At Easter we try to explain the resurrection of Christ to our children in a unique way so they will really understand it.

Numerous people have questioned and even ridiculed the idea of the resurrection of Jesus over the centuries. The author of The Passover Plot suggests that Jesus swooned or fainted on the cross. The author then claims that Jesus was later revived by the cool, moist air of the tomb.

Despite such novel theories that attempt to explain away the resurrection of Christ, Josh McDowell in Evidence That Demands a Verdict, points out several key historical facts that have never been refuted. (1)

We want our children to learn AND remember the Easter story. So we will try to not only tell but also show them what it all means.

This year on Easter Sunday morning our six children will get in their Easter baskets, along with 2 feet chocolate bunnies and lots of jelly beans, a plastic Ziplock bag filled with 6 special objects. These objects are symbols of historical facts that have never been refuted about the Easter Story.

1. Jesus predicted His resurrection. Before His death Jesus told His disciples that “They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again” (Luke 18:32-33). For the first object we place in each Ziplock bag is a three inch piece of string to symbolize a whip used to beat Jesus.

2. Jesus suffered actual death. Numerous doctors, researchers, and pathologists who have examined the account of Jesus’ death have concluded He was definitely dead when He was taken down from the Cross. For the second one we place in their Ziplock bag is a blunt nail to represent the Cross and the agony Jesus suffered there for us.

3. Jesus was buried. No one has suggested, not even His enemies among the religious leaders of that day, that Jesus was never buried. The leaders went to the ruling Roman governor Pontuis Pilate and pleaded that the tomb be sealed and guarded (Matthew 27:62-66). No one would ask that an empty tomb be guarded. For the third one we place in the Ziplock bag is a small rock to represent that the tomb was sealed.

4. The tomb was empty – except for the grave clothes. If the tomb of Jesus wasn’t empty on Easter morning, the ruling officials would have just had to produce the body for public viewing. They would have silenced everyone. For the fourth symbol we place in the Ziplock bag is a white kleenex to represent the grave clothes.

5. Despite centuries of attacks no critic has been able to adquately explain away the resurrection. Even Christ’s enemies never refuted His resurrection. Although the early believers were persecuted for their faith, the facts of Jesus’ resurrection were never publicly protested or refuted by His enemies (Acts 5:27-31). For the fifth one we place in the Ziplock bag is a small Cross.

6. The disciples’ lives were changed. Jesus’ followers were demoralized, frightened, and confused after His death. Then something significant changed this group of cowering fugitives into a group of fearless evangelists. What was it? The answer is simple-they saw the risen Jesus. For the sixth symbol we place in the Ziplock bag is a toothpick to represent a match, showing that a fire was started and it’s a Flame that cannot be extinguished.

Each one in our family has have been transformed because we too have met the risen Jesus. Our sins are forgiven, our future in heaven guaranteed, and our daily life filled with His living Presence. The key is to place your entire faith on His finished work on the Cross. Our prayer for ourselves and our children is that we will be an irrefutable, living argument for the resurrection of Christ “After He said all of this, he showed then His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20

footnote (1) Josh McDowell, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, vol. I (San Bernardino, CA: Campus Crusade for Christ, 1972).

Bob Moeller is President of Marriagevine. Conference site is: www.forkeepsconference.com
Moeller is a stand up comic and humor columnist for moms. Read Mom Laughs
Together they have authored two books on marriage. Both books Marriage Minutes, Moody Press 2000, and For Better, For Worse, For Keeps, Marriagevine 2007, can be purchased on the conference website above.

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