Jesus comes

The records office

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

Luke 2:1-3 (BSB)

The emperor wanted to count everyone in his empire. He did not know it, but his order sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the town where the prophet Micah said the promised ruler would be born.

Talk about itHow did God use an emperor’s plan for His own plan?

The inn

While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7 (BSB)

There was no room, so the Son of God was laid in a manger, a feeding box for animals. The King of everything came in the humblest way. He came for everyone, not just important people.

Talk about itIs there room for Jesus in your day?

The builder’s crane

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 (BSB)

Romans used cranes like this to lift stones for strong buildings. Jesus said a wise builder puts his house on rock. When we hear Jesus and do what He says, our lives are built on the rock, and storms cannot knock them down.

Talk about itWhat is one thing Jesus said that you can do this week?

The treasury

As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44 (BSB)

At the temple in Jerusalem, rich people dropped in lots of money. Then a poor widow gave two tiny coins, all she had. Jesus said she gave the most. God looks at the heart, not at the size of the gift.

Talk about itWhat could you give to God this week? It does not have to be money.

The aqueduct

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

John 7:37-38 (BSB)

Aqueducts carried fresh water for miles so a whole city could drink. Jesus stood up at a feast and called out: if anyone is thirsty, come to Me. He gives living water that never runs dry.

Talk about itWhat do you think living water means?

The lighthouse

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (BSB)

A lighthouse helps ships find their way home in the dark. Jesus told His followers: you are the light of the world. When we are kind, honest and brave, people see God’s goodness through us.

Talk about itHow could you shine for Jesus at home or at school?

The donkey

“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Matthew 21:5 (BSB)

Kings rode into cities on war horses. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah said He would. He is a King, but a gentle one, who came to bring peace.

Talk about itWhy do you think Jesus picked a donkey and not a horse?

The olive grove

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Luke 22:39-42 (BSB)

On the night before He died, Jesus went to pray on the Mount of Olives, a hill of olive trees. He was very sad, but He said to His Father: not My will, but Yours. He chose to go to the cross for us.

Talk about itWhen is it hard to say “Your will be done” to God?

Outside the city wall

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.

Hebrews 13:12 (BSB)

Jesus was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem. He took the punishment for our sins on Himself, so that we can be forgiven and brought close to God.

Talk about itWhat does it mean that Jesus died for us?

The garden

Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.

John 19:41-42 (BSB)

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.

Matthew 28:5-6 (BSB)

Jesus was buried in a new tomb in a garden. Three days later, women came to the tomb and found it empty. An angel told them: He is not here; He has risen! The story that began in a garden in Genesis has its greatest morning in a garden too.

Talk about itHow do you think the women felt when they heard “He has risen”?