Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

 Finding the Way


Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)

If you are going on a trip, you need to know where you are going and how to go to get there. I have a two things with me this morning that you might use to help you to find your way when you are traveling. I have a map and a compass.

I'm sure all of you have seen a map, but perhaps some of you have never seen a compass. The map will show you where you want to go, and the compass will point you in the right direction. The compass shows you whether you are going north, south, east, or west.

I heard about a lady who was taking a group of children to a soccer game in another city. She knew the right road to take, but she became confused and turned east instead of west. They had traveled for almost an hour before one of the children told her that they were going the wrong direction.

When we are trying to find your way through the journey of life, we need some help in finding the right way to go too, don't we? Each day we face many difficult decisions and it is sometimes hard to know which way to turn.

Some people use their feelings to make decisions. They say, "Im going to do this, because it just feels like the right thing to do." That's no good. Our feelings may change from day to day, and just because we feel good about something doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do.

Some people make choices by what's popular. That is no good either. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do, does it? Besides, tomorrow everyone might be doing something else.

There is only one way to know if we are going the right direction in life and that is to follow Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Well, we know where we want to go. We want to go to heaven. And now, we know the way. Jesus is the way. If we follow him, we know we are on the right path and headed in the right direction.

Dear Father, help us each day as we journey through life to follow Jesus, because we know he is the way, the only way. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Show Your Love


If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15   If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20

I am sure that all of you know that it is Mother's Day.  Did you give your mother a card or a present for Mother's Day?  This Mother's Day card says, "Mom, I love you!"  Do you think your mother likes to hear you tell her that you love her?  Of course she does!  But do you know what your mother would like even more?  She would like for you to show her that you love her.  How do you think you might do that?  Well, you might help around the house, you could clean your room, you could empty the trash, you could show her you love her by obeying her when she tells you to do something.  It is easy to tell your mom that you love her, but if you really love her, your actions will show it!

Do you think that Jesus likes to hear us tell Him that we love Him?  I know He does.  But He likes it even better when our actions show Him that we love Him.  How do we do that?  The Bible says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  One of the best ways to show our love for Jesus is to love one another.  The Bible says, "Anyone who does not love his brother, cannot love God."  Yes, Jesus likes to hear us say, "I love you," but He would rather see us say, "I love you."

Dear Lord, we have come to your house today to say, "I love you."  Help us to go out of here today and show you that we love you by our actions.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Power Source 


I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NIV) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 (NIV)

I love to listen to music. Whenever I am driving in my car, I always have the radio turned on -- or I am listening to a tape or a CD. Whenever I go for a walk, I like to take along this portable radio so I can enjoy listening to music as I walk.

Some of you may have a portable radio, tape player, or CD player similar to this one. If you do, then you know that before it can make music, it must have batteries in it. The batteries give the radio the power that it needs to be able to play. Without batteries, this radio can do nothing. Oh, it will still look like a radio, but without batteries, it has no power to do what it was created to do.

Before Jesus returned to heaven to be with his Father, he told his disciples that they would do even greater things than he had done when he was on earth. Now Jesus did some pretty great things, didn't he? He healed the sick. He turned water into wine. He made the blind to see and the crippled to walk. Where were the disciples going to get the power to do such great things? Jesus promised them that he would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit would give them the power to do great and mighty things.

It happened just as Jesus said it would. On the day which is called Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place. The Bible tells us that there was a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind and it filled the place where the disciples were gathered. Then, there were flames of fire that appeared and rested upon each of them. When these things happened, the disciples were filled with power and began to preach and teach about Jesus. They were able to do things that they had never done before because of the power of the Holy Spirit in them.

Did you know that you and I have that very same power available to us today? The Bible says that "all who are led by the Spirit are children of God." We who are the children of God have the power to do great and mighty things, not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit that is within us.

Oh, one more thing about my radio -- even if it has batteries, it won't make music until it is turned on. That is true of you and me too. Some of us have the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised, but we haven't turned it on. Isn't it about time that we turned on the power that is within us?

Dear Father, help us to be turned on for Jesus so that we can do great and mighty things through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Comforter


And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16 (NIV)

This morning I brought my Teddy Bear. A lot of children have a Teddy Bear or some other stuffed toy that they like to hold close when they are afraid, sick, or upset. Some people may have a favorite blanket called a "security blanket" that they like to snuggle up to when they need some comfort. Have you ever had a favorite cuddly toy or a security blanket? Did it ever help you to feel better when you were afraid or when you were sick?

