The First Vacation Bible School

June 7, 2009 MW Stockwell Road MBC
THE FIRST VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Mark 15:21 & Romans 16:13

INTRODUCTION:

There should be three weeks circled on every Church members calendars: Revival, Church Camp and Vacation Bible School. We should look forward to these three dates with great excitement and anticipation. VBS is one of the most wonderful times of the year…sounds like a Christmas song doesn’t it? This year’s theme is “A Passport to the Promise Land” and it is my prayer that many young people file down this aisle and experience one of the greatest weeks of their lives. During this week’s VBS crafts will be made, songs will be learned, cookies will be devoured and hopefully Jesus will be introduced to each young person.

This morning I want you to see the first ever Vacation Bible School. Two young Jewish boys named Rufus and Alexander got a “Passport to the Promise Land” with their father named Simon. They were from a city, which was located in the Roman Province of Cyrene. They had come “on vacation” to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Follow this for a moment if you will…Mark was writing his Gospel to a predominately Roman audience and he saw fit to include the names of Simon’s children: Alexander and Rufus…Paul, writing his letter to the Church at Rome commended a young believer there also named Rufus. Could it be the same person? We really do not know for sure BUT could the events that Rufus beheld that day, when his father was pulled out of the crowd to carry the Lord’s Cross, been life transforming? Couldn’t those events altered and changed the life of this man so very much that he became a devoted and dedicated servant of God, so faithful that Paul was moved to acknowledge him in his letter to the Romans? I believe so. I think that Rufus and Alexander were signed up and attended the very first Vacation Bible School.

What was it that Rufus saw during the first VBS? What was it that was so life transforming? What is it that we must be sure to show our young people as they enter our doors for VBS this week? If all they get from us are neat crafts or new songs we will have let them down. Let us pray that our children behold the sights that the First Vacation Bible School had on display.

BODY:

I. THE BLOOD APPLIED v. 21
Note: Jesus’ blood was all over that cross the day. His shoulders had been cut open, His back was literally in ribbons from the scourging and His precious head was lacerated from the cruel crown of Judean thorns. That blood, that was on the Cross, Rufus saw applied to his father Simon.
A. It was on His Hands—we crucified Him…His blood is upon our hands!

B. It was on His Head—I think we need that message to sink into our heads! Convicting us!

C. It was on His Heart—It has to get into our hearts before anything can change!

II. THE JOB OCCUPIED v. 21
Note: The Soldiers wanted Simon to carry this cross…they didn’t want to and in fact they pressed him into service, meaning that Simon resisted. But, nevertheless, Simon bore this cross. You see, there was a job that needed to be done. We have a job to do today as well!
A. The Cross Luke 14:27, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

B. The Cost—to suffer—it isn’t easy—I Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering…”

C. The Cheer—the joy of being in God’s service I Peter 4:13-14

III. THE SAVIOR CRUCIFIED Mark 15:22-25
Note: Rufus was there as this graphic scenario unfolded. I believe that Rufus followed his father all the way to Golgotha and there he beheld the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Friends, we must lift high Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the entire world to see!
A. The Jeering Crowd

B. The Iron Nails

C. The Pierced Side

D. The Shed Blood

CONCLUSION:

Rufus beheld these things and his life was forever changed. I believe, if we, at some point during each lesson show the necessity of the blood, the agony of the Cross and the importance of service it will also change lives today in our VBS. However, I have one more question…whatever happened to Rufus’ brother, Alexander? The sad truth is simply this…we can only do so much. We can present it but they must choose to accept it. Which brother will you be today? Will you be Rufus or Alexander? You decide!