Preface for Pastors and Parents
This children’s sermon on Mark 14:12-16 is another bonus one. This passage is included in the long Passion narrative assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary for Palm Sunday (aka Passion Sunday). But, as with several other parts of that big story, this sort of stands on its own. I think it deserves separate treatment.
In telling this I’m hoping to prompt you and everybody else to think through Mark’s version of the story on its own. I especially want you to set aside Luke’s version. Luke, like Mark, specifies that two disciples went, but names them in terms of the Usual Suspects.
I’m filling in Mark’s blanks differently than Luke did, not to contradict good old Luke, but to take each storyteller’s version on its own, and trying to make sense — much as Mark’s first readers would have had to do.
So many times each Gospel tells its stories quite distinctly. The differences between versions of the same story can be small and subtle, or big and bold. But the stories are pretty much always different.
I’m taking the opportunity in telling Mark’s story to imagine how it might have played out considering the people involved and the culture they were part of.
Some people might not like my choices here. Oh well! You can tell it differently. I know I will, when I write children’s sermons on Matthew’s and Luke’s versions of this story…
So, here’s my very personal take on a children’s sermon on Mark 14:12-16.
A Children’s Sermon on Mark 14:12-16
Good morning kids! I am so glad to see you! Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.
This morning’s story from the Gospel comes from just a few days before Jesus died. Jesus knew he was going to die, so every moment with his friends felt extra special.
This particular day was extra special for all the people. It was the beginning of a very important holiday. It was time to celebrate Passover.
At Passover, every Jewish family gets together for a special meal. They read together a very important story of how God saved the people from slavery. And they eat special food that helps them think about the story.
Who Will Cook?
All the disciples were excited to share the Passover meal together.
Someone said to Jesus, “Tonight is the big feast! Do you know where we should go to get everything ready?”
Jesus said, “Yes, but first we need to decide who should go get everything ready. Raise your hand if you know how to cook!”
Martha raised her hand right away. Then she grabbed her sister, Mary’s hand and pushed Mary’s hand up too.
“Stop that!” said Mary. “You know I don’t like cooking!”
Martha said, “Jesus didn’t ask if you liked to cook. He asked if you knew how—and you do.”
“Alright,” Mary said, but she didn’t look too happy about it.
Jesus looked around. “Okay, I see Mary, and Martha. Also Peter and John.”
Peter was holding John’s hand up just like Martha was holding Mary’s.
“Peter,” said Jesus, “do you really know how to cook?”
“Sure!” said Peter. “John and I are both fishermen. After work we just take some of sardines or tilapia we caught and grill them up real nice.”
“Hmm…” said Jesus. “I’m thinking of the Passover meal. We can’t have fish…”
Martha spoke up right away. “Send me and Mary, Jesus! We’ve made the Passover feast lots of times. Roast lamb, unleavened bread… We’ve got this!”
Where to Cook
“Okay,” said Jesus. “Mary and Martha, I want you to go into town. I’ve told a friend of mine to wait by the roadside with a pitcher of water. He might have more than one pitcher. Anyway, that’s how you will recognize him.”
“Watch for the guy with a pitcher,” said Martha. “Okay. Then what?”
Jesus said, “He’s expecting you. Just say ‘Jesus wants you to show us where to get ready for Passover.’”
“That’s it?” asked Martha.
“That’s it,” said Jesus. “My friend will take you to a house with a big room upstairs. That’s where you can get everything ready. The rest of us will be there about sunset.”
“This will be so much fun!” said Martha.“Let’s go!”
And Martha took Mary by the hand and off they went.
They found the man with the pitcher.
The man took them to the house with the big room upstairs.
They spent all day cooking and getting everything ready.
And at sunset Jesus and the others came to join them to share the Passover meal.
Wondering
I wonder why Martha was so excited about getting ready for Passover?
I wonder what it was like to talk to the stranger with the pitcher like Jesus told them to?
I wonder what it was like to share their very last passover dinner with 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.
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