Chewin'

the News

April 2003

Easter Story Cookies

• 1 C. whole pecans
• 1 t. vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 C. sugar
• Zipper baggie
• Wooden spoon
• Masking tape
• Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (This is important to do first! Don’t wait until you’re halfway through the recipe, or it won’t work!!!)

Place pecans in a zipper baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, Roman soldiers beat Him. Read John 19:1-3. Set the nuts aside for now.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 t. vinegar in a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30

Add egg whites. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little bit of salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and then 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.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C. 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 Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and then turn off the oven. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door closed. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to bed! Explain that the children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, and Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, un-seal and open the oven. 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.
 

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