On the day before Easter, make these cookies to tell the Easter story! Allow plenty of time because there is a lesson in each step. This is a great way for your family to share and discuss more about the story of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the resurrection!
Supplies needed:
- 1 cup whole pecans
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- pinch salt
- 1 cup sugar
- zipper baggie
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don’t wait till you’re half done with the recipe!)
Place pecans in zipper baggie 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.
- Have you ever been treated unfairly? How did that make you feel?
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
- Read John 19:28-30.
- Questions to discuss: Even if you were thirsty, do you think you’d want to drink vinegar? Were they being kind by giving Jesus vinegar?
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
- Read John 10:10-11.
- Question to discuss: We are alive because God made each of us. What is the thing you enjoy the most about your life? Thank God for that right now!
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.
- Question to discuss: Jesus’ followers were sad when He was on the cross. What makes you sad?
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.
- Questions to discuss: Jesus loves us more than anyone else can possibly love us, and was willing to die for us! When we love someone, how do we show them?
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.
- Questions to discuss: Jesus was kind and good to all people, even those who were ignored by others. How can we show God’s love to others?
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
- Read Matthew 27:57-60.
- Question to discuss: Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body so he could place it in a tomb. Joseph was showing his devotion to Jesus. How do we show our devotion to Jesus?
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.
- Question to discuss: Pilate ordered that the tomb be sealed and posted a guard at the stone. Why is this important in the story? (This makes the resurrection of Jesus even more miraculous! We know that only God could resurrect Jesus from a sealed and guarded tomb.)
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 and 22.
- Questions to discuss: Jesus told His followers that they would be sad for a while, but they would soon rejoice. What did He mean by that? When have you been sad for a while, but then you were happy?
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.
Questions to discuss: The angel told the women not to be afraid, because Jesus had risen. The angel told them to go and tell the disciples the Good News. How can we share the Good News of Jesus with others? Who do you know who needs to hear this Good News?
