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The Bedtime Story
“Girls!” called mother. “It’s eight o’clock. Time to get ready for bed. We have church tomorrow. Remember, its Easter Sunday and your children’s choir is singing My Redeemer Lives.”
Nine year old Stephanie, and seven year old Melissa dug their Hello Kitty PJ’s out of their dresser drawer, ran to the bathroom then turned on the shower. When the water temperature was just right, both girls stood under the warm spray giggling as they washed their hair and quickly took their shower. Once in their PJ’s they scampered off to their bedroom. As they sat on Stephanie’s bed two excited but sleepy girls called to their mother they were ready for their bedtime story.
“I wonder what book mom will read tonight,” Melissa asked with a yawn. “I hope she reads Night, Night Bunny.”
“Melissa, mom read that book last night, and the night before that,” grumbled Stephanie. “She better pick something else.”
Mom entered the room with a black book in her hand, and a smile on her face. “You girls look comfy. Ready for your story?” Two heads nodded in agreement.
“Tonight I am going to read to you from the Bible. It’s the Easter story and a powerful story at that. Would you like to hear what God says about Easter?” asked mom.
“Okay” said Melissa, a look of disappointment on her face at not having her favorite book read, again.
Mom opened the Bible to the Gospel of John chapter nineteen and began reading. She was reading from the International Children’s Bible, which was easier for the girls to understand. The girls listened intently asking a few questions as mom read the story.
When mom came to verse twenty-eight she read “After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. To make the Scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it. Then they put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth. Jesus tasted the vinegar. Then he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head and died.”
“Ewww” said Melissa. “I sure wouldn’t want to have to drink vinegar. That stuff tastes awful. Why did they make him drink vinegar anyway?”
“You know the story girls. Remember how Jesus was beaten and whipped by some angry men. Then these men placed him on a cross and they drove nails through his hands and feet. People laughed at him, mocked him, spit on him. He hung on that cross for six hours enduring all kinds of abuse.”
“That’s a long time,” said Stephanie. “Almost as long as we are in school each day. I don’t like it when someone hurts me for even just a minute, yet alone six hours.”
“I agree” said mom. “Six hours on the cross made it hard for Jesus to breathe, yet alone talk. Every time he tried, he would have to push himself up just a little with his feet in order to get a breath. His arms hurt. His shoulders hurt. His mouth was dry. He was exhausted. Yet, he had something very important he wanted the people to hear and knew if he didn’t get a little drink of something, he would not be able to utter those important words. His mouth was so very dry. Therefore, he said he was thirsty and the soldiers gave him some vinegar to drink.”
“I wish I had been there” uttered Melissa. “I would have given him some sweet tea to drink. That would have tasted better than that awful vinegar. Yuck!”
“Do you know what important words Jesus had to say to the people?” asked mom.
Stephanie nodded her head. He said, ”It is finished.” What exactly does that mean anyway? Mom went on to explain.
Jesus hung on that cross for all our sin. For your sin and mine. And as he hung on that cross, he was paying the penalty for our sins. God had asked him a long time ago if he would leave heaven and come to earth to live as a man so he could be the sacrifice for our sin, and Jesus said he would. When Jesus said, “It is finished” he was saying his payment for our sin was completed.
Done.
Accomplished.
Paid in full.
These last words of Jesus have power. Power to forgive your sin and mine. Today Jesus is alive. He is no longer in the grave. He is willing to forgive anyone who comes to him and asks.
“Mommy?” asked Melissa. “I know I have sinned and done bad things. Will Jesus forgive me?”
“Yes, Melissa, if you ask him to he will. Would you like to ask him now?”
“Oh mommy, can I?”
“Just tell Jesus you’re sorry for your sin and invite him into your heart” said Stephanie. I can help you with the prayer if you would like.
Melissa closed her eyes and nodded yes.
Stephanie and Melissa bowed their head. Melissa prayed a simple but heartfelt prayer in which she opened her heart, and invited Jesus in.
“Amen” whispered two girls. As Melissa opened her eyes she looked at her mom and said, “Mom, Jesus lives inside me. I can feel him there. Isn’t that great?”
With tears in her eyes Mom hugged both girls. “Indeed, having Jesus living inside you is the best feeling ever. Hallelujah! Jesus Our Redeemer lives.”
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