Luke 24:36b-44, NIRV

³⁶The disciples were still talking about this when Jesus himself suddenly stood among them. He said, “May you have peace!”

³⁷They were surprised and terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do you have doubts in your minds? ³⁹Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But you can see that I do.”

⁴⁰After he said that he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹But they still did not believe it. They were amazed and filled with joy. So, Jesus asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴²They gave him a piece of cooked fish. ⁴³He took it and ate it in front of them.

⁴⁴Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true.”

Visual objects: Pot with soil and seed (or plant). Water pitcher to water the pot.

Message

What must you do to grow healthy and strong? (Let children answer.) That’s right; you must eat food that is good for you and drink plenty of water.

When Jesus reappeared to his disciples after that Easter morning, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him some broiled fish, and I am sure some water to drink, and he took it and ate it while he was with them. He then explained to them how everything that had been written about him was coming true.

Today we need to water our plant. Plants need water and the nutrition that food provides to grow healthy.

We have talked about growing and becoming strong by eating food and drinking water. We must open our mouths to eat and drink. We must open our minds to let the good news that Jesus brings become part of us. We grow and become strong Christians by opening our minds to what God is trying to teach us. Open your mind to God’s Word and receive God’s love.