Proving It to the World

5th Sunday of Easter

From “Scolding the Snakes”

Scripture Reference: John 13:31-35 

Have any of you ever heard the expression, “The proof is in the pudding” or “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”? Let’s say that your friend tells you he can make a pudding that is the best thing you have ever tasted. If you reply, “Well, the proof is in the pudding,” you’re saying that you’ll believe him after you’ve tasted the pudding. In other words, if you’re telling the truth about something, you will be able to show it.

(Describe your unusual talent or show your unusual passion here. My example follows.) I’d like to tell you about something I can do that I think is kind of special. I can juggle three balls at the same time. I suppose I could tell you that and not really know how to juggle, but you could always test me. You could say, “All right, prove it! The proof is in the pudding, you know.” Then I would have to prove it to you. (Pause for a bit, and if nobody challenges you, continue.) “Well, is anyone going to say it to me?” (Children can respond with “Prove it!”)

Okay then, I’ll have to show you. I’ll prove what I said was true. (Demonstrate your talent or reveal your special possession to prove it’s real.) There. Now you see that what I said is true, right?

Jesus’ followers were going around telling everyone that they were friends of Jesus—that they were his disciples. So Jesus told those followers how to prove they really were—and the whole world would know they told the truth. Jesus told them that they should love one another the way Jesus loved them. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).

How do we prove to the whole world that we really are followers of Jesus? (Let kids respond.) We love each other. Instead of saying “the proof is in the pudding,” we might say “the proof is in the loving.” Is it hard to love sometimes? When your sister is making fun of you, is it hard to love her as much as Jesus loves her? When your brother has just eaten the last chocolate donut, is it hard to love him as much as Jesus loves him?

The love of Jesus is a powerful thing. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die for us on the cross. He wants us to love each other that much. And that love will show the world that we really are disciples of Jesus.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, fill me up with your love so that I can love everyone else.