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‘Twas the Night Before Easter ~ An original poem

Yesterday, Abigail was randomly quoting “The Night before Christmas”… and all of a sudden, this poem started swirling around in my mind. It was a sweet gift from The Lord to me, and I wanted to pass it along. 🙂   On this silent Saturday, may we rejoice in Jesus, The Truth, Life, and Way!

‘Twas the night before Easter, and all through the land
There was mourning and grieving for Jesus, the man.

Forsaken by God, abandoned by friends,
Jesus was punished for all of our sins.

“Crucify Him!” the angry crowds cheered.
“Save Yourself!” the bitter ones jeered.

His followers’ hopes were dashed in His death
As they watched their Leader take His last breath.

They didn’t remember or couldn’t understand
All Jesus said about God’s ultimate plan.

What they thought in this silence seemed the end.
They’d lost a Master, a Teacher, a Friend.

But Praise be to God – things aren’t as they seem!
A battle was raging behind death’s last scene.

Sin could not win, death could not hold
Messiah, Our Savior, as prophets foretold.

When on the third day, women were a-chatter,
Disciples ran to the tomb to see what was the matter.

The tomb – it was empty, just like they said.
Jesus had risen – He’s no longer dead!

Sin, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?
It was finished! Sin’s curse destroyed by Jesus, The King!

Now we hear Jesus exclaim from His Word every day,
“Come unto me, I’m the Life, Truth, and Way!”

‘Twas the morning of Easter, and all through the land,
We rejoice in Salvation, through Jesus, for man!

Jennifer Walker
4-22-11

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The Cross Cake

Need a delicious and meaningful dessert for your Easter dinner?  (Or a special treat for Easter breakfast?)  This is a tradition we started on our oldest’s first Easter: The Cross Cake.

It’s so simple, but carries the beautiful message of Easter into the traditional Sunday dinner.  Simply make a rectangular cake, and cut out the four corners to leave the shape of the cross.  Then decorate and serve.  I’ve used many different cake mixes (yes… I’m a cake-mix-kind-of-gal) for the cake, but a favorite one is “Quick Red Velvet Cake” (recipe follows).

Even as the children were babies, they had a part in making this Easter Cross Cake.  Nathan’s was 5 months old on his 1st Easter, so as I frosted the cake, I took his little fingers and ran them through the icing to make the “swirls” on it.  This is a picture of our 1st Easter Cross Cake and of Nathan.

The message that year said: Jesus lives for Nathan, Mommy, and Daddy!

By the time Abigail had her first Easter, Nathan was big enough to help ice the cake and choose what would go on it.  He chose jelly beans.  Then Abigail got to help add the jelly beans to the cake.  (Btw, the color on jelly beans run when they are damp.) It wasn’t too pretty, but a lesson was taught and a memory was made.  (And, the cake was delicious – this one was a spice cake.)   😉

I love those pictures.  Where in the world has the time gone?

But I dreamingly digress…

Anyway, no matter how old you or your children are,  this Cross Cake makes a wonderful addition to Easter dinner – a delicious reminder of the mercy and grace God gave to us through Jesus’ death AND RESURRECTION!  He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!!!

Quick Red Velvet Cake

Cake:
1 pkg Pilsbury Moist Supreme German Chocolate Cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup oil
1 (1 oz) bottle red food color
3 eggs

Frosting:
(I used canned… vanilla or cream cheese are my favorites, but whatever is easiest for you will work!)

In large bowl, combine all cake ingredients at low speed until moistened.  Beat 2 minutes at high speed.  Pour batter into greased and floured pans.  Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched in center.  Cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan(s).

If making the cross cake, cut the corners out, leaving the shape of the cross.  Then frost and decorate as desired.  Be sure to take pictures, so you can start your own Easter Cross Cake tradition.

Much love,
Jennifer

PS: This recipe is linked with Saturday Swap.  🙂

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Following Jesus’ footsteps this week

For Jesus, and for us, His whole life, ministry, and purpose hit its climax on this particular week (somewhere around 1,978 years ago).  Knowing He would die a sinner’s death within days of His triumphial entry into Jerusalem, we can safely assume that everything Jesus did and everywhere He went, and everything He said was done, attended, and said with divine purpose.

When a man is about to die within days, he usually doesn’t waste time doing, saying, or going anywhere superfluous. 

So what did Jesus do on this last week?  Where did He go?  What did He have to say?  We can learn much by Scripture’s answers to these questions. 

This week, I’ll be taking the list below, and reading the verses for each day.  Then I’ll be asking the Lord this question: “What do You have to say to me about You?  What do you have to say to me about ME- my life, thoughts, actions, desires, words, habits, etc… based on this week of Your earthly life?”
Along with praising God and Jesus for the Grace and Salvation He has given us, I’m seeking The Lord and something personal from Him this Holy Week.  (Of course, His death payment and coverage for my sins, and my fresh new life in Him is more than personal enough… but I want to know Him more personally, know something more about Him… hear Him speak to me and reveal Himself to me however He wants to, especially on this week.) 

