Matthew 28:6 (New International Version)
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and
see the place where he lay.
Little Philip, born with Down's syndrome, attended a
third-grade Sunday School class with several eight-year-old boys and girls.
Typical of that age, the children did not readily accept Philip with his
differences, according to an article in Leadership magazine. But because of a
creative teacher, they began to care about Philip and accept him as part of the
group, though not fully. The Sunday after Easter the teacher brought Leggs
pantyhose containers, the kind that look like large eggs. Each receiving one,
the children were told to go outside on that lovely spring day, find some
symbol for new life, and put it in the egg-like container. Back in the
classroom, they would share their new-life symbols, opening the containers one
by one in surprise fashion. After running about the church property in wild
confusion, the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on
the table. Surrounded by the children, the teacher began to open them one by
one. After each one, whether flower, butterfly, or leaf, the class would ooh
and ahh. Then one was opened, revealing nothing inside. The children exclaimed,
"That's stupid. That's not fair. Somebody didn't do their
assignment." Philip spoke up, "That's mine." "Philip, you
don't ever do things right!" the student retorted. "There's nothing
there!" I did so do it," Philip insisted. "I did do it. It's
empty. the tomb was empty!" Silence followed. From then on Philip became a
full member of the class.
He died not long afterward from an infection most normal
children would have shrugged off. At the funeral this class of eight-year-olds
marched up to the altar not with flowers, but with their Sunday school teacher,
each to lay on it an empty pantyhose egg.
Dear Lord we thank You that the tomb is empty! Thank You
that You are RISEN. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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