Children’s Sermon

Mark 1:29-39

Jesus Healed Many People

Kelly and Kyle’s mom was sick so that day their dad stayed home from work to take care of her. When the twins got home from school, they helped prepare dinner. They even set the table and poured fruit juice to help Dad.

As they ate their sandwiches, their dad reminded Kelly and Kyle about the day they visited a pond on their grandparent’s farm. Kelly said, “I remember that day, the pond was so still. It looked like a mirror instead of a pond of water.”

“Remember when I tossed a small pebble into the water?” Their dad continued.

The twins remembered how one stone made circles all across the pond. Dad called the circles “ripples.” Those ripples grew larger and larger as they moved out from the spot where the small pebble had entered the water.

Dad went on to tell a story from the Holy Bible about how Jesus, and his friends, James and John, went to visit their friend, Simon. When they arrived, they found out that Simon’s wife’s mother was very sick with a fever. Jesus took her by the hand and the fever left her. She was well! She felt so good that she even served their supper that day.

By evening, people from the town heard that Jesus was at Simon’s house and they brought their sick relatives and friends to Simon’s house, so Jesus could heal them, too. The Holy Bible says “He (Jesus) healed many who were sick with various diseases.” (1:34)

Early the next morning Jesus woke up and went to a quiet place to pray. While he was there, Simon came to Jesus and said, “Everyone is looking for you.” (1:38) But Jesus said it was time for them to go to the next town so that he could preach there also. Wait…what about other sick people in that city? Why didn’t Jesus heal them, too?

Jesus knew that the people of that town were well and could help others themselves. He wanted to move to the next town where there were other people who needed to hear his message about God’s love. And like ripples on a pond, more and more people would hear about God’s love for them.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus loved people so much that he wanted to help them feel better? (Allow children to respond.) I am, too. And, aren’t you glad that Jesus wanted all people to hear about God’s love? (Give children time to respond.) Yes, God loves us so much. Maybe we could tell others about God’s love, too.

PRAYER: Holy God, we are so thankful that you touch us and help us feel better when we are sick. Help us always be willing to tell others about your love just as Jesus did.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible