Hello again and welcome back to Kids Fival Stories. Today's story is called The Saddest Day and the Greatest Gift. This comes from John chapter 18, John chapter 19, Luke 23 and Matthew chapter 27. Parents, today we are going to be talking about the cross. I respect each family's ages and stages of life so I have adapted some of this. Please go back and read the scriptures I listed including what is appropriate for your family. Okay listeners, what holiday are we about to celebrate? Shout it out. Easter, that's right. In last week's story, we began preparing for Easter. We heard Jesus being arrested and taken away. It seems like things were not going right, but God had a plan all along. Remember, that it's not always as it seems. You'll see what I mean when you hear the rest of today's story. Let's begin here. Being led like a prisoner, the men took Jesus to the Roman leader's palace. It was early in the morning. Pilate, a Roman leader, went outside to them. He asked, What charges do you bring against this man? They answered, He is a criminal! That is why we brought him to you. Listeners, had Jesus done anything wrong? I mean what you think of... No, absolutely not. Remember, Jesus never sinned, never did anything wrong. He was perfect. Pilate said to them, Then just take him yourself and judge him by your own law. The mean men scoffed and glared at one another, Determined to convince Pilate to get rid of Jesus. Pilate turned and went back inside the palace. He decided to ask Jesus himself. Hmm, look at me. Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus said. Is that your question? Or did others tell you about me? Pilate answered. I'm not a Jew. It was your own people and their leading priests who brought you before me. What have you done wrong? Jesus said. My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it belonged to this world, my servants would have fought to keep me from being arrested. No, my kingdom is from another place. Pilate said. So you are a king? Jesus answered. You say that I'm a king. And that is true. I was born for this to tell people about the truth. That is why I came into this world and everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me. Pilate said. Ha ha, what is truth? After he said this, he went out to the Jews gathered there and said to them. I can find nothing to charge against this man, but it is your custom that I free one prisoner. Do you want me to free Jesus? They shouted back. No. No, not him. Let Barabbas go free. Barabbas had been arrested because he was a robber. Pilate scanned the crowd with his eyes and tried to take in what he was hearing. The crowd was shouting. No. No, he had to make a decision. Pilate ordered that Jesus be taken away. The mean soldiers twisted together thorny branches to make a crown. They placed this sharp and painful crown of thorns on Jesus' head and wrapped a purple robe around him. They made fun of Jesus, laughing as they called out. Oh, all bow down to the king. They were so cruel to Jesus. Pilate did not understand why these people hated Jesus. He was getting nervous because he did not want to hurt an innocent man, but the crowd was getting louder. Pilate walked quickly back inside the palace and asked Jesus, Where are you from? But Jesus did not answer him. Pacing back and forth now, Pilate said, You refused to speak to me. Don't you know that I have the power to set you free and power to have you killed on a cross? Jesus answered, The power you have over me is the power given to you by God. The man who gave me to you is guilty of a greater sin. Listeners, let's pause for a moment. Did you hear that? Pilate is a mighty ruler, so he thinks he is in control of what happens to Jesus. Jesus reminds him that he is only allowed to do what God allows him to do. All of what happened was planned by God, not by Pilate. This brings me comfort knowing God is always in control, even when things seem scary, confusing, or sad. Okay, back to our story. After this, Pilate tried to let Jesus go free, but the Jews cried out, No! This is what we want! If you don't listen, you'll be in trouble. So the soldiers took hold of Jesus, handed the heavy wooden cross to him, and made Jesus carry his cross. At the top of the hill, Jesus was placed on that cross. Jesus' mother stood near. His mother's sister was also standing there, with Mary the wife of Clopis and Mary Magdalene. They were crying, for they loved Jesus very, very much. As they stood, wiping their tears, the whole land became dark. It stayed dark until three o'clock in the afternoon. There was no sun, no light, just darkness. The curtain in the temple was torn into two pieces. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Father, I give you my life. After Jesus said this, he died. The earth shook. Rocks split open. The army officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus saw this earthquake, and everything else that happened. They were very frightened and said, He really was the Son of God. Well, that is it for our story today. But before we go, let's think about what we just heard. Answer out loud for me. Had Jesus done anything wrong? No. No, that's correct. Jesus was perfect. Was God in control the whole time? Yes, Jesus even said, My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it belonged to this world, my servants would have fought to keep me from being arrested. But my kingdom is from another place. Jesus could have easily stopped them from arresting him, but he chose to die on the cross to save you and me. I want you to understand that sometimes friends might only want to play with you if you wear the same shoes they do, or if you let them pick the game every time. Maybe they stop being kind if you don't laugh at their jokes or always agree with them. But Jesus? He loves you no matter what. Whether you're silly or serious, loud or quiet, wearing cool shoes or muddy ones, he chooses you. His love for you, it doesn't change. If you ever wonder if he loves you, you can simply remember what happened on the cross. He loves you. Point to yourself. Yes, you. He loves you so much that he did that to save you. Well, that is it for our story today. Make sure to tune in next week because the cross, it's not the end of the story. It's just the beginning. Tune in to hear the good news. And as always, bye for now.