Some of you may be embarrassed to admit that you have a security blanket or that you ever had one. Well, there is no reason to be embarrassed. Did you know that studies have shown that more than half of all children become attached to a Teddy Bear, a favorite blanket, or some other object that helps to comfort them whenever they are afraid, sick, or upset? Even scientific studies have proven what kids have known for a long time. A Teddy Bear or a security blanket can give great comfort -- especially at bedtime, when you are sick, or when you are separated from your parents.

Jesus understood that we all need help in times of trouble. When he was here on earth, he was a source of help and comfort to his disciples. When he was preparing to return to heaven, he knew that there would be times when his disciples would need help and comfort and that he would not be there to give it to them. He told the disciples that he would ask his Father to send them another comforter who would stay with them forever. That is exactly what he did. He asked the Father, and He sent the Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit is with us in times of trouble. He is there to comfort and to guide us.

I don't know about you, but I am glad that Jesus asked God to send His Holy Spirit to comfort me when I am afraid or sick. My Teddy Bear may get lost, or become ragged and torn, but Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

We may outgrow our need for a Teddy Bear or a security blanket -- at least, we don't carry it around with us all the time -- but we never outgrow the need for the comfort and guidance of God's Holy Spirit.

Dear Father, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be our comfort and our guide. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 I'll Be Back! 


But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.  John 14:26,28 (NIV)

Has your family ever moved from one city to another? Sometimes, a move to a new city can be very difficult for a family. It can be especially hard for children. There have been many books written to help children adjust to moving to a new city. There was one move that my family made that I remember very well. My mom and dad had to go to a new city so that my dad could start a new job and find a place for us to live. I had to stay behind to finish the school year.

It was hard for me to be left behind, but my father explained that they had to go ahead and find a place for us to live and make sure that it was ready when it was time for me to join them. He told me that there was nothing to worry about because he was leaving me with some very good friends who would look after me and make sure that I had everything I needed.

During the time that I was separated from my parents, they called to talk to me on the phone every day. They told me about our new home and how much I was going to like it. It helped me a lot to talk to them and know that they would soon come for me and I would join them in our new home.

That is very much like what Jesus has done for us. Before Jesus returned to heaven to be with his Father, he said that he was going to heaven to prepare a place for us. He promised that he would come again and take us to our new home in heaven.

When Jesus went to heaven, he didn't leave us alone. He asked his Father to send the Holy Spirit to watch over us, teach us, and remind us of all that he has told us in the Bible. Not only that, we can talk to Jesus every day in prayer. In fact, I would like to talk to him right now.

Dear Jesus, we are thankful that you are in heaven preparing a home for us. We thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides us and comforts us each day and we look forward to the day when we join you in our new home in heaven. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 A Branch on the Tree or a Stick in the Mud?


"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)

Recently I was working in the yard and I found this branch underneath a tree. I guess it had been broken off by the wind. As you can see, the leaves have all started to wither and die. I also found this branch nearby. As you can see, there are no leaves at all. It is completely dead. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a branch, I would call it a stick.

Do you think that if I took these branches out into the yard and planted them in the ground and watered them they would come back to life? No, that wouldn't work, because the branches get the nutrients that they need to live from the tree. Branches cannot live or grow without the tree. Without the tree, there will never be leaves on the branches. If the branch comes from a fruit tree, there will never be fruit on the branch if it is separated from the tree. If I take this dead branch and plant it in the ground and water it, it won't come back to life, it will just be an old stick in the mud.

That same thing is true about our life with Jesus. Listen to what Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

If we keep our life connected to Jesus, we will grow. Our life will produce beautiful leaves and delicious fruit. But if we are separated from Jesus, our leaves will wither and die and we will never put forth any fruit.

What will your life be? Will you be a beautiful branch on the tree...or will you just be a stick in the mud?

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that apart from you, we can do nothing. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 As I Have Loved You


My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)

This morning I have a bag of suckers. As you can see, they came in many different flavors. There are lemon, cherry, grape, watermelon, orange, and butterscotch.

Sometimes I give a sucker to my students at school when they have done something special. One thing I have noticed is that when I allow the students to choose the flavor they want, some children are very picky about what flavor they choose. I almost always end up with butterscotch suckers left over when all of the other flavors are gone.

