Make this a family affair the Saturday evening before Easter.
Ingredients:
1 cup pecans, to be broken
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Directions:
1. Wash and dry hands. Gather above ingredients, a Bible and some adhesive tape. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease the cookie sheet - make sure you use parchment paper or the cookies will stick -- teflon or not!
2. Place pecans in a plastic zip-lock bag. Give children wooden spoons, and let them pound the pecans into small pieces. Set aside. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by soldiers. (Read: John 19:1-3)
3. Let each helper smell the vinegar. Then measure 1 teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that while dying on the cross, Jesus was thirsty and the soldiers gave Him vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)
4. Separate eggs. Add the whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11, 28)
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each person's palm, and let them brush it off into the mixture. Then they can taste their salty palms. This reminds us of the salty tears shed by those saddened by Jesus' death. (Read Luke 23:27)
6. So far the ingredients aren't very appetizing; but now sugar is added, and you must trust that it will have a pleasant result. Explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He makes it possible to know Him and belong to Him. (Read Psalm 34:8; John 3:16)
7. Beat with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Have all helpers notice the pearly white color, the color of purity in God's eyes for those who have been cleansed from sin by Jesus' death. (Read Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 3:1-3)
8. Fold in nuts. Drop rounded teaspoon of the mixture on the cookie sheet make sure you use parchment paper or the cookies will stick -- teflon or not! Explain that each mound resembles a rocky tomb like the one in which Jesus' body was placed. (Read Matthew 27:57-60)
9. Put the cookie sheet in the preheated oven, close the door, and turn the oven completely OFF. Hand each participant a piece of tape to secure the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Read Matthew 27:65-66)
10. Time for bed! Explain they may feel sad and disappointed to leave the cookies in the oven with the door closed. Jesus' death seemed final to His followers, and they were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16:20, 22)
11. On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface of the cookies and then take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb opened and empty. (Read Luke 24:1-12)
12. HE HAS RISEN, ALLELUIA!! (Matthew 28:1-9)