The Last Supper - Pretend Style

I wanted my class to get a picture of the Passover meal...and the Lord's Supper...on a much smaller scale, omitting the eating of the sacrificed lamb. (Didn't have time to find one that morning.) Though Tommy said we could use the wafers from Communion, I thought it might not be proper with this bunch and it may even encourage them to grab from the plate as it is passed in church.  I asked them who could partake of the Lord's Supper and they answered, "Christians!"  Okay.  Great. Now that that is settled.
For the sake of clarity, I reminded them again that we were only pretending to partake of the elements. They all nodded in agreement.
I placed Ritz crackers in bowls in the center of the table and then Hannah and I gave them spices from my pantry, representing the bitter herbs.  They balked and asked if they had to eat them, to which I replied, "yes, you need to try them."
Then we poured Welch's sparkling grape juice into small paper cups and we were ready.  I do not remember reading how much was eaten - (except that the whole lamb was consumed) - regarding the bread and herbs.  But these munchkins loved it.  "More herbs, please!" they would cry out as if Hannah and I were the wait staff.  Who knew?  Refills on juice and crackers were also requested.
One boy insisted that I place the crackers in the bowl to be passed around his table, instead of handing them directly to him.
They seemed to enjoy the rosemary most, with thyme coming in second.
My energy and patience are often tested with this bunch.  We have nineteen when all are there. Most of them are homeschooled and this is the only class time they have.  I am younger when I am with them and I am reminded of how quickly time passes.  Lord, thank You for this opportunity to see them learn...and for allowing me to be a part.  Pressing on...slowly, but surely.

How Would You Respond?

My lesson this week was on the Lord's Supper, the betrayal of Christ, and the ways people responded to Him.  I teach first and second graders...many of whom know God's word very well - (though they often mix truth with television's version of the Bible). Hmm.
When Jesus visited the house of Simon the leper, Mary came and anointed His head and feet with expensive perfume and then wiped His feet with her hair.  (Matt. 26, Mark 14, John 12)  The perfume was worth a year's wages. How costly and precious.  How Mary must have loved her Savior!
It was Passover week, and the scribes, elders, and chief priests were intent on arresting Christ, but they feared the large number of His followers that filled Jerusalem at this time.  Still, it is God who ordains the timing of all that comes to pass, isn't it?
They chose the darkness of night, so that no one would disrupt the arrest.  (Sinful deeds are often done in the shadows, aren't they?)  As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane's Garden, almost a thousand people (six hundred of them soldiers!) were gathering to see Him betrayed and taken away.  A simple kiss did it...and God allowed it.  This one who followed Him, saw the miracles, and heard the truths chose to sell Him out for thirty pieces of silver: the price of a slave.  Judas the disciple became Judas the betrayer.
When Jesus was taken away, the disciples fled in fear.
Zechariah 13:7  "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered..."  They must have feared for their lives - being followers who also saw the miracles and heard the truths and loved Him.

The religious leaders rejected Jesus.
Judas betrayed Him.
The disciples ran from Him, for fear of being imprisoned as well.
But Mary loved Him, openly, unashamedly, with humility.  She just loved Him.
Rejection, betrayal, fear, love.
Which applies to you?

Monday morning came and I don't know about you, but daylight savings has me reluctant to rise.  As I sat down to do my studies, I received a text from a mom whose son is in my class.  She said, "My son wants to know how to love Jesus."
My spirit was lifted. I texted back, 'Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." '
A perfect start...for my week and his little heart.

Set A Guard...or Tick a Lock

Psalm 141:3  Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just shut a door and lock it when the unwanted approach?  I don't mean people, I mean anything that might bring out the worst in us...and we do have a worst in us. Barney Fife of Mayberry used to say, "Tick a lock," meaning he would keep a secret...though I'm not sure he ever did.
My grandmother used to pray this verse every morning : "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"  She was a faithful believer and loved the Lord Jesus and His word. I had an excellent example in my life.  (You can read about Bessie in the post by that title.)
I have a loud laugh and have been told, "I heard you laughing" in a crowded room many times.  I have repeated things I shouldn't, and lied, and I have a sarcastic tongue.  I have whined and complained...and then complained about whining.  I've also boasted and criticized.  All of these things make me a great candidate for taking this scripture to heart.  Even when my mouth is silent, my thoughts need taming.
O Lord Jesus, set a guard against the door of my lips and may my words, my thoughts and my heart's intentions always be for your glory alone.
Luke 6:45   The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Ouch.