I don't know why my students won't choose the butterscotch suckers. Maybe it is because their flavor is different from the other suckers. Maybe it is because they don't like the color of the wrapping paper on the suckers. Whatever the reason may be, I always end up with butterscotch leftovers. Do you know what I do with the leftover suckers? I eat them myself! You see, I love them all!

Sometimes we treat people the same way my students treat these suckers. When children play games, some children are always the last to be chosen. Maybe it is because they are just a little bit different. Perhaps they have a physical handicap or maybe their skin is a different color. Whatever the reason might be, the other children just won’t choose them.

Have you ever been the one that wasn't chosen? It isn’t a very good feeling, is it? We all need to remember that Jesus loves ALL the children and He said, "Love each other as I have loved you." If you are ever the one that is left out, don't worry, Jesus loves you just as much as He loves the other children. He loves us all!

Dear Jesus, help us to remember that you have told us to love one another just as you have loved us. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Unseen Power


"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." John 16: 12-15

I have something pretty amazing to show you this morning. I am going to move this little car from this spot on this card over to this spot on the card without ever touching it. I'm not going to tip the card to make it slide over there either. In fact, I want a couple of you to hold this card for me so that you won't think I am tipping the card. Okay, are you ready for this amazing feat? (Place the magnet under the card where the small metal object is and move it to the point where you want it on the card.)

Wow! That was pretty amazing, wasn't it? How did I do that? Oh, I can't fool you. I used a magnet, didn't I? Most of you know about the power of a magnet and you know the effect that it has on metal objects. You couldn't see the magnet, but you knew that it was there because you could see the power of the magnet working on this metal car, guiding it across the card.

Did you know that we can have a power within us that will guide us in our life just like the magnet guided this car across the card? That power comes from the Holy Spirit. When Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave the earth and return to Heaven, he called his disciples together to teach them about what they could expect when he was gone. He told them that when he left, the Holy Spirit would come to be their guide. When we decide to follow Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our life. We can't see him, but we know that he is there because we can feel his power and see him working in our life. Just like we could see the power of the magnet guiding this metal car, we can see the Holy Spirit guiding us in our daily life and leading us to the place God wants us to be.

If I hold the magnet way over here, it doesn't have any effect on the car, does it? The car has to be close to the magnet before it feels the effects of its power. You and I have to stay close to God before the power of His Holy Spirit can work in our lives. The closer we are to God, the more we feel the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life. Let's pray and thank God for sending the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to guide us in the way you want us to go. Help us to stay close to you, so that we can feel the power of your Holy Spirit in our life. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Our Map and Our Guide 


But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:13a (NIV)

Have you ever been lost? I have, and I can tell you that it isn't a good feeling. One time I was traveling at night and I took a wrong turn. As I drove, I began to get the feeling that I was headed in the wrong direction. Whenever I would come to a new road, I would turn in a new direction and soon I was hopelessly lost. I took out a map like this one. I looked at the map, but it didn't help because even though I could see where I wanted to go, I didn't know what direction I was going. I didn't know whether I was going north, south, east, or west. I was totally confused!

What I really needed that night was a map AND a compass! This is a compass. Most of you have probably seen a compass. The needle on the compass always points north. If a traveler knows which way north is, he will know what direction he is traveling. If I had only had a map and a compass, the map would have shown me the where to go and the compass would have pointed me in the right direction to get there.

As we travel through life, we need a map and a compass too. God has given us both. God has given us the Bible to be our map on the journey through life. But, sometimes the Bible is difficult for us to understand and it is hard to know the way we should go. God knew that, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be our guide. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Scripture and guides us in the right direction. That is what Jesus meant when he told his disciples, "But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you in all truth."

Oh...about my journey...I guess some of you are wondering how I ever found my way. Well, I wandered around for so long that it began to get light. When the sun came up, I knew that the sun comes up in the east. That was exactly the direction that I needed to go, so I just followed the sun!

Hey! You know, that's a pretty good idea! When you are lost and confused -- if you can't read the map and you don't have a compass -- just follow the Son...God's Son!

Dear Father, we thank you for giving us Your Holy Word to be our roadmap through life. We also thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to be our guide. Most of all, we thank you for sending Your Son to be our Savior. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 In the World, but Not of the World


They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. John 17:16,18 (NIV)

There are two things in this bottle. Can you guess what they are? Colored water --- and oil. When we look at this bottle with oil and water in it, the first thing that we notice is that they remain separate from one another. Now, watch what happens when I shake the bottle. The water and oil appear to become one.

