Easter Devotion - The Best Surprise of All! (Printable Version)

Bible Verse: Matthew 28:5

This make-believe story is based on the true Bible story told in Matthew 28: 1-10 and Luke 24: 9-10.

Hi! Its me...Huggy-Lamb. Maybe you remember me from another devotion. I got my name because I'm super-soft and really huggable. At least that's what my mom says. I came over to Bible Kids Fun Zone today to tell you a wonderful story about surprises! Its a make-believe story, but its based on the true story in the Bible.

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Early one Spring morning before sunrise, I was scampering about looking for some yummy grass to eat for breakfast. I looked behind the tree. Oh, wow! What a nice surprise! There on the tree was a little spring blossom that had just come out! It was beautiful! What a great surprise! I decided to look for some raspberries to have for breakfast too, so I over to where the raspberry bushes were. Oh look! a bunch of little purple flowers were just starting to peek up out of the grass! Sniff-sniff. Um-m-m-m-m...they smelled good! What a nice surprise. That was the second surprise this morning! As I gathered the berries on the berry bush I heard a faint sound coming from the other side of the bush. "Peep, peep.., peep, peep". I looked over to where the sound was coming from. Oh gosh! It was three little baby birds sitting in a nest, all cuddled up around their mother! How cute! I sat and watched for a couple minutes, then left them alone to be with their mother. I didn't want to scare them. That was the third great surprise of the morning!

Then, all of a sudden I heard the sound of footsteps. The sound was kinda loud so I knew it was the footsteps of people. I ran up on the ledge of rocks to hide because I was scared. I could see everything going on from up there! I could see some women coming. It was my friend Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. They were walking fast. They must be in a hurry, I thought. They were walking towards the big stone. The big stone was blocking the door to the tomb where Jesus' body had been laid. I knew that was where they laid Jesus' body after he died, because I was here three days before when it all happened.

Just then there was a big earthquake! Rumble rumble was the sound it made. It was kinda scary! Then an angel from heaven came and rolled the stone away from the tomb. What a sight! He was bright as lightening, and his clothes were as white as snow! He was so bright it was hurting my eyes! The guards who had been guarding the tomb were so afraid they were shaking. Then they fell down! Bonk! They were out cold. I looked over at Mary and the other Mary. Their eyes got really big! They looked frightened. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus. But he isn't here. He is alive! God raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would!" Wow! This was the best surprise of all! The best surprise ever! Then the angel then invited them to come and see where Jesus' body had been laid. Sure enough, he wasn't there...just like the angel said. They looked excited. Even though they were scared, they were happy too!

"Hurry, the angel said, "Go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive and that he is going to Galilee to meet them there." As they hurried away, I followed along behind them. Then, all of a sudden... There he was! It was Jesus himself! He gave them a warm greeting. They were so excited they didn't know what to say! They fell at his feet and praised him. Then Jesus said, "Tell my followers to go to Galilee. Tell them they will see me there." They couldn't keep this great surprise to themselves. They were so excited they had to share the great news with their friends! - the great surprise that Jesus was alive! It was the best surprise of all!

Finally, it all made sense. Just days before, Jesus had told them that on the third day he would be raised to life. Now they could see that it all happened just like he had said it would. Even death couldn't keep Jesus in the grave. God raised him back to life. And that is something to CELEBRATE! This was the most special morning of all! Now let's say it together, "The best surprise - Jesus is alive!"

PRAYER:

Dear God,

Thank you so much for making a way for me to be right with you.

Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay for my sins.

I believe Jesus did this for me. Now I want you to come into my heart.

Please forgive me and help me to live for you.

Thank you Jesus, for your promise that I can live with you forever!

In Jesus' name, Amen.