1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
1 zipper baggie
1 wooden spoon Bible
Directions and Activity
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Place pecans in a zipper baggies and let children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus’ arrest, he was beaten by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3, “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head. And they put on him a purples robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him with their hands.”
Let each child smell the vinegar. Pour 1 teaspoon vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30, “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scriptures might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
Add egg whites to vinegar. Tell the children that eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life so that we could be resurrected and have eternal life. Read John 10:10-11, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
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 during the crucifixion. Read Luke 23:27, “And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.” Ask your children if any of the ingredients used to this point seem very appetizing.
Add one cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the Easter story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him and be able to return to the Father. Read Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Read John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Beat with 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, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop the dough by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Explain that each mound of dough represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60, “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
Put the cookie sheet into the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and help them seal the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66, “Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”
Go to bed! Or proceed with the events of the night and leave the cookies in the oven until morning. Explain that the children might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers despaired when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20,22, “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy… And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
Before the children are up the next morning, remove the tape and open the oven door. After the children awaken, gather them in the kitchen and give everyone a cookie. Tell them to notice how the surface is cracked and to take a bite. The cookies will be hollow. Explain that on the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. When they understood what it meant, they rejoiced! Read John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
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