This Sunday, we celebrate the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Most children in our homes and churches are already acquainted with the stunning narratives of the resurrection as recorded in the Gospels. Many can even recite the angel’s words to the women at the empty tomb: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” However, it’s also paramount that we teach them the glorious significance of Jesus’ resurrection—what it accomplished, what it guarantees for the future, and how we obtain these promises.
The resurrection of Jesus is God's gift and proof that his death was completely successful in blotting out the sins of his people and removing the wrath of God...From the cross the Son of God cried, "It is finished" (John 19:30). And by means of the resurrection, God the Father cries, "It was finished indeed!" The great work of paying for our sin and providing our righteousness and satisfying God's justice was finished in the death of Jesus. Then, in the grave, he had the right and the power to take the keys of death and open the door for all who come to him by faith.—John Piper (from The Passion of Jesus Christ, copyright ©2004, pages 100-101)
This is why we are delighted to be able to provide you with a free devotional chapter from God’s Gospel, courtesy of P&R Publishing Co., which highlights these truths about Jesus’ resurrection. Our hope and prayer is that by reading through this short devotional with your family before Easter and talking about the truths of scriptures presented, your children might be better prepared in their minds and hearts to genuinely embrace and rejoice in the glorious news: “He is risen!”
(Excerpt taken from God's Gospel by Jill Nelson, ISBN 978-1-62995-033-4, used with permission from P&R Publishing Co, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865, www.prpbooks.com)
