“The Kingdom Cracks”

BIBLE PASSAGE 1 Kings 12:1–5, 12–16, and Matthew 2:6
STORY “The Kingdom Cracks”
​GOSPEL CONNECTION God told Jeroboam that he would divide God’s people in two. He also promised him that if he led wisely and walked in God’s ways, then God would bless his kingdom. But did Jeroboam do this? No. He worshiped false gods. How about Rehoboam? No. He listened to the bad advice of his young friends. And now God’s people were divided. Would Israel and Judah ever come back together again? Would God’s people ever find a good and wise king to lead them? They would. Jesus is the wise and good King for all God’s people. Unlike Rehoboam, he would not take evil advice. When Satan told him that he would give him power over all the world if he just worshiped him, Jesus refused to give in to that temptation. When Peter told him to forget the cross and just rule as king without dying, Jesus refused. “Not my will,” he prayed to his heavenly Father, “but your will be done.” He listened to God’s voice. He walked where the Holy Spirit led him, even to death on a cross. But through his death, he showed God’s mercy to God’s people and brought God’s divided people back into one body, his church. A good king is hard to find. In Jesus, we have the best King ever!