Easter — Now What?
We have been talking about Easter and all the events prior to Easter Sunday in our Sunday morning Pathway classes, Children’s Church, and Awana Clubs for the past month or more. Now that Easter—with all its special activities—has come and gone, I have to ask myself—Then what happened? Now what?
Take just a moment to read Luke 24:13-35. Or watch it narrated at this site: https://www.theglobalgospel.media/appearance-on-the-road-to-emmaus This is the story of the Journey to Emmaus. The same Easter Sunday that Jesus rose from the grave, He also made it a point to join two travelers returning to their home from Jerusalem. As I plan to teach this Bible story to our kids here at church, I had to think—what can we all learn from this part of the Easter story? What do I want our children to know about Jesus?
I think the big takeaway, and maybe the easiest lesson to teach, is that we should recognize Jesus in the midst of our everyday life. Even if we are troubled or discouraged or our faith falters—Jesus can be found right next to us. We can miss God’s presence when we are focused on our own problems. We can take comfort in the hard times by knowing that God has the entire picture in focus and we can trust in that.
I love how Jesus met these two travelers right where they were—on their journey, discouraged, and unclear in their own faith. He asked them a simple question—“What are you guys talking about?” Notice that He doesn’t swoop in on them and announce His Big News. He listens to them speak and encourages them to continue to speak with further questions. Without correcting them in the middle of their narrative, he just listens. When they were finished relating all their “news”, then Jesus starts from the very beginning and clearly retells the story filling in all the missing blanks by using Scripture.
As we relate to children, it is important that we don’t become the walking encyclopedia of the Bible to our kids. We relate to them where they are in their day, in their moments—asking questions and truly listening to their answers. When they have finished, then it is time to be clear in our response—using the Scriptures to help them understand what God has to say about their problems, their difficulties, their everyday lives. The Scriptures has transformative powers—but they must hear it!
I love the response of the two travelers when they finally realize Who Jesus was. The Word of God had been explained to them, the comfort had been given, the knowledge that God had it all under His power and plan—and then they just had to share it with others! Knowing Who Jesus is will lead us to a desire to share the Good News! Do we teach the Word of God to our children in such a way that they remember, that they are invited to react to it, that they feel compelled to share it with their families and their friends? What a challenge to any parent or teacher!
So the Easter story doesn’t end at the tomb—it continues down the road to Emmaus with so many lessons to be learned both for our kids and for ourselves. We can see clearly now Who Jesus is!
Because Jesus Loves Children!
---Shari Coelho
Children’s Ministry Director, SRBC