Have the oil and water really become one? Let's let the bottle stand for a little while and see what happens. Look! The water and oil have become separate again. That shows us that even when they were all mixed together, they were never really one.

This bottle is a pretty good picture of what Jesus wants us to be like in this world we live in.

Before he died, Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed that as they lived in the world, they would not become part of the world. He wanted them to add the gifts he had given them to the world -- just as the water added some color to the oil -- but he did not want them to become stained by the world. He wanted them to remain the person God made them to be. He wanted them to know his love and to share that love with others.

This prayer is for us too. Jesus said that just as his Father sent him into the world, he has sent us into the world. We must live in this world, but Jesus has called us to be separate. Just as this colored water remains separate from the oil, Jesus wants us to be separate from the world.

Dear Jesus, help us, as we live in this world, to remain faithful to your call to be separate from the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

 That All May Be One 


"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23 (NIV)

This beautiful painted doll is called a Matryoshka. It came from Russia and it is made of wood which was painted by hand. These beautiful dolls have been popular in Russia for hundreds of years. They have become a symbol of the very finest Russian art and craftsmanship and are collected by people all over the world.

When you look at the Matryoshka, how many dolls do you see? That's right, when you look at the Matryoshka, all you see is one doll. Now, look what happens when I open the doll. There is another doll inside. Isn't that amazing? Now, you can probably guess what will happen if I open the second doll. You guessed it! There is another doll inside! Most Matryoshkas have three to thirty dolls, one inside the other, but it is still only one Matryoshka!

I think that this Matryoshka doll can help us to understand a prayer that Jesus prayed for his followers. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus prayed "for all of those who would put their trust in him." In his prayer, Jesus said, "Father, I pray that they all may be one as you and I are one. Just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us." Jesus wanted all of his followers to be one.

Just as the different dolls are nested one inside the other to make a Matryoshka, we who trust in Jesus must become one in Jesus to make up his Church. We may be different in the way we look and we may speak different languages. We may have different customs and traditions, but if we have put our trust in Jesus, he wants us to be one in him, just as he is one with the Father. We must put aside our differences and be united in him so that the world may know his love.

Dear Jesus, may we be united in our love for one another -- just as we are united in our love for you. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Crown Him King!


"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth." John 18:37a

The crown is a symbol of power and authority. Who wears a crown? That's right! A king or queen wears a crown. Being a king is different from being the president of a country. A president is elected by the people, but a king is is not elected, he is born to be king.

Have you seen the movie "Lion King?" As a lion, Simba was born to be the "King of the Beasts." In one scene from the movie Simba sings, "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." If you have seen the movie, you will remember that one reason why Simba was so anxious to become king was that he didn't want anyone telling him what to do. He didn't want to hear anyone saying, "do this" or "stop that." He wanted to be free to run around all day doing everything his way.

It wasn't just that Simba didn't want anyone to tell him what to do, he was also looking forward to telling everyone else what to do. Just listen to what he says! "I'm gonna be a mighty king so enemies beware! I'm gonna be the mane event like no king was before. I'm brushing up on looking down. I'm working on my ROAR! Oh, I just can't wait to be king!"

I think that Simba had a very poor idea of what it means to be a king. You see, the real role of a king is to look after the needs of his people. A good king is more concerned with caring for his people than he is in being served.

During his last days on earth, Jesus was arrested and put on trial. When asked if he was a king, Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world." Yes, Jesus was a king, but he wasn't interested in running around free and doing things his way. He was only interested in doing the will of his Father. He was born to be king, but his kingdom is not on this earth -- it is in heaven. He only came to earth to make a way for us to live with him in heaven.

Jesus "Just can't wait to be your king." He has invited you to enjoy eternal life in his heavenly kingdom. If you haven't already accepted his invitation, I hope you will crown him as your King today.

Dear Jesus, we invite you to rule our hearts as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

I’ve Just Seen Jesus


Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.  John 20:18 (NIV)

Stare at the four dots in the center of this picture for about thirty seconds.  Then, close your eyes and wait for an image to appear.  What did you see?  Did you see Jesus?  Some people see the image of Jesus and some do not.  It is just like it is in real life.  Some people don’t see Jesus because they are looking for Him in the wrong places.

That  is what happened to a woman in our Bible story today.  The Bible tells us that on the third day after Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary went looking for Jesus in the tomb where He had been buried.  When she got there, the tomb was open and Jesus was not in the grave.  Thinking that His body had been stolen, Mary stood by the empty grave crying.

