Resurrection cookies

I should have posted this sooner as its meant to be done on "Good Saturday" night. You can do it any time of course! We have done this every year since Michael was a baby.

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Resurrection cookies

1 Cup pecan halves
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch of salt
1 Cup of sugar
1 resealable plastic bag
a wooden spoon
scotch tape
A Bible

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

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

Read John 19:1-3

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands.

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put one teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross the soldiers gave him a sponge with vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

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

Read John 10:10-11

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

5. 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

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.

6. The ingredients so far aren't too appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us, and wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

7. Beat mixture with a mixer until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that white represents the purity of those who have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

John 3:1-3

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

8. Fold in broken nuts and drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

9. Put the cookie sheets in the oven. Give each child a piece of tape to "seal" the oven shut.

Read Matthew 27:65-66

Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

10. Turn off the oven and go to bed! Explain that it might be sad to leave the cookies in the oven all night. Jesus' disciples were sad when Jesus died. They didn't understand that He would rise again.

Read John 16:20, 22

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

11. In the morning remove the tape, open the oven and take out the cookies! Give everyone a cookie. Notice how they are hollow in the middle. Jesus' followers were amazed to find that the tomb was empty! Jesus is alive!

Read Matthew 28:6-7

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

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Praise the Lord! He is Risen!