Resurrection Seeds

“Happy Easter!” Jessie exclaimed as her friend Justin opened the door to let her and her parents in.

“Are you ready for chocolate bunnies and egg hunts?” Jessie’s and Justin’s families had been best friends for a long time, and they often celebrated holidays like Easter together.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” Justin replied. “When I get my chocolate bunny, I’m gonna chomp the ears off and gobble them up!”

Jessie frowned at her friend. “That’s terrible! I just lick the chocolate gently until the bunny’s all gone.”

Justin shrugged. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“I wuv chocwate bunnies,” said Justin’s little sister, Ellie.

“Well, that’s not until after lunch,” said Justin’s mom. “And I have another idea to help us celebrate Easter today.”

“Really?” Justin’s eyes lit up. “More chocolate? More jelly beans?”

Jessie rolled her eyes. “Easter isn’t ALL about candy, Silly.”

“I know that,” Justin replied. “But I like candy!”

“How about if we eat something besides candy—like lunch!” Justin’s dad suggested.

The two families sat down to enjoy a festive Easter meal. Everyone bowed their heads as Justin’s dad prayed then they dove into the food. There were fluffy biscuits, honey ham, bright orange carrots, and fresh green beans.

“So, Jessie,” asked her dad, “what did you talk about in Sunday school this morning?”

Jessie swallowed her bite of biscuit and jam. “Well, we learned how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was put into a tomb.”

“Yeah,” Justin chimed in. “But he didn’t stay there.”

“Really?” asked Justin’s mom. “What happened? Did someone take him away?”

“No!” Jessie replied. “He rose again.”

“Yeah,” said Justin. “Jesus rose from the dead. That’s what the angel said.”

“Yes,” said Justin’s mom. “I know you’re right. But did you know that there are some people who think he didn’t really die or rise again?”

“I believe it ’cause the Bible says it’s true!” Justin exclaimed. “But I don’t understand very well how it happened.”

“That’s because it’s a miracle. We can’t understand how miracles happen because they are things only God can do,” said Justin’s dad.

“But God sometimes gives us a picture of his miracles in the things we see around us,” said Justin’s mom.

“And when we see those things, it helps our faith grow,” added Justin’s dad. “We’re going to see one of those pictures after we eat.”

When lunch was finished, everyone headed out to the backyard.

“Are we going to hunt for Easter eggs?” Justin asked.

“Nope,” his mom replied. “We’re going to work in the garden.”

“Huh?!” The kids stared at their parents, who were all holding gardening tools.

“This isn’t what we usually do on Easter,” said Justin, frowning.

“We know,” Jessie’s mom replied. “But we thought this was a better idea than just eggs and bunnies.”

“Come on,” said Justin’s dad. “This’ll be fun.”

Justin, Jessie, and Ellie followed their parents to the garden patch in the corner of the yard.

“Look, Mom,” said Justin, “some of your plants are growing already.” He pointed to the small green leaves poking through the soil.

“Yes,” said his mom. “But did you know that those plants used to look like these?” She held out her hand.

“What are those?” Justin peered at the tiny brown dots in his mother’s hand. “They look like little brown bugs.”

“Are they dead?” Jessie asked.

“Eww! Dead bugs, dead bugs!” Ellie cried.

“No,” laughed Justin’s mom. “These are seeds. They look kinda dead right now, but when I buried them . . . see what happened?” She pointed to the little plants in the garden.

“They came to life!” Justin exclaimed.

“I get it!” said Jessie. “This is like when Jesus was dead. He was put in the tomb and came back to life.”

“Yes. Jesus used the same picture when he talked about his death,” Jessie’s dad explained. “He told his disciples that a grain of wheat, like a seed, doesn’t do much by itself. But when it dies and is buried, it grows into a new plant.”

“That’s so cool!” said Justin. “Can I plant some seeds, too?”

“Of course,” said Justin’s dad. “I’ve got three packages of seeds, one for each of you.”

Ellie jumped up and down trying to see the seed packs. “I want pupple!” she exclaimed.

“Ooh, and I’ll take these,” said Jessie, reaching for the packet with a picture of pink flowers.

“That means I get—pumpkin seeds,” said Justin. “Hey, maybe I can grow a gigantic pumpkin!”

Their parents helped the kids dig holes in the dirt and drop their seeds in, patting the dirt down around them.

“I can’t wait to see what they’ll look like when they grow,” said Jessie.

“Yeah, this was a fun way to celebrate Easter,” Justin added.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” said Jessie’s mom. “Now, whenever you plant seeds or watch your plants grow, you can think about how Jesus died and rose again.”

“It’s neat that God gave us a reminder like this right in our own backyard,” said Justin.

“Yeah,” Jessie agreed. “Since people can see that God makes plants grow from seeds that look dead, maybe it’ll help them believe that Jesus really did rise again.”

“That’s right,” said Jessie’s dad. “But while you’re waiting for your seeds to start growing, how about if you all go hunting?”

“For chocolate bunnies?” asked Justin excitedly.

“And Easter eggs?” said Jessie.

“And jelwy beans?” Ellie jumped up and down.

“Yes,” said their parents. “Happy Resurrection Day!”