A Good Friday to remember

Yesterday was a special day with my 5th grade class in Bible. We spent the whole part of our academic time on Bible. We have been studying the Old Testament this year and have really studied what sacrifice means. In the last few weeks we have been studying the captivity of the Israelites in Egypt and had just finished the plagues. The last and final plague was the death of the firstborn son of the Egyptians, slaves, and cattle. (Exodus 11:5) However; the difference would be in the homes of the Israelites which would be passed over. (Exodus 11:27) We then studied the Passover sacrifice and its meaning and symbolism. I helped them see that as long as they were inside and covered by the blood of the lamb they were safe from the final punishment of death. I drew a sketch on the board for them of the doorpost with the blood and how the sting of death would pass over those homes and the people that were in them would be led away from this scene of death and suffering into the Promised Land. Their captivity would be ended. We then went to Matthew 28. I showed them this chapter of the Matthew video series as they intently followed along in their Bibles soaking up word for word what was happening. When the video ended, I drew the cross on the board and drew the blood covering the wood. I then drew the tomb with the stone rolled away and bright light coming from the tomb. I explained to them that now we celebrate Passover because God’s people needed to be set free from sin and death once and for all. Because Jesus took the place of the sacrificial lamb, no other sacrifice would ever physically have to die again to make up for our sins. I explained that as long as we are in Christ, His blood covers us so that the sting of death passes over us and we are raised in Spirit from the dead and led away from death and suffering into the Promised Land of Heaven to be with Him for eternity. The expressions on their faces were priceless as they began to connect the dots of the wonderful mystery of God in their minds and in their hearts. My amazement of the wonder of God was renewed again as I watched their understanding become complete in what Passover, Good Friday, and Easter is all about.

We ended our day in the home of some precious friends with about 30 people for a time of fellowship, Praise & Worship, and communion. It was a Good Friday I’ll never forget!