A Children’s Sermon on John 3:14-21

The Pharos of Alexandria (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Preface for Pastors (and Parents)

A children’s sermon on John 3:14-21 has to cover a few different bases. Ether that, or it needs to just ignore the days in the Church year that this passage comes up in the lectionary. It comes up a lot, in various overlapping segments. 

• John 3:1-17 is used on Lent 2 of year A and Trinity Sunday of year B
• John 3:13-17 is the Gospel for Holy Cross in years A, B, and C
• John 3:14-21 is used on Lent 4 of year B

So we hear John 3:14-17 a lot.

I previously wrote a children’s sermon on John 3:1-17, focusing on what Jesus said about the Spirit. I may need to revise that to discuss the other parts of the text. Maybe. Someday.

Holy Cross?

Actually, linking this text to the crucifixion strikes me as a bit dubious: Jesus is talking to Nicodemus early in his ministry. It’s John chapter 3! The reference to Jesus being “lifted up” would certainly not have brought crucifixion to mind. 

It’s clearly a riff on Jesus’ reference to Numbers 21:8-9. Why would Nicodemus took three years into the future to the yet-unknown means of Jesus’ death?

So I’m leaving that behind. Instead I’m going to talk about the core of the conversation: believing in Jesus. There are a number of pretty abstract topics in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Let’s see if I can tell the tale so kids get what kids need. 

A Children’s Sermon on John 3:14-21 

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon. 

The story from the Gospel that we’re reading in church this morning tells of a night when a man named Nicodemus came to visit Jesus.

Nicodemus was a grownup who taught other people about God. He had heard stories about Jesus. He heard Jesus did wonderful things to help people. He heard that Jesus said wise things to teach people. Nicodemus wanted to learn everything he could from Jesus.

Today’s story starts halfway through Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus had been telling Nicodemus about being part of the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus had said that even though Nicodemus was old, he would have to start over in God’s Kingdom. He would be like a little baby living a whole new life. Jesus told Nicodemus that God’s Holy Spirit would help him start over from the inside. 

Looking at Jesus

Here’s what happened in today’s part of the story.

Nicodemus said “Okay, so the Spirit will help me. But what do I do?” 

Suddenly Jesus said “Look at me!” 

“What?” said Nicodemus, looking around, kind of confused. “What are you doing?”

“No,” said Jesus. “That’s what you need to do. The Spirit will help you start your new life in God’s Kingdom. Meanwhile, you need to look at me.”

“Look at you?” said Nicodemus. “Why would I look at you?”

Jesus said, “It’s like in that old story about Moses and the people of Israel. People were dying and God told Moses to hold up a bronze snake on a big stick. Everyone who looked at the bronze snake got better and lived.”

“Yeah,” said Nicodemus, “I remember that one. I always thought that story was kind of weird.”

“Me too,” said Jesus. “But think of it this way: I’m like that bronze snake Moses held up. God sent me so that everyone who looks up at me will live.” 

“Um…” said Nicodemus, “how does that work exactly?”

A Lighthouse?

“God loves you,” said Jesus. “In fact God loves everybody in the world—so much that he sent me, his very own Son, to be like a light. If you don’t look to the light, you’ll trip and fall.”

“So you’re like a light?” said Nicodemus. 

“Yeah,” said Jesus. “God knows people get into a lot of troubles. We’re like boats sailing in the sea at night. Sailing in the dark we end up crashing into rocks. God made me like a lighthouse. You know what a lighthouse is?” 

“Oh sure,” said Nicodemus. “I heard about that lighthouse in Egypt. It’s a huge tower with a light on top so sailers know how to get safely onto the port.” 

“What happens if the sailors don’t look at the lighthouse?” Jesus asked. 

“They probably crash on the rocks and sink,” said Nicodemus. 

“Right,” said Jesus “So look at me. Trust the light and you’ll find your way. That’s what believing in me is about. God didn’t send me to make you crash on the rocks. God sent me so you would live!”

Wondering 

I wonder if Nicodemus decided to keep looking at Jesus to see the light? 

I wonder what happens to us if we close our eyes, or hide from the light? 

I wonder where the light will lead you if you keep your eyes on Jesus?

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You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

• You can let me know that you are using it, either in the comments below, or using the contact form above.
• You can put a little notice in your church bulletin that your children’s sermon is adapted from one published on GaryNealHansen.com.
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