The Children's Sermon: John 1: 43-51

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Epiphany 2B
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Gospel: John 1: 43-51

The Calling

Highlighted Verses: John 1: 43-51

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” ⁵⁰Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” ⁵¹And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Have you ever thought about what you might like to do when you grow up? Yes? Tell me about it. What kind of job would you like to have? (Solicit children's answers.)

Thinking about jobs is a lot of fun, isn't it? There are so many different ones to choose from - and so many really important jobs. When I was younger I wanted to be a whole list of things - a scientist, a movie star, a doctor. I think I might have had a different idea every week!

Eventually you're going to find something that is just perfect. There are lots of jobs you could do - but someday you're going to find something you think you should do - almost like you need to do it.

When people find their perfect jobs - something they decide they were meant to do - sometimes they call it something other than just "a job." They call it "a calling." Almost as though God had called them to say, this is the thing for you.

Over the past couple weeks we've read several stories about John the Baptist. In each of those stories he's told the people that he isn't the Son of God, but that someone much greater is coming.

In today's reading John has started to tell his followers that this person, Jesus, has arrived. And now Jesus is helping them to find their calling. He tells them "follow me" and helps them to understand that their calling - their special job in life - is to help him spread his teachings.

And whether you choose to be a minister or a movie star or a doctor - you can share in this special calling too - by leading a good Christian life, by helping others and following Jesus' teachings. It's a calling to us all.

Can we pray?

Dear God,

You have called us to be your people. Help us to do your will during the week ahead.

Amen