Then, Mary saw a man standing beside the grave.  It was Jesus, but Mary did not recognize Him.  Jesus spoke to her and called her by name and, when she heard his voice, she recognized Him.  After she saw that it was Jesus, she went to the disciples and said to them, “I’ve just seen Jesus!  He is alive!”

Some people, like Mary, can’t see Jesus because they are looking for Him in a grave or on a cross.   He isn’t there!  He is risen and is seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven.  If you want to see Jesus, look in His Word, He will reveal Himself to you, just as He did to Mary!

Dear God, we thank you that Jesus, our Savior, is not in a grave.  He is alive!  We serve a risen Savior!  Hallelujah!  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

Spring Cleaning


In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"  John 2:14-16 (NIV)

Spring is just a few days away.  Spring is such a wonderful time of the year. The temperature begins to warm and the world begins to take on a fresh new look. The trees start to put on leaves, the grass begins to turn green, and the flowers start to bloom.  Everything is beautiful!  There are other things that tell us that spring is here too. For one thing, baseball season begins.  Another sign that spring is here is that many people have started their spring cleaning.

Look at all of this stuff I brought with me this morning.  I have a mop, a pail, sponges, floor cleaner, window cleaner, paper towels, and dust cloths. It looks like I am getting ready to clean house.  Do your parents do any spring cleaning around your house?  Spring is a good time to give your house a good going over and clean everything up and get rid of a lot of junk that you don't need.

This morning I want to tell you about a time when Jesus did some spring cleaning.  It was time for the annual Passover celebration, so Jesus traveled to Jerusalem.  When he arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple.  He couldn't believe his eyes.  There in the temple area he saw people who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves for the people to use as sacrifices in the temple.  There were tables set up for money changers so that people could change their money to pay their temple taxes.  It looked more like a carnival than a house of worship.

Jesus did not like what he saw.  He was so angry that he made a whip from some rope and he drove the the cattle and sheep and those who were selling them from the temple.  He went to the tables of the money changers and turned them over, scattering coins all over the temple floor.  To the ones who were selling the doves he said, "Get these out of here!  How dare you turn my Father's house into a market."  Yes, I would say that Jesus did some spring cleaning in the temple that day!

As we think about Jesus cleansing the temple, we should also think about some other cleaning that needs to be done.  We are in a season called Lent.  At first, the word Lent meant 'the season of spring'. But it has now become much more than that.  It is a time to look inside ourselves and see if there is anything in us that needs to be changed.  Are there some areas of your life where Jesus needs to do some 'spring cleaning'?  I know there are in mine!

Dear Jesus, during this time when we think of 'spring cleaning', we ask you to forgive us when we do wrong and to make us clean.  Amen.

[Soldier4Christ]

 It's Empty!

So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" John 20:2 (NIV)

Well, we solved that problem, didn't we? Now everyone who looks at this glass would say that it is empty, but guess what? Everyone still wouldn't look at the glass in the same way. Some would look at the glass and grumble and complain because it empty. Others would look at the glass and see it as a glass just waiting to be filled with good things to drink. I guess there are always different ways to look at any situation.

On the Sunday morning after Jesus was crucified, a woman named Mary went to visit the grave where the body of Jesus had been laid. When she got there, she found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. She ran to find someone to tell them what she had seen. She found two of the disciples, Peter and John, and she said to them, "They have taken our Lord out of the tomb and we don't know where they have put him."

The three of them immediately ran to the tomb. When they got there, they all saw the same thing, but they didn't all look at it in the same way.

Peter looked and was curious. The Bible says Peter went in the empty tomb and looked around. He saw strips of linen laying around and the cloth that Jesus had been buried in folded neatly and placed where the body had been. "Hmmm, very interesting," Peter might have said to himself.

Mary looked and was sad. The Bible tells us that Mary didn't even go inside the empty tomb. She just stood outside the tomb and cried because she feared that someone had stolen the body of Jesus.

John looked and believed. The bible says that John went inside the tomb and he saw and believed. Now, I don't know exactly how much John understood, but I think he believed that Jesus had risen from the grave just as he said he would.

Three people -- they all saw the same thing -- one was curious, one was sad, and one believed. I think that is pretty much the same way people react to the story of Jesus today. Some people hear the story and they are curious, others hear it and think it is sad, others hear it and believe. How do you look at it?

Dear Lord, today we look into an empty grave. Help us all to see and believe that Jesus has risen just as he said he would. Amen.