The Accidental Pastor's Wife

These are cookies that you make the night before Easter. Each step represents a different part of the Easter story. I think these are so cool.

Here's what you need:
1 c whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c sugar
zip lock baggie
rolling pin
waxed paper
cookie sheets
mixer with mixing bowl
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300.

Place pecans in baggie and let kids beat them with the rolling pin. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

Let each kid smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into 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 to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life, taking God's wrath upon Himself for our sins, to give us new life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each kid's hand. Let them taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears of Jesus' followers ad the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients aren't very appetizing. Add 1 c sugar. Explain the sweetest part of the story: Jesus died and took the punishment for our sins because He loves us. He wants us to repent of our sin and have faith in Him. Psalm 34:8.

Beat with the mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ as well as the purity of those whose sins have been forgiven. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:13.

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Matthew 27:56-66.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each kid a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.

Go to bed!

On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bit. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Jesus had risen!
Matthew 28:1-9.