Children’s Sermon (Luke 24:36-49) Jesus Proves His Identity

This message communicates to children the importance of trusting that Jesus truly is God, and that He has authority to forgive our sins and encourage us in our faith. Jesus proved His identity by coming back to life from the dead! Because we believe in His death and resurrection, we should want to share that good news with others.

Law/Gospel Theme: Jesus most certainly died and came back to life! Because of this, we have assurance that we will have eternal life with God. Jesus fulfilled the law for our sake and conquered death. We know this to be true, and we are forgiven because of it. We know God loves us and we can trust Him for all things.

Optional Materials: Driver’s license, passport, diploma/certificate, or other form of identification or authority.

Bible Passage: Luke 24:36-49

More Teaching Ideas:

• Compare our full Sunday School Lesson on Luke 24:36-49
• See the Road to Emmaus lesson plan on Sunday School Works
• Watch the video demonstration of this kids’ sermon or the related craft ideas
• Compare another Bible Lesson about Jesus on the Road to Emmaus
• Compare another Children’s Message on the Road to Emmaus

Children’s Sermon (Luke 24:36-49) Jesus Proves His Identity

Select whatever “identity proof” forms you wish to use, and have them prepared to show off. Gauge timing in considering how many to display.

Greet the children, and invite them to identify you…

Hello, children of God!  Who am I? That might seem like a silly question, right? Of course, you probably know me if you’ve been around here a little while. But sometimes we are asked to show identification. People might ask us to prove that we are who we say we are. For instance, if I go to the airport, I have to show someone a driver’s license or a passport (hold up item as you describe) to prove that the name on my ticket is really who I am. Or if I apply for a job, I might have to show a social security card or birth certificate that verifies my identity. And then some jobs might make me show a diploma or another certificate that gives me authority to teach or work in a certain field. These items would all prove who I am and would prove that I can do what I want to do.

But what about Jesus? Do you think He had a driver’s license or a passport? Not exactly…but He did prove His identity and His authority in the world. While He was living on Earth, Jesus did amazing miracles, and He told His disciples about who He was and what He had come to do. Even still, they didn’t always believe or understand the things He told them about Himself. Even His signs and miracles didn’t seem to sink in fully.

After Jesus died and came back to life, He came to the disciples again. And even at that point He had to prove Himself! At first, the disciples were terrified to see Him. They thought He was a ghost or something. But then Jesus reassured them. He showed them the scars in His hands and feet. He asked for something to eat…ghosts don’t eat food! It truly was Jesus, not just a spirit or image of Him, but Jesus with a real physical body. He gave them His “ID card” to prove that He was real and true.

Then He reminded the disciples—again—of all the things He had tried to explain before. It must have seemed to them like the puzzle pieces finally fit together. Jesus truly did do all that He had promised. He had authority from God…and He was passing that on to them, as well. He told them He was sending the promise of the Father to them, and that they would be given power to share the good news of the Resurrection. Jesus gave the disciples an important task to spread the love of God to all around them.

We have that special task, too! We know the truth of Jesus and the power of what He did for us. We have the joy of sharing that with others. That might mean sharing the words of Jesus with other people; or it might just mean caring for them and shining the light of Christ through our joyful attitudes. However we do it, we know that Jesus is with us. He proved who He was through His resurrection, and we carry out His power through love and faith. We recognize and trust His authority now and forever!

Why don’t we say a prayer of thanksgiving to God now?

Prayer: 

Dear God,
Thank you for Jesus
He truly is your Son
And did all that you promised
Help us to trust in you
And recognize your authority in our lives
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus’s name, Amen!

Bible Verses/story to Reference:

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. ³⁸ And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate before them.

⁴⁴ Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

 -Luke 24:36-49