He Is Risen!

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:57-66; 28:1-10; John 3:16-18

Madison carefully helped her little brother cover the sticky marshmallow he had placed in the center of the dough. “Troy, this dough is like the tomb where Jesus was placed after He died on the cross.”

Troy’s eyes widened as he popped another marshmallow into his mouth. “Why does the marshmallow go in the tomb?”

Madison giggled. “The marshmallow is Jesus, silly!”

Troy swallowed hard and patted his tummy. “Sorry, Jesus!” he whispered.

Madison grinned. “That’s okay, we’re making plenty more. Just wait until tomorrow when you see what happens to our marshmallow Jesus!” The two finished tucking the marshmallows into the dough pockets, and Mom slid them into the oven.

After church on Easter Sunday, the kids excitedly made their way to the dinner table. Mom had placed the rolls right in the center of the table. Troy leaned over and sniffed. “Mmmm, I can’t wait to eat these cinnamon marshmallow puffs!” He licked his lips.

“And to find out what happened to Jesus!” Mom reminded him with a wink.

After the prayer for the meal, Madison called for everyone to pick up a roll. “Let’s all bite into our rolls on the count of three! One, two, three!”

Troy gasped in surprise. “Where did the marshmallow go?”

“Jesus is not here! He is risen!” Madison yelled happily.

“Wow! Cool trick!” Troy clapped his hands.

Grandpa patted Troy’s shoulder. “The marshmallow disappears from the oven’s heat, buddy…just like Jesus didn’t remain in the tomb but rose again! That’s why these treats are called resurrection rolls.”

Grandma’s eyes sparkled. “Jesus gave His life for all of us on the cross. We needed someone perfect to save us from all the bad things we do because we could never be good enough ourselves. So God sent His Son to die for our sins. It would have been sad if the story had ended there, but it didn’t! Three days after Jesus was placed in the tomb, He rose from the grave. He conquered death itself, and He is alive!”

“And because He is alive, those who trust in Him will be resurrected one day too and live with Him forever,” Dad said. “That’s what Easter is all about.”

(Savannah Coleman)

How About You?

Have you accepted the gift of love that God offers through His Son, Jesus? Whoever trusts in Him receives forgiveness for all the sinful things they’ve done and will have eternal life with Him. Once we belong to Jesus, nothing can separate us from Him—not even death. Jesus is alive, and if you trust Him as your Savior, you will live with Him forever! (To learn more, click on the “Good News” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 28:6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is alive!