Blank Sheet of Paper

Among all the messages and commentaries that celebrate Easter, the most eloquent for me came from the mouth of a special child.

Although James was ten years old, he was still in kindergarten. And even in that class, James was not at par with his classmates. His motor skills and speech were way below those of children four years his junior.

That week, James’ teacher spoke to the class about Easter and what it means to Christians. "Jesus rose from the grave," she said. "The only Leader in all the world who did so. He is risen. He lives." She also spoke of eggs, bunnies, the naked cross, and all the symbols of Easter familiar to the children.

At the end of that week, she asked her class to draw anything they can remember about their lesson on Easter. She gave them each a blank sheet of paper.

Everyone went to work with excitement. Except James. He just sat there and stared at the piece of paper.

“C’mon, James, draw something,” the teacher coaxed him. But James wouldn't move. After an hour, the teacher asked the children to explain what they had drawn on their papers.

“Eggs!” one said. “My brother and I go egg-hunting on Easter.”

“Easter bunny!” another said. “It hops!”

"Flowers." "Church." "Jesus." "Cross." "More eggs." And the answers went on and on.

After everyone had explained his drawing, the children all looked at James who remained totally still and quiet. The teacher, concerned that James might be embarrassed, tried to make excuses for him, "Well, class, James doesn’t feel like drawing today-"

James raised his paper and said haltingly, “T-this is Je-sus’ t-tomb. Th-there’s n-nothing there b-because Jesus is n-not d-dead. H-he’s alive!”

What could the teacher say? Nothing more. Nothing less.

Let me end this post with “He Lives,” an old Easter Hymn:

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart. 

Photo by:  photos8.org