36. Jesus Is Perfect

Jesus:

(in the center of the stage) I have been here in the desert for 40 days praying to God. I am very hungry because I have not eaten anything for these 40 days.

Satan:

I see that you are hungry, Jesus. Well, I know you can do anything so why don’t you just turn those stones to bread and then you can eat them.

Jesus:

Tempter, you know the Bible says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” That means that I did not move out here to the desert to eat but to pray and to listen to God, so stop tempting me to eat.

Satan:

(moving to the right side of the table) Well, just come with me for a minute to this church. Let’s go up to this high point on the church. We sure are up high. Hey, you are God, so why don’t you jump down from here and let the angels catch you so you won’t get hurt?

Jesus:

Tempter, the Bible says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” I would be testing God by doing something like that and you know that I can’t do that, so stop tempting me.

Satan:

(moving to the left side of the table) Well, I just want to show you one more thing. Let’s go up to the top of this mountain and take a look at the world. Sure is big. You know I have been put in charge of the world. That is why I am called the Prince of this World. If you bow down and worship me, I will give this whole world to you.

Jesus:

Get away from me Tempter, for it is written in the Bible, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” You are not God and I would never worship you.

Satan:

Well. I can’t make you do anything wrong. Let’s see, there must be someone else that I could tempt into doing something wrong. See you Jesus. (waves good-bye and drops behind the table)

Jesus:

(turning to the children) The Tempter didn’t get me to do anything wrong. One of the ways that I stopped him was by saying a Bible verse. That is why it’s so important to learn. Let’s try it right now:

• One of your friends tells you to lie to your mom so you won’t get into trouble. What Bible verse should you say to your friend to let him/her know that you won’t lie? (Wait for answer - if they get it right say “Super!” - if they get it wrong, make this suggestion “Do not lie”.)
  Here, take another try.
• Your mother wants you to clean your room but the little voice inside you says “No”! What verse should you say that will help you obey your mother? (Wait again for the answer” Children obey your parents”.)

Jesus:

See, there are lots of verses that will help you learn to stop the Tempter from making you do something wrong. It would make me happy if you could learn to be more like me!! See you later. (Wave good-bye to the children and drop behind the table.)