JEREMY’S EGG

JEREMY’S EGG
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I would like to share a true story with you.  I first read about this Easter story in the Focus on the Family magazine.  It still has the power to move me.   

There was boy named Jeremy who was severely mentally and physically challenged.  At aged 12 he was still in grade two. His teacher Doris Miller was exasperated with Jeremy.  He would squirm in his seat, drool, make grunting noises, and at times simply stare blankly at her.  With no one in the classroom to help her, she was exhausted trying to attend to Jeremy’s needs while teaching 18 other students.

Spring time came and Ms. Miller told her class about Easter, explaining the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  She gave each of her students a plastic egg and told them to bring it back the next day with something in it that showed new life. 

The next morning, when it came time to open the eggs, she disclosed the secret of each, taking time to explain each child’s creative expression of new life.  There was a flower, a butterfly, a rock with moss on it, and many other imaginative items. 

When she opened Jeremy’s egg she found that it was empty. She realized with distress that she had not called his parents to explain the assignment, and she figured that he had not understood the aim of the lesson.  Not wanting to embarrass him she quickly laid his egg aside and went on.  Jeremy spoke up, “Ms. Miller, aren’t you going to talk about my egg?”  She said: “But Jeremy—your egg is empty!” 

Jeremy replied softly, “Yes, but Jesus’ tomb was empty too!”  Time stopped for his teacher.  She became choked up and could not speak. When she was finally able to do so, she asked, “Jeremy, do you know why the tomb was empty?”  “Oh yes!” he said, “Jesus was killed and put in there.  Then his Father raised Him up!”

The school bell rang. The children went out for recess to play on the school grounds, and Doris cried. The anger and resentment she had felt for toward Jeremy over the school year melted away.  Three months later, Jeremy died.  Those who came to pay their respects at the funeral were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket—all of them empty.

I think the reason this story moves me so much is that it makes me think of a future day when the new heavens and earth will have arrived.  Twisted bodies like Jeremy’s will be restored. And all who have put their trust in Jesus will be united with Him.  All this is possible because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  That is why we celebrate! –Pastor Tom
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