Earth-Shaking News
Zack held up another rock. “Here, Ellen. It’s your turn to add a stone.”
As Ellen carefully reached to place her rock on the tower, it started to teeter back and forth. “Stop shaking the tower, Zack. It’s going to fall!”
“I’m not shaking it,” Zack said. “Ellen! I think the ground is shaking.”
Suddenly, their mother came from the house. Zack and Ellen tried to stand up and run to her, but the ground rolled and shook so much they could not even stand. Mother inched toward them. Finally she fell to the ground and tightly hugged her children.
“Mom, what’s happening?” Ellen asked.
“I’m not sure, children.” The earth rumbled and roared. They could hardly hear one another. “When your father returns, he will know what happened.”
Minutes passed, and the earthquake quieted. The streets of Jerusalem filled with people wanting to know what had caused the shaking.
A few hours later, Zack and Ellen stood near the window waiting for their father.
“Daddy!” they shouted, running to greet him.
“Zack! Ellen!” Their dad bent low giving each of them a hug. Zack and Ellen’s father had a very important job. Every day he wore his helmet, a breastplate and a heavy sword. He was a Roman soldier.
“Dad, we’ve been waiting for you all afternoon,” Ellen said. “Did you feel the ground shake? We were so scared!”
“Yes, Ellen. I felt the earthquake, and I know why the ground shook.”
“You do?” Zack asked. “Why, Father?”
“The earth shook because a very special man died this afternoon.” Zack and Ellen looked puzzled.
“Today I was in charge of guarding three men who were being punished for breaking the law. Their crimes were so serious that the men had to die.”
“Were they scary men, Dad? Zack asked. “Did you have to use your sword?”
“Well, Son, two of the men were criminals, but the other one was very different. He did not say mean things, even though we hurt Him. He did not try to get away, even though we teased Him. He was gentle and kind.”
“Who was He?” Ellen asked.
“His name was Jesus. And many people who loved Him watched Him being punished. They said He was the Son of God, but I did not believe them. Then, just after He died, the ground shook! My sword rattled in my belt, and I could not stand straight.”
“We couldn’t stand either!” Zack said.
Their father nodded. “The ground even cracked in some places. “Jesus was so important that His death caused the earth to rumble and break.”
“The ground shook because of a man?” Zack asked.
“Yes, Zack. But He was not just any man. I believe Jesus was the Son of God.”
“The Son of God?” Ellen asked. “What does that mean?”
“It means that even though He was a man, He was also God.”
“Wow,” Zack and Ellen said, eyes wide.
“What will happen now?” Zack asked.
“I don’t know,” Father said, “but I don’t think that earthquake was the end of this story.”
“Father,” Ellen shouted, “we need to tell our neighbors about Jesus!”
“You’re right,” Father said, smiling. “We should tell everyone.”
“Let’s start right now!” Zack said.
Jesus Christ died on the Cross for you. Do you believe He is the Son of God? Will you accept Him as your Savior? If you answered yes, all you have to do is pray and ask Him into your life. Say: “Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died and rose from the dead so I could be forgiven of my sins and live forever in heaven. Please come into my life and be my Savior. Thank you for loving me and being my heavenly Father. Amen.”
Now share the exciting news about God’s Son with someone close to you!