Wordy Wednesday

This week during our bible time I have been teaching my class about the resurrection. Though I am 25 years old and have heard this story a million times there is something refreshing about hearing it again and again. As we prepare to celebrate His resurrection its important to remember why He was resurrected. He was my atoning sacrifice. He paid the debt I never could pay. He bled and died for me. My favorite part of the story... now bear with me this is for 4 year olds....

"Do you think a few soldiers with swords could take Jesus if He didn't want to go? No! Jesus is God the Son. He has all power. No one could arrest Jesus if he wanted to stop them. Jesus let the soldiers take Him because He knew it was God's plan for Hem to take the punishment for our sin."

I feel like many churches make Jesus out to be this puny being that the guards contained, beat, and then crucified. What a great reminder that He has all power! He chose to complete the will of the Father. What a Savior!

I found this recipe for resurrection cookies. You bake them with your kids and present the gospel step by step. Its a great way to prepare them for Easter.

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.

Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life.

Read: John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read: Psalm 34:8

and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read: Isaiah 1:18

and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read: John 16:20,22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read: Matthew 28:1-9