• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or mallet to break into small pieces. Set aside.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

John 19:1-3

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

• Let each child smell the vinegar, then place into a large mixing bowl.

Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

John 19:28-30

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

• Add egg whites to bowl.

Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

John 10:10-11

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

• Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Luke 23:27

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

• So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Psalms 34:8

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (5-8 minutes).

Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

• Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfulls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Matthew 27:57-60

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

• Put the cookie sheet in the preheated oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
• Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Matthew 27:65-66

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

• Go to bed.

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

John 16:20, 22

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy…So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

• On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!

Explain that on the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Matthew 28:1,5-6

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.