Dead Man Walking

Have any miracles happened in your life? Take a moment and think about that, when and what was the last miraculous thing that has happened to you? I encourage you parents to share this with your students, and students, share this with your parents, and we will talk about it tonight. There are two very different aspects to our God, first He is our very personal, very close intimate savior, who lives within us, who guides us, directs us, and gives purpose to our lives, but on the other hand, God is huge, and able to do things outside the realm of our thinking. This is what we are going to be talking about tonight, the difference between the way God works, and the way we think He should work because of our limited perspective, and God shows us this through His miracles. Suppose your dog Betsy was sick, and you knew if you didn't get her to a vet now she was going to die, so you call the vet, and explain frantically that Betsy is dying and needs your help, the vet calmly responds, i have an opening a week from today, we can squeeze her in then..."you don't understand" you reply, "Betsy is going to be dead in hours if she doesn't see you now", the vet replies "well just bring her in, in a week and we will get her taken care of." you hang up, hours later, Betsy dies, hopeless now, Betsy is gone. A week goes by, and in spite you take Betsy's dead body to the vet and set it on the table, "she's dead because you wouldn't listen." You walk out, head to the car, and moments later Betsy is jumping on your side ready to go home and play, and you have no idea what has just happened, and don't know what to tell the vet, but an embarrassed, confused, "thanks."
Jesus works much in this manner, out of the box, out of the world. He is able to work even death to the glory of his father, tonight we will read a story similar to Betsy's' and explore what the purpose of such a miracle is, its going to be good. Hope to see you there.