How about you?  If you’re hungry to hear from the Lord, why not take these scriptures each day and ask Jesus to speak to you through them?  Ask Him to open your eyes, ears, and heart to see and hear Him, then put what He shows you into practice.

It will be His gift to you, and your gift to Him.

May He reveal Himself gloriously to and through us on this Holy Week, and every day hereafter…
Jennifer

The following Scriptures are compiled from all four Gospels. 

Sunday
The triumphal Entry: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19

Monday
Jesus Cleanses the Temple: Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree: Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14

Tuesday(Jesus speaks to the “religious leaders”, the crowds, then the Disciples.  Pay attention to these last teachings!)
Jesus Teaches in the Temple: Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8

Parable of the Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32

Parable of the Tenants; Matthew 21:33-34; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18

Parable of the Wedding Banquet: Matthew 22:2-24

Jesus Teaches the Disciples much about the end of time: Matthew 24:1-25:46

Parable of the Fig Tree: Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31

Parable of the Faithful and Wise Servant: Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48

Parable of the 10 Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: Matthew 25:31-46

Parable of the Watchful Servants: Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40


Wednesday
Jesus is annointed with expensive perfume from an alabaster flask:  Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9

Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-15, Mark 14:10-11

The Jews plot against Jesus: Matthew 26:2-5; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11; Luke 22:1-6

Thursday
Jesus is Anointed: Matthew 26:6-13

The Lord’s Supper: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-38

Jesus Comforts His Disciples: John 14

Jesus Teaches about The Vine and Branches: John 15

Jesus Speaks of the Future: John 16

Jesus’ Prayer for Himself, His Disciples, and All Believers: John 17

Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46

Arrest and Trial: Matthew 26:47-27:31; Mark 14:43-15:20; Luke 22:47-23:25; John 18:1-19:16

Healing of Malchus’ Ear: Luke 22:50-51; John 18:3-11

Friday
Crucifixion, Death, and Burial: Matthew 27:32-66; Mark 15:21-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:16-42

Saturday

Sunday
The Resurrection: Matthew 28: Mark 16: Luke 24: John 20

Praising the Lord for Easter week!!!!!

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Around 1,978 years ago this day…

Jesus came into Jerusalem riding atop a donkey. The crowds spread their garments and tree branches on the road in honor of His entrance into the city and their lives.

The crowds cried, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:1-17)

But how quickly the crowds changed their tune!

When Jesus didn’t show Himself as they were expecting, the crowds turned on Him… and 5 days later, Jesus was hanging on a cross.

They wanted an immediate king and savior to free them from their oppressive situations.

They didn’t understand that Jesus was so much more! He IS THE ETERNAL KING and SAVIOR who, Praise the Lord, saves us from the oppressive reign of sin both now and forever!

Jesus is Right. He is Trustworthy. His Ways are eternal.

Even if Jesus is not doing or acting in the way you “think” He should in the immediate of your lives, don’t give up on Him. Hang on to the Truth of His Word. He will not leave you, nor fail you, nor give you up (Heb. 13:5). Continue to praise Him. He IS working eternal victory and glory, even if you can’t see it.

With all our hearts, lets be the crowd that says it and means it (and doesn’t turn from it 5 days later): “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!”


Thank you, My Jesus!  Blessed are you – when I see and understand, and when I don’t… Blessed be Your Name!

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Another favorite family Easter idea – Resurrection Rolls

I’ve been doing this delicious food activity/hands-on-lesson with my children since they were toddlers.  It’s a great picture of the empty tomb, and they’re pretty delicious too!  We usually make these the week of Easter, and then I’ll often pop some in the oven for Easter morning.  Hope you enjoy~

{PS: There’s also a link to a darling new thing circling the internet this year – chocolate covered Peeps – at the end of this post.}

This is a fun activity we do each Easter season to remind us of the incredible miracle of Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we have through Him. Even though our children are older, they are still looking forward to making these favorite Easter treats.

What you will need:

1 pkg. crescent rolls (Or canned biscuits)
1 large marshmallow for each crescent roll
½ cup butter, melted
Cinnamon /Sugar mixture
Depending upon the age of your children, read or teach through Matthew 26-27. Then start this activity.

1. Preheat the oven to 350.

2. Hand everyone a crescent roll triangle or biscuit. (The dough represents the tomb.)

3. Give everyone a marshmallow. (Representing Jesus.)

4. Dip the marshmallows in melted butter. (Representing the embalming oils.)

5. Dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar. (Representing the spices used to anoint Jesus’ body.)

6. Wrap the marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll. Seal it well. (just as Jesus was tightly sealed in the tomb.)

7. Place the rolls in the oven for 10-12 minutes. (Representing the time Jesus was burried in the tomb.)


While the rolls are cooking and cooling, read/teach through Matthew 28:1-10.

8. Let the rolls cool completely. When the rolls have cooled, slice your roll open. The marshmellow is no longer there – just as Jesus is no longer in the tomb – HE IS RISEN!!
His story continues: After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus’ appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He IS the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell.

And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

With a grateful heart for what Jesus did for me/us, and Praising Jesus for Life and Freedom through Him… and praying that you’ll experience His grace in an abundant way this Easter season… and always with love,
Jennifer

{And click here for this cute idea.}

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