HE IS RISEN.....HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA.

The following wasn't quite what I had planned for today. It came to me in an Easter greetings email from Sybil. Sybil has lots of friends so you may already have seen it but, whether you have or not, the message is the same:

CHRIST HAS DIED,

CHRIST IS RISEN,

CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN

The Empty Egg

Eight-year-old Steven was mentally retarded and had many health problems. His health appeared to be growing worse ever daily. His teacher was concerned his classmates might stop identifying with him and loving him as they became more aware of his differences.

In April, the teacher asked the class to put together one plastic Easter egg filled with a small object representing new life in the Spring. Thinking Steven might not understand (and not wanting to embarrass him), the teacher had each child place their egg on her desk so that she could open each one individually.

She needn't have worried. The first egg contained a tiny wild flower, which truly was an indication of new life.

Next, came a rock and the teacher assumed the rock was Steven's. Her reasoning was that rocks don't symbolize new life and growth. But a little boy shouted from the back of the room that the rock had moss on it, thereby showing new life. The teacher agreed.

A butterfly flew out of the next egg and the little girl that brought it bragged that the butterfly was hers, and how it had come from a cocoon, symbolizing new life. The teacher agreed again.

The fourth egg was empty. The teacher knew this had to be Steven's egg, and she nervously set it aside, hoping he wouldn't notice. As she began to pick up a different egg, Steven excitedly announced that the empty egg was his! Hesitating, the teacher replied, "But it's empty!""That's right," said Steven. "Just like Jesus' tomb was, and that means new life for everyone!" The teacher was amazed at Steven's insight and his love for Jesus.

Later on, at the end of the school year, Steven's condition worsened and he died. At his funeral, the children from his class each placed an empty Easter egg among the flowers. Many of the adults at Steven's funeral were puzzled by the appearance of all the eggs, and the message Steven shared with his classmates was shared again! An empty tomb some two thousand years earlier gave Steven the hope of a new life! Although the flowers were beautiful, it was the empty eggs that shared the message of hope in Eternal Life through Jesus Christ!

What a wonderful message to share this Easter with those you love."Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is nothere; He is risen!"? Luke 24:5 NIV

~Author Unknown~

A Blessed and Peaceful Easter to everyone