The Drama of Jesus the Christ Sunday Service Children s Story Materials: Online video clip, The Great Drama Pictures of Jesus OPTIONAL: Colorful pinwheel Preparations: Because online videos often take a few minutes to download, play the related video before the story begins to ensure that it will be ready when needed. Prepare any necessary materials. Invite children up to steps of altar. Reader of story sits in a chair with children sitting on floor in front of her. Include children s story, even if there are no children in your congregation, to welcome families who may come to the service. You can add your own creativity to the stories. You may feel comfortable using props or presenting them just as they are written. Feel free to adjust the content to fit your time frame. However, for the spiritual development of the child, we encourage keeping as much of the Ascended Master s Teachings as possible. Good morning and welcome. Today our story is about Jesus resurrection, which we celebrate today on Easter. Does anyone know what resurrect means? (Allow children to answer.) Yes, it means restore to life. The resurrection flame is a joyous flame. We celebrate Easter at the beginning of spring when flowers and trees are just beginning to bloom. Easter is a happy celebration because this is when Jesus 1
resurrected his physical body. Our beloved messenger said, The resurrection flame is a glorious singing flame- - it sings with the violet flame. It's what the world needs. It is the combination of all of the rays of your causal body, so you'll find yourself pulling down elements of those seven rays that perhaps you have not drawn forth in ages and ages. (May 31, 1981, The Beloved Messenger, Feast of the Resurrection Flame). It s like this pinwheel here. If we spin it really fast, the colors blend together, like the mother- of- pearl white- fire radiance of the resurrection flame. What are some activities that you like to do on Easter? (Allow children to answer.) Did you know that when you are hunting for colored Easter eggs, you are participating in the ritual of the resurrection? Well, you are. You are searching for the secret rays, for the causal body, for the white fire core, and you have the joy of discovering the Christ consciousness. Now, we don t have to resurrect our physical bodies, like Jesus did. We go through a spiritual resurrection. Each day we are resurrecting our souls and bodies through our actions, words, decrees, giving the violet flame and even by what we eat. Today our story is about Jesus resurrection. Jesus life was like a great drama. He knew in advance that in his life there would be many challenges or tests including betrayal by a few of his apostles, death and the Victory over death. Yet, he played his part to fulfill the will of God and his mission. Jesus wants us to know that we too can go through the resurrection of our soul and achieve our goal of the ascension. 2
Let s hear a short excerpt from our beloved Guru Ma teaching about life as a great drama. (Play online video.) All of us have a drama to live to fulfill our mission, just as Jesus did. Jesus life consisted of many dramas. As you listen to the story of Easter, imagine it as a great play, each person playing their part, and Jesus showing us the path of the resurrection and the ascension. The Great Drama of Jesus the Christ Before Jesus resurrection, he had to go through the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter and his crucifixion on the cross. After his crucifixion, Joseph, and other followers of Jesus lovingly took Jesus down from the cross. They gently wrapped his body in linen and laid it in a tomb cut in the rock. The tomb was then sealed with a large stone. The Roman ruler, Pontius Pilate, had sent Roman soldiers to guard the tomb? Why had he ordered that? The priests had heard of the prophecy that said Jesus would rise again in three days. They feared that Jesus disciples would steal the body and then claim that he had risen as the prophecy had stated. They believed that this would make Jesus even more powerful in the eyes of the people. So, the priests urged Pilate to place guards around the sepulcher, Jesus s place of burial in the rock, and he agreed to do. Jesus lay there for three days. What do you think Jesus soul was doing during those three days? Do you think Jesus was taking a rest? I m sure he deserved one. (Allow children to answer.) No, 3
he was still about his father s business and his mission. Jesus soul was in the astral, in the place called purgatory. He was preaching to the souls there and encouraging them to obey the Law of God. Even when Jesus body lay in the tomb, his soul had the attainment to serve God. On the third day, rising before it was even light out, Mary Magdalene and the other women who loved Jesus returned to the tomb to anoint Jesus body which was the custom of the time. Knowing how large and heavy the rock was in front of the cave, one of the women asked Mary Magdalene, But how will we ever move the heavy stone to get inside the cave? I don t know, Mary sighed. We ll find a way, we have to. Just as the sun dawned, the women arrived at the edge of the garden. They held their pots of perfumes and precious ointments, anxious to enter the tomb. Suddenly, they stop. They can hardly believe their eyes. The tomb is open! The great stone no longer covers the entrance. Someone has rolled it away! Who did this and what does it mean? In the dim light of dawn, they see an angel. The angel s lovely voice spoke to them, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And the angel stretched out a long arm, inviting them to enter the tomb. (Show picture.) Mary Magdalene took the hand of one of the other women. Come on, she whispered, we have to go and look. They slowly entered the cave. 4
They enter the tomb and find it empty except for another angel. Oh no! Mary Magdalene cried out. He s gone! They ve taken Him away! No one has taken Him. Jesus is alive! He has risen! the angel answered. Now hurry and tell His disciples. He will meet them in Galilee. The women ran away from the tomb as fast as they could in different directions. They ran to tell Peter and John, his disciples But Mary Magdalene lingered by the tomb. She stooped down and looked into the sepulcher. There she saw two angels in white, one sitting at the head, and the other at the feet of where Jesus had lain. They said to her, Mary, why are you crying? Mary explained, Because they have taken my Lord away and I know not where they have laid him. Just then Mary looked around and saw a stranger standing near her. Believing this man to be the gardener, Mary asked, Do you know where Jesus body has been taken? Jesus said, Mary, it is I. (Show picture.) Mary immediately recognized Jesus and said, Master! as she ran toward him. Touch me not, he said. For I am not yet ascended unto my Father. Go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and to your God. (Show picture.) You see, Jesus body was blazing with the resurrection flame and no one was to touch him. 5
Mary was full of joy and love for Jesus. Jesus had told her to tell his friends that she had seen him and that he would soon be with his father in Heaven. Mary ran to tell the disciples who rejoiced to know that Jesus was risen. At first not everyone believed her. But as Jesus started appearing to the disciples, they eventually came to recognize him and believe that he truly rose from the dead. Many days later, Jesus spoke to all of the disciples telling them that after he ascended, they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And then Jesus ended with these words that have so much meaning for us today, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. And many of his disciples did as he said and today thousands know Jesus, love him very much and follow his teachings. His earthly mission had been accomplished. CONCLUSION: The drama of Jesus resurrection shows us that we too can go through the resurrection and make our ascension. We know that Jesus is with us today because He told us so. During Jesus' life, the resurrection flame was around him at all times. Do you want the resurrection flame around you too? You can have the resurrection flame around you when you give the Resurrection 6
decree every day. The flame of resurrection is pearly white, and you can see all the colors of the rainbow in it. I AM the flame of resurrection, Blazing God s pure light through me. Now I AM raising every atom, From every shadow I AM free. I AM the light of God s full Presence, I AM living ever free, Now the flame of Life eternal Rises up to Victory. Let s recite this together with all the love of our hearts for Jesus. You may want to close your eyes and visualize the white mother of pearl resurrection light all around you! (Recite together devotionally, 1x.) Thank you for being a part of the children s story. Have a wonderful day and Happy Easter. 7
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