LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 29 – A FAMILIAR VOICE
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Welcome to this special Easter edition of Redeeming the Chaos with Laurie Christine!
A FAMILY DEVOTIONAL FOR EASTER
For 30 days leading up to Easter, I will be reading to you from my easter devotional book, Come and See! 30 Family Bible Stories for Easter.
Today, I am reading Come and See! Chapter 29 – A FAMILIAR VOICE.
Come and See! invites families of elementary-aged children to experience firsthand the anticipation, the sorrow, the tragedy, the fear, and the ultimate triumph of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Through the eyes of six eye witnesses, you will be led on a journey through the busyness of the streets of Jerusalem, to the despair of Golgotha, and finally to the celebration of the empty grave.
This bookincludes 30 short devotional stories, each with accompanying Scripture references and questions for discussion and imagination.
We are going to be reading one story each day leading up to Easter. You’re welcome to grab the kids and listen together for your family Bible time. Or, if you would rather read to your kids on your own, you can DOWNLOAD A FREE COPY OF THE ENTIRE EBOOK HERE.
LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 29 – A FAMILIAR VOICE
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READ COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 29 – A FAMILIAR VOICE
A FAMILIAR VOICE – Told by John, A Disciple of Jesus
My stomach did a somersault. I recognized that voice. But no, it couldn’t be. Maybe we were seeing a ghost!
JOHN, DISCIPLE OF JESUS
Later Sunday evening, we were all together again in Bethany. We had seen the empty tomb, but we weren’t entirely sure what it all meant. Would the Jewish leaders blame us for the disappearance of Jesus’ body? We made certain that all the doors were locked, just in case anyone came looking for us.
We had just finished eating and were reclining around the table when suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of us. I sat up straight, a jolt of fear gripping my heart. How did this man get in? Was he here to arrest us?
“I come in peace, my friends!” the man said, a warm smile spreading across his face.
My stomach did a somersault. I recognized that voice. But no, it couldn’t be. Maybe we were seeing a ghost! We all looked at each other, skepticism and fear exchanged in each glance. But then the man spoke again.
“Don’t be afraid, friends! It’s me, Jesus!” He looked around the room, meeting each of our gazes one by one. Looks of doubt and questions met him in return.
“Why are you afraid? Don’t you believe that it’s really me? Here —” He held up one of his hands so we could clearly see the mangled knot of flesh where a spike had been hammered through.
“Look at my hands and feet — you can see the scars from my crucifixion! Come here, touch me. If I were a ghost, I wouldn’t have a body, now would I?”
I stood and approached Jesus, barely daring to believe that his words could really be true. My heart pounded in my chest as I reached out my hand to touch his. This was certainly not the hand of a ghost! I clasped Jesus’ hand in both of my own, not wanting to let go. I fell to my knees and clung to Jesus’ robes. “My Lord!” Could it really be true? My best friend, my Savior, was alive again?
But then, as if he could read my thoughts, Jesus reached down and touched my arm. “John,” he said, as he lifted my face up to meet his gaze. “It’s so good to see you, friend!” His eyes met mine, and I knew immediately that this was not a dream. Love and compassion and joy radiated from his face. I stood, and Jesus wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. Everything was going to be okay.
WANT TO GO DEEPER?
DOWNLOAD FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HERE.
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