Loving Others As God Loves Us

Good morning boys and girls!

Your Sunday school teachers have told me that today you’re going to be talking about saints. Well, I’m going to talk to you about someone who is not a saint, but who certainly acted like one after he met Jesus.

Let me start by asking you to use your imagination for a moment. Let’s suppose that you have moved to a new town, and that you have started attending a new school. You soon find out that everyone thinks the way you dress is funny. They think the way you talk is weird. They hate the TV shows that you like. They think that the jokes you like are boring. Every time you say something, they shake their heads in disgust. You are the most hated student in the school. How do you think you would feel? (Pause)

Suddenly, one day while you’re eating your lunch alone, two other kids sit down beside you. At first you think that they’re going to play a joke on you, but instead they ask you how you like your lunch. Then, you begin to talk about things such as teachers, homework and pets. They are very friendly to you. How do you think you would feel now? (Pause) After a few weeks, your new friends, who have been so kind to you, ask you to go to church with them. Now think about whether or not you will go to church with them.

Even when it’s hard, we must remember that God’s love is for everyone. When we show His love, it helps others learn about God’s love. Our kind actions can make a big difference in someone’s life. (Pause)

Now I’m going to tell you about a man named Zacchaeus. He was not very well liked because of his job and the fact that he was also very short. One day he heard that Jesus was coming to town. He has heard about Jesus and wanted to see him, but because of the crowds he could not get close enough. Zacchaeus didn’t let that stop him though. He climbed up in a tree (like some of you probably have) to get a good view.

Jesus also saw Zacchaeus, and told him to come down because Jesus had to go to his house that day. When no one else cared about Zacchaeus, Jesus cared! Zacchaeus was so moved that he promised to give half of his wealth to the poor, and pay back four times what he had taken from other people. What a difference Jesus’ love made in Zacchaeus’ life!

We can do to others what Jesus did for Zacchaeus. We can ask Jesus to help us love the unlovable. We must always look for chances to show God’s love to others, even when it might be hard to do. We never know whose life Jesus may change because we showed his love.

Let us pray:

Lord, thank you for your love. We know you love everyone. Help us to love others, even when it’s hard to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.