Jesus will spend time healing people, feeding people, and proclaiming the love of God. That won’t make sense to John. That’s not justice in the way John understands it. But as I said, I don’t make sense to a lot of people. That is why I am such a stumbling block.

Ultimately Jesus will be lifted up on me. He will die instead of the many people who deserve it. It’s hard to understand it, but in that way the cycles of sin and evil are broken. That is God’s justice. That sets us free.



Guide: That sounds good, but then why was I always stumbling over you?



Cross: Because even though I am good, I do not fit into the ways of the world at all, and people stumble over me. But believe me, true freedom comes when you aren’t worried about fitting in, like the reed;

or getting comfort, like the ruler;

or getting your idea of justice fulfilled by God, like John the Baptist.

Freedom is letting all of that up to God because you know what God has done for you.



Guide: I’ll try not to stumble over you again!



Cross: That’s a good idea! But you will probably stumble over me again anyway no matter how hard you try.



Guide: Well I can definitely make sure you’re on the tour